The pool in the courtyard opens the house by Pedro Henrique to the sky and the light in Portugal

Pedro Henrique completes the house with mimosas in Portugal

In Esmoriz, PortugalPedro Henrique Arquitecto completes the Mimosa House, a detached house residence are organized around a circular courtyard pool that reflects the sky and anchors the home experience. Within a landscape shaped by the Atlantic coast and the surrounding pine forests, the project, photographed by Ivo Tavares, combines two plots into a single site where concretecut steel, glassand natural wood they form a continuous volume that seems to float above the ground. At the center of the design, a round opening above the pool frames the sky, turning the courtyard into a climatic and atmospheric core that distributes light and air throughout the house.

The courtyard pool, which anchors the project, was photographed by Ivo Tavaresit is placed under a circular opening in the roof. the surface of the water captures the 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 the temperature and enhancing the sensory atmosphere of the residence.

all images from Ivo Tavares Studio

a courtyard framing the sky

Located in the parish of Esmoriz of the municipality of Ovar, the residence occupies an area of ​​998 square meters formed by the combination of two adjacent plots. The house unfolds horizontally along the ground, 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 creates a relationship with the ground while organizing the surrounding outdoor spaces into distinct zones. The configuration opens the house to long, continuous sight lines that move across the floor plan and through the central courtyard. The courtyard creates transparency throughout the house, creating large views and layered views through the design. This central void becomes the primary organizer of the domestic program, structuring the movement while maintaining a balance between openness and privacy.

THE Team based in Santa Maria da Feira at Pedro Henrique Arquitecto clad the Mimosa House in exposed concrete, steel, natural wood and glass, each chosen for its tactile qualities and long-term durability. A green roof extends the natural ground level throughout the building, visually integrating the structure with its location and contributing to environmental performance. This layer of vegetation reinforces the project’s approach to sustainability, while emphasizing the horizontal presence of the house within the landscape. Circulation unfolds around the courtyard, allowing daily activities to remain visually connected while still accommodating quieter, friendlier zones. The layout reflects modern living standards, where flexibility and spatial continuity play a central role.

Elongated floor plan and green roof of Mimosa House with circular pool in the courtyard

a stepped entryway leads visitors to the low, linear volume

Exposed concrete, steel and glass define the horizontal volume