Jaime Coutinho: “[...] architecture should never be an exercise in ego”

For almost five decades, Jaime Coutinho has been designing more than just houses: he has been designing ways of living. Throughout a career closely associated with the advent and rise of residential luxury in the Algarve, the architect has made his concept of ‘Design for Lifestyles’ the very essence of his work, always placing people and the way they live at the heart of architecture. In this issue, Villas&Golfe pays tribute to his life’s work, his legacy and the vision that helped define a different way of living in the Algarve. 

When you look back to the time you spent at Vale do Lobo and to the growth of Quinta do Lago, do you have the sense that you played a part in shaping not just houses, but a full-blown lifestyle in the Algarve?
My career path was significantly influenced by Sander van Gelder’s invitation to join the ranks of Vale do Lobo in October 1978, just after I had completed my degree in architecture. That challenge changed my life and enabled me to begin my career at what was, at the time, the region’s most prestigious luxury resort. Shortly afterwards, I took on the job of Head of Planning and Projects and the position of Chief Architect, roles I held until I founded JCA in 1989, whilst continuing to work on projects with Vale do Lobo until 1999. I had a front-row seat of the evolution of the so-called Golden Triangle – Vale do Lobo, Quinta do Lago, Vilamoura, Vila Sol and others – witnessing how the architecture of holiday destinations was transformed into a contemporary, light-filled and functional style, adapted to an increasingly demanding international market. It proved to be a pivotal moment in establishing the Algarve as a leading destination for luxury residential tourism.

«I believe that an architect should cultivate an image that is consistent with the way they work and with their professional environment.»

You rubbed shoulders and worked alongside truly remarkable figures such as André Jordan and Sander van Gelder. How did they influence the way you approach architecture?
For 20 years I worked with Sander van Gelder, with whom I would discuss strategies and a vision of luxury living that was far ahead of its time. He was wholeheartedly dedicated to the development of Vale do Lobo and instilled that commitment to excellence in us on a daily basis. I would also single out the period when I was Sir Henry Cotton’s assistant, overseeing the development of the Royal Golf Course. That was an unforgettable experience that taught me the value of simplicity and discipline. As for André Jordan, we never worked together directly, but I paid close attention to the visionary legacy he was creating at Quinta do Lago, Vilamoura and Belas Clube de Campo. It was a privilege to bear witness to the impact his developments had and to realise that architecture should arise less from theory and more from the reality of the place.

Throughout your career, you have crossed paths with many prominent figures, both nationally and internationally, through your projects and in your personal life. What was the greatest lesson you gained from these experiences?
The greatest lesson was realising that architecture should never be an exercise in ego, but instead a creative and poetic act entirely dedicated to meeting the expectations and lifestyle of each client.

There have been some very special people that have played a part in your life – names such as Audrey Hepburn, Ayrton Senna, Maluda and leading figures from the worlds of art, culture, business and politics. What impact have these icons had on your vision of elegance and aesthetic sensibility?
I had the privilege of spending time with personalities such as Audrey Hepburn, whilst I was Chief Architect at Vale do Lobo resort – where she almost bought a plot – the painter Maluda, and various leading experts in the fields of architecture and interior design, including GraçaViterbo, Teresa Almendra, Nini Andrade Silva and Laura Osório. As for Ayrton Senna, the house where he lived in Quinta do Lago was a project of mine, initially designed for other owners and later remodelled for the subsequent owners. Being in contact with clients and prominent figures of different nationalities naturally broadened my vision of elegance, understated luxury and aesthetic sensibility, which has always been rooted in the ability to listen to and understand the people who inhabit the spaces. This relationship of trust also gave rise to friendships that endure to this day.

Jaime Coutinho has always cultivated a very particular image: sophisticated, discreet, elegant and deeply rooted in lifestyle. Is that also a way of living and communicating architecture?
I believe that an architect should cultivate an image that is consistent with the way they work and with their professional environment. More than just appearances, you need to convey trust, discretion and authenticity. I can recall clients telling me that, beyond my body of work, it was precisely this approach that led them to entrust their projects to me. I like to think that this identity is also reflected in the studio and in my own home, both spaces that express the eclectic way in which I embrace architecture.

«I don’t just design houses; my goal is to design ways of living.»

The motto ‘Design for Lifestyles’ has almost become an emotional trademark of JCA. What were your intentions when you created this concept?
‘Design for Lifestyles’ captures the essence of JCA. Designing means intuitively entering the world of the people who will inhabit each space, understanding their habits, emotions and expectations. I don’t just design houses; my goal is to design ways of living. I still remember an English couple who, upon seeing the first draft, told me, quite moved, that it was exactly what they were looking for, and from that moment a friendship was born that lasts to this day. That moment confirmed to me that architecture only makes sense when you are able to interpret, with sensitivity, the lives of those who inhabit it.

«I design with complete freedom, without allowing myself to be influenced by trends. Intuition is a key tool in my creative process.»

For more than three decades, you have worked with leading figures in design and interior design. How would you describe this relationship between architecture and interiors?
Architecture and interior design should go hand in hand right from the outset. They may be distinct disciplines, but they are deeply complementary. The dialogue between architects, interior designers, landscape architects and, subsequently, other specialists enriches the project and leads to a final result that has been successfully tailored to the clients.

Your houses have something remarkable about them: they do not follow trends and yet remain contemporary decades later. Do you have some kind of aesthetic intuition?
I design with complete freedom, without allowing myself to be influenced by trends. Intuition is a key tool in my creative process. Rather than pursuing ‘timeless’ architecture, what interests me is creating spaces that, decades later, are still fully fulfilling their function and providing a sense of well-being to those who live in them.

Many of your projects have been created in unique locations – Quinta do Lago, Vale do Lobo, Ria Formosa, Vilamoura. Are you still inspired by the Algarve landscape?
Of course. I never start a project without thoroughly familiarising myself with the site at different times of day. The landscape, the light, the sounds and the surroundings are all part of the design process. I remember sending a client a video of a bird chirping on his future plot in Quinta do Lago. Years later, he still wakes to that very same sound. This is possibly one of the most fitting expressions of the ‘Design for Lifestyles’ concept.

After so many years of designing homes for families from all over the world, what truly makes a house great?
A great house has nothing to do with size, but rather with the quality of its spaces and its ability to inspire well-being. Natural light, views, landscaping, comfort, privacy and serenity are what luxury is all about today. More than just making a visual impression, a house should reflect the identity and memories of the people who live in it.

«More than just making a visual impression, a house should reflect the identity and memories of the people who live in it.»

There are projects that leave a lasting mark on an architect. Which project had the greatest emotional impact on you?
It’s difficult to choose just one. I can recall a villa in Vale do Lobo, where the plot was redesigned to make the most of the exposure to the sun and the views over the ocean; a house in Quinta do Lago with interior design by GraçaViterbo; another built on the site of what was once the ‘Casa Redonda’; another developed in partnership with my architect friend Richard Burt; and yet another situated on the lakeshore at Quinta do Lago, which is perhaps the project I had the greatest pleasure in bringing to life.

Today, looking back at the legacy you have built, do you find greater fulfilment in professional recognition or in the impact you’ve had on people’s lives through the houses you’ve created?
I would say both. Professional recognition is deeply meaningful to me, although it has never been my primary motivation. That is why the tribute to my legacy proposed by the CEO of Villas & Golfe, making it one of the central themes of this special 25th anniversary edition of the magazine, is a great honour for me. I continue to arrive at the studio every day with the same motivation I have always had. Looking back on my career, I believe my legacy lies in the evolution of residential resort architecture, from my earliest projects in Quinta do Lago, such as the Ayrton Senna House, to the work developed over the past 25 years—a period that Villas & Golfe has closely followed through several editions. Above all, however, the greatest impact of my work is measured by people. It is a privilege to see the homes I have designed become part of their owners' life stories, and to know that many of my clients have become friends.

What would you like people to say about Jaime Coutinho 50 years from now?
I wouldn’t expect there to be a street or a roundabout named after me [he laughs]. I would merely hope that, in the houses that still stand, someone might recognise an architecture that has retained its essence and continued to provide a good quality of life for successive generations, the architecture of an architect called Jaime Coutinho. That will be my greatest legacy. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the staff at JCA, a real family, as well as the many partners and designers who, over the years, have helped to make this dream and this journey possible.

Text: Carla Martins
Photos: Nuno Almendra