designSTUDIO ________ Lopes da Silva architects

creating luxury living experiences

[lopesdasilvaarchitect]

[lopesdasilvaarchitect]

" Good design is a matter of discipline. It starts by looking at the problem and collecting all the available information about it. If you understand the problem, you have the solution. It's really more about logic than imagination." - Massimo Vignelli At the designSTUDIO it is our discipline to start looking at the client's problem and find a solution that is both logic and imagination 😊 DM for the design of your personal home 🏡 . . . #luxurydesigns #holidayhome #contemporaryhome #modernhome #residentialdesign #casadeluxo #moradialuxo #seafront #beachfrontvilla #infinitypool #realestate #golfresort #golflife #porto #maia #london #portugal #loule #architect #Architecture #arquitecto #algarve #algarvrearchitect #quotes #Architecture (at Vale Do Lobo Luxury Resort, Portugal) https://www.instagram.com/p/CkyXN19IOv6/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[lopesdasilvaarchitect]

A character home in Vale do Lobo - Algarve. A holiday home away from home. 

[lopesdasilvaarchitect]

Remembering the loss of our dear and inspiring master 𝘗𝘢𝘶𝘭𝘰 𝘔𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘴 𝘥𝘢 𝘙𝘰𝘤𝘩𝘢 - 𝘎𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪 𝘏𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦 : 𝘚𝘢̃𝘰 𝘗𝘢𝘶𝘭𝘰

[lopesdasilvaarchitect]

Our modern home : view from the first floor over the pool to the distant sun setting - Vale do Lobo : Algarve

[lopesdasilvaarchitect]

Navigating Planning Applications in Portugal

As many professionals in the real estate and construction industry would say 'due diligence' is the most important first step. Yet in Portugal not only is it the most important but to navigate the bureaucracy of planning is by far the most difficult of tasks to get right, and takes the most avid experience and skill of a local architect.

Although there is a national decree-law to funnel the process into a nationwide and user-friendly experience, the fact is that many local authorities still place and add minor changes to the procedure that makes it all very complicated and challenging. These changes and quirks could be simple things like the format of a document, or even the the way you name the digital document for hand-in. Add to this that these procedures can and will often change from time to time.

Planning applications are not as simple as the UK example where all of these are done at the "Planning Portal" and all of it is standardised and really quite user-friendly and self-explanatory. The Portuguese planning procedures require extensive lists of document checklists and the digital signature of each and every document. The documents themselves have to be the latest updated version. Documents in Portugal usually have a 6 to 12 month validity (professional indemnity insurance, powers of attorney, property registration certificate, etc). 

It is evident that you should do your own due diligence but you will need a qualified architect that will run you through each and every item that needs to be handed-in to the local authorities. This should be explained and made simple with possibly a checklist that you can refer to when necessary. This checklist should be in English with the equivalent Portuguese item so that you know which is what.

Although it isn't a simple procedure it is nevertheless a process that most architects have been through and with experience know how to navigate with considerable ease and success. It is important especially when working with foreign clients that they understand the intricacy of the process, because this can if not properly explained be a point of some problems and confusion in the client-architect relationship.

Contact me for a free checklist of Planning in Portugal to assist you.

[lopesdasilvaarchitect]

I am from the bottom up, but I have no problems with the intellectuals though.

[lopesdasilvaarchitect]

This one´s particularly for architect´s and other designers. Their dress code is not a reflection of their ideas.

[lopesdasilvaarchitect]

[lopesdasilvaarchitect]

Stairway to your dream home. #steel #stairs #wood #skies #summer #realestate #resort #residential #rooftop #archidesign #archilovers #archdaily #architecture #architecturelovers #details #exteriordesign #beachfront #architecturaldigest #architizer #luxury #luxurylife #luxuryhomes #luxurylifestyle (at Praia do Garrão)

[lopesdasilvaarchitect]

Pooling around. #palm #pool #swim #golf #green #beach #landscape #sky #algarve #luxurylife #luxury #home#resort #resorts

[lopesdasilvaarchitect]

[lopesdasilvaarchitect]

[lopesdasilvaarchitect]

Meetings at the Churchill Hotel is becoming an agreeable habit.

[lopesdasilvaarchitect]

Sunshine Now On! #sun #sunshine #garden #sky #swimming #pool #pergola #modern #contemporary #archilovers #archidaily #architecture #architecturaldigest #architizer #design #details #resort #residential #home #secondhome #luxury #luxurylife #luxury💎 #holiday #realestate #valedolobo #algarve #portugal🇵🇹

[lopesdasilvaarchitect]

It doesn't get closer than this. / / / / Our refurbishment in the Algarve - Albufeira. The renovation and refurbishment of an existing outbuilding and the garden into the existing home's new entertainment centre for visiting guests. / / / / #beach🌊 #beach #sea🌊 #swimming #hot #refurbished #realestate #luxury #luxurylife #lux #highend #holiday #home #residential #albufeira #algarve #architect #architectures #architecturelovers #architecture #architecturaldigest #landscape #archdaily #architizer #houzz

[lopesdasilvaarchitect]

Sometimes we meet in 5 stars, but our client is ultimately 'The Star' * #star #client #service #architect #architecture #marble #churchill #hyattregency #london🇬🇧#luxury #luxurylife #lux #style #finest #meeting #work #realestate #invest #archidaily #design #residential #refurbished (at Hyatt Regency London - The Churchill)