The Columbia River Valley Lookout is a ski cabin designed by Twobytwo Architecture Studio in British Columbia, Canada. Designed in 2023, the retreat is nestled in the Kootenay mountain range, aiming to connect family members with each other and the natural landscape. The cabin features a cantilevered steel balcony, douglas fir rafters, and an industrial staircase. Its design is inspired by the surroundings, utilizing a palette of wood and concrete for both the exterior and interior.
House in the Beskids by RS+ Robert Skitek is set in the scenic landscape of the Beskid Żywiecki Mountains, Poland. Designed in 2023, this house embraces a sloped terrain and a forest setting to maximize views. The structure features alternating single-pitch roofs across three segments, each visually and functionally distinct, optimizing both mountain and forest panoramas.
Casa Petra is a retreat in Ceglie Messapica, Italy, designed by Alessia Angelini. It combines local architecture with contemporary design, featuring three renovated lamie and minimalist interiors. The retreat includes a raised terrace with a pool, outdoor kitchen, and Mediterranean garden, providing space for relaxation amidst a vineyard and olive grove.
NEW HOW architects designed a modern retreat in Hrubá Skála, Czech Republic, harmonizing with the Bohemian Paradise landscape. Completed in 2023, the weekend house balances traditional and contemporary elements. Set on a south-sloping plot, it mirrors the local architecture, offering panoramic views framed by the medieval Trosky castle ruins.
In a mountainous region in Spain, local studio Ábaton converted a labour house into a contemporary cottage that overlooks a nearby forest. Designed in 2024, Cottage in La Vera features traditional architecture and materials but with a modern twist. Dubbed a “non-intervention” in the territory by the studio, the renovation was intended to respect the existing building, using local materials from the land and old surrounding structures.
Designed by Ábaton, the El Escorial Renovation is a comprehensive overhaul of a 1976 house in Madrid, Spain. Situated amid the dense forest of Mount Abantos, the project focuses on sustainability and energy efficiency, utilizing modern technologies and materials. The design prioritizes the connection with the surrounding environment, incorporating large windows for natural light and integrating as much of the original structure as possible. The renovation encourages family interaction, linking indoor and outdoor spaces seamlessly.
JUMA Architects expanded Villa RN – an existing farmstead in Anzegem, Belgium, with the addition of a new volume positioned at right angles to the original structure. Designed in 2024, the extension features a distinctive black wooden facade and roof, creating a contemporary contrast.
Hudson Lookout, designed by Kimberly Peck Architect, is a modern watchtower home located in the Catskill Mountains, United States. Completed in 2021, the house features a unique three-story cube design with random-shaped windows to highlight the surrounding mountain views. The interior includes a stacked steel staircase leading to a rooftop deck, and energy-efficient elements like SIP panels and radiant heating.
