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

Pedro Henrique completes mimosa house in portugal

In Esmoriz, Portugal, Pedro Henrique Arquitecto completes Mimosa House, a single-family residence organized around a circular courtyard pool that reflects the sky and anchors the experience of the home. Set within a landscape shaped by the Atlantic coast and surrounding pine forests, the project, photographed by Ivo Tavares, 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. 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, photographed by Ivo Tavares, 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. 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.

all images by Ivo Tavares Studio

a courtyard that frames the sky

Located in the parish of Esmoriz in the municipality of Ovar, the residence occupies a 998-square-meter site formed by combining two adjacent plots. The house unfolds horizontally across the terrain, with a building footprint of 440 square meters and a total construction area of approximately 457 square meters.

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. This central void becomes the primary organizer of the domestic program, structuring movement while maintaining a balance between openness and privacy.

The Santa Maria da Feira-based team at Pedro Henrique Arquitecto clad the Mimosa House with exposed concrete, corten steel, natural wood, and glass, each selected for its tactile qualities and long-term resilience. A green roof extends the natural ground plane across the building, visually integrating the structure with its site and contributing to environmental performance. This layer of vegetation reinforces the project’s approach to sustainability while emphasizing the house’s horizontal presence within the landscape. Circulation unfolds around the courtyard, allowing everyday activities to remain visually connected while still accommodating quieter, more intimate zones. The layout reflects contemporary patterns of living, where flexibility and spatial continuity play a central role.

Mimosa House’s elongated plan and green roof with a circular courtyard pool