Hidden House is a partially underground dwelling in Pimperne, United Kingdom, designed by Western Design Architects in 2023. Nestled discreetly into its landscape, this house maintains distant rural views. The planners agreed to its construction only if it didn’t impact countryside views, requiring the house to be built below the boundary hedge. By leveraging the natural terrain, significant parts of the house sit below ground, with principal windows facing south to capture valley vistas.
The West Seattle Chalet by SHED Architecture & Design draws inspiration from the Swiss Alps for its design, targeting net-zero energy efficiency. Located in Seattle, Washington, this contemporary wooden house features large windows that frame views of the surrounding garden and Olympic mountains. Warm and minimal interiors complement the chalet’s exterior, clad entirely in wood. The design includes street-facing elements for community engagement and private living spaces at the back, offering garden views and access to outdoor areas.
Mulroy Architects has transformed a Victorian terrace in London, optimising light and space for a family that wanted to enjoy an Australian lifestyle in the UK. The studio relocated the staircase and added a diagonal extension to maximise views and natural light. Key features include large roof lights and an open-plan layout designed for entertaining. The renovation also reoriented the home to access the newly enlarged north-facing back garden.
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.
