The 2023 PPA House in Trofa, Portugal, by N O A R Q | noarquitectos features a single-floor layout focused on sustainability. The 357.70-square-meter area incorporates a central quadrangular courtyard and is divided into three zones—social, bedroom, and parking—providing both privacy and openness. The house uses exposed concrete and plastered masonry for its structural walls, addressing economic sustainability and the life cycle of construction. A gallery shelters the courtyard, while the house’s infrastructure is hidden within plasterboard ceilings for economy and accessibility.
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.
Patricia Martinez Architecture has designed House LWF in São Paulo, Brazil, with a focus on environmental impact reductions. Built with a glued laminated timber (glulam) structure, the home offers panoramic views of São Pedro Beach on the region’s North Coast. The blocks are clad in wood and precast materials, and feature natural lighting from large glass panels. It is designed to integrate with the surrounding natural landscape of the Iporanga Condominium.
Designed by A-01, the Black House is located along the southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Built in 2022, the residence is part of the modular No Footprint House series and showcases a climate-responsive design. The house incorporates passive strategies such as cross ventilation, solar shading, and rainwater harvesting to create an efficient living space.
Oratge House, designed by KVPA Kokudev Padilla Arquitectura, is a 2023 project in Barcelona, Spain. Nestled in the Montseny Natural Park, this house for a young family emphasizes outdoor living with exceptional mountain views. Using local materials like lime mortar and pine wood, the house incorporates green facades and sustainable elements, achieving comfort without air conditioning.
Studio Arte Architecture & Design has transformed an old ruin into a unique house in Monchique, Portugal. Completed in 2024, the Quinta da Lila offers a blend of rustic charm and contemporary comfort. The spacious interiors are bathed in natural light, with modern amenities integrated seamlessly into the historic architecture. The renovation incorporates eco-friendly principles, using materials like cork for insulation and refraining from standard plaster to maintain the stone walls’ breathability.
Archi-Tectonics has completed the London Solar Townhouse in the UK. This home combines minimalist design with sustainable features, such as photovoltaic panels. Inside, the interiors feature high-contrast materials like raw wood cladding, textured stone surfaces, and brass mosaics. The design incorporates contemporary elements, elevating the atmosphere with glass pendants and organic furniture, blending sustainability and modernity.
Daniel Ellecosta designed this home in Mühlwald, Italy, drawing on the typology of historic mills. Named Haus Eggemoa, the house reflects a strong affinity with simple agricultural building typology.
