- Project: MH House
- Architect: ESQUISSOS
- Location: Portugal, Sintra
- Year: 2023
- Area: 305 m2
- Photography: Nuno Almendra
MH House by Esquissos – Arquitectura e Consultoria in Sintra, Portugal, is a contemporary residence that embraces its natural surroundings. Defined by white gabled volumes, generous balconies, and fluid indoor–outdoor connections, the project reinterprets traditional forms while offering modern comfort. With a design deeply rooted in its context, MH House demonstrates how architecture can achieve both elegance and harmony with nature.
Project Overview
Located in the lush landscapes of Sintra, MH House emerges as a contemporary reinterpretation of a classic gabled structure. The home was conceived with a central ambition: to integrate seamlessly with the existing vegetation while creating a flexible, family-friendly environment.
The house spans 305 m², with living areas and social spaces opening directly to gardens and porches. Private rooms are arranged upstairs, each with a balcony, reinforcing a direct relationship with the surrounding greenery.
Design Concept: Contemporary Gabled Architecture
The architectural concept takes inspiration from the gabled form of the building that once occupied the site. Esquissos reimagined this typology with clean, white volumes that project simplicity and permanence. Negative spaces—balconies, porches, and terraces—were carved into the mass, creating a dynamic play of solid and void.
One of the defining gestures of the design is the house’s ability to evolve with nature. The volumes were planned to allow climbing vegetation to eventually envelop the façades, ensuring the building changes character across the seasons.
Materiality & Façade
The residence is distinguished by its bright white surfaces, which contrast elegantly with the surrounding vegetation. The modeling of the façades defines porches and balconies, allowing natural light and shadow to animate the architecture throughout the day.
As the vegetation matures, the building will become partially cloaked in greenery, reinforcing the concept of integration with nature. The result is a home that is both contemporary and timeless, grounded in its context.
Interior & Spatial Organization
The ground floor is dedicated to social living, with open-plan spaces flowing toward outdoor gardens and covered porches. Large glass openings blur the threshold between inside and outside, ensuring natural light permeates every room.
The upper level houses private functions. Each bedroom connects to a balcony, offering elevated views of the landscape while maintaining a sense of intimacy. This organization reinforces the idea of a constant dialogue between interior comfort and exterior beauty.
Connection with Nature
MH House is not just built in nature—it is built with nature. From the initial concept, Esquissos sought to ensure that vegetation and architecture coexist. Gardens, porches, and terraces extend daily life outdoors, while climbing plants are expected to grow across façades, softening the stark white geometry.
This symbiotic approach ensures that the building evolves over time, becoming an organic part of its site. Seasons will transform its character, offering residents a living environment that is constantly renewed.
MH House by Esquissos – Arquitectura e Consultoria is a refined statement of contemporary Portuguese residential architecture. By reinterpreting a traditional gabled typology with modern lines, generous balconies, and deep respect for its natural setting, the project achieves a rare balance: a home that is both bold in form and seamlessly integrated into its environment.
This residence not only responds to its site—it thrives within it, embodying the essence of architectural design rooted in place, context, and nature.
