Winter Gardens: When Nature Becomes Part of Architecture

Some spaces transform the way we experience a building without requiring a large area. Winter gardens are among them.

More than decorative features, they introduce light, vegetation and a new sensory dimension into architecture. They can organise spaces, create moments of contemplation and establish a closer connection with nature.

At MJARC Architects, we see winter gardens as part of a broader approach: creating spaces where architecture, landscape and human experience come together naturally.

What is a winter garden?

A winter garden is a sheltered space, often integrated within a home or an adjoining volume, designed to accommodate vegetation and maintain a continuous connection with nature throughout the year.

Its significance lies not only in the presence of plants, but in the way natural light, materials and the built environment come together to create a calmer atmosphere, more closely connected to the outdoors.

Light, nature and well-being

When thoughtfully integrated, a winter garden can bring natural light into deeper interior spaces, establish visual connections between different areas and make the experience of a home more sensory.

Its presence is also closely linked to the principles of biophilic architecture, which seek to strengthen the relationship between people and natural elements. This connection can contribute to more pleasant, balanced and emotionally engaging environments.

However, its performance always depends on the quality of the architectural design. Solar orientation, ventilation, shading and the selection of vegetation are essential to ensuring comfort throughout the year.

Cicioso Boutique Hotel: a winter garden at the heart of the experience

At Cicioso Boutique Hotel, in Évora, the winter garden occupies a central position within the social areas of the main building.

Its verticality and natural light introduce a new spatial dimension to the rehabilitation of the historic building, establishing a delicate dialogue between light and the existing architectural heritage.

This space becomes an integral part of the hotel’s architectural experience, contributing to the serene and sensory atmosphere of the project.

Discover the Cicioso Boutique Hotel project.

Douro Wood House: a winter garden as an extension of tranquillity

At Douro Wood House, the connection with nature extends into the bathroom, where a small winter garden enhances the intimacy and serenity of the space.

Positioned beside the bathing area, this interior garden enhances the perception of natural light and introduces vegetation that makes the atmosphere calmer, more sensory and more intimate. The bathroom takes on the character of a small spa: a place for pause, silence and connection with the rhythms of nature.

Here, the winter garden is not conceived as a decorative gesture, but as an integral part of the home’s architectural experience, deepening the relationship between interior spaces and the surrounding landscape.

Discover the Douro Wood House project.

Nature as part of architecture

A winter garden does not need to be grand to transform a space. Sometimes, the presence of vegetation, the arrival of natural light or the creation of a quiet place to pause is enough to profoundly change the interior experience.

At MJARC Architects, we seek to develop projects in which nature is not introduced as a final addition, but is an integral part of architecture from the very beginning.

When nature becomes part of the conception of a space, it becomes part of its identity.

Are you planning an architectural or rehabilitation project?

At MJARC, we approach each project through the unique characteristics of its setting, seeking to integrate natural light, vegetation and materials in a coherent and lasting way.

Tell us about your project and discover how we can create architecture that fosters a closer connection with nature.