PLAN Associated Architects - «For us, clients are the heart and soul of every project.»

Founded in 1991 by architect Armando dos Reis, PLAN Associated Architects has, over more than three decades, built a reputation based on technical rigour, a deep understanding of location, and a highly personalised approach to residential architecture, undertaking projects throughout the Algarve, with a particular focus on Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo. Today, under the stewardship of Matias dos Reis, who has led the firm into a new generation along with a team of partners, PLAN Associated Architects continues to shine in some of the most ambitious luxury residential projects in Portugal, striking a balance between heritage and innovation.

PLAN Associated Architects came into being in 1991. More than 35 years on, how
would you describe the studio’s identity today?
PLAN is a studio built on a foundation of continuity and evolution. Right from the start, the studio has had a culture of architecture, rigour, technical clarity and respect for location, while always striving for more. I always remember my father saying, “If the path is obvious, it’s because we’re not on the right path.” This sense of continuity and passion has been carried forward by the new generation we now represent, allowing the studio to evolve whilst sticking to its core values. Today, PLAN remains on this path with a broader and refreshed corporate structure, a collective vision backed by more than 35 years of experience and reputation, and a team that has grown beyond the family legacy. This evolution can be seen in the diversity of our projects, ideas and the challenges we embrace. Our clients are looking for precisely this balance: placing their trust in a practice with the maturity, technical and legal expertise to get projects approved, combined with the ability to respond to the challenges posed by contemporary architecture and new ways of living in the future.

«The legacy left by my father and everything he loved about architecture continue to be a fundamental point of reference for PLAN’s identity.»

How does the legacy of architect Armando dos Reis influence the way the studioworks today?
The legacy left by my father and everything he loved about architecture continue to be a fundamental point of reference for PLAN’s identity. This quest of creating architecture, in which each project represents a new challenge, is the foundation upon which we continue to build a vision for the future. Over the last 17 years, the studio has evolved and grown, welcoming a new generation and a larger team. Today, the management of the studio is shared by myself, Liliana Dos Reis, Luís Caetano and CláudiaLourenço, together with a multidisciplinary team that has been helping to shape the path taken by PLAN.  The culture established by the founder has always been based on collaboration and sharing ideas. The studio was intended to be a democratic space, where different perspectives contribute to a shared outcome. That spirit is still alive today: a collaborative structure where the aim of creating architecture of quality, rigour and meaning for our clients remains.

Many of your projects are luxury homes, developed to a veryhigh degree of personalisation. How would you describe the studio’s relationship with its clients?
For us, clients are the heart and soul of every project. Each project is unique, and we feel privileged to have the opportunity to transform this vision into architecture. This brings with it a great responsibility. Many of the people who come to PLAN are looking for something very personal – a home, a retreat, or a space that reflects the way they live. Our role is to turn these aspirations into spaces that are both responsive and technically sound. Each project is developed in a unique way […]. The know-how we bring […] helps to establishtrust throughout the entire process. Each project is developed in a unique way, tailored to its location, the client, and the architectural quality and reliability we strive to guarantee over time.

PLAN works with many international clients. How does this influence how the studiooperates?
We have grown by working with a very international client base, for the most part in the Algarve. These clients are often looking for a combination of comfort, sophistication and architectural quality. They are people who have travelled the world and know quality when they see it. Our value lies in being able to interpret these expectations and transpose them into architecture tailored to the local context – to the Algarve lifestyle, the quality of life, the landscape and the unique pace of life of this region. We believe that above all else, value lies in trust. […] Architecture only truly fulfils its potential when it is built, and this technical expertise is a fundamental part of the studio’s reputation.

«The know-how we bring […] helps to establish trust throughout the entire process.»

In recent years, PLAN has been involved in large-scale projects. Could you single out a few?
One of the most notable projects was One Green Way, in Quinta do Lago, currently one of the largest private residential developments under construction in Portugal. The project is comprised of 90 villas in a private gated community and encompasses more than 38,000 sqm of construction. More than just creating a collection of detached houses, the goal was to create a coherent residential complex, with architectural quality and lasting value. Over the last three years, the studio has grown and has also developed several luxury villas, apartment buildings, hotels and restaurants. In total, these projects represent around 80,000 sqm of construction, many of which have already been completed or are at an advanced stage of the building process.

Architecture today operates in a fast-paced world. How does the studio cope withthis reality?
Architecture requires time for reflection, but the tools of our trade have evolved significantly. At PLAN, we have invested heavily in technology and digital processes so that we can work with greater precision and efficiency. […] We don’t just want to keep up with this change – we want to be at the vanguard of this transformation. This makes it possible for us to deliver faster, with greater rigour and quality. Today, we are able to present design proposals that are increasingly close to reality long before construction has even started, by simulating materials, colours, finishes and different architectural solutions.

The studio is also engaged in new projects outside the Algarve. What are you currently working on?
We were recently invited to collaborate on new projects in the Lisbon region, including YOO Lisbon SouthBay, where we are working as local architects in partnership with YOO Design Studio and Philippe Starck. This development consists of 73 detached villas, 31 townhouses, 198 apartments, a five-star hotel and a golf course, as well as other complementary amenities. The aim is to create a residential community concept focused on quality of life, the landscape and the family living experiences. It has been a privilege to be part of this project right from the start, and we believe it will be a truly visionary project in terms of the experiences it aims to create for its residents.

Where do you see PLAN heading in the future?
Our ambition is to continue along the path the studio has forged over more than three decades: architecture grounded in technical rigour, thoughtful design and the enduring quality of our projects. At the same time, our aim is to remain at the very forefront of innovation – whether through technology, artificial intelligence, sustainability or new ways of envisaging the spaces where people live. If there were one message to convey, it would be this one: it has been a privilege to be able to dream up architecture, to work as a team – often as a family too – and to design unique projects for our clients, ensuring that architecture retains its relevance over time and that each project becomes part of a legacy built with responsibility and a vision for the future.

«One of the most notable projects was One Green Way, in Quinta do Lago, currently one of the largest private residential developments under construction in Portugal.»

Text: Carla Martins
Photos: PLAN Associated Architects