Clover House, also known as Sunshine Home, is a two-story residence situated in the southern region of Lisbon, Portugal. Nestled near the Atlantic Ocean, the site enjoys abundant year-round sunshine and a gentle sea breeze. The home is set within a pine forest, rising prominently on sandy terrain.
Inside, the rooms are arranged around three circular outdoor courtyards. These courtyards serve multiple purposes: extending the internal living space, acting as light wells, and creating large openings between the upper living areas and the bedrooms below.
△ Floor Plan Analysis
Sunlight Analysis within the Courtyards
The courtyard rises nine meters high and features three hollow, semi-open cylindrical voids that form the main structural elements. These cylinders support a series of floor slabs at varying heights. Additionally, they uphold a rooftop pool, which doubles as a swimming pool and exerts downward pressure on the space beneath.
△ Primary Structural Analysis
△ Local Model
The building is constructed from cast-in-place concrete, clearly defining the distinction between solid volumes and voids, as well as separating interior from exterior spaces. The horizontal plane slopes naturally with the terrain, cleverly incorporating the site’s elevation changes into the interior layout. The irregular contact surfaces between the concrete structure and the ground securely anchor the house to its site.
Despite its modest size, Clover House stands out with a strong sense of autonomy and symbolic significance. The external concrete shell unifies the structure, distorting perception of its actual scale, while serving as a canvas that fosters a dialogue between architecture and nature. The building exudes a solid, monolithic presence, with very little of the interior space visible from the outside. This design creates an inward-facing sanctuary bathed in sunlight, providing a private environment subtly illuminated by Lisbon’s vibrant light.
Streamline and Laminar Flow Analysis
Design Drawings
△ Site Plan
△ First Floor Plan
△ Second Floor Plan
△ Roof Plan
△ South Elevation
△ East Elevation
△ Expanded Elevation View
△ Longitudinal Section
△ Horizontal Section Diagram
△ Courtyard Surface Nodes
△ Node Diagram
Project Information
Project Type: Independent Residential Building
Location: Aroela, Portugal
Architect: Double (o) Studio
Area: 300 m²
Year: 2020
Photography: Marco Antunes, Fabio Cunha
Lead Architects: Olivier Ottevaere, Elsa Caetano
Local Architect: Marco Antunes
Structural Engineer: Joao Silva
Construction Contractor: CS Construtora
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