The El Fraile Ranch House hotel in Guanajuatito, Mexico, was designed by Heryco. It expands an existing country home into a contemporary retreat in 2024, featuring two volumes linked by a service corridor. The design incorporates natural materials and a retractable glass façade to blend modernity with the surrounding rural landscape, aiming for a seamless indoor-outdoor experience.
Z Ø is a house designed by Beta Ø located in Madrid, Spain. The contemporary dwelling features living quarters facing a garden, which serves as the green heart of the home. During its 2023 design phase, the original concrete structure was exposed, inviting natural light indoors. Minimal furniture design, using polished metal, wood, and stone, further helped create a refined atmosphere in this remarkable living space.
Casa Suna is a beachside vacation home, designed by YDR estudio, located in La Ribera, Mexico. The villa’s local stone walls and beige concrete tones draw on the simple palette of its surroundings, from the ocean to the desert. Organised around a central circular patio, which “invites gathering and contemplation”, the open-plan living spaces enjoy a cohesive connection to the outdoors, thanks to a serene, warm-toned material selection, characterised by wooden accents and elegant travertine marble countertops.
Located in the Cerdanya Valley in Spain, the House in Puigcerda by Dom Arquitectura utilises native stone and wood for a warm and cohesive design. The residence incorporates a neutral color palette and thoughtful contrasts, offering panoramic views with its strategically placed windows. This approach not only captures the beauty of the surroundings but also emphasises comfort and modernity within a steep topography.
Chiara Armando has restored a historic house in Rethymno, Greece, originally designed as a courtyard, prioritising natural light and the original stone structure. The Secret Garden project features a Venetian-era portal, repurposed masonry, and an open-plan layout.
Villa D by FOS Architetti in Italy features an extension wrapped around traditional trulli, making them the core of the design. Completed in 2020, the house integrates into the landscape with local stone and large windows. The contemporary design of the extension utilizes natural materials and varying floorings, creating a dialogue with the pre-existing structures.
Garden and Glass, a contemporary home designed on a narrow, trapezoid-shaped lot in Menlo Park, California, features two wings embracing a generous garden. The single-story pavilion hosts the master suite, while the two-story structure includes children’s rooms, a kitchen, and living spaces. Designed by Fergus Garber Architects in 2018, the property includes a built-in barbecue, bar, and bocci ball court.
Casa Romagnolo is a house in Acquarossa, Switzerland, updated by Wespi de Meuron Romeo in 2024. The historic building was largely in good original condition, but the design reinforced its quality with targeted corrections. Key elements updated included the access and entrance situation and the north-facing extension for the bathrooms. The architect aimed to support and enhance the original architecture through thoughtful modifications.