Tucked away in the verdant woods of San Simón el Alto—just a 2½-hour drive from Mexico City—San Simón House by Vasconcelos Arquitectura redefines the family cabin. Not only does it vanish into its 10,000 m² forest plot, but it also celebrates every towering tree and local material.
Nestled on the banks of a river within the A Rocha Brooksdale Environmental Centre, Meristem Chapel embodies regeneration and silent retreat. Designed by MOTIV Architects, this small memorial chapel uses an abandoned cistern as its foundation, ensuring the structure sits lightly on the land.
The Conundrum Creek Residence stands as a thoughtfully designed home that effortlessly harmonizes with its natural surroundings. From the moment you approach, you notice how the design adapts to the site’s unique features.
Whidbey Puzzle Prefab demonstrates how smart design can minimize environmental impact while fostering health, flexibility, and a deep connection to nature. This innovative prototype packs 600 square feet of thoughtfully arranged interior living space alongside 557 square feet of covered outdoor decks—all in a footprint one‑quarter the size of the average American home.
Hidden Villa transforms a former Dutch coastal estate into a park-like residential retreat. It honors the site’s cultural and historical roots while creating a warm, modern home. Monumental trees, distinctive architecture, and stunning views come together to form an inviting space.
Steeplechase House by Brooks + Scarpa stands on a wooded 65‑acre site in the Appalachian foothills near the Eno River, around Raleigh-Durham, NC. A famed film director and his artistic spouse chose this location to return to a tranquil lifestyle reminiscent of their childhood in Montreal.
La Villa Luce rises amid a verdant setting in Charlevoix, Canada, where the sun, the St. Lawrence River, and the surrounding mountains gracefully converge. MXMA Architecture & Design positioned this tranquil residence high above La Malbaie so its owners could enjoy a peaceful retreat away from the bustling city.
Designed by Crahayjamaigne Architectes, Jach’s House is a bioclimatic extension that seamlessly integrates into its forest surroundings. This innovative 7-meter cube demonstrates adaptability and sustainability while respecting its natural environment.
Nestled among the undulating pine-covered hills of Yngsjö and just by the tranquil shores of the Baltic Sea, the Yngsjö House by Johan Sundberg Arkitektur AB stands as an ideal summer retreat for a family of four. This thoughtfully designed home celebrates the natural forest setting, opting for simplicity over meticulously landscaped gardens, allowing the surrounding trees to take center stage.
