circular courtyard pool opens house by pedro henrique to sky and light in portugal

"At the center of the plan, a round opening above the pool frames the sky, transforming the courtyard into a climatic and atmospheric core that distributes light and air throughout the house. The courtyard pool, anchoring the project, is positioned beneath a circular opening in the roof; the water surface captures reflections of the sky while introducing filtered light into the surrounding interiors."

"The horizontal form of the Mimosa House establishes a relationship with the terrain while organizing the surrounding outdoor areas into distinct zones. The configuration opens the house to long, continuous sightlines that move across the plan and through the central courtyard. The courtyard establishes cross-transparency across the house, creating long sightlines and layered views through the plan."

"Beyond its visual role, the pool contributes to a microclimate of thermal comfort and quiet introspection, moderating temperature and enhancing the sensory atmosphere of the dwelling. The project combines two plots into a single site where concrete, corten steel, glass, and natural wood shape a continuous volume that appears to hover above the ground."

Mimosa House in Esmoriz, Portugal combines two adjacent plots into a single 998-square-meter site with a 440-square-meter building footprint. The residence features a circular courtyard pool positioned beneath a roof opening that frames the sky, serving as the primary organizational element. The pool's water surface reflects the sky while introducing filtered light into surrounding interiors and creating a microclimate of thermal comfort. Constructed from concrete, corten steel, glass, and natural wood, the house unfolds horizontally across the terrain. The central courtyard establishes cross-transparency throughout the plan, creating continuous sightlines and layered views that organize the domestic program while connecting interior spaces to the Atlantic coastal landscape and surrounding pine forests.

Read at designboom | architecture & design magazine