Chameleon Villa

Nestled in a lush natural paradise on the southwest coastal area of Bali, the Chameleon Villa is a spectacular getaway that blurs the boundaries between natural and man-built habitats.

The dwelling is comprised of various pavilions that seem to disappear within–or emerge from–the beautiful surrounding landscape. Constructed on an acre of land, on a steep slope with a 36-foot difference of level between the arrival area and the gardens below, the residence overlooks a dense forest and a calm river that runs the western length of the property.

Following traditional Balinese architecture, the communal spaces are laid out to offer a connection with the elements whereas the sleeping areas and bathrooms are kept more private. Helping to maintain the home’s carbon footprint at a minimum, ‘camouflaged’ roofs provide passive cooling and collect rainwater, while solar panels produce electricity and the interiors make use of natural, locally-sourced materials.

Learn More From WO House

Photos Courtesy of Word of Mouth House

Bach Family House

Set in the semi-rural area of Hanmer Springs, New Zealand, the Bach Family House is an idyllic retreat that fosters the qualities of holiday making.

The home is composed of three timber cabins which are organized around a communal outdoor terrace. The cabins imitate the surrounding alpine setting and are placed around an elevated dining platform with fire pit, where the presence of the late sun and the captivating views of the area invite to connect with the outdoors. Externally, the cabins are clad in unfinished cedar ‘folly’ and contrasting dark-stained cedar, while the extensive use of timber brings warmth inside.

The larger of the three buildings has an open plan living space, bedroom, bathroom, utility area, and a small traditional ‘eat in’ kitchen. Photovoltaic cells and low energy fittings keep operating costs at a minimum, and a log burner allows the low-mass structure to be quickly brought up to temperature during the cold season.

Learn More From Cymon Allfrey Architects

Photos by Stephen Goodenough / Cymon Allfrey Architects

Trailer House

Designed to be easily transported, the Trailer House is a low cost, versatile living space that can act as a permanent home, workspace or vacation retreat.

The house cost less than $27K to built and uses repurposed materials and locally grown unseasoned timber. A removable wheeled ‘bogey’ (that slides out from under its steel chassis when not being moved) allows the Trailer House to be relocated to anywhere you need it, while a corrugated fiberglass and steel exterior ensures many years of use.

The interior makes effective use of timber, has scavenged insulation and is lined with shuttering ply, including the 2 staircases; handrails are constructed from offcuts of blue rope, and natural light gets through via gable ends which are ‘glazed’ with high-performance interlocking polycarbonate.

Learn More From Invisible Studio

Images by Piers Taylor/Jim Stephenson

Chucao House

Located on a steep slope overlooking the glacial Lake Calafquén in Chile, the Chucao House is designed to maximize views from all of the living quarters. Its Y-shaped design certainly helps in that regard, while also letting the native surrounding trees grow undisturbed.

Built with two sloping roofs that overlap, the abode is protected against intense rains. The roofs also control sunlight entrance and allow for intermediate spaces that provide a seamless transition between the exterior and interior. Large sliding windows are fitted throughout, providing unobstructed views and allowing the entry of natural light.

The Chucao House is decorated with bespoke furniture built in beech wood by local carpenters, in accordance with the architectural design of the house. Its common areas are integrated into one open space, with a large chimney as a focal point that also acts as a separating element between living and dining rooms, and the kitchen.

Learn More From ABestudio

Images by Nico Saieh

Planar House

“A radical exercise in horizontality,” the Planar House is a cleverly-built dwelling with a massive green roof mimicking the surrounding lawn. The living roof not also provides energy efficiency (solar panels and insulation), it also doubles as an exquisite lounge area with arresting views.

Located in Brazil’s Porto Feliz, the abode is a solid concrete slab that blends in with its pristine surroundings. Inspired by “the elegant proportions of Miesian architecture, the home rests directly on cross-shaped metallic pillars distributed modularly in three axes.

The interior spaces are confined within two large boxes, one housing the service areas, a gym, and playrooms, while a second holding five en-suite bedrooms. Placed at each end of the property, two generously-sized living rooms can be completely opened by sliding glass doors, immersing the inhabitants into the scenic nature around.

Learn More From Studio MK27

Planchonella House

Set on a 52,000-sq ft chunk of land at the end of a nature park on the northern Australian coast, the Planchonella House is a multi-award winning home with impressive design features matching the spectacular surrounding rainforest.

Wedged between two curved concrete slabs, the dwelling features floor-to-ceiling windows throughout letting natural light protrude and connecting the inhabitants to the lush exterior. The internal walls are also concrete, minimally adorned to maintain an open feel. Contrasting warm materials can also be found inside, like the brick and timber that form the bookshelves-lined wall that opens to reveal the master bedroom.

The outdoor space has an above-ground pool with an ornamental waterfall, while a toy-like bright yellow ladder provides access from the courtyard to the rooftop which is topped with tropical plants and allows for lounging and taking in more of the breathtaking views.

Comprised of three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a study, four-car garage, and workshop, the Planchonella House is available for sale, so hit the link below to get more details if you’re interested in calling it your new home.

Learn More From Modern House

Photos by Sean Fennessy/Ben Hosking

House Over The Rocks

Surrounded by a dense forest and rocks dating from the last glaciation, the House Over The Rocks in the south of Chile is the perfect place to contemplate the boundless natural beauty and the Andes Mountains in the background.

Designed in a “Y” shape in order to capture natural light and maximize views from all of its rooms, the dwelling is perched over the rocks, safe from the flow of water, in a sunlit forest glade. Entering the shelter is done via a rusty steel footbridge. The bedrooms and private spaces inside are simple and unadorned, with open, spacious public areas to accommodate a large family.

At the north point of the house, there’s a master bedroom looking towards the forest; the west axis includes children and guest rooms, while the east end contains a living/dining room that offering views of the forest glade and the mountains beyond. In the center, where all axes converge, a spacious and sun-bathed kitchen provides a place for the whole family to come together.

Learn more From SGH Architects

Photos by Nicolás Sánchez

The Farm

Set on a 65-acre plot amidst the green fields of the Southwestern Ontario agricultural region, The Farm is a peaceful retreat that engages the history of the site while establishing a close connection with the outdoors.

This modern interpretation of a vernacular longhouse extends 153 feet.  Clad in cedar stained in pale charcoal with a matching metal roof, the home complements the hues of the surrounding landscape. Various entry points provide access inside, while a sliding window wall connects the interior with the generous outdoor patio.

A semi-enclosed Zen Garden at the north end of the house offers a place for meditation, while at the opposite end there’s an outdoor pool, a hot tub, and a sunken fire pit beneath a trellis.

Learn More From Scott Posno Design

Images by Double Space Photography

Big Cabin | Little Cabin

Embodying the character of a traditional cabin within a modern framework, the Big Cabin | Little Cabin is a magnificent retreat, perched 10,000 feet up, on a rocky cliff overlooking Colorado’s Sangre de Cristo mountains.

With gabled roofs and rustic materials, such as the exterior cedar siding (stained dark to blend with the surrounding forest) and the plywood interior, the spacious dwelling recalls the area’s early vernacular buildings, while large glass panels connect the occupants to the remarkable landscape beyond.

To keep energy consumption minimal, the cabin has some clever features, including highly-efficient boiler & wood burning stove, radiant floor tubing set in a concrete slab, low-e glass windows, and an array of solar panels providing electricity.

Learn More From RDG Architecture

Corallo House

Casa Corallo is a beautiful example of a harmonious symbiosis between a man-made shelter and its pristine surrounding nature. Instead of cutting the existing trees on the plot, the architects opted for integrating them into the layout of the house.

The 747.5 m2 multi-level abode is placed on a dense hillside forest in the Santa Rosalía area of Guatemala City. While some parts of the exterior are clad in natural materials like stone and wood paneling, the home’s main structural components are concrete and glass which are set in right angles and straight lines, forming a striking contrast with the warm lines and hues of the piercing tree trunks.

Learn More From Paz Arquitectura

Glass Pavilion

A research prototype for an elementary but comfortable retreat, the Glass Pavilion sits in juxtaposition with its harsh surrounding environment. The project challenges thermal and structural abilities of glass.

Set in Spain’s Gorafe desert, the unit uses vertical glazing walls as the sole structural support under the timber stressed skin roof. The triple glass glazing is treated with almost invisible coatings, protecting the interior from the sun and offering thermally efficiency. Inside, there’s a bedroom, living area, and bathroom, with all of the spaces giving access to a covered porch and affording stunning, uninterrupted 360‎° views.

Designed to handle the desert climate conditions, the Glass Pavilion contains every element that makes life possible–from energy production to wastewater treatment.

Learn More From OFIS Arquitects