Living Little
2020
Choosing an architect means choosing a way of thinking, a process, and a relationship. These questions and answers are here to help you understand how we work at Paulo Martins Arquitectura & Design: with intention, precision, and the belief that architecture must be lived, felt and remembered.
We work across residential, commercial, hospitality and industrial projects. Our focus, however, is on projects of added value, where experimentation and new formal and conceptual approaches are part of the process. We are particularly drawn to projects where architecture becomes an emotional experience; where light, space, and air quality are not details, but the very foundation of design.
No. For us, architecture is only complete when it goes from concept to reality. By staying involved through all phases (design, licensing, detailing, and technical assistance), we ensure coherence and reduce the risk of errors. This continuity is key to delivering architecture with true meaning and quality. Construction is not mandatory; however, when we oversee it, the project makes a qualitative leap, ensuring faithful execution without compromising the original ideas and concepts.
Essential. Each project begins with a frank conversation, where we ask not only about functional needs (the number of rooms, for example) but also about how you want to live, what you want to feel, and what atmosphere you imagine. This brief becomes the foundation that guides us in shaping a project that is both technically sound and emotionally resonant.
Construction costs can vary significantly, and published figures are often inaccurate, depending on numerous factors. However, based on our experience, it’s rare to achieve a high-quality project for less than €2,000/m² (plus VAT). This estimate includes elements such as aluminium windows with thermal break, heat pumps and underfloor heating, and mechanical ventilation. Bathrooms and kitchens from top brands are excluded from this baseline.
The cost depends on the complexity, size, and location of the project. While fees are linked to the resources and time required, they are typically calculated as a percentage of the construction cost, generally ranging from 10% to 15%.
Because we don’t just design buildings; we create places with presence and meaning. Each project is shaped by more than 20 years of experience, continuous experimentation, and a holistic approach that integrates architecture, engineering, interiors, and construction. Our commitment is to deliver design and functionality of the highest standard, creating spaces that elevate how you live, work, and feel.
Timelines vary with complexity, but as a reference:
Licensing: 6–12 months (depending on local authorities).
Detailed technical design: 6–12 months.
Construction: 12–24 months, depending on the scale and specifics.
We see time as an investment: every stage is necessary to ensure the result is precise, durable, and deeply aligned with your expectations.
Yes. While we do not have in-house engineers, we collaborate closely with trusted external teams.
This allows us to coordinate every speciality with care, ensuring all technical solutions serve the architectural vision.
We don’t just provide services; we craft customized solutions for clients who value exclusivity, intention, and design that surpasses the ordinary. Every project is managed from the initial sketch to the final detail because we believe true excellence is only achieved when the entire process is coherent and controlled. By minimising the number of intermediaries, we maintain the project’s essence and ensure that what was imagined is realised. Our ecosystem includes:
• Paulo Martins Arquitectura & Design: architecture and interiors.
• Construlautus – Engenharia e Construção: our construction and engineering company.
• Saline – Luxury Living: our real estate promotion and investment company.
• Oum: our decoration store.
This way, the entire process is coherent, controlled, and focused on delivering spaces of exceptional quality. You can find out more about each brand on our website.
Our studio is based in Aveiro, Portugal. But our projects reach far beyond — from Portugal to the world. Wherever we work, we bring the same dedication: architecture that responds to its context and evokes emotions.
Yes. Through our database, network, and partnerships with real estate agents, we can help identify land that matches your needs and aspirations.
Yes. In 2021, we established Construlautus – Engenharia e Construção to provide a comprehensive turnkey service. This guarantees that the vision developed during design is executed with precision during construction. With a Class IV licence, Construlatus builds exclusively for our projects, ensuring continuity, quality, and consistency at every step.
Yes, we work in BIM according to ISO 19650 standards. This methodology allows us to coordinate architecture and engineering with precision, reduce errors, simulate energy and lighting performance, and optimise costs and planning. For clients, BIM means greater transparency, better decisions, and a more controlled project from start to finish, while also enabling easier, optimised building maintenance after construction through structured asset information.
Yes. Through Saline – Luxury Living, our real estate company, you can acquire houses and apartments in different stages, from design to construction, or already completed. You can explore the current portfolio on the menu.
Yes. We design interiors and source furniture for homes, offices and hospitality projects. In addition to our online store, we collaborate with leading brands and tailor selections to each project, ensuring that interiors reflect the same intention and atmosphere as the architecture.
Select an architect whose work you genuinely admire and whose approach to design resonates with your own. Visit the studio, speak with the team, and observe how they plan to guide you through the process. Most importantly: choose someone you feel comfortable with. Architecture is a long, collaborative journey; the best results occur when trust and shared vision are at the centre.