Donavan House Merges Architecture with Nature in Portugal

The Donavan House, nestled in the lush pine forests of Comporta, Portugal, was designed by PIMAA in 2024. This unique home embraces biophilic design principles, seamlessly merging with its natural surroundings.

Contemporary wooden exterior with expansive windows and elevated wood deck overlooking natural landscape.

Biophilic design in Portugal

The Donavan house, a remarkable example of biophilic design, is nestled in the lush pine forests of Comporta, Portugal. Designed by PIMAA in 2024, this house harmoniously fuses architecture and nature, creating a harmonious and immersive living environment.

The Donavan House design philosophy is rooted in biophilic principles, which prioritize the integration of architecture with nature. Elevated wooden walkways hover gracefully above the forest floor, ensuring minimal disturbance to the delicate ecosystem below. By locating the cabins in the natural voids of the pine forest, the design respects the original character of the land.

An expansive wooden deck with loungers overlooking a swimming pool, surrounded by pine trees.
Casa Donavan is a truly unique structure, embodying a deep connection with its environment. The choice of materials is fundamental to the design of Casa Donavan. Wood, cement and plaster were selected to emphasize authenticity and link the architecture to the textures of the earth. These materials exude warmth and simplicity, anchoring the house in its natural context. This thoughtful selection of materials creates a seamless transition between inside and outside, strengthening the bond between occupants and the environment.
A cozy interior with wooden walls and ceiling, a woven pendant lamp, and a sunken seating area.

Natural light plays a crucial role in Donavan House. Extensive glazed facades allow natural light to flood the interiors, creating a dynamic interplay of light and shadow. This design feature reduces reliance on artificial lighting and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding pine forest, rice paddies and open sky. The careful framing of views maximizes occupants’ connection with the natural environment, creating a deep sense of place.
Warm, rustic wood cabin interior with geometric lighting fixtures and an eclectic mix of furnishings.

Serene pool courtyard

At the center of the Donavan home is the pool courtyard, which serves as a contemplative oasis within the house. The presence of water evokes a soothing atmosphere and offers a peaceful retreat for the occupants. The spatial layout of the home encourages exploration, with raised walkways and open-air transitions that provide a sense of adventure. This thoughtful design fosters a deeper connection with the natural world and invites inhabitants to engage with their surroundings.

Despite its openness, Donavan House also offers a sense of refuge and intimacy. The design balances communal spaces and intimate retreats, embodying the biophilic principle of refuge. This thoughtful spatial arrangement allows occupants to choose between shared social spaces and secluded areas, offering a well-balanced living experience.

A rustic wooden interior with vaulted ceilings, colorful artwork, and a patterned rug.
Casa Donavan is more than just a house; it’s a living testimony to the beauty of coexisting with nature. Its design is an example of biophilic architecture, where the built environment enhances rather than competes with the natural world. Donavan House offers its inhabitants a quiet, immersive dialogue with the natural world, providing a profound sense of peace and harmony.
Warm, rustic interior with geometric patterned rug, wood-paneled walls, and pendant lighting.

By adopting the principles of biophilic design, Donavan House sets a standard for future architecture and challenges the notion of the traditional living space. It reminds us of the importance of connecting with nature, even in our built environments, and highlights the transformative power of design.
Modern wooden cabins and a wooden deck surrounding a refreshing pool, with lush greenery.
Scottish architect Richard Murphy also designed Villa E the Olive Trees, a vacation home in Portugal that takes advantage of the region’s views. Because of its materiality and vast rural setting, Italian studio Mario Cucinella has transformed the classic concept of the romantic garden into a living, self-sufficient home.
A modern wooden structure with a slanted roof, surrounded by sparse vegetation and a wooden walkway.

The Donavan house uses raised walkways, walls and windows to balance the openness and intimacy of the villa’s rooms. PIMAA presents a design that blends seamlessly into its surroundings and is in tune with the sense of place and time.

Photography by Ricardo Cruz
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- by Matt Watts

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