Studio 3A

Our work

Studio 3A prides itself in being a leading sustainable architect studio. We embark on a thorough study of the climate and topography of the place, spending time with our client to understand better the end user’s needs. This is necessary in order for us to mitigate the energy use and reduce our carbon footprint, all while keeping in mind the user’s comfort.

Cabanas in Comporta

Residential Project

“I want this place to be my retreat, give me a bed and a bathtub and I’m happy.” That was our client’s brief for our last project, Cabanas in Comporta, a small private residential project of four black cabanas that sit comfortably amidst the wild pine trees, inviting you to breathe, relax, and soak in the natural beauty around.

Tuukul Meditation Kit

Design Project

During the first months of lockdown 2020 in Portugal, Therezia had the chance to travel around Portugal and with her she brought the meditation stool that was gifted to her a while back. This piece brought her beautiful conversations about mindfulness and new insights that her friends were having in consequence of covid-19 lockdown. She considered these conversations as a gift and wanted to give back. Therezia invited Tomás to partner with her in this journey and to be the producer of the wooden stools since he is a renowned cabinet maker and has an incredible joinery workshop in Cascais. Tomás, that never meditated sitting down in the lotus position but naturally meditates everyday with the ocean and whilst working with wood; he accepted the partnership without asking almost any details.


“Does that mean I’m going to be a meditation master?” he asked.


-You already are my dear friend.

Maria Sole Boutique in London

Retail Project

With a challenging timeframe and limited budget, we were commissioned to bring the essence of the brand out through the shop interior. We are thankful for our client Maria Sole Ferragamo who trusted us a partner for such an important milestone in her career as a jewellery designer.

Mercasus Bow

Retail Project

The mutant vehicle is a Mercedes 230 (1978) converted into a bi-plane. Designed to fly through the Karoo desert leaving a trail of rainbows, good vibrations, happiness and inevitably tornadoes of dust in its wake.

The bottom wing is made of hammocks carrying up to 4 people per wing, while the top wing is a vivid display of lights and colours. A DJ booth placed in the trunk along with 2 PA speakers. A satellite dish covered in a mosaic of mirrors will harvest and focus light onto a sprinkle of water thus forming rainbows.

DS - Housing

2022 - London, United Kingdom

Refurbishment of existing building and garden with sustainable materials such as lime-wash paint and thermally treated wood. Increasing thermal efficiency by insulating the roof, installing double glazing, underfloor heating with insulated hot water pipes, and creation of natural cross ventilation. Recycling existing glass brick wall to create an outside bar area. All new equipment installed is suggested to be at least grade B on the new EU energy certificate.

AD - Housing

2021 - Cercal do Alentejo, S. do Cacém

Thorough study on the climate and location. Reconstruction of existing building with sustainable materials such as limewash paint, cork insulation, low-e double glazing, & thermally treated wood. Low energy passive design created by external solar shading with pergolas and insulated shutters. Implementation of PV panels for active energy and solar panels for water heating.

AD - Countryside Hotel

2021 - Cercal do Alentejo, S. do Cacém

Thorough study on the climate and location. Reconstruction of existing building with sustainable materials such as limewash paint, cork insulation, low-e double glazing, & thermally treated wood. Passive and low energy design created by external solar shading with pergolas and insulated shutters. Implementation of PV panels for active energy and solar panels for water heating.

AF - Housing

2020 - Melides, Grândola

Thorough study on the climate and location, orientation, views, wind, & sunpath. Passive and low energy architecture using local materials such as rammed earth (Taipa) and compressed earth bricks (CEB); using thermal mass as an energetic concept. Window to floor ratio calculated for efficient natural lighting without overheating in summer. External shading with pergolas and insulated shutters, and allowance for natural cross ventilation in the interior. Implementation of PV panels for active energy and solar panels for water heating.

AF - Countryside Hotel

2020 - Melides, Grândola

Thorough study on the climate and location, orientation, views, wind, & sunpath. Passive and low energy architecture using local materials such as rammed earth (Taipa) and compressed earth bricks (CEB); using thermal mass as an energetic concept. Window to floor ratio calculated for efficient natural lighting without overheating in summer. External shading with pergolas and insulated shutters, and allowance for natural cross ventilation in the interior. Implementation of PV panels for active energy and solar panels for water heating.

AF - Office

2020 - Melides, Grândola

Thorough study on the climate and location, orientation, views, wind, & sunpath. Passive and low energy architecture using local materials such as rammed earth (Taipa) and compressed earth bricks (CEB); using thermal mass as an energetic concept. Window to floor ratio calculated for efficient natural lighting without overheating in summer. External shading with pergolas and insulated shutters, and allowance for natural cross ventilation in the interior. Implementation of PV panels for active energy and solar panels for water heating.

BZ - Rural Hotel

2020 - Melides, Grândola

Thorough study on the climate and location, orientation, views, wind, & sunpath. Passive and low energy architecture using local materials such as rammed earth (Taipa) and compressed earth bricks (CEB); using thermal mass as an energetic concept. Implementation of PV panels for active energy, solar panels for water heating, permaculture concept & biological water treament facilities.

EV - Agroturism

2020 - Garvão, Ourique

Thorough study on the climate and location, orientation, views, wind, & sunpath. Passive and low energy architecture using local materials such as rammed earth (Taipa) and compressed earth bricks (CEB); using thermal mass as an energetic concept. Implementation of PV panels for active energy, solar panels for water heating, permaculture concept & biological water treament facilities.

BR - Housing

2019 - Melides, Grândola

Thorough study on the climate and location, orientation, views, wind, & sunpath. Flexibility design for energy eficiency usage with the creation of independent volumes. Use of sustainable and local materials. External shading with pergolas and insulated shutters, and allowance for natural cross ventilation in the interior. Implementation of PV panels for active energy and solar panels for water heating.

FS - Countryside Hotel

2019 - Cercal do Alentejo, S. do Cacém

Thorough study on the climate and location, orientation, views, wind, & sunpath. Passive and low energy architecture using local materials such as rammed earth (Taipa) and compressed earth bricks (CEB); using thermal mass as an energetic concept. Wood structure instead of concrete for decreassing the associated footprint. Window to floor ratio calculated for efficient natural lighting without overheating in summer. External shading with pergolas and shutters, and allowance for natural cross ventilation in the interior. Implementation of PV panels for active energy and solar panels for water heating.

ES - Housing

2018 - Estoril, Cascais

Full floor extension in Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) and other sustainale materials like cork insulation. Use of Fireplace stoves for heating and produce hot water for the heated floor. Implementation of PV panels for active energy and solar panels for water heating.