Estonia, a nation revered for its untouched wilderness, welcomes Piil, a masterful creation by Arsenit. Towering at 9m tall (approximately 29.5 feet), this modern pre-fabricated treehouse offers a unique escape amidst the lush forest, combining innovative design with the serenity of nature.
Envisioned in 2023, the elevated structure serves as a vantage point to the expansive Estonian vistas, ensuring both seclusion and an immersive treetop experience.
At the northern tip of Denmark in Skagen lies a summer house that tells a tale of local history and architecture. Designed by PAX Architects in 2021, Skagen Klitgaard is a wooden marvel, echoing Skagen’s Black Period with a black-painted exterior and thatched roof.
With interiors tailored for family intimacy and togetherness, this house masterfully blends the line between indoor and outdoor living, paying homage to its serene surroundings.
On the scenic Lopez Island in Washington, the Lopez Lookout island home stands as a testament to Heliotrope Architects‘ ability to adapt and innovate.
Overcoming unique geographical and environmental challenges, the design brilliantly confines itself within the boundaries of an older cabin’s footprint. While it exudes the charm of a traditional island structure, the design marvelously blurs the boundaries between the indoors and the surrounding natural beauty. Crafted to be nearly invisible from the public shoreline, this home captures the essence of intimate living amidst nature.
In the picturesque hills of Montecito, California, the Vista Residence — formerly a 1970’s 2,500-square-foot (approx. 232.3 square meters) dwelling — underwent a stunning transformation by ANACAPA Architecture in 2022.
Embracing the breathtaking vistas of the Santa Ynez mountains, this revamped wooden house seamlessly merges indoor and outdoor living spaces, capturing the natural beauty of California’s famed landscapes. With an emphasis on modernity, the design champions the surrounding environment through vast glass expanses, charred cedar cladding, and strategic floor planning, all while championing a minimalist luxury aesthetic.
Amidst the towering pines of Moonlight Basin, Basecamp, designed by the acclaimed CLB Architects, unfurls as a breathtaking mountain retreat in Big Sky, Montana, USA.
A cherished abode for a Manhattan-based family, this dwelling not only rekindles their bond with nature but also paints panoramic vistas of the lush Big Sky forests and tranquil Ulery’s Lake. Every corner of this 7,500-square-foot masterpiece, completed in 2022, echoes with the memories of the patriarch’s childhood on a New Hampshire tree farm, inviting its inhabitants to revel in the wild allure of Montana while celebrating familial connections.
In the heart of Esher, Surrey—famed for its serene English landscapes — Oliver Leech Architects bring to life the Butterfly House. A testament to minimalist design, this single-story marvel champions multigenerational living. Perfectly adapting to the compactness of its location, this home, redesigned in 2023, reimagines accessibility and offers a fresh lens to future-proofed design.
In the tranquil setting of Torres Novas, Portugal, stands the Backyard House. Designed by Miguel Marcelino in 2021, this country house emanates nostalgia, harking back to simpler times without running water or electricity.
This modern transformation of a family residence pays homage to its origins, preserving main walls and stone corners. Focused on harmonizing indoor and outdoor spaces, the house celebrates all four seasons, with the sun warming interiors in winter and lush vegetation providing shade during hotter months.
Overlooking Lake Superior in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, the Copper Harbor house stands resilient against nature’s toughest challenges. Crafted by Prentiss + Balance + Wickline Architects in 2022, this modern retreat marries form and function.
Beyond shielding from snow and wind, it offers mesmerizing views, whether it’s a winter storm, the shimmering Northern Lights, or the expansive lake. Every design choice, from cantilevered decks to the metal-and-glass contrast, accentuates the beauty of its surroundings.
