The Difference building, on Vagueira beach, presents a modern and urban trait, demarcated by soft and elegant textures.
It has different typologies, covering different audiences of interest: whether a person with a remote work routine, a couple with children or a retiree.
The Difference was designed with specific audiences in mind who seek to live in tranquility, in a place full of fishing tradition, developed by the companies of the Xávega art.
Vagueira is characterized by an extensive sandy beach, with a seawall that invites you to long walks overlooking the sea, a place that breathes tradition, sun, sea and estuary. Here you can also find traditional commerce, the fish market, pharmacy and several restaurants.
A nature still very pure, allows any age group to enjoy the present, appreciate the future, feel the salty breeze. There is a unique charm and tranquillity to discover, which awaken all the senses.
A project with you in mind. Immerse yourself in the idea of living the difference.
Located in the heart of the city of Aveiro, Ponto Urbano is a company specialized in the construction, development and rehabilitation of high quality developments in prime locations. With a focus on creating, innovating and reaching further in the application of avant-garde and sustainable solutions, Ponto Urbano always ensures accuracy in design and unquestionable quality in construction.
Paulo Martins, founder of Ponto Urbano, has no doubts: being both builder and developer of a house is a great challenge, “an even greater challenge when we talk about a house that we would like to have for ourselves. Nevertheless, we can’t see ourselves doing this job any other way. We always build as if the houses were for us, places where we would be proud to live with our families and where we would welcome our friends. Despite all the work and challenges, the truth is that we feel very proud of everything that we have built.
Looking back at the last five years, the entrepreneur reveals that he is very satisfied with everything that Ponto Urbano has achieved. “The brand has asserted itself in the market, and we now have a portfolio of more than 400 clients, a large number for such a short period of time. I feel that we are at the ideal level, so we should now focus on consolidating our position”, since he believes that it would not be beneficial to continue to grow and explains why: “A large institution cannot take care of the quality that we have, attention and proximity to the client. In a large company it is more difficult for attention to be completely dedicated to the project. In contrast, at Ponto Urbano we bet on differentiated, distinct projects, where a different know-how is required. In addition, we incessantly seek continuous improvement, since we want to offer the best to our clients. This is what motivates us and what we are passionate about. We always build responsibly, so the locations we choose are of excellence.”
Recently Ponto Urbano delivered about 120 apartments, with another 150 still under construction in the Puro Golden and Maximum projects. Paulo Martins reveals that the company is now preparing to continue to invest in Barra and Costa Nova, where it will present innovative solutions to its clients. “We will also move forward with an innovative project in Vagueira, an area that is little recognized by the region itself, which has never been properly explored and used, even though excellent services are available there and there is the added value of being a beach region that is not yet densely populated, allowing, in the summer, all those who live there to enjoy sun and beach days full of tranquility. The two buildings that we are going to build are close to the new marina, a structure that will further enhance the use of the Ria de Aveiro, which I am passionate about. We will promote these new ventures to the four corners of the world and I believe that the success will be resounding, not least because the prices we will charge are not prohibitive.
The pandemic and the war
Questioned about the weight that the pandemic had in the company, Paulo Martins refers that, undoubtedly, it affected Ponto Urbano, especially in what concerns the workforce, since several teams were stopped at different times, due to the fact that one of the elements became infected. “Whenever this happened, the remaining eight people had to stay at home on call. This led to delays in several works that, in the end, meant a year’s delay in relation to the work we had outlined, which meant a loss of capital, since a delay in a work inevitably means an increase in cost. Nevertheless, this cost was not charged to our client.
Once the pandemic was over, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine began, which led to an exponential increase in the price of many of the raw materials Ponto Urbano works with on a daily basis. “Bearing in mind that the quotations we give to our clients, before a work is awarded, take place well before the actual start of construction, when we were faced with this price differential we chose to bear this difference and scrupulously comply with the price agreed with our clients. None of them paid a cent more as a result of these increases. If, in the past, there were other times when prices went down and customers did not benefit from this decrease, it was not fair that, now, facing the opposite of the situation, our posture was different. Of course, this option required an even more attentive and careful management. We also had to work even harder and look for different solutions. Even so, since we buy most of all the necessary products at the beginning of each project, even though this means a greater financial effort on our part, the prices are set with our suppliers right away. This way of working has meant that the damage resulting from these increases has been more easily absorbed, even though our margins have in some cases been markedly squeezed.
Competition and the Future
As for the existing competition in the market, the entrepreneur assures that it’s not enough to have a beautiful design, a funny façade, an extraordinary 3D project, full of paradisiacal images. “The quality in real estate promotion is related to factors that, in Portugal, continue to be neglected: good structural quality and excellent acoustic and thermal quality, something that is expensive to do. Many companies are still only concerned with what clients can see with the naked eye, something we can’t perceive, once we consider that what’s inside the walls is as or more important than what’s outside. It is this care that I consider as excellent construction and superior quality”.
As for the future of the civil construction sector, the businessman considers that it will necessarily go through prefabricated installations, in steel, concrete, and wood, “since traditional specialists will no longer exist. I believe that, in the medium term, more than 60% of all the construction that will take place in our country will have to be prefabricated. These solutions already exist in other countries, however, they have nothing to do with the architecture, the quality, and the construction performance that the Portuguese are used to. We are a country of excellent architects that will no longer have traditional and quality construction, since nobody will know how to build it”, he concludes.
Message to all clients
“I hope our clients know that they can count on the entire Urban Point team forever. We will always listen to them, we will always solve any problems that arise once the construction is over, and we are always available to continue to surprise them with new products and equipment.”
Living by the beach is the desire of so many and the reality for others. The sea has positive effects on our emotional, mental and physical health, and is recommended for those who seek a healthier routine. Hearing the sound of the ocean waves as you wake up, feeling the sea breeze as you leave your house, and being able to walk on the beach without having to commute are some of the advantages of living by the sea.
Discover seven benefits associated with living near the beach:
Improved quality of life Living by the beach provides a more balanced lifestyle, where it is easy to find moments of leisure and relaxation. Being in touch with nature helps increase well-being and happiness.
More opportunity to enjoy sun exposure The coastal environment provides more opportunities to enjoy sunbathing, especially at the most convenient times for your health, in the morning or late in the day.
More motivation to work out It is easier to find motivation to exercise on the beach, where you can find people running or walking. Water sports are also more accessible.
Gastronomy typical of coastal regions In coastal regions, a diet based on fish and seafood is more common, generally healthier because it is rich in Omega-3, which helps reduce cholesterol. In restaurants and in local commerce it is possible to find high quality fresh fish.
Mood Boosting Living on the beach can improve one’s mood, thanks to the increased contact with nature and exposure to the sun, which produces vitamin D. Walking on the beach or relaxing on a terrace is enough for a little sun exposure to reduce stress levels.
Control of health conditions Some health conditions, such as asthma and skin problems, tend to improve by staying by the beach. Many people search for the beach in the summer to prepare their bodies for the beachless months in the winter.
Improved overall health Living by the beach improves physical and mental health, with more physical activity, healthy eating, and the chance to relax in a natural environment. Living by the beach can be the key to a healthier and happier life.
Ponto Urbano regularly invests in housing solutions close to the sea, as we are aware of the many benefits that contribute to a healthy lifestyle. In addition to the factors previously mentioned, Ponto Urbano also associates in its buildings factors such as construction quality, good thermal and acoustic insulation, good areas and optimal sun exposure, all essential for a good quality of life.
In a predominantly urban society, where it is necessary to ensure sustainable development, green spaces are key tools for structuring and qualifying outdoor spaces, for environmental protection and for improving people’s living conditions.
The growing importance of private outdoor spaces has been a concern of Ponto Urbano for some years. With the objective of minimising the urban impact of a new building in mind, flower and shrub planting areas are prepared as soon as the building is completed. We consider that these green spaces are of vital importance in multi-family buildings, as they intensify environmental comfort through natural light and ventilation.
Private exterior as a qualitative advantage of housing
The existence of a private exterior space dimension is always a fundamental and qualitative aspect in any housing solution. This way, the dwelling acquires a differentiating element, in which the possibility is created to develop activities which are usually indoors, such as reading, socialising, meals and professional work.
Advantages of the private exterior
In the use of private exterior spaces, we point out some crucial advantages in the interior-exterior relationship:
· They provide a feeling of being outside, despite remaining in the comfort of the domestic interior. · They allow improved views of the surrounding environment and can even “transport” it to the interior, enriching it, almost bringing the garden indoors. · They enrich the adjoining interior space. · They can create real “neutral zones” that can be controlled in terms of environmental comfort, and of course, have good influences on greater home comfort and energy savings.
An extension of the house beyond the windows
The existence of balconies, regardless of their size, creates an extension of the house beyond the windows, a perspective that creates transitional spaces with specific lighting and view characteristics. Many of us would like to have a large private balcony, terrace, garden or patio, a desire that was well expressed in a LNEC housing survey, in which:
· more than 80% of respondents considered a private garden or patio to be necessary; · 10% accepted the balcony as a substitute; · only 7% considered the public garden close to the house as a possible substitute for the private exterior;
According to, Paulo Martins, CEO of Ponto Urbano “in a way, private outdoor spaces create an extra domestic dimension, a kind of belt of protection and relationship of the dwelling with its natural and urban surroundings, which is of great interest for the full satisfaction of those who inhabit a house with these attributes.”
Private outdoor spaces thus have specific and stimulating functions (e.g. gardening), provide the extension of indoor domestic activities (e.g. relaxing and socialising), and enrich and protect the domestic interior through well-framed views and strategic protection and shading.
This is one of the most fundamental decisions of your life and, therefore, you should carefully evaluate several components of this process.
Follow these 10 tips and advice that will help you choose the ideal house.
1. Define priorities
Define what is fundamental in a house. Is it a big kitchen, lots of light, close to transports, hardwood floors, huge bedrooms, or a big balcony? Without any censorship, put everything on your list and then narrow it down to the five essentials. Carry this list with you at all times!
2. Take note of everything
When you visit several houses, you lose track of which has what, so keep a record. Make a table or a checklist, in which you indicate what your ideal house should have (number of bedrooms, equipped kitchen, heating, etc.) and, as you visit them, point out which requirements are met. When it comes time to make the decision, this record will help.
3. Ask to have photos taken
Even when you fall madly in love with a house, you may end up forgetting some details. Ask to take pictures or even make a video, so that when it comes time to decide, your memory will not fail you!
4. Look at the details
Don’t be shy to analyze each drawer, closet, window, or door. Look, review, test, and test again. This is probably the biggest purchase of your life. That’s why you have to know everything: abuse the questions, make as many visits as you feel necessary, and take your time to make sure you have found your ideal house.
5. Take a tape measure
No, it’s not too early to start taking measurements. Remember that buying a house is a big investment and you may not want to add to this amount the amount to re-decorate the living room, bedrooms, office and/or kitchen. If you already have all the furniture you need take the measurements of your furniture and confirm that they will fit.
6. Visit the house at different times
Try to visit the house at different times to notice not only the differences inside, but also outside. How is the street at night, do you feel comfortable and safe, or do you notice a strange atmosphere? In the morning, is it very noisy? Is it busy, does it have many children and families? Is it quiet or a desert? Remember that this is where you will live.
7. How many years can you live here?
One of the most common mistakes buyers make is to buy a house that meets their needs today without, however, evaluating the future. Later, when, for example, you have children, it may no longer be sufficient for the whole family.
8. Evaluate the distances
How long will it take you to travel from home to work or from home to the children’s school? How often do you make these trips? The money you will save on the purchase of the house, will you not spend it on time and fuel? These are all questions that should be analyzed when making a decision.
9. Do the math well
Think carefully if your budget supports the investment. The ideal house is the one that does not put your livelihood at risk. The loan payment should not exceed 20% of your monthly budget. And if you already have other loans, the total amount should not exceed a maximum of 30%.
10. Confirm the data
Be sure to ask the seller for all the documents of the property so that you can confirm all the data in the tax and land registry offices. This small care can avoid many future problems.
SUGGESTION FOR THOSE LOOKING FOR A FIRST HOME IN AVEIRO:
The Tiles is an ode to the charms of tile art. It is a development with studio to two bedroom apartments, with areas between 38.92m² and 122.88m². Consisting of three floors and two, The Tiles has parking spaces and balconies. Located on Rua do Gravito, next to the Beira-Mar district, in the heart of Aveiro, The Tiles provides several amenities of a city lifestyle and allows its residents to absorb the beauty and tranquility of the city, next to the Ria’s canals.
With a classic façade which promotes the traditional line, The Tiles integrates with the surroundings of the location where it is located. Its interior, however, contrasts, presenting a modern and urban design, marked by soft and elegant textures. For Ponto Urbano, preserving history by maintaining the architectural and artistic heritage is a must.
Ponto Urbano has as its foundation the respect and preservation of art, simultaneously creating architectural value, by excelling in projects that consider the surroundings and are simultaneously at the forefront of the line.
Sophistication and modernity are the pillars of this new villa, a few minutes away from the centre of Aveiro. Located in Vilar, it has a modern and sophisticated design, which merges with a cosy interior, inviting to rest and serenity, as a result of the use of light and neutral tones.
All interiors were designed using materials of simple and elegant design, continuing a neutral colour palette, worked in order to create harmony between the various spaces.
The exterior crosses the balance between the spaces creating unique relationships with the garden and the pool. It allows you to enjoy a new outdoor lifestyle – outdoor space designed for “use and abuse”.
V’llar House is the new project with Ponto Urbano signature, which offers you comfort in every detail. Located in Vilar, Aveiro, the villa emerges in a quiet residential area, 5 minutes from the city centre.
A call to tranquility and well-being that you have to know.
Efficient insulation is the first step towards a more ecological and comfortable house. The bet on good insulation will always be the most important and an investment that cannot be neglected.
In fact, if you don’t build a house with good insulation, all other investments, from the point of view of energy supply, may be in vain. This investment is quickly recouped due to the marked reduction in expenditure and subsequent energy costs.
Modern houses are almost all already built to excellent energy standards, so when buying your house you should consider whether it meets the necessary requirements. Insulation can be applied to windows, doors, the floor and the roof, but the most important are the walls through which, as a rule, around 30 to 40% of the heat is lost. Around 25% is lost through the roof and an average of 20% through windows and doors. The floor is the least important.
Learn about the 5 most significant benefits of good insulation.
Better insulation, less expenses When talking about insulation, you can’t help but start by listing an obvious advantage: a well-insulated house conserves energy better and reduces monthly bill costs. Not being a new benefit, it is important to mention, especially if we consider that, according to recent Eurostat data, Portugal is one of the European Union countries with the highest electricity and gas prices, taking into account purchasing power.
Thermal and acoustic comfort It is not at all pleasant on a cold day not to feel the warmth of cosiness inside your own home, just as it is not comfortable to spend summer days in a very hot house. Thermal insulation prevents heat loss during the colder seasons and, on the other hand, it prevents spaces from overheating during the hot seasons, thus allowing a pleasant temperature throughout the year. Let’s talk about noise. Good insulation makes interiors more comfortable from an acoustic point of view, which is a huge plus, especially for those who live in urban areas. The insulation system absorbs sound and contributes to a quieter environment that is more conducive to resting or working without distractions. It also prevents sounds from the inside from passing to the outside.
Preserving the integrity of the house Insulation combined with a vapour retardant, in addition to controlling condensation, also limits corrosion in cold pipes and ducts. When walls are warmer, due to the insulation, water vapour is prevented from condensing and the risk of mould and mildew appearing on walls is significantly reduced which again is beneficial to health.
A healthier home Yes, good insulation has an impact on our health. There are more and more people with asthma, allergies and other respiratory problems and anyone who builds a house knows that living in an environment without humidity, with a pleasant temperature and where pollutants, allergens and chemical products don’t get in, means investing in consistent insulation.
A more ecological house The air-conditioning and the electrical and mechanical devices that are used to maintain a good climate inside the house emit pollutants that, obviously, have negative repercussions on the environment. The worse the insulation of a house, the greater the need to use these devices to achieve the desired temperature and the greater the emission of pollutants. Although insulation is not usually associated with pollution control, it is a very important point that cannot be ignored.
At Ponto Urbano we create architectural value by focusing on projects that respect their surroundings and at the same time are at the cutting edge of design. Rigour in design and quality in construction are the foundations that define us. Investing in a Ponto Urbano property is a safe real estate investment, with guaranteed appreciation day after day.
Sustainability… A fashionable word that has become part of everyday language, inherent both in construction and in many other areas.
One of the most important economic sectors in Europe is the construction industry, namely buildings. However, this importance does not correspond in the same proportion when it comes to excessive consumption of raw materials, non-renewable energy resources and excessive waste production, and this sector continues to rely mostly on traditional construction methods and unskilled labor. According to 2015 data, it is responsible for 30% of carbon emissions, and the current rate of consumption of energy resources in this sector is above the replacement capacity of natural systems.
According to Paulo Martins, CEO of Ponto Urbano, “it is urgent to improve common practices in all sectors that contribute to the increase of climate change. The construction sector, which consumes almost half the energy produced, is the main responsible for greenhouse gas emissions. It is then the good practices in our sector that will have the greatest impact on the prevention and mitigation of climate change. The search for sustainability in our housing is no longer a mere “fad” but an imperative. We really must move on to make better homes and better cities.”
“At Ponto Urbano we aim to reinterpret building systems by highlighting the contribution that building techniques make to sustainable development in the field of construction. The challenge is firstly to understand what sustainability in construction actually is, what it depends on and who are the players to achieve sustainable construction. And, secondly, is to understand which construction techniques should fall into disuse and which should become part of everyday construction”, says Paulo Martins.
“We hope that, in the short term, in all Europe we manage to demystify the concept of “sustainability”, implement it in order to make the whole construction sector truly more sustainable”, concludes Paulo Martins.
We’ve rounded up all the home trends you can expect this autumn. If you make your home your haven and put time and effort into keeping everything organised, this article is for you.
1. Create a biophilic design
The goal is to bring nature indoors. That means greenery and plants. However, in the case of autumn, it also means adopting elements alluding to the season, such as logs and leaves. Also adopting the warm colours of autumn in decoration, creating a visual connection with nature, is clearly on trend.
2. Favour dynamic lines
After minimalism and straight lines, it seems that curved lines are the next trend. Get ready to see curved sofas and more rounded edges in the corners of tables in the near future.
3. Introduce textures
It’s all about betting more on texture: in ceramics, textiles, and even in paintings (among other decorative elements). Either by overlapping fabrics or by using different materials, textures allow you to create points of greater impact in the rooms, giving them more life and highlight. These are elements full of depth that promise to mark the season.
4. Put “Feng Shui” into practice
Living with the essentials is an autumn trend which, we believe, will be with us for much longer. Minimalism continues to be a trend and has been the response of many to the excess and unbridled consumerism of today’s society. Alongside this, there is a greater environmental and social concern, which ends up reinforcing this trend. So, in order to make your task easier, we have put together some tips below.
Feng Shui: tips to harmonise your home
In the kitchen, organisation is essential to convey the necessary calm. The kitchen should have the presence of plants – aromatic herbs, lavender… Everything that promotes healthy eating. According to experts, “the colour green is very positive in this area, as it encourages eating green and healthy food”.
The family photos should be in the living room. This is also the best area of the house to have plants, more specifically in the east area (considered the family area). The candles, in turn, should be located in the southern part of the room, which is the area that represents the fire element.
Having a round table is more conducive to the dining room than a rectangular or square table – for odd families it makes it easier to distribute the seats at the table. Another simple but relevant tip is to place a fruit bowl on the dining room table, as it “fosters healthy eating and prosperity”.
The comfort of the bedroom should be privileged in order to stimulate our permanence in this space. You should remove all electronic devices from the bedroom (television, radio and mobile phone). If it is not possible to remove these objects, switch them off at night to promote better rest.
The role of Feng Shui is to balance the environments, so that this vital energy can move around, providing cosiness, strength, among others, according to its function in your home environment.
Introducing the new project, with Ponto Urbano stamp, the Difference building, located on Av. João Vaz e Silva, in Vagueira Beach.
Called Difference, the venture represents what moves Ponto Urbano, create unique and differentiating projects that provide comfort and quality of life. The project symbolizes the will of Ponto Urbano to mark a turning point in Vagueira, mark the Difference.
Of contemporary architecture and construction quality, the Difference identity is demarcated by undulating breaks representing the waves of the sea, the ripples of the ria and the inherent dynamics.
With a concrete façade the development is modern and urban, presenting elegant and smooth interiors, to ensure comfort to its residents.
The building has flats of typologies T0 to T4, with areas between 46,93m² and 358,24m². Composed by three floors, the Difference, still disposes of garage places and balconies.
The Vagueira Beach is known for its fishing activity, developed by the “Xávega” art companies. The beach has an extensive sandy beach, with a path that invites to long walks overlooking the sea, a place that breathes tradition, sun, sea and river. You can also find traditional commerce, the fish market, pharmacies and several restaurants.
At Ponto Urbano we intend to invest in the Aveiro region, in a safe and profitable way, with great responsibility and rigor in the project.
