Podere Sirolo sits just outside Città della Pieve, Italy, a country house conceived by Special Italy – Special Umbria as a calm base in the Umbrian hills. The team replaces an old farmhouse with a new rural retreat that leans into natural materials, soft color and an easy connection to the landscape. Guests step into a villa for eight where comfort, handmade craft and long views set the rhythm of each day.
La Marea sits among the rolling fields of Magliano in Toscana, Italy, a contemporary country house shaped by Special Italy – Special Umbria. Open volumes, stone walls, and a sunlit palette give this rural retreat a distinctly modern edge while keeping its footing in the landscape. Inside, the studio layers warm textures, generous furniture, and vivid color so long days drift easily between interior rooms and outdoor terraces.
This holiday villa is located in Pudong, Shanghai, China. Designed by Atelier LI and completed in 2023, it’s the type of real estate that showcases Modernity. The proprietor hoped to demolish the old house and to build a new one for the two families when returning from the urban life to the countryside, spending weekends and their holidays with the grandparents.
Western Design Architects designed the New Road residence in Lower Bryanston, Dorset, UK. Completed in 2021, the home features a contemporary country style, created to replace an uninhabitable post-WWI property. The residence reflects the character of nearby historic houses with its simple modern vernacular design, utilising timber cladding and a metal roof.
Located in Palmela, Portugal, a monolithic house designed by architecture studio cimbre sits on the site of a ruined structure in Serra do Louro. The house features an abstract formal design and tangible materiality, creating a contemporary yet traditional feel. Tall boundary walls made from stones from the original building, extensive glazing, and contrasting birch wood and concrete interiors protect the house while allowing natural light inside. Intricate materials ensure durability and minimal maintenance.
Located in Mérida, Mexico, FMT Estudio redesigned Casa Chuburná, a country house first built in the first half of the 20th century. The project focused on renovating the abandoned structure, enhancing lighting and ventilation by adding larger windows, and retaining historic elements. New areas were added with distinct textures and colours, blending the old and new. The result is a spacious home with garden views from every room, offering a retreat from the city’s fast pace.
Set in the countryside of the North Downs in Surrey, England, McLean Quinlan‘s 2023-designed Downland Barns is a timber-framed home. This newly built house creatively fuses traditional craftsmanship with modern design, incorporating sustainable features. Its three interlinked structures, enclosed by a flint wall, offer unobstructed countryside views and balance practicality and elegance in every detail.
Designed in 2023 by PFArchStudio, Casa no Campo is a house located in Porto, Portugal. With a focus on unpretentious and harmonious living, the design emphasizes a strong connection with the exterior and respects the site’s agricultural surroundings. The minimal use of materials and carefully planned orientation create a space defined by light and shadows, offering a seamless blend of modern and traditional elements for a family of four plus two.