Time And Space Flow Together In The Cercal House By Atelier Data

Built amongst the sloping plains of Alentejo in Portugal, the ‘Cercal House’ by Lisbon-based firm Atelier Data combines ideas of time, space and nature with a thoughtful, open-plan design.

Aesthetically, the home takes its cues from the architectural vernacular of the region. Painted predominantly white, the single storey building features clay tiled courtyards and splashes of ‘Alentejo Blue’ as an ode to its location. Sitting partially sunk into the landscape, the ‘Cercal House’ has been designed to allow the outdoors in; courtyards sit in each of four corners of the home, and a spacious patio and infinity pool are overlooked by the multi-use living area. This space exemplifies the flow between indoors and outdoors present throughout the home, its connection with nature “reinforced by the introduction of sliding panels that expand to define the house boundaries and the horizon”, the architects explain.