Nestled in Otama’s captivating terrain, Waimataruru House by Pac Studio is carefully orchestrated to engage with both the sweeping ocean vistas and the lush forested gullies that define the property. Indeed, few sites boast such varied natural drama—rocky outcrops, wide beaches, and shadowy streams all converge to create a singular sense of place.
Set on a two-acre wooded bluff along Lake Michigan, Meadow Lane Retreat is a weekend getaway designed to foster tranquility, connection, and immersion in nature. Moreover, the empty-nester clients sought “an escape from the city for the family to gather—a place for sunlight, a place to breathe.”
Constructions on the Val di Noto hills must blend into the landscape, without dominating. Located in a seismically active region, threatened by fires in dry periods, this villa was the beneficiary of a meticulous materials selection process to make it safe, comfortable, and cool when temperatures reach 40°C (104°F).
Nestled among 500 mango trees, Mango Orchard House by We Design Studio offers a serene escape on seven-and-a-half acres of fertile land. Originally, the clients wanted a simple refurbishment of their parents’ villa. However, Nupur and Saahil from We Design Studio proposed an entirely new design that would better honor the lush landscape.
Set within the tranquil bushland of Mount Eliza on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, the Mornington Peninsula Retreat House by Aych Architects embodies the perfect blend of privacy, luxury, and connection to nature. Built in collaboration with Latitude 37, the home stands as a sanctuary that thoughtfully integrates form, function, and flow.
Blok Rustic Retreat by Quinzhee Architecture is an ideal refuge for climbers, perfectly situated at the top of a natural climbing wall in Mount Le Maelstrom, Lac-Beauport. The retreat’s asymmetrical shape and grey stucco exterior give it a monolithic appearance with sharp, angular edges.
Located within the pristine Šumava National Park in Northern Italy, the Cottage in Šumava by Markéta Cajthamlová Studio adheres to strict building regulations while seamlessly blending with its surroundings. The architects chose a traditional cottage form to maximize the stunning views of the Šumava saddle and the intricate birch roots nearby.
Dry Creek Cabin by Fieldwork Design and Architecture sits 2,200 feet above the Columbia River Gorge in White Salmon, Washington. The architects embedded the cabin into the hillside, allowing the roof to float above the landscape. Consequently, this design creates a quiet, almost invisible facade from the road, blending the cabin seamlessly with its natural surroundings.
