Villa Blackbird in Algarve is a luxurious house with author's finishes and rich atmosphere for full enjoyment of life

A blackbird sits on his property in the Algarve, an abstract form, its dark roofs tilted as if about to take off. It's a fitting name for The Residence, a new home design from Dublin and London-based architecture studio Odos. Along with the completion of the project, the firm, led by founder David O'Shea, also announced the launch of a new sister brand, Maroochy Construction Company, as the architect recently unveiled the new venture's first home on the market.

Flecting Maroochy's values and Odos' architectural vision, Blackbird is designed to be "a harmonious blend of beautifully executed, homey, comfortable luxury." The idea to expand into real estate and create a new company came from O'Shea's love of brutalist architecture and after meeting James Goldstein at the Goldstein Sheats home in Los Angeles designed by John Lautner.

The residence itself is designed with strong architectural character at its core, prioritizing "honesty, individualization, trust, heritage, joy, uniqueness, coziness, comfort, functionality and relentless attention to detail." Even though it seemed like a dream, acting as both client and architect in the scheme, O'Shea faced a number of challenges during the Blackbird design process, relating to issues of decision-making and backtracking after the project was completed.

He says: "There is a constant contradiction in his mind between his mind and his heart. The heart wants everything and the mind tries to rationalize and bring order to those "wants". The best projects have a healthy proportion of both. "

He continues, "Splitting or letting go of a project is very difficult, whether you are the client or the architect.

Blackbird is defined by its black, exposed concrete construction and raw interiors, which are offset by carefully selected furniture and high-end finishes - mixing textures and surfaces. Created as the result of five years of effort, the home is currently for sale through Mapro/Knight Frank and QP Savills.

A lot more is still expected from the young brand. Maroochy is about to start work on a farm site in the Alentejo region of Portugal, a 100-acre property among the hills. "Biodiversity and privacy are key to this concept of raw luxury living," explains O'Shea. The next facility is scheduled for completion in 2025.