An architect from Pinhal Novo
Soul In Lines is based in Pinhal Novo. Architect Ana Pinho is from Pinhal Novo, and it is from here that she follows projects across the Setúbal Peninsula. If you have a house or a plot in the town or nearby, that means meetings without long journeys, site visits whenever they are needed and an architect who knows the place from the inside.
Because she works alone, Ana is the one who meets you for the first conversation, designs the project and follows it with the council and on site.
Pinhal Novo and the Palmela municipality
Pinhal Novo is one of the parishes of the Palmela municipality, alongside Palmela and Quinta do Anjo, among others. Building projects in Pinhal Novo are therefore appraised by the Câmara Municipal de Palmela (the municipal council), which applies the municipality’s master plan (PDM). The PDM sets what can be done on each plot: building area, height, distances to boundaries and the line between urban and rural land.
The municipality brings together very different realities: the town of Pinhal Novo, residential neighbourhoods around it and a wide rural area of farms, vineyards and agricultural land. Part of the municipality also lies within the Arrábida Natural Park, where building follows the protected area’s own rules.
Experience with the Palmela council
Ana has already worked with the Câmara Municipal de Palmela and knows how building applications are organised and appraised in the municipality. That does not change timelines that depend on the council, but it helps her prepare complete applications and respond quickly when the council asks for clarification.
Legalisations and AUGI areas in the municipality
The Palmela municipality has AUGI areas (Áreas Urbanas de Génese Ilegal): neighbourhoods that grew from unlicensed land divisions and go through urban reconversion processes. A house inside an AUGI follows its own route, tied to the reconversion of the neighbourhood, so it is worth knowing what stage that process has reached before starting any project.
Outside the AUGI areas, there are also houses with annexes, lean-tos or extensions that were never licensed. In those cases, legalisation starts with a visit to the house and a survey of what exists.
What Ana does in Pinhal Novo
- New build: houses on town plots and on the land around it, always starting with a reading of the PDM.
- Legalisation: annexes, extensions and houses that do not match their approved plans.
- Extensions: another floor, a room or an annex, within what the PDM allows.
- Renovation: older houses that need comfort, insulation and a new layout.
- Interior design: kitchens, living rooms and bespoke furniture.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the project for a house in Pinhal Novo submitted?
To the Câmara Municipal de Palmela, which appraises building applications for every parish in the municipality, including Pinhal Novo. Ana prepares the application and follows it with the council until the decision.
Can I build a house on rural land?
It depends on the PDM and the constraints on the plot. On rural land, building homes is very limited and often not possible. Analysing the plot before you buy it avoids surprises.
Can Ana see the house or the plot?
Yes. Pinhal Novo is the studio’s base, so visits to the plot and the works are a natural part of the job.