The Hua Xu Boutique Hotel by Z+H Renhai Design is situated in Suzhou, China. Completed by designer Zhang Haihua, this 2024 project involved transforming three existing residential buildings into a courtyard hotel. The design draws inspiration from the region’s Jiangnan-style houses, incorporating contemporary elements that harmonize with the area’s historical context.

The Lake Hayes Home by Ben Hudson Architects is situated in the rocky, sloping terrain above the shore of Lake Hayes in Arrowtown, New Zealand. Designed with a low-lying form and natural materials, this 2023 project gracefully integrates with its surroundings.

Argentinian studio Estudio Palacios balanced their recently completed Casa en Piedras in Córdoba with two levels set into the hilly terrain. Clad in corten steel and black Portoro stone-plastic, the structure blends with the natural landscape. The interiors are marked by spacious, rustic furnishings to create a direct connection to the outdoors, while a split-level layout anchors the structure into the hillside, revealing a rustic design aesthetic.

Located in Surat, India, this redesigned house by local studio D’Well’s embraces minimalism and nature. Originally a farmer’s abode, the D’Well’s Den is now a tranquil workspace with a verdant courtyard. Founders Jhanvi and Rakshit preserved the house’s essence, integrating natural elements into the design.

I.T. Small Apartment by October is located in Vilnius, Lithuania. Designed in 2024, the home showcases a minimalist, gallery-inspired interior featuring a light grey color palette. Key elements include a semicircular, light blue natural stone bar and artworks adorning the space.

BLOCO Arquitetos transformed a São Paulo Higienópolis apartment by exposing structural beams and brick walls. The renovation preserved original features, like the double herringbone ipê wood flooring, and integrated them with contemporary Brazilian furniture.

CCB House in São Paulo, Brazil, was designed by Kiko Salomao + Tanaka in 2020. The house features a concrete base to accommodate the property’s topography, organizing three main blocks. These include a social barn with internal gardens, a pool, and an outdoor patio, balanced with a service block for amenities.

The design provides expansive views of the valleys, integrating large glass frames and diverse landscaping to create a seamless transition between spaces.

The Children’s Hospice House for Julia, designed by Czech architecture studio Ctyrsten, features secluded “last farewell” apartments with memorial atriums and sheltered outdoor access in Brno, Czech Republic. Surrounded by mature trees and a pond, the hospice’s courtyard-centered layout offers natural views and tranquility.