A former family residence in the dense centre of Fira is transformed into a five-suite hotel, where restored Cycladic forms, natural materials and planted spaces translate the principles of vegan hospitality into architecture.

Ethos Vegan Suites in Santorini by Kapsimalis Architects occupies a former two-storey family residence in the centre of Fira. Originally constructed after the 1956 Santorini earthquake and extended vertically during the 1980s, the building was reorganized as a small hotel with five independent suites.

Two suites and a compact reception and kitchen occupy the ground floor. Three additional suites are arranged above and accessed through an open staircase integrated with planting. Each room combines sleeping and sitting areas with a kitchenette and bathroom, while private yards, balconies or terraces extend the accommodation outdoors.

 

 

Reworking the existing shell

The transformation retains the characteristic geometry of the original building while simplifying later additions and adapting the structure to its new use.

Existing forms were restored and clarified to establish a contemporary relationship with the compact, whitewashed fabric of Fira. Selected parapets, decorative cornices and parts of the enclosure were removed or replaced, reducing the visual complexity of the former residence.

New thin metal handrails, solid surfaces and perforated ceramic screens introduce a lighter architectural layer. The screens define different degrees of privacy around the rooms and circulation areas while allowing daylight and air to pass through.

The intervention therefore does not attempt to reproduce a historic Cycladic interior. Instead, it works with the existing building and its recognizable forms, introducing new elements that respond to contemporary hospitality.

 

Five suites around shared and private outdoor spaces

From the pedestrian street, the entrance leads to a common semi-outdoor area. This intermediate space functions as a point of arrival and informal gathering before the circulation divides towards the individual suites.

On the ground floor, each unit extends towards a private yard with a small pool and sitting area. The rooms on the upper level open onto balconies or terraces, also incorporating small water elements and views towards the eastern part of Santorini and the Aegean.

The roof is partially planted with aromatic herbs and local vegetables. These are connected with the operation of the hotel and its vegan food and drinks, extending the project’s concept beyond the interiors and into the everyday use of the building.

 

 

Vegan principles as design parameters

A central objective was to translate vegan hospitality into architectural and material decisions rather than treat it solely as an operational concept.

Materials and furnishings derived from animal products were avoided. In their place, the architects selected natural and recyclable materials including ceramics, clay, stone, oak, mineral mortars, cotton, hemp and linen.

Local craftsmanship and custom-made furniture also form part of this approach. Built-in elements reduce the need for additional objects, while planting, water, daylight and natural ventilation contribute to an interior environment closely connected with natural processes.

The material strategy is therefore integral to the identity of the hotel. Vegan principles are expressed through sourcing, construction and atmosphere rather than through applied imagery.

 

Ceramic surfaces and mineral textures

The restrained palette combines variations of earth tones with the material character of ceramics, timber and mineral finishes.

Outside, small square terracotta tiles are laid with visible joints filled with natural beige mortar, creating a repetitive grid across the floors. The exterior walls and ceramic screens are predominantly off-white, connecting the hotel with the surrounding urban fabric.

Inside, large square floor tiles incorporate small ceramic fragments and tesserae. Walls and ceilings are finished with textured plasters containing natural components, while smooth white plaster emphasizes the vaulted ceilings of the two ground-floor suites.

Bathrooms are treated with pale cement-based finishes. Coloured glass partitions in yellow and green create translucent boundaries around the showers and introduce controlled variations within the otherwise muted interiors.

 

 

Oak, terracotta and recycled aggregates

Natural oak is used for wardrobes, shelving and other fixed elements, bringing a warmer material layer into the rooms.

Thin terracotta tiles appear on selected walls, while ceramic claustra are also used inside as supports for desks and as permeable elements that conceal technical equipment.

Kitchenette and bathroom surfaces combine plaster with recycled stone or coloured recycled glass. Their irregular aggregates give the surfaces a distinct texture and make the reuse of material visually apparent.

Bronze-toned mirrors, black metal details and custom travertine tables complete the composition. Lighting made from clay, coloured glass, timber and metal continues the same material language.

Rather than aiming for a uniform finish, the interiors bring together surfaces with different densities, textures and degrees of reflection.

 

Hospitality within the dense fabric of Fira

The project uses an existing building to create a small-scale form of hospitality within one of Santorini’s most densely built settlements.

Its identity emerges from the relationship between the restored shell, porous ceramic surfaces, planting, natural materials and individual outdoor spaces. The result combines the spatial character of a traditional island house with a contemporary programme organized around five suites.

Ethos Vegan Suites translates its operating philosophy into the architecture itself, using material selection, natural light, ventilation and landscape as basic components of the guest experience.

 

The project was first published in print in ek magazine 270 | September 2022, a monthly issue by ek Architectural Publications.

Exposed concrete cantilevers, vertical timber surfaces and a glazed internal courtyard establish a continuous relationship between the living spaces, garden and pool.

S29 Residence in Strovolos by EKKY Studio Architects combines solid architectural volumes with transparent and planted elements. Horizontal and vertical components intersect throughout the composition, producing changing relationships between enclosure, openness and the surrounding garden.

The street-facing form is interrupted by a glazed volume recessed on the upper floor. Along the western elevation, two exposed-concrete cantilevers embrace the principal building mass, which is articulated with vertical timber surfaces. Aluminium, concrete and timber continue across the exterior, establishing a deliberately limited material vocabulary.

 

 

Solid volumes and transparency

The composition develops through the contrast between the weight of the concrete elements and the lighter character of glass and timber.

The western cantilevers extend horizontally beyond the principal volume, reinforcing the direction of the house towards its outdoor areas. In contrast, the vertical timber treatment emphasizes the enclosed central mass.

The recessed glazed element on the upper level introduces another degree of transparency. Rather than treating the façades as uniform surfaces, the design alternates between solid, transparent and textured sections.

This interplay gives the building a changing appearance according to viewpoint. At the same time, it establishes a clear distinction between the protective architectural envelope and the areas that open towards the landscape.

 

An L-shaped living sequence

Inside, the principal spaces of everyday life are organized within an open-plan L-shaped arrangement.

The sitting and dining areas occupy the entrance zone and maintain direct contact with the courtyard, swimming pool and surrounding outdoor spaces. Their position establishes an immediate visual relationship with the exterior rather than directing movement towards an enclosed internal core.

A second dining area, the kitchen and a semi-outdoor dining space with barbecue follow in sequence. The different functions remain distinct, yet their linear relationship allows everyday activities to extend gradually from the interior towards the garden.

The arrangement avoids a rigid separation between formal and informal living. Instead, the interconnected spaces support different patterns of gathering while maintaining continuity across the ground floor.

 

 

A planted courtyard at the centre

A glazed internal courtyard becomes one of the defining elements of the residence.

Enclosed by transparent surfaces, it contains a planted wall that extends towards the staircase. Vegetation is therefore introduced into the centre of the plan rather than confined to the perimeter of the building.

The courtyard establishes visual contact with nature from several internal positions. At the same time, its enclosed character creates a more introspective landscape within the otherwise open living sequence.

The planted wall softens the surrounding mineral surfaces and introduces changes in texture, shadow and colour. It also creates a quieter spatial interval between the more active shared areas of the house.

 

Continuity across the threshold

A large corner opening reinforces the connection among the different living spaces and their exterior extensions.

Travertine flooring continues across the principal areas, creating a restrained, unified background and reducing the visual distinction between inside and outside. The repeated surface strengthens the perception of the ground floor as a continuous environment rather than a collection of separate rooms.

Grey marble, exposed concrete and timber complete the material palette. Their different textures balance the overall neutrality of the interior, while discreet lighting and restrained furniture allow the architectural elements to remain dominant.

The project ultimately develops around a measured dialogue between mass and transparency. Concrete defines and protects the residence, timber introduces texture and warmth, while glazing, the planted courtyard and the continuous floor establish a close relationship with the outdoor spaces.

 

The project was first published in print in ek magazine 290 | September 2024, a monthly issue by ek Architectural Publications.

Three interconnected stone dwellings reinterpret the rural house of Chalkidiki, weaving between mature pines and olive trees through an elongated composition shaped by privacy, hospitality and outdoor life.

 

 

Treelithon is a countryside retreat in Chalkidiki by Studio Not a Number Architects. Set on a long, narrow plot that slopes gently beneath mature pines and olive trees, the 200m² project combines a family vacation home with accommodation capable of operating independently for short-term guests.

Completed in 2025, the complex reinterprets the archetype of the rural Greek stone house through three interconnected dwellings. Their arrangement responds directly to the proportions of the site, the existing trees and local planning regulations, which required the building volumes to remain attached rather than fully detached.

 

Three dwellings within an elongated composition

The resulting plan follows an elongated Z-shaped configuration that negotiates privacy between the different occupants while moving around the existing vegetation.

At opposite ends of the site, two landscape elements anchor the composition. A small pine canopy creates a sheltered outdoor retreat for the architects’ family, while a long swimming pool serves the guest accommodation.

Between them, the three dwellings are conceived as a contemporary interpretation of a trilithon: two upright monolithic volumes frame and support a central horizontal element. The reference establishes a common architectural identity without imposing an identical spatial organization on each house.

The three units develop over one, two and three levels respectively. This variation produces different relationships with the terrain, from horizontal single-storey living to vertically stacked spaces. Each residence also develops its own entrance sequence, internal rhythm and framed views towards the garden.

 

 

Outdoor rooms between house and landscape

Terraces extend the enclosed spaces into the surrounding landscape. Some are sheltered by long-span timber pergolas, while others occupy the shade of existing trees.

Rather than functioning simply as peripheral patios, these areas become outdoor rooms for dining, gathering and retreat. Their distribution also allows the three households to maintain independence while preserving subtle visual and spatial connections.

The sloping terrain contributes actively to this organization. Limited grading interventions transform it into a network of routes across the site. Paved paths alternate with stepping stones, creating a gradual sequence between the different residences and gardens.

 

Load-bearing stone as structure and enclosure

Locally sourced stone forms the load-bearing perimeter walls. The choice extends the logic of traditional rural construction into a contemporary building while anchoring the new volumes materially in their setting.

The substantial masonry is not treated as a decorative skin. It performs simultaneously as structure, enclosure and architectural expression. In this sense, the project tests the capacity of traditional stone-building techniques to respond to current construction requirements.

Openings are positioned selectively within the monolithic walls. They frame specific views of the vegetation, introduce daylight and support passive cross-ventilation rather than dissolving the envelope through extensive glazing.

 

 

Timber elements that regulate exposure

Timber introduces a lighter and more adaptable layer alongside the stone construction. It is used for window frames, furniture and staircases, as well as the long-span pergolas that define the principal outdoor spaces.

Operable sliding panels provide an additional environmental filter. Their position can be adjusted to regulate sunlight, air movement, privacy and views according to season and use.

The envelope therefore combines permanent and movable elements. The stone walls establish a stable, protective framework, while the timber components allow the houses to respond more directly to changing climatic and domestic conditions.

 

A restrained interior palette

Inside, the material treatment remains closely connected with the construction of the buildings. Stone walls are either left exposed or finished with white render, allowing differences in texture to shape the atmosphere of each room.

Terrazzo flooring incorporates subtly coloured aggregates and extends a mineral character through the interiors. In-situ concrete slabs remain exposed, making the structural system visible while contributing thermal mass.

Against these harder surfaces, timber furniture, doors and stairs introduce a warmer layer and emphasize craftsmanship. The limited palette allows differences in texture, natural light and construction to define the interiors rather than relying on additional decorative treatments.

Through its three-part organization, Treelithon balances the apparently opposing requirements of a shared family retreat and independent guest accommodation. Its architectural identity emerges from this negotiation: interconnected but autonomous houses, protective stone walls and adaptable outdoor thresholds arranged within the existing landscape.

Three independent residences step along two terraces in Lefkes, preserving dry-stone walls and mature olive trees while gradually framing the Parian landscape.

 

The residence in Lefkes by KP Office is formed by a complex of three independent houses known as Pezoules House. It occupies a narrow, steeply sloping site in one of the most traditional settlements of Paros.

The project takes its name from its position across two agricultural terraces, or pezoules. Opposite the site, some of the island’s best-preserved terraced fields extend across the hillside. These longstanding structures have shaped both the cultivation and the architectural character of the Cycladic landscape.

 

Buildings arranged along the slope

The narrow proportions and pronounced gradient of the site determined the articulated arrangement of the building volumes. Rather than creating a single compact mass, the design distributes the programme across a sequence of interconnected structures.

The composition follows the two existing terraces. As a result, the buildings remain close to the ground and adapt to the changing levels instead of imposing a uniform platform on the site.

Openings appear gradually as visitors move through the complex. Some provide broad panoramic views, while others frame isolated parts of the surrounding hills. The landscape is therefore revealed as a sequence rather than as a continuous image.

The main project collaborator was Studio265, whose work with KP Office contributed to the architectural and constructional development of the complex.

 

Three independent residences

Each of the three houses develops across two or three levels. Their ground floors contain the principal living and dining areas, together with semi-outdoor sitting spaces integrated into the main volumes.

The bedrooms have private bathrooms and occupy more protected positions. Their distribution establishes a clear distinction between communal and private life without disconnecting them from the landscape.

The stepped organization also gives each house a degree of autonomy. Individual terraces, pools and outdoor rooms are separated from one another, although all three residences remain part of the same architectural composition.

The published ground-floor plan and longitudinal section clarify this relationship. The plan shows the houses extending along the narrow site, while the section explains their gradual descent through the two terraces.

 

Framed views and semi-outdoor rooms

Covered seating areas are incorporated within the principal volumes rather than added as independent structures. They form deep thresholds between enclosed rooms, swimming pools and the surrounding terrain.

These intermediate spaces protect everyday outdoor activity from direct sunlight. At the same time, they preserve visual continuity with the hills and the distant horizon.

The arrangement of openings reinforces this controlled relationship. Windows and passages do not simply provide a view from every point. Instead, they direct attention towards selected elements of the landscape and make orientation part of the movement through the house.

 

Stone from the site

Rendered masonry defines the enclosed residential volumes. In contrast, exposed stone is used for retaining walls, boundaries and other external architectural elements.

The stone was recovered exclusively during the excavation of the site. Its reuse strengthens the material relationship between the new construction and the surrounding terrain.

Existing dry-stone walls were preserved and structurally reinforced. Where sections had collapsed, they were rebuilt with local stone, maintaining the continuity of the agricultural terraces.

The masonry therefore serves several roles. It retains the sloping ground, organizes circulation and outdoor rooms, and connects the new complex with the longstanding constructional logic of the Parian landscape.

 

Building around existing olive trees

The outdoor spaces were designed with the aim of limiting intervention in the natural terrain. Building volumes and circulation routes were positioned around mature olive trees that already occupied the site.

The landscape design by Outside Landscape Architecture extends this approach. Gardens contain olive and cypress trees, vines, herbs, aromatic shrubs and flowering plants associated with the Mediterranean ecosystem.

Rainwater-storage tanks contribute to the irrigation of the planted areas. The intervention therefore relies on specific landscape and water-management measures rather than treating planting as an applied decorative layer.

 

Local techniques and contemporary elements

The houses combine references to traditional Cycladic construction with contemporary building components. Small openings and walls up to 60cm thick create substantial, protected envelopes.

Many elements were custom-made by experienced local craftspeople. In parallel, exposed-concrete ceilings, thermally insulated frames and stainless-steel fittings introduce a more contemporary constructional language.

The project does not reproduce a historic building type. Instead, it draws on the environmental and material logic of local architecture and adapts it to current residential needs.

The result is a sequence of houses embedded in the terraces, where stone walls, framed views and intermediate outdoor rooms establish a measured relationship with the landscape.

 

The project was first published in print in ParosVillas Vol.4, a special edition by ek Architectural Publications.

Near Glyfa beach, the residence unfolds like a small settlement of white and stone volumes, connected by sheltered courtyards, internal pathways and outdoor spaces facing the sea.

 

The project is located in the tranquil southeastern part of Paros, near Glyfa beach. Designed by Maria Doxa Architecture Studio, the seaside residence overlooks the coast and the open horizon.

The complex develops linearly across the site, resembling a small island settlement rather than a single autonomous building. A white cubic residence is accompanied by four smaller stone volumes containing supplementary uses. Courtyards, paths and sheltered outdoor rooms connect the separate parts while preserving their individual scale.

 

A protected route through the complex

Access is from the north, through a stone-walled courtyard planted with olive trees, cypresses and aromatic species. A marble-paved path crosses the garden and leads towards the principal entrance.

The high stone boundary protects the arrival area from strong winds. Instead of immediately revealing the sea-facing side of the house, the entrance sequence gradually moves from the enclosed northern courtyard towards the open southern landscape.

The path continues beyond the entrance and extends along the length of the residence. It connects the principal house with the guest accommodation, the artist’s studio and the smaller gardens distributed throughout the site.

 

Two wings around an entrance axis

Inside, the principal residence is divided into two wings. To the right of the entrance, an open-plan living area contains the kitchen, dining room and sitting space.

Large sliding glazed panels connect this shared interior directly with the central outdoor area. When opened, they establish continuity between the living room, shaded terrace, swimming pool and distant sea horizon.

The private wing develops to the left of the entrance. It contains one principal bedroom and two en-suite bedrooms, organized around an enclosed planted courtyard. This internal garden becomes a common point of reference for the sleeping areas and introduces daylight and vegetation without compromising privacy.

The contrast between the two wings is deliberate. The shared spaces open broadly towards the sea, while the bedrooms are organized around a more introspective landscape.

 

Guest accommodation and an artist’s studio

At the western end of the complex, a stone guest house contains two double-height rooms with direct access to the main terrace.

Each room includes a kitchen, bathroom and small sitting area at ground level. The sleeping area is placed on a mezzanine, creating a more private zone within the vertically organized interior.

A small painting studio completes the composition at the eastern end. It is reached through the outdoor path that begins at the entrance courtyard and follows the length of the house.

In the northwestern part of the site, a partially subterranean volume contains two further bedrooms with bathrooms and a shared kitchen. A planted roof and stepped courtyards integrate it into the terrain and limit its visual presence within the wider complex.

Outdoor life between stone and water

A large sheltered outdoor space occupies the area between the principal residence and the guest house. Facing the linear swimming pool and the sea, it forms the main setting for outdoor life.

A pergola and solid stone back wall protect the terrace, which contains an external bar and sitting area. An imposing fixed marble dining table stands close to the indoor kitchen, supporting a direct relationship between food preparation and outdoor dining.

The swimming pool reinforces the longitudinal organization of the residence. Its water surface extends visually towards the horizon and brings together the main house, guest accommodation and central terrace.

The outdoor spaces are not concentrated in a single area. Smaller courtyards, gardens and routes create different degrees of enclosure, shade and contact with the landscape.

 

 

A contrast of white plaster and local stone

The material palette draws on the character of island architecture without directly reproducing traditional forms. White plaster defines the principal residence, while local untreated stone gives the smaller volumes a heavier and more textured presence.

Large, pale marble slabs form a continuous floor across interior and exterior areas. This repeated surface connects the enclosed rooms with the terraces and weakens the boundary between them.

Rough timber beams and reed linings emphasize selected ceilings. Grey pergolas and window frames introduce a restrained contemporary layer, while natural timber and light fabrics with subtle textures define the furnishings.

The contrast among plaster, stone, marble, timber and reed gives each part of the residence a distinct identity. At the same time, the limited palette maintains the coherence of the whole.

Gardens across the site

The landscape design by Outside Landscape Architecture is distributed across small gardens and courtyards rather than concentrated around the main façade.

Mediterranean aromatic plants, grasses, shrubs, fruit trees and wildflowers establish a close relationship with the existing island landscape. Most ground surfaces remain permeable, combining exposed soil, gravel and paths formed from irregular stone slabs.

The result is a seaside residence with several different spatial scales and multiple possibilities for outdoor occupation. Controlled transparency reveals the sea and vegetation gradually through a sequence of measured architectural forms.

 

The project was first published in print in ParosVillas Vol.4, a special edition by ek Architectural Publications.

A high perimeter wall embraces a carved rectangular volume, creating a protected courtyard where light, vegetation and controlled views establish a condition of permeable introversion.

Domus Maya is located in the southeastern suburbs of Nicosia, on a typical plot within a recently developed neighbourhood. The two sides of the site present contrasting conditions. To the south, scattered residential buildings form an irregular urban frontage. To the north, open agricultural land extends towards the horizon and the trapezoidal profile of Aronas hill.

The proposal by Studio Kyriakos Miltiadou responds to this contrast through two principal compositional elements: a clearly defined rectangular prism and a tall wall that surrounds and embraces it.

 

A solid volume shaped by subtraction

The main volume has a footprint of 12 by 10 metres. Rather than remaining an intact rectangular block, it is carved along its horizontal and vertical axes.

The subtraction of parts from the original mass creates an internal void, which rises through two storeys in selected areas. The rooms and circulation spaces are organized around this opening.

The residence develops over two levels. The ground floor contains the principal shared spaces: the living room, kitchen, dining area and a small guest room. The bedrooms, bathrooms and supporting functions occupy the upper floor.

The central void acts as a three-dimensional canvas within the house. It brings light, air and vegetation into the interior while framing the horizontal line of the distant landscape. At the same time, it mediates between the family’s private life and its more social spaces.

 

A wall against the suburban landscape

The second defining element is a 3.5m-high wall positioned three metres behind the public road. Extending across the full width of the plot, it forms a firm boundary between the residence and the fragmented suburban surroundings.

Its continuous surface gives the street elevation an intentionally restrained character. Three narrow vertical openings interrupt the wall and permit carefully controlled views towards and from the interior.

The house therefore does not become completely isolated from the neighbourhood. Instead, the openings produce a selective permeability, allowing light, movement and partial visual contact to pass through an otherwise protective boundary.

A vivid yellow entrance door marks the point of access. Its colour contrasts with the white rendered surfaces and transforms the act of entering into a clearly legible moment within the composition.

 

An internal square around an olive tree

Behind the perimeter wall lies a central “square”: a protected courtyard that receives visitors before they enter the main house.

A transplanted olive tree stands at its centre. Surrounded by a circular exposed-concrete element, it becomes the principal point of orientation within the courtyard and introduces a mature natural presence into the precise geometric composition.

The courtyard opens towards the social life of the residence. It is not conceived as an isolated garden but as a shared outdoor room connected with the entrance, living spaces and semi-outdoor areas.

The white surfaces reflect the intense Mediterranean light, while the shadows of the planting animate the otherwise monolithic walls throughout the day.

 

Continuity between inside and outside

Exposed-concrete seating surfaces extend through the internal and external spaces. By crossing the boundaries of the envelope, they weaken the distinction between room, courtyard and garden.

These continuous elements also create informal places for sitting and social encounter. Their position allows everyday activities to spread beyond the conventional arrangement of enclosed rooms.

Where the perimeter wall meets the rectangular prism, smaller semi-outdoor spaces emerge. A network of stainless-steel cables supports climbing plants and introduces a lighter, permeable layer alongside the solid architectural surfaces.

Thyme, jasmine, lavender and bougainvillea occupy the enclosed gardens. Over time, the vegetation is intended to extend across the walls and wire structures, gradually softening the monolithic character of the residence.

 

Permeable introversion

The wall and the prism ultimately operate as a single architectural gesture. The first establishes protection and distance from the irregular urban setting. The second is opened and carved to accommodate light, landscape and vegetation.

Their interaction produces a series of deliberate contradictions: enclosure and openness, public and private life, the natural and the artificial, exposure and protection.

Domus Maya does not resolve these oppositions by choosing one condition over the other. Instead, it uses the courtyard, narrow openings and semi-outdoor thresholds to maintain a balance between them.

 

The project was first published in print in ek magazine 288 | July–August 2024, a monthly issue by ek Architectural Publications.

In Puerto Vallarta, on Mexico’s Pacific coast, Casa Tao by HW Studio is conceived around shade as both a climatic necessity and a spatial condition. The 472 m² residence draws on the memories and interests of its inhabitants, translating ideas of shelter, quiet and contemplation into a sequence of enclosed courtyards, filtered views and protected interiors.

The house occupies a neighbourhood without distant views, but directly faces a tree-lined plaza offering shade and breeze. Rather than opening frontally towards it through extensive glazing, the architecture establishes an indirect relationship with its surroundings. Carefully positioned openings allow the presence of the plaza to be perceived while limiting exposure to the intense coastal sun.

Shade as a way of inhabiting

The design emerged in part from the inhabitants’ personal histories. Growing up in Puerto Vallarta, one of the owners understood shade as an essential refuge from the heat and humidity of the Pacific climate. A later family journey to Japan introduced another set of references: spatial restraint, emptiness, carefully filtered light and a sense of stillness.

These influences are translated into an architecture of indirect relationships. The house neither withdraws completely from the city nor exposes itself fully to it. Instead, views, breezes and daylight enter through controlled openings, courtyards and transitional spaces.

The result is an environment shaped less by outward display than by the gradual experience of light and shadow.

 

 

Private spaces below, social life above

The principal programme is divided vertically. Bedrooms, the garage and service areas occupy the base of the house, while a lighter, double-height volume containing the main social spaces is raised above them.

Elevating the communal areas separates daily social life from street level and opens it towards the crowns of the surrounding trees. Air circulates around the upper volume, while elevated patios form protected outdoor rooms overlooking the neighbouring greenery.

The arrangement allows the house to engage with the plaza without relying on a conventional panoramic façade. The relationship is experienced through fragments: the movement of branches, the arrival of the breeze and the changing quality of light.

Courtyards and interior retreat

The bedrooms are organized around a courtyard, where enclosure provides privacy while preserving access to air and sky. At the entrance, a curved wall gently redirects movement, while a tree marks the transition into the house.

This inward orientation creates a sequence of spaces focused on the sky, shade and vegetation. The courtyards are therefore more than sources of natural light and ventilation; they establish the slower rhythm around which domestic life is organized.

Throughout the house, privacy is achieved through depth and indirect views rather than complete isolation.

 

 

Concrete, whiteness and filtered light

The material palette reinforces the contrast between the intensity of the exterior climate and the subdued atmosphere within. White surfaces respond sharply to the coastal sun, while exposed concrete absorbs and softens light.

Its weight gives the interiors a sense of permanence, but the changing daylight prevents the material from appearing static. Light settles across walls and surfaces, revealing subtle differences between open courtyards, shaded thresholds and more protected rooms.

The architects relate this approach to Junichirō Tanizaki’s In Praise of Shadows, where darkness is understood as a means of giving depth to perception rather than simply as the absence of light. In Casa Tao, shade becomes similarly active: a climatic resource, a spatial filter and the element through which the house establishes its atmosphere.

Casa Tao ultimately proposes a form of domestic life organized around attention and pause. Through its elevated patios, inward-facing courtyards and carefully controlled openings, the house creates a protected interior world while remaining connected to the air, vegetation and climate of Puerto Vallarta.

Located in Agkairia, on the southwestern side of Paros, the building is organized as four distinct volumes along an elongated axis across the plot. Designed by Chris Tessas, the residence breaks its programme into smaller spatial units, using internal courtyards to introduce natural light and privacy.

The two central volumes contain the living room and kitchen. The outer sections accommodate the family bedrooms and guest rooms. Rather than forming a single compact house, the separate parts establish a linear sequence of enclosed spaces, atriums and sheltered outdoor areas.

 

 

Four volumes and three atriums

Each volume has a distinct function. However, the residence remains connected through a clear longitudinal organization.

Three of the four volumes are separated by internal atriums. These open spaces bring daylight into the centre of the plan and allow the rooms to maintain a direct relationship with the exterior. At the same time, their position within the composition protects domestic life from being immediately visible from the surrounding landscape.

Because the atriums remain largely concealed from the perimeter, they also divide the apparent scale of the house. From a distance, the residence is perceived as a sequence of smaller structures rather than a single extended building.

This arrangement establishes a dialogue with the additive character of traditional Cycladic settlements, where compact rooms and small building units develop gradually in response to use and terrain.

Shared life at the centre

The living room and kitchen occupy the two central sections of the residence. Their position turns the middle of the composition into its shared social core.

Large openings connect these spaces with the terrace, pool and shaded dining area. In contrast with the more controlled openings on the outer façades, this side of the house develops a broader relationship with the landscape and outdoor life.

The pool runs parallel to the main terrace, reinforcing the linear direction of the plan. A lightweight pergola protects the outdoor dining area and creates an intermediate zone between the enclosed rooms and the open Cycladic setting.

Inside, the restrained palette allows natural light to define the atmosphere. Rooflights illuminate the kitchen from above, while narrow openings frame selected views and preserve the sense of enclosure established by the external volumes.

 

 

Proportions derived from local architecture

The proportions of the individual volumes and the discreet external openings draw on the historic stone structures found across Paros and the wider Aegean.

This reference is expressed through scale and spatial organization rather than through the literal reproduction of traditional details. The building remains contemporary, but its fragmentation allows it to relate to the surrounding landscape and the established architectural character of the island.

The repeated wall surfaces and controlled openings give the outer elevations a compact presence. By contrast, the concealed courtyards introduce light and openness within the composition.

An external stair towards the roof

The northern volume contains the family bedrooms and is separated from the adjoining parts of the residence by an external staircase. Its broad, solid form recalls the external stairs of traditional island houses.

The stair leads to the roof and becomes part of the architectural promenade. Beyond its practical role, it invites occupants to rise above the low volumes and observe the wider Cycladic landscape.

Through its combination of linear organization, fragmented volumes and hidden atriums, Cycladic Layout proposes a contemporary residence that belongs to Paros without relying on the direct imitation of vernacular forms.

 

The project was first published in print in ParosVillas Vol.4, a special edition by ek Architectural Publications.

Astir Marina was the first marina in Greece developed exclusively for tourist vessels. Built in Vouliagmeni during the early 1960s, it occupies a coastal site distinguished by its natural landscape and archaeological significance.

Its redevelopment began in 2013 with two principal objectives. The existing port infrastructure had to accommodate the increased operational requirements of a home port for mega and superyachts. At the same time, the land zone was reimagined as a destination combining tourism, leisure, retail, dining and marina administration.

KSE Studio prepared the preliminary master plan for the land zone. AETER Architects subsequently developed the final land-zone master plan and designed the new buildings. Neiheiser Argyros were responsible for the landscape architecture and public realm.

The port works were delivered in 2023, while construction on the land zone was completed in May 2024.

 

 

A new programme along the waterfront

The redevelopment addresses two interconnected areas: the reconstruction and improvement of the existing port facilities and the complete reorganization of the land zone.

The latter contains 4,800m² of enclosed spaces accommodating tourism, retail, dining and marina-management functions. The outdoor areas, pedestrian routes and shared spaces were treated as an equally important part of the architectural programme.

To prevent parking from occupying a substantial part of the available open ground, a 156-space underground facility was placed beneath the central plaza. Its position within a steeply inclined section of the site reduces the visual presence of vehicles and preserves the relationship between the buildings, landscape and waterfront.

The new programme is distributed among a sequence of buildings and open plazas. Together, they establish a continuous public route along the central quay and connect the commercial areas with the marina’s operational facilities.

Buildings informed by the language of yachts

For AETER Architects, the form and materiality of the vessels using the marina provided a point of departure for the architectural language.

The façades are characterized by curved, folded and inclined surfaces formed in smooth white exposed concrete. Their changing geometry evokes movement and gives the buildings a different appearance as visitors move along the quays and public routes.

The materials associated with contemporary yachts also informed the treatment of the architectural surfaces. White concrete, extensive glazing, reflective finishes and darker metallic elements create contrasts between solidity, transparency and sheen.

Two central buildings containing retail and dining uses define the principal public space along the waterfront. Their broad overhangs and terraces extend the interior programme outdoors, while preserving uninterrupted views towards the marina.

To the northwest, the two-storey administration building and marina control tower form a more sculptural composition. A broad, almost ceremonial ascent leads to the accessible upper roof, which becomes an elevated viewpoint over the harbour and the Saronic Gulf.

Smaller buildings accommodating supporting functions complete the complex through a more restrained interpretation of the same architectural vocabulary.

 

 

From historical maps to a new public realm

The landscape design by Neiheiser Argyros begins with the proposition that “the map is the territory.” Historical topographic records and old nautical charts were used to retrieve earlier contour lines associated with the site.

These traces informed the main routes, paving patterns and planted zones. Landscape is therefore not applied as a decorative layer around the buildings. Instead, it becomes a continuous system that organizes movement, orientation and the transition between the hillside and the water.

Clusters of planted “islands” form buffers between vehicle circulation, parking areas and the waterfront. They also extend the vegetation of the adjoining slope towards the lower quays.

The paving incorporates irregular marble fragments sourced from nearby quarries. Their variations in scale, geometry and tone emphasize an ad hoc and handcrafted quality associated with the material character of the coastal pine forest.

The placement of the buildings defines a sequence of open plazas coordinated with the planting and the sea. Within the retail and dining zone, the two principal buildings frame the most significant shared space along the waterfront.

Bioclimatic strategies and planted roofs

The buildings employ a series of environmental strategies intended to reduce energy demand. Glazed surfaces support passive solar gain during winter, while deep overhangs, canopies and louvers protect the interiors from direct summer sunlight.

Extensive planted roofs continue the landscape across the upper surfaces of the buildings. They connect the architecture visually with the vegetation of the peninsula and soften the distinction between built and planted areas.

The artificial-lighting strategy responds to the coexistence of several different programmes. It reinforces the identity and hierarchy of the individual buildings while establishing continuity among plazas, covered passages and waterfront routes after dark.

 

 

A landscape of modernization

The redevelopment of Astir Marina continues a longer Greek history in which architecture mediates between tourism infrastructure and landscapes of particular natural, historical and cultural value.

Here, the role of design extends beyond the production of individual buildings. The preliminary planning by KSE Studio, the final master plan and architecture by AETER Architects, and the public realm by Neiheiser Argyros operate as distinct but interconnected layers.

The project remains suspended between two conditions: the local landscape that was already present and the international programme introduced by the marina. Its broader architectural significance lies in the way these forces are negotiated.

The balance between landscape protection and tourism development is not self-evident. Nevertheless, it continues to define a critical field for the evolution of contemporary Greek architecture.

 

The project was first published in print in ek magazine 290 | September 2024, the monthly issue by ek Architectural Publications.

Set within a public park in Ajman, United Arab Emirates, Bkd Bakery by UMKY design is conceived as an extension of the surrounding urban landscape. The 305 m² building opens towards the park through large sliding elements, allowing the boundary between the interior, shaded terraces and public space to shift throughout the day.

The design responds simultaneously to the demanding regional climate and the operational requirements of a working bakery. Deep pergolas protect three sides of the building, while the interior combines public circulation, seating and production within a continuous spatial sequence.

 

 

Extending the park into the interior

The design began with an analysis of pedestrian movement through the park. The main entrance aligns with its central axis, establishing a direct continuation of the principal public route into the bakery.

Rather than enclosing the commercial space behind a fixed façade, large sliding mechanisms allow it to open towards the surrounding landscape. The transition from park to terrace and interior becomes gradual, allowing the bakery to participate in the everyday activity of the public space.

Deep pergolas extend along three sides of the building. They shade the outdoor seating areas and limit direct solar exposure, creating a protected perimeter around the bakery and reducing heat gain within the interior.

This shaded edge is central to the project. It allows indoor and outdoor hospitality spaces to operate as parts of the same environment while responding to Ajman’s intense climate.

A layout shaped by movement

The organization of the interior follows the pedestrian flows approaching the building. Public functions remain clear and immediately accessible, while staff circulation, storage and other back-of-house operations are positioned away from the principal guest areas.

At the center of the plan, a large service counter becomes the main visual and spatial point of reference. It is built from custom-cast concrete bricks with mint-green pigment added during production, establishing a material relationship with the vegetation of the surrounding park.

The masonry gives the counter a tactile presence and anchors the open interior. Its weight contrasts with the transparency of the perimeter and the ability of the façades to open almost completely towards the exterior.

 

 

A domestic scale beneath the pitched ceiling

Above the public areas, the ceiling follows the profile of a pitched roof. The familiar geometry reduces the perceived height of the interior and introduces a more intimate scale within the large commercial space.

The form also performs a technical role, concealing the extensive climate-control equipment required by the bakery. Rather than allowing these systems to dominate the interior, the ceiling integrates them within an architectural element associated with shelter and domesticity.

This combination of technical performance and familiar form supports the broader character of the project: an open public venue that nevertheless maintains a sense of warmth and enclosure.

Baking as part of the public experience

At the core of the bakery, the production area is enclosed by glass and remains visible from the guest spaces. Visitors can observe the preparation and baking process, making production part of the everyday experience of the interior.

Integrating a working bakery into a busy public space required careful coordination of ventilation. The production zone remains visually connected to the seating areas while operating with the air-control systems necessary to maintain comfortable conditions throughout the building.

Transparency therefore operates at several scales. The bakery opens towards the park, the public areas remain visually connected across the interior, and the process of production is placed on display.

Inspired by ideas of movement and lightness associated with the Gemini constellation, the project avoids the character of a sealed commercial object. Through its sliding boundaries, shaded perimeter and visible production spaces, Bkd Bakery becomes a place of exchange between the park, the interior and the everyday activity of baking.

In the mountains of Emeishan, China, Zoland·Emei Resort by Studio J. Bridgland transforms a collection of deteriorated structures into a 2,900 m² retreat organized around the landscape. Buildings are arranged as a staggered group of smaller volumes, recalling a settlement embedded in the hillside rather than a single hotel complex.

The design draws on the terrain and local building traditions through pitched roofs, deep eaves and a restrained material palette. These elements are reinterpreted through contemporary construction, establishing a gradual relationship between existing structures, new interventions and the surrounding forest.

 

 

A village-like composition in the landscape

The buildings follow the natural changes in level across the site. Their fragmented arrangement creates a sequence of courtyards, paths and framed views, allowing the complex to be experienced gradually.

At the entrance, a façade of textured concrete worked by hand establishes a strong material presence. Its rough surface contrasts with the surrounding vegetation and introduces the tactile character that continues throughout the project.

Rather than seeking visual prominence, the architecture uses differences in scale, level and material to become part of the hillside. Traditional pitched roofs and deep overhangs provide protection while connecting the new intervention with familiar regional forms.

A courtyard organized around an ancient tree

The central courtyard forms the social heart of the resort. At its centre, an ancient Zhennan tree is surrounded by a reflecting pool, turning the existing vegetation into the main point of reference.

The courtyard opens towards the surrounding mountains and brings together architecture, water and planting. The tree gives the space a sense of continuity with the site’s earlier history, while the pool extends its presence through reflection.

Nearby, a contemplative space is enclosed by full-height glazing. The transparent envelope maintains an uninterrupted relationship with the forest, allowing changing light and vegetation to define the atmosphere of the interior.

 

 

Local materials and shared spaces

The dining hall brings together local materials and a clearly expressed structure. Traditional grey tiles from Leshan cover the roof, while a cedar framework spans the interior, introducing warmth and rhythm overhead.

Walls built from schist sourced from Emei Mountain connect the building with the geology of its setting. The combination of stone, timber and tile avoids a uniform material treatment, allowing the different surfaces to retain their texture and individual character.

Throughout the shared spaces, the architecture relies on a limited palette and direct construction. Material differences establish atmosphere without competing with the surrounding landscape.

Guest suites beneath a planted landscape

At the highest point of the site, the guest suites are incorporated beneath a raised planted surface. From the outside, the building remains largely concealed by the landscape, while full-height windows open the rooms towards the mountains.

The design creates a clear contrast between the building’s subdued external presence and the expansive views from within. The guest rooms become protected spaces from which the landscape is observed rather than architectural objects imposed on it.

Bathrooms use deep red local stone, introducing a stronger colour and a tactile connection with the region’s geological character. The bathing experience continues outdoors, where a stone pool finished with green granite extends into the mountain setting.

The relationship between built form and landscape becomes progressively less distinct across the project. Courtyards are organized around existing vegetation, roofs become planted ground and outdoor bathing areas merge with the terrain.

Through this landscape-led approach, Zoland·Emei Resort proposes an architecture of reduced pace and heightened attention. The regeneration of the existing site is shaped through modest interventions, local materials and a sequence of spaces that invite visitors to experience the mountain environment gradually.

Casa Gruta is a 254m² residence in the Sisal neighbourhood of Valladolid, Mexico. Designed by Salvador Román and Adela Mortera, it approaches the house as an inhabitable sculpture. Its spatial language draws on the caves, grottos and cenotes that characterize the geology of the Yucatán Peninsula.

Rather than reproducing these formations literally, the architecture translates their atmosphere into a sequence of passages, chambers and openings. Spaces alternately contract and expand, creating different perceptions of scale as occupants move through the house.

 

 

Entering the grotto

The entrance is marked by an existing álamo tree. In local tradition, this species has been associated with the presence of underground formations. Its preservation therefore establishes both a physical and symbolic point of departure for the project.

From the tree, visitors enter an open-air vestibule before moving into the residence. According to the architects, this sequence recalls the ritualized approach to cenotes in ancient Maya culture. The entrance is treated as a gradual transition rather than a conventional doorway.

Beyond it, enclosed passages lead towards brighter rooms and open courtyards. The changing proportions establish a rhythm of compression and release. Meanwhile, controlled openings allow sunlight to enter in narrow beams or illuminate entire surfaces.

A sequence of chambers and clearings

The internal organization is inspired by underground caverns, where tunnels connect larger chambers and unexpected clearings. Casa Gruta applies this principle to domestic life. Each area has a distinct spatial character, yet remains part of a continuous route.

The residence does not reveal itself from a single viewpoint. Instead, walls, thresholds and changes in light frame partial views of the adjoining spaces. Courtyards interrupt the enclosed composition and bring vegetation, air and daylight into its centre.

This alternation between sheltered interiors and open-air voids creates a balance between introspection and contact with the exterior. The courtyards act as extensions of the rooms, while the solid architectural surfaces preserve a sense of enclosure.

 

 

Material, light and time

The restrained material palette derives from the colours and textures of the Yucatán landscape. Its earthy surfaces reinforce the impression that the house has been carved from a single mass rather than assembled from separate elements.

Light becomes an active material within this setting. It moves across the walls throughout the day, revealing their texture and altering the perceived depth of the rooms. Shadows emphasize corners, passages and curved transitions, giving the architecture a changing character over time.

The design also considers the gradual ageing of its surfaces. Instead of pursuing a pristine and unchanging finish, the residence allows weather, vegetation and everyday use to become visible. This approach strengthens the project’s relationship with the passage of time.

Casa Gruta ultimately uses the image of the grotto to question the conventional openness of the tropical residence. Its protected interiors, carefully positioned courtyards and shifting spatial proportions form a retreat that remains connected with the climate and vegetation of Valladolid.

The Baie-de-Valois Nautical Centre is a public pavilion on the shore of Lake Saint-Louis in Pointe-Claire, Quebec. Designed by ADHOC Architectes and PRISME architecture, the project replaces a deteriorating park chalet in Grande-Anse Park and supports the area’s water-sports and community activities.

Τhe development includes a 665m² pavilion and a separate 112m² boat-storage area. The building introduces a community hall for up to 100 people, as well as changing rooms, offices and storage facilities for boaters, canoeists, kayakers, day-camp groups and visitors renting equipment.

 

 

Architecture shaped by the shoreline

The design translates the geological stratification of the lakeside setting into a series of architectural layers. Its solid base refers to the rocky shoreline, while the vertical rhythm of the timber cladding recalls the trunks of the surrounding trees.

Above, the angular roof extends across the composition like a tree canopy. Its changing planes continue into the interior, where they define the community hall and direct attention towards Lake Saint-Louis.

Rather than treating the landscape as a background, the building frames it through broad openings and covered outdoor areas. The principal patio faces the water, while a second, more sheltered terrace allows visitors to experience the site during different seasons.

Beneath this raised outdoor space, the architects incorporated boat storage. This arrangement preserves the view towards the lake while using the changing ground levels to accommodate a substantial operational requirement.

A pavilion for different users

The ground and basement levels support a varied public programme. The community hall can host local events and summer activities, while the lower level contains offices, changing areas and equipment storage.

The building, both patios, the parking area and the route towards the docks are universally accessible. As a result, the project extends access to the shoreline beyond experienced boaters and creates facilities that can be used by people of different ages and levels of mobility.

The circulation also establishes a direct sequence from the park to the building and onward to the water. Interior and exterior spaces therefore operate as parts of a continuous public landscape rather than as separate zones.

 

 

Roof as environmental infrastructure

The distinctive roof is also central to the building’s environmental performance. Its deep southwest overhang blocks direct summer sunlight and limits overheating. During winter, when the sun is lower, solar radiation can enter the interior and contribute to passive heat gain.

A large skylight introduces diffused daylight into the community hall and supports natural ventilation. A white roofing membrane reflects solar radiation, further reducing heat absorption during the warmer months.

Part of the rainwater collected from the roof is redirected towards planted filtration areas within the landscape. This strategy retains water on the site and connects the building’s drainage system with the outdoor design.

Reclaimed ash and natural light

Ash wood recovered from trees removed as part of measures against an invasive beetle was reused for the interior finishes and exterior soffits. The material introduces warmth beneath the angular roof and creates continuity between the enclosed rooms and sheltered terraces.

Inside, the timber ceiling and extensive glazing balance the more solid base of the building. Changing daylight reveals the folded roof geometry, while uninterrupted views of the lake give the relatively compact pavilion a broader spatial character.

Through this combination of public access, climatic response and landscape integration, the Baie-de-Valois Nautical Centre operates as both community infrastructure and a new point of contact with Montreal Island’s shoreline.

Fallen Tower by Kipseli Architects is a vacation home in Messinian Mani. Its design reinterprets the region’s fortified stone towers, which traditionally developed vertically as structures of defence and isolation.

Instead of reproducing this familiar form, the project turns it on its side. The tower becomes an elongated horizontal volume that organizes everyday life and strengthens the residence’s relationship with the landscape.

 

 

A tower laid across the site

The principal volume contains the living room, kitchen and dining area in a continuous linear sequence. The entrance is positioned at one end of this shared space. From there, movement through the house culminates in a semi-outdoor area that frames the sea.

This extended route gives the building a clear internal direction. At the same time, it transforms the traditional tower from an enclosed vertical structure into an open framework for collective life.

The horizontal form retains a sense of monumentality. However, its meaning changes. Rather than asserting separation from the landscape, the volume stretches across the site and establishes a direct connection between the interior, the courtyard and the distant horizon.

 

 

Private spaces as separate fragments

Bedrooms, bathrooms and storage areas project from the principal spine as smaller spatial fragments. Their divergent arrangement loosens the strict geometry of the main volume and creates a more varied relationship with the terrain.

The gaps between these private wings shape a protected outdoor core. This west-facing internal courtyard acts as a shared open-air room, enclosed by the residence but visually connected with the wider landscape.

The ground- and first-floor plans published with the original presentation clarify this organization. The long communal spine defines one side of the composition, while the smaller volumes unfold around the courtyard and respond independently to the site.

 

 

Continuity between inside and outside

The photographic sequence reveals a composition of stone surfaces, lighter rendered volumes and dark metal pergolas. The main stone element gives the residence a substantial presence, while the projecting wings and sheltered outdoor spaces divide its overall mass.

Large openings connect the living areas with the terraces, pool and sea view. Inside, the linear kitchen reinforces the direction of the main volume. Meanwhile, the living room opens simultaneously towards the water and the semi-outdoor space at its far end.

The bedrooms maintain a more contained character. Nevertheless, carefully placed openings preserve their relationship with the landscape and allow natural light to enter the private areas.

Through this shift from verticality to horizontality, the regional tower is redefined as a structure of connection. It no longer separates its occupants from their surroundings. Instead, it brings together shared and private spaces around an open sequence of movement, landscape and outdoor life.

 

The project was first published in print in Maison de Campagne 2025, an annual edition by ek Architectural Publications.

Located on a rocky hillside in Corfu, the summer residence was designed by Tony Wynbourne, Georgios Apostolopoulos and Makis Gisdakis. Organized along an east–west axis, the house opens towards uninterrupted 180-degree views of the sea and the surrounding landscape.

The architectural composition follows the terrain and incorporates existing natural elements into the experience of the house. A preserved olive tree occupies a central position, while exposed rock remains visible within the lower level. Local stone and large glazed openings establish a balance between solidity and openness.

 

 

Following the natural terrain

The residence is distributed across a ground floor, lower ground floor and mezzanine. This arrangement allows the building to respond to the changing levels of the hillside while maintaining a close relationship with the exterior.

On the ground floor, the plan is divided into two main zones. The principal bedroom occupies the western side, while the kitchen, living room and dining area are placed to the east. Large openings connect these spaces with the terraces and frame the view towards the sea.

The lower ground floor contains four additional bedrooms with private bathrooms and a small kitchenette. At the rear, the natural rock is incorporated into a quiet, cave-like retreat. Rather than concealing the terrain, the design brings its rough material character directly into the interior.

The repeated orientation towards the view creates a common spatial direction throughout the house. At the same time, the distribution across three levels allows the different sleeping and living areas to retain a degree of independence.

Two pools at different levels

Two swimming pools are integrated into separate parts of the hillside. On the upper level, a heated pool extends directly from the principal bedroom. Set beside the natural rock, it forms a more private water surface within the landscape.

The main pool occupies a lower terrace. Its long, calm surface aligns visually with the distant horizon, strengthening the connection between the residence and the sea.

The different position and scale of the two pools give each one a distinct role. The upper pool belongs to the more private part of the house, while the lower pool forms part of the shared outdoor spaces.

 

 

Local stone and restrained interiors

The exterior is clad in locally sourced stone, shaped by hand by local craftspeople. Its irregular surface connects the architecture with the rocky hillside and recalls the material character of Corfu’s traditional buildings.

Large windows and carefully resolved details introduce a contemporary contrast to the weight and texture of the stone. The relationship between solid walls and glazed openings also allows the landscape to remain visible throughout the interior.

Inside, the design is deliberately understated. Neutral materials, minimal lines and discreet joinery create a quiet setting for the views. The interiors do not compete with the surrounding landscape. Instead, they direct attention towards the sea, the natural rock and the changing daylight.

 

The project was first published in print in ek magazine 298 | June 2025, the monthly issue by ek Architectural Publications.

On a steep, rocky 4,070 m² plot overlooking Kalathas beach in Crete, the vacation house by iN2 Architects is conceived as a partially embedded residence closely integrated into the terrain. Designed for ten people, the house combines generous shared spaces with clearly separated areas of privacy.

The building occupies one of two natural plateaus on the slope, where the incline is gentler. Its long, single-level plan follows both the geometry of the site and the view towards the sea. Meanwhile, the existing vegetation was preserved wherever possible, including a prominent tamarisk tree at the entrance.

Rather than reshaping the landscape around the house, the design uses the existing features of the site to organize access, movement and orientation.

 

 

Entering through the rock

The approach begins at an existing cut in the mountain. From there, a narrow opening leads into a long, uncovered passage designed as a light well.

This route delays the first full encounter with the sea. At its end, the entrance hall divides the residence into two principal zones: communal living spaces to the east and bedrooms to the west.

From this central point, the view suddenly opens towards the islet of Kalathas. Folding glazing further dissolves the boundary between interior and exterior, turning arrival into a gradual transition from rock and enclosure towards light and horizon.

A linear plan facing the sea

The eastern side contains the living room, dining area and kitchen within one continuous space. A 14 m sliding glass façade opens the entire communal zone towards the terrace and the panoramic view.

As a result, the living area becomes the social heart of the residence. Its open plan supports shared life, while the uninterrupted relationship with the exterior gives the sea a constant presence.

The western wing contains five bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms. Their arrangement follows a rhythmic sequence of solid and open elements. Vertical screens provide privacy while allowing daylight to enter and framing controlled views towards the landscape.

The single-level organization also provides clear circulation and full accessibility. Underground spaces accommodate the necessary auxiliary functions, keeping the principal floor focused on daily life and the relationship with the sea.

 

 

Concrete as structure and background

Exposed concrete is the main material and expressive element of the house. Its natural colour is close to that of the rocky terrain, reducing the visual contrast between building and mountain.

Inside, the same material creates a neutral backdrop for the artworks of Netherlands-based artist Daniella Rubinovitz. The house therefore operates simultaneously as a domestic setting and as a restrained environment for displaying art.

Polished cement flooring continues the muted material language. Timber and metal elements add warmth and contrast, while the direct expression of the construction maintains the overall clarity of the interior.

Material continuity also strengthens the relationship between the building and the site. Rock fragments removed during excavation were returned to the surrounding landscape, reducing the distinction between the constructed and existing ground.

 

 

Light, shade and the open horizon

Large openings bring diffuse daylight deep into the residence. At the same time, a pergola covered with wicker filters the intense sun and extends the living areas outdoors.

The architecture is therefore shaped by a series of contrasts: the narrow entrance and the open horizon, the heavy concrete structure and the filtered light, the communal living area and the more protected bedrooms.

These relationships allow the house to remain visually restrained despite its size. The planted roof, linear form and earthy material palette reduce its presence on the slope, while the main façade opens almost completely towards the sea.

The house is conceived as a quiet architectural framework for the landscape and the art it contains. Through its embedded form, carefully staged entrance and long open façade, the residence brings the changing light, rocky terrain and horizon into everyday life.

 

The project was first published in print in Maison de Campagne 2025, an annual edition by ek Architectural Publications.

Keras Cliff House by Tzagkarakis + Associates is located outside Agia Galini in Rethymno, southern Crete. The residence occupies a natural plateau between a steep cliff and the surrounding mountains, with uninterrupted views across the southern Cretan Sea towards the uninhabited Paximadia islets.

Its composition draws on the “horns of consecration,” a recurring symbol of Minoan Crete. Rather than reproducing the motif as ornament, the architects use its geometry as a formal tool. Two curved wings follow the morphology of the site and open the house towards the sea.

 

 

A protected entrance and a sudden view

The entrance is positioned on the northern side of the residence. A floating concrete slab extends above a low wall, forming a sheltered threshold and introducing the project’s underlying geometric reference.

A continuous wall of local stone defines the northern boundary. Narrow vertical openings interrupt its otherwise solid surface, providing privacy while allowing controlled glimpses of the landscape.

This enclosed approach delays the principal view. Once inside, the stone wall gives way to a large opening towards the sea and Paximadia. The transition from the protected entrance to the open southern elevation establishes a gradual sequence of concealment and revelation.

Two curved residential wings

The house is divided into two main volumes. The western wing contains the interior living areas, which connect directly with the covered terraces and outdoor spaces. Wide openings allow the kitchen, dining room and sitting areas to operate as part of a continuous zone facing the sea.

The eastern wing accommodates four en-suite bedrooms arranged along an elongated corridor. At its far end, a small lounge frames a focused view of the Paximadia islets and provides a quieter destination away from the shared spaces.

Where the two wings meet, a central skylight introduces daylight from above. The space beneath it recalls the internal courtyard of traditional Cretan houses and acts as an orientation point from which the different parts of the residence become visible.

The ground-floor plan and cross-section published with the project clarify how the curved geometry follows the contours of the plateau. They also show the close relationship between the interior rooms, covered outdoor areas and changing levels of the landscape.

 

 

Stone, concrete and timber

The material palette responds to the raw character of southern Crete. Load-bearing walls of local stone form substantial boundaries, while exposed reinforced concrete extends across both enclosed and outdoor areas.

Concrete slabs continue beyond the glazed façades to create deep overhangs, pergolas and planted recesses. These elements provide shade and reinforce the visual continuity between the interior and the terraces.

Timber introduces a warmer and more precisely crafted layer. Custom sliding shutters protect the bedrooms and filter sunlight through their horizontal openings. The repeated use of stone, concrete and wood across interior and exterior surfaces gives the house a consistent material identity.

Nearly all construction work was undertaken by local craftspeople and crews. Their contribution is particularly visible in the stonework, the board-marked concrete and the purpose-made timber elements.

 

The project was first published in print in Maison de Campagne 2025, an annual edition by ek Architectural Publications.

At Somanou, in Koufonissia, two single-level vacation homes by GFRA Architecture unfold across a landscape with uninterrupted views of the Aegean and a nearby traditional Cycladic settlement. The principal design strategy was to organize the programme in close contact with the landscape without altering the natural topography of the site. Instead of concentrating the functions within large continuous forms, the complex is broken down into smaller volumes. Protected courtyards and semi-outdoor spaces emerge between them, bringing the scale and intimacy of a Cycladic neighbourhood into a contemporary residential setting.

 

 

A small settlement within the landscape

Access is provided from the eastern side of the property, where a shared parking area serves both residences. From there, two separate paths lead to the houses, reinforcing their functional independence from the outset.

Each residence is entered through a low, discreet volume that acts as a distribution corridor between the principal and auxiliary spaces. The open-plan living, dining and kitchen area occupies the main façade and projects slightly beyond the other volumes, establishing its central role within the composition.

The primary bedrooms are also positioned towards the front, taking advantage of the views across the Aegean. Between the principal volumes, a private courtyard is created for each residence, forming a protected centre of calm and privacy.

Additional bedrooms are placed towards the rear, where their more secluded position is reinforced by independent access to small sheltered courtyards. The spatial organization therefore alternates between open views and protected outdoor rooms rather than treating the landscape as a single uninterrupted panorama.

Courtyards between the volumes

The fragmentation of the complex allows the spaces between the buildings to become as important as the interiors themselves. Courtyards, pathways and shaded thresholds regulate movement through the project, while the transition between shared and private areas takes place gradually.

The arrangement draws on the spatial logic of Cycladic settlements without directly reproducing their forms. The experience is based on a sequence of separate volumes, narrow passages and protected places where the architecture offers shelter from the sun and wind.

 

 

Shared and private outdoor life

The principal outdoor areas are positioned along the front of the residences, facing the sea. Each house is provided with a pool, a hydrotherapy area and generous outdoor sitting spaces.

At the same time, a shared area with an outdoor dining table and bbq creates a place for gathering between the otherwise independent residences. The project balances these communal uses with a series of more secluded courtyards and sitting areas associated with individual rooms.

Outdoor life is therefore organized through different degrees of privacy. Open areas directed towards the Aegean coexist with enclosed courtyards, shaded patios and protected spaces between the volumes.

Materials rooted in the Cyclades

The landscape design follows the same principle of restrained integration. Mediterranean species are introduced through limited interventions that enrich the existing vegetation, while local rocks are retained as active elements of the composition.

The façades are finished in light earthy tones drawn from the natural palette of the Cyclades. Wood, stone, marble and cane establish a tactile material language that links the new architecture with the island landscape.

Rather than relying on the conventional white image of Cycladic architecture, the project uses colour, texture and natural materials to establish a quieter relationship with the terrain. Stone walls and planted areas extend the buildings into the site, while cane pergolas filter the strong sunlight and create changing patterns of shadow.

At Somanou, the two vacation homes and the converted structure form a small architectural ensemble in which buildings and outdoor spaces are closely interwoven. Through the fragmentation of the programme, the creation of protected courtyards and the restrained use of natural materials, the project interprets the scale of a Cycladic settlement while maintaining the independence of each residence.

 

Originally published in Maison de Campagne 2025, an annual edition by ek Architectural Publications.

Somanou by GFRA Architecture is featured on the cover.

On the southwestern coast of Mykonos, En Kyanó by Dimitris Sakellariou and Mihalis Seitanidis is shaped by the deep blue of the Aegean and a continuous relationship between architecture and landscape. Its name refers to the saturated colour of the sea and sky, which forms an ever-changing backdrop to the residence.

The architectural composition seeks continuity between interior and exterior through a sequence of interconnected spaces. Rather than revealing itself at once, the house is experienced gradually, through transitions between different levels, shaded and open areas, planted surfaces and mineral ground.

A two-level composition

The residence is organized across two levels with distinct degrees of openness and privacy. The upper level contains the principal living, dining and cooking areas, both indoors and outdoors, together with two primary bedrooms.

The lower level accommodates four cave-like suites, a gym and the necessary service areas, connected by a separate circulation corridor. This arrangement integrates the more private functions into the terrain while allowing communal life to occupy the more open upper level.

The resulting sequence establishes continuous transitions between above and below, inside and outside, covered and open-air spaces. Planting and hard surfaces further articulate the movement through the property, allowing the composition to be discovered in stages.

 

 

The pergola as common ground

An expansive but visually lightweight pergola extends in front of the principal living spaces, connecting the two building volumes along the length of the infinity pool.

This intervention transforms the courtyard into the central space of daily life. Protected from the intense Mykonian sun, it accommodates eating, relaxation and social gatherings while maintaining an uninterrupted relationship with the horizon.

The pool reinforces the longitudinal organization of the residence and extends the architecture towards the Aegean. At the same time, smaller private courtyards attached to the bedrooms provide more secluded outdoor spaces.

The project therefore balances two parallel conditions: a central area designed for communal life and a series of protected places for retreat.

Contemporary living and Cycladic references

The design brings a contemporary spatial language into dialogue with the architectural character of the island. Instead of reproducing vernacular forms directly, it draws on their principles through simple volumes, protected outdoor areas and a restrained material palette.

The interior design collaboration between Lambs and Lions, StudioMacBride and Annabell Kutucu develops the same approach through spaces intended to support both gathering and privacy.

Local craftspeople contributed to a series of bespoke elements, allowing traditional knowledge and contemporary construction to coexist within the project. The result is a form of restrained modernity grounded in the tactile character of the place.

 

 

Natural materials and the beauty of imperfection

Natural materials reinforce the relationship between the residence and its setting. Lime plaster is placed alongside the local stone of the building volumes, while timber and sandblasted travertine introduce further variations in texture.

The palette avoids polished uniformity. Its surfaces are intended to register light, use and time, supporting an approach based on modesty, material simplicity and an appreciation of imperfection.

Through the relationship between its two levels, the large shaded pergola and the sequence of shared and private outdoor spaces, En Kyanó places everyday life in continuous contact with the landscape. The architecture becomes a framework for experiencing the changing light of Mykonos and the expanse of the Aegean.

 

Originally published in MykonosVillas Vol.5, a special edition by ek Architectural Publications.

Set on an olive-covered slope overlooking the quiet bay of Ampelaki in Meganisi, Amphitheatro Boutique Hotel by ATENO Architecture Studio transforms two existing stone houses into a small contemporary hotel. The intervention retains the character of the original buildings while introducing new shared spaces, shaded areas and a completely redesigned landscape.

The two independent stone volumes had previously been connected by an irregular corridor. Their interiors were fully reorganized to accommodate six guest rooms alongside the necessary reception, kitchen and storage areas. Rather than erasing the existing structures, the design introduces a series of restrained additions that soften their geometric severity and establish a closer relationship with the surrounding landscape.

 

 

Connecting two existing volumes

A metal canopy in an earthy tone bridges the two stone buildings, creating a sheltered central area with an outdoor kitchen. The new element establishes a shared zone between the existing volumes while remaining visually distinct from the original masonry.

In front of it, the swimming pool becomes the focal point of the courtyard. Nearby, a curved built-in seat unfolds beneath a circular canopy, introducing softer geometries into the composition and counterbalancing the rigid lines of the stone buildings.

These additions establish a new architectural vocabulary between the two existing houses. Metal, plaster and timber are introduced alongside the local stonework, while their muted tones maintain the visual continuity of the ensemble.

Shared spaces and private courtyards

The outdoor areas were redesigned entirely and organized across three levels. At the centre, the main courtyard functions as the shared heart of the hotel, bringing together the pool, outdoor kitchen and shaded sitting areas.

Around it, smaller outdoor spaces serve the ground-floor rooms as private courtyards. The arrangement allows collective life and retreat to coexist within the same composition, offering guests places to gather as well as more secluded areas in direct contact with the landscape.

The relationship between these different levels of privacy is central to the project. The hotel is not organized around a single communal space, but through a gradual transition from shared areas to increasingly private settings.

 

 

A material palette rooted in the landscape

The selection of materials seeks to anchor the intervention within its setting. Earthy colours and subdued tones are applied to the metal surfaces, plaster and timber, complementing the existing stone walls.

The intervention avoids strong contrasts between old and new. Instead, differences in geometry, texture and construction distinguish the contemporary additions while allowing the two original buildings to remain the principal elements of the composition.

The architecture is conceived as a quiet background to the experience of the place. The changing light, views towards the sea and the movement of the surrounding trees remain the dominant features of the hotel.

Through a limited series of additions and landscape interventions, Amphitheatro Boutique Hotel gives new use to the existing structures without diminishing their relationship with the site. Shared courtyards, shaded thresholds and private outdoor rooms transform the two stone houses into a small hospitality complex shaped around the experience of the landscape.

 

Originally published in ek magazine 299 | July–August 2025.

Against the rugged coastline of southern Crete, Archway Enclosure by Entopos Architects transforms an existing structure into a summer residence with direct access to the sea. The intervention preserves the original footprint of the building while reorganizing the relationship between interior, exterior and landscape.

The 1,800 m² plot remains largely undeveloped, with the historic fortress of Frangokastello forming the principal point of reference in the wider surroundings. This setting informs an architecture shaped by enclosure and exposure: the residence turns selectively towards the sea while drawing on the defensive character of the local built landscape.

Arches between interior and landscape

Within the existing footprint, the former living and kitchen areas were reorganized to create two independent rooms with uninterrupted views towards the open sea.

The transition between inside and outside is articulated through a sequence of arches that become the defining element of the façades. Rather than functioning as an applied motif, the arch regulates movement and frames successive views of the landscape.

This approach is particularly evident where sheltered spaces open towards the coast. The geometry of the openings creates a gradual transition from the more protected interior to the exposed seaside setting.

 

 

References to fortress architecture

The northern side of the residence is deliberately more introverted. Small openings recall the narrow loopholes of defensive structures, while the inclined wall surfaces draw on the Venetian scarpo, the sloping base characteristic of fortifications.

These elements establish a clear contrast between the two principal orientations of the house. To the north, the architecture becomes heavier and more enclosed; towards the south and the sea, it opens through arches, shaded areas and framed views.

A perforated suspended pergola completes the southern façade, filtering the strong sunlight while preserving the visual relationship with the coast.

Auxiliary structures as part of the composition

Existing structures on either side of the main building were incorporated into the overall design.

To the west, a 15 m² space was converted into an independent guest unit with a private bathroom. Two new walls with arched openings increase privacy while creating a gradual connection with the surrounding landscape.

To the east, former sheds associated with an improvised grilling area were transformed into storage and an outdoor kitchen with a barbecue. A waterproof pergola extends over an adjoining shaded sitting area, bringing the different functions together.

The outdoor living space continues along the northern boundary. Here, another arch framed by perforated brick directs the view towards the sea, repeating the project’s principal architectural device at the scale of the landscape.

 

 

Water, planting and the existing terrain

Landscape design forms an integral part of the intervention. At the eastern edge of the property, an existing well was preserved and incorporated into a new water zone containing a swimming pool and hydromassage area.

Low stone walls, rising no higher than 45 cm, follow curved lines through the site and discreetly define more private areas without creating rigid boundaries.

Planting is organized in different heights to strengthen the sense of seclusion and enrich the existing vegetation. Islands of endemic Cretan aromatic plants and herbs further connect the residence with the local landscape.

The material palette responds to the demanding coastal conditions. Marble and local stone are used for the floors, while durable timber forms the frames and pergolas. Together with the arches, stone walls and layered planting, these materials create a residence that draws from the character of the place without directly reproducing traditional forms.

 

Originally published in Maison de Campagne 2025, an annual edition by ek Architectural Publications.

Hidden Spa–Water Hope is a 3,000m² spa and mud-bath complex in Bãi Dài, Cam Ranh, Vietnam. Designed by IDEE Architects, the building is set low within the coastal sand dunes instead of appearing as a distinct object above them.

The architecture follows the existing terrain and gathers the program around a central water courtyard. This inward-looking arrangement responds to an exposed coastal setting shaped by intense sunlight, strong winds and initially limited vegetation. Water, planting and deep shade create a protected environment for bathing, treatment and rest.

 

 

Architecture beneath the dunes

The spa develops as a continuous curved structure around the courtyard. Its roof follows the profile of the dunes and becomes a walkable planted landscape. From higher points, the architecture recedes beneath vegetation and preserves the continuity of the surrounding topography.

Adapting the building to the natural levels also reduced the need for extensive excavation. The result is a low intervention that retains the relationship between the dune, the preserved landscape and the new program.

A mature tree that stood on the site before construction was retained. The design developed around its position, turning it into a point of orientation within the composition.

Water as an environmental core

Visitors enter through shaded passages defined by stone walls and repeated rows of timber columns. Rather than revealing the complex immediately, the circulation gradually opens towards the central courtyard.

Reflecting pools, planted islands and shaded walkways occupy its interior. The bathing areas, mud-treatment rooms and supporting wellness spaces are organized around this sheltered oasis. Consequently, the rooms maintain a close visual and environmental connection with water and vegetation.

The courtyard is more than a visual center. Its water surfaces and planting contribute to a cooler and more humid microclimate, softening the dry and exposed conditions of the dunes. Changes in shade, temperature and reflected light also shape the visitors’ movement through the complex.

 

 

Local materials and passive cooling

The restrained material palette consists primarily of locally sourced stone, timber and bamboo. Thick stone walls provide thermal mass and protect the internal spaces from direct solar exposure. Meanwhile, open corridors support cross-ventilation throughout the circulation areas.

Bamboo ceilings filter light and introduce a lighter texture above the heavier stone surfaces. Exposed concrete appears alongside the natural materials, reinforcing the contrast between solid walls and open, shaded passages.

The planted roof further limits heat gain. Rainwater collected from its sloping surfaces is reused for landscape irrigation, supporting the vegetation introduced around the courtyard and across the roof.

A landscape transformed over time

The presence of water and shade has encouraged planting to develop around the building. As a result, the formerly sparse dune landscape is gradually becoming a small oasis. The project does not treat the landscape as a decorative layer. Instead, it allows the relationship between architecture, vegetation and climate to continue evolving.

In Cheonan, South Korea, Korean Football Park by UNS creates a new national home for the Korea Football Association. The 450,427 m² campus brings together training, recovery, education, public engagement and institutional identity within a single landscape-led masterplan.

Conceived as a long-term base for Korean football, the project serves the national team while also supporting youth development, women’s football and a wider public audience. Across the site, elite sports facilities are combined with accommodation, healthcare, retail and public spaces, allowing the complex to operate throughout the year.

 

 

A campus for football and public life

The masterplan organizes the site through a clear progression from public to private areas. At its centre, a public plaza brings together the main points of arrival and creates a civic focus for the campus.

Around this central space, the key programmes are positioned with legibility: the indoor stadium, the outdoor stadium integrated with the KFA headquarters and the football museum. This arrangement gives visitors a clear orientation while allowing athletes, staff and operational teams to move efficiently between facilities.

By combining the outdoor stadium with the KFA headquarters, the project places decision-making, coaching, medical support and public presence within close proximity. The result is a compact institutional core, where administration and sport remain visibly connected.

Training, recovery and support

The campus includes 11 football fields, an indoor climate-controlled arena, an outdoor stadium, gyms, physical therapy areas, healthcare facilities and athlete accommodation. Together, these spaces respond to the contemporary reality of elite sport, where performance depends on a wider ecosystem of training, data, recovery and wellbeing.

Training areas are placed in close relation to medical and therapy facilities. This reduces unnecessary movement and supports the daily rhythm of athletes, from exertion to assessment and recovery.

At the same time, residential and wellness spaces are positioned to offer calm and privacy. Natural finishes, planted areas and views towards the landscape contribute to an atmosphere focused on rest as much as performance.

 

 

A terraced landscape

The design responds directly to the sloping terrain of the Cheonan site. Rather than treating the campus as a flat sports complex, UNS uses a terraced topography to organize movement, create level playing surfaces and structure the transition between public, semi-public and private areas.

This approach gives the project a clear spatial hierarchy. Public spaces remain open and visible, while the more private areas for players and staff are placed deeper within the campus.

The landscape therefore acts as more than a setting. It becomes an organizing system, shaping circulation, orientation and the relationship between buildings and pitches.

Collaboration and future adaptability

The project was developed through collaboration between UNS and a network of specialists in stadium logistics, sports science and venue operations. The design process included exchanges with the Johan Cruijff ArenA team, whose expertise informed security zoning, media requirements, public access and operational planning.

This knowledge helped the masterplan address both current and future needs. The campus anticipates developments in training methods, sports science and data-led coaching, with technical infrastructure designed to accommodate change over time.

Through this combination of architecture, landscape and operational expertise, Korean Football Park offers more than a collection of sports facilities. It creates a coherent campus for athletes, institutions and supporters, giving Korean football a visible public identity and a long-term framework for future development.

Minthis Spa by Woods Bagot stands at the centre of a large wellness resort near Paphos, Cyprus. Positioned on the crest of a hill, the building overlooks the Ezousa Valley and the historic Stavros tis Minthis monastery.

The architecture responds differently to the two sides of the site. Towards the resort’s main square and stepped outdoor amphitheatre, the building presents a controlled and largely enclosed façade. In contrast, its opposite side opens towards the valley and the distant horizon.

 

 

Emerging from the hillside

The wellness centre appears to rise from the sloping terrain. Its fragmented planted roofs form a geometric extension of the landscape, while the low horizontal composition limits the building’s visual impact when seen from above.

The two-storey spa contains 2,100m² of public wellness facilities. Its programme includes eight specialized treatment rooms, four of which have private internal courtyards. A 25m heated indoor pool, a smaller thermal spa pool, a gym, a yoga room, a relaxation lounge and body-treatment areas complete the main facilities.

A further 700m² service level is located at the base of the building. Reserved for staff, it accommodates the spa’s supporting functions without interrupting the sequence of spaces used by visitors.

From the square to the courtyard

Visitors approach the spa from the resort’s central square along an outdoor route. On this side, a grid of standardized exposed-concrete volumes creates a protective façade. Gaps between them allow climbing plants to grow across the surface.

The concrete grid is interrupted at the entrance, where glazing reveals the central courtyard beyond. Here, a vertical garden of aromatic local plants is arranged within black metal containers. Their repeated geometry echoes the pattern of the external façade.

This planted courtyard forms the spatial centre of the project. It leads towards the reception and lobby, while maintaining long views across the resort and the surrounding terrain. A white Volakas marble reception desk stands against exposed concrete, accompanied by a wall-mounted ceramic composition. Timber surfaces across the walls and ceilings soften the concrete structure, while grey stone defines the floor.

 

 

Graduated levels of quiet

The internal programme is divided between two wings according to the degree of quiet required by each function. The two pools and gym are placed to the left of the courtyard. On the opposite side, the treatment rooms follow a linear arrangement that supports greater privacy and acoustic separation.

Four treatment rooms incorporate private open-air courtyards. These enclosed spaces bring daylight, vegetation and fresh air into the treatment areas without exposing them to the wider circulation zones.

Towards the valley, the principal functional volumes are emphasized by substantial frames of untreated natural limewood. Transitional spaces occupy the intervals between them. Openings reaching up to 5m in height frame views of the green landscape and draw daylight deep into the building.

Materiality and framed views

The interior combines natural timber battens, board-marked concrete and grey stone in both polished and rough finishes. Natural and artificial lighting reveal the differences between these surfaces, while reinforcing the visual axes towards the exterior.

The indoor pool is positioned directly beside full-height glazing. Reflections from the water extend the view into the landscape, while the timber-lined ceiling introduces warmth to the space. Elsewhere, darker corridors and treatment areas create a gradual transition towards more enclosed and private rooms.

Furniture and decorative elements follow the same material approach. Soft organic forms, woven surfaces, timber and heavily textured fabrics balance the geometric structure of the architecture.

 

The project was first published in print in ek magazine 281 | October 2023, a monthly issue by ek Architectural Publications.

Located in Haras del Bosque, a residential development and nature reserve in southeastern Puebla, Mexico, AE House is shaped by the dense vegetation of its setting. The landscape guides the relationship between the residence and its surroundings, while creating a sense of shelter.

Facing the street, the house maintains a horizontal, sober and understated presence that protects the privacy of the interior. Once inside, the scale changes. A central corridor structures the project and directs movement toward a sequence of courtyards, voids, bridges and platforms.

 

 

Staggered Volumes on the Slope

The house is fragmented into staggered volumes that adapt to the topography and open toward the adjacent hill and the pine-oak forest. The arrangement establishes a direct relationship between architecture and views, gradually weakening the boundary between interior and exterior.

Changes in level become part of everyday movement through the house. The circulation repeatedly opens toward the forest and the terrain, allowing the landscape to remain present from different heights.

The continuity between walls and sloping roofs gives the composition a clear volumetric reading, reinterpreting the elemental silhouette of the house through a contemporary architectural language.

Natural Light Through the Section

Continuous skylights extend from wall to ceiling, bringing natural light deep into the interior and changing its atmosphere throughout the day. Even the most enclosed spaces maintain a connection with the outdoors through variations of light and shadow.

The house is therefore not organized around views alone. Light enters from above and between the volumes, allowing changing external conditions to remain perceptible within the more sheltered areas of the interior.

 

 

Weight and Lightness

The material organization is based on a contrast between weight and lightness. The ground floor forms a solid base of concrete, exposed masonry and cement finishes, while also functioning as a retaining structure against the slope.

Above it, the upper floor takes on a lighter character through a steel frame and an envelope of dark metal panels. The two levels are therefore differentiated both structurally and materially.

Circulation turns the slope into an active part of the house. Inhabiting AE House involves climbing, crossing and pausing at different heights, transforming movement into an opportunity to observe the landscape while remaining sheltered by the architecture.

The project concerns the redesign of Varkiza Beach, one of Attica’s most popular and heavily used coastal areas. The complex brought together surviving elements of 1960s modernism and later interventions that had gradually altered its character, presenting the architects with the challenge of establishing a new identity without erasing the existing one.

 

 

Arched typologies

The design draws on mid-century modern architecture and the prefabricated curved forms already present within the complex. The aim was to create an atmosphere of understated elegance, calm and natural harmony.

Against the different orthogonal grids inherited from the modernist complex, repeated curves in both the horizontal and vertical planes establish a coherent architectural vocabulary. The new interventions are applied as “second skins” to the existing building typologies, giving them a renewed identity through soft, organic forms that settle into the natural setting.

The new main entrance is defined by pronounced arched forms and conceived as an experiential gateway and primary point of reference. A separate VIP entrance follows the same logic, using the repetition of the arch to establish a distinct reception sequence.

Shade, food and movement

The new F&B area develops beneath a large pergola shaped by natural materials and organic lines. Sheltering a series of food trucks, it creates an open and active area for gathering.

The existing cabana buildings and communal restrooms are redesigned in the same architectural language. At the same time, the routes leading to and from them are reinforced through the recurring arched typologies, allowing a single formal system to connect the different parts of the resort.

 

 

Materials, landscape and light

The material palette is restrained and earthy. A natural kourasani finish is applied to the exterior shells, while cement render is used inside, both in sandy tones. Bamboo elements form shading devices and enclosures.

The combination of textures and curved forms strengthens the experiential character of the project. Materials respond to the changing daylight, producing patterns of light and shadow and contributing to an atmosphere of calm and summer comfort.

The landscape is redesigned through targeted interventions, new routes and planting choices. A discreet but dynamic lighting strategy supports the sense of summer naturalness and ease without interrupting the continuity of the landscape.

The overall intention was to establish a strong identity without imposing on the site. The beach operates as a continuous system of experiences, structured by curved forms and materials that change with the sunlight. Routes gradually unfold the complex, leading visitors through a sequence of spaces and encounters with the surrounding landscape.

Perched on the summit of a hill, Pride Rock Villa combines the simplicity of Mediterranean living with refined finishes and high construction precision. The residence commands a 270-degree panorama towards Kalo Livadi, Divounia and Kalafati, while the islet of Ktapodi and the island of Naxos gradually emerge on the distant horizon.

Modern architectural lines are combined with elements drawn from the local building tradition, establishing a close relationship with the natural landscape and the continuous presence of water. The design brings artisanal craftsmanship together with contemporary technologies, creating an environment defined by clarity, comfort and calm.

 

 

A 270-degree horizon

Four principles guided the design: the orientation of the building volumes towards the principal views, the careful consideration of the sun’s trajectory to maximize natural light, protection from the strong northern winds and a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces.

The rocky topography was central to the architectural composition. Rather than being treated simply as a backdrop, the characteristics of the terrain determined the main axes of the building and its visual connections with the landscape. Outdoor seating areas were positioned in sheltered locations, allowing the panoramic views to remain accessible even when the prevailing winds are strong.

Two wings shaped by the landscape

The residence is divided into two wings, each associated with a triangular swimming pool. One is oriented towards Kalafati and the other towards Kalo Livadi, reinforcing the building’s response to the two principal directions of the site.

The first wing is white and cubical. Its ground floor contains an open-plan living area with direct access to the outdoor spaces, while the primary bedroom occupies the upper level and opens towards uninterrupted views of the sea.

The second wing is built in stone and partly embedded in the terrain beneath a planted roof. It contains three ensuite bedrooms, where cross ventilation and natural light are provided through a sunken rear courtyard. The contrast between the two wings allows the residence to alternate between a more exposed, elevated presence and a quieter integration into the hillside.

 

 

The rock as a spatial anchor

At the centre of the plot, an existing rock formation was preserved and incorporated into the architectural layout. An internal courtyard wraps around it, bringing a fragment of the original landscape directly into the everyday experience of the residence. From the top of the rock, the broader panorama of the Aegean is revealed.

This approach extends throughout the project: the natural features of the site are not concealed but used to define movement, views and spatial relationships. Architecture, water and terrain are brought together in a composition that combines the functional requirements of a summer residence with the distinctive character of its location.

Originally published in MykonosVillas Vol.5, a special edition by ek magazine.

Prefabricated Concrete as Architectural Identity

In Chave, Arouca, Portugal, G–5 Houses by Summary is conceived as a fully prefabricated reinforced-concrete residential complex. Modular panels form all major building elements, including façades, roofs and interior partitions, allowing construction to be streamlined while giving the development a clear architectural identity.

Rather than treating prefabrication only as a technical method, the project uses it as the basis for spatial organization, material expression and construction logic. The repetition and typification of components produce a building that is direct, legible and strongly defined by its system.

Five Dwellings, One Shared Order

The complex contains five dwellings: three two-storey units and two single-storey units. On the ground floor, the houses share a regular rectangular plan, with each unit benefiting from two free façades.

Above this base, three independent volumes are positioned irregularly across the broad roof slab. The spaces between them become outdoor terraces, accessed through an external staircase on the eastern side of the building. From there, the terraces open views toward the Serra da Freita.

 

 

Direct Access and Reduced Circulation

Each dwelling has its own street entrance, leading first to a sheltered exterior area. From this threshold, the main door opens directly into the living room, reducing circulation and eliminating the need for transitional spaces such as atriums.

The plan is organized with an emphasis on efficiency and direct use. The entrance sequence is brief, the living room becomes the distribution point, and the houses avoid unnecessary spatial hierarchy. This economy of movement reinforces the project’s broader logic of constructional clarity.

Modular Panels as Structure and Enclosure

Interior partitions are made from prefabricated concrete panels that function simultaneously as enclosure and structural bracing. This removes the need for additional masonry and makes concrete the dominant material both outside and inside the building.

The specific production process gives each panel one smooth face and one textured face. The design responds to this condition strategically: smooth surfaces are exposed wherever possible, while rough surfaces are concealed behind built-in elements, kitchen equipment or other fixed components.

 

 

Sunlight, Ventilation and Everyday Comfort

The east–west orientation of the dwellings supports natural cross-ventilation and sunlight. This allows the houses to maintain comfort without relying on mechanical cooling or ventilation systems.

Environmental performance is therefore approached through the simplest means: orientation, free façades, direct openings and the thermal mass of concrete. The result is a compact residential complex where construction system, spatial efficiency and passive comfort are closely aligned.

A Clear Constructional Logic

G–5 Houses demonstrates how prefabrication can produce more than speed and efficiency. Here, it gives shape to an entire architectural language, from the large-scale organization of the five dwellings to the tactile presence of concrete panels in the interiors.

Through its modular system, compact planning and terrace spaces overlooking the landscape, the project proposes a pragmatic but distinctive model of collective housing: rational in its construction, precise in its spatial organization and open to the surrounding territory.

A Green Public Landmark at the Entrance to the Village

At the southern entrance to the municipality of Barbian / Barbiano in South Tyrol, Roland Baldi Architects designed a multifunctional public ensemble that combines education, mobility, social interaction and local development. The project brings together a kindergarten, daycare centre, children’s restaurant, tourist office and public infrastructure, rethinking the role of a civic building in a rural context.

Part of Italy’s Recovery and Resilience Plan and financed by the European Union through NextGenerationEU, the building operates as a new green landmark at the entrance to the village. Its architecture responds simultaneously to topography, everyday use and the need for a stronger connection between the public hub and the village centre.

Two Buildings, One Idea

The complex is composed of two separate buildings positioned on opposite sides of the street. On the hillside, the larger volume accommodates the kindergarten, nursery, cafeteria and protected play areas. Across the road, a smaller structure houses the tourist office and barrier-free public restrooms.

Next to the tourist office, a stair and lift tower provides barrier-free access from the existing two-storey underground parking garage directly to the village centre. A bridge spans the road and connects the two buildings, becoming both a functional link and a defining architectural element of the ensemble.

 

 

Learning Through Movement and Openness

The architecture supports a pedagogical approach based on movement, openness and self-directed learning. Instead of following the conventional classroom model, the building is organized through permeable, thematically defined areas: creative and research zones, quiet rooms and role-play spaces.

Corridors widen into small meeting islands, used as lounges, play zones and retreat niches. This spatial variety enriches everyday teaching and allows the building to function as an active educational landscape rather than a sequence of closed rooms.

Layered Program on a Steep Slope

The steep slope becomes the central generator of the project. Because of the terrain, the functions are organized horizontally in layers: technical spaces at the base, educational areas above and a safe outdoor play area on the roof.

On the first basement level, which opens fully toward the valley and benefits from natural light, two group rooms and the children’s restaurant are located, together with a kitchen that also serves the neighbouring primary school. The ground floor includes another nursery group and the independently organized daycare centre, with group and quiet rooms, kitchenette, cloakroom, sanitary facilities and an indoor terrace. On the top floor, a multifunctional exercise room connects directly to the protected playground.

 

 

Tourist Office, Mobility and Public Infrastructure

The tourist office extends the building’s role beyond education. It introduces an information point, public facilities and a newly designed bus stop into the ensemble, strengthening the project’s connection with visitors, residents and daily mobility.

Traffic and pedestrian flows are clearly structured, while two speed bumps slow down vehicles and improve safety around the entrance. Through this combination of education, transport and public service, the project becomes a civic threshold for the village.

Concrete Base and Green Timber Façade

The building’s material strategy follows its topographic logic. A robust exposed-concrete base anchors the structure to the slope, while the upper levels are built in lightweight timber construction. The vertically structured, green-glazed timber façade gives the ensemble a recognizable appearance from a distance and establishes a distinct presence at the entrance to Barbiano.

The architecture does not conceal the complexity of the program. Instead, it gives it clarity, using the landscape as a design generator and transforming the slope into an organized public section.

 

 

Sustainability and Child-Friendly Atmosphere

The building was constructed to the Climate House Gold standard. Photovoltaic panels contribute to its energy supply, while heating is provided by a heat pump, supported by controlled ventilation with heat recovery.

Inside, light-coloured materials, consistent daylighting and local wood create a calm, child-friendly atmosphere. Oiled floors, solid wood furniture and acoustically effective wooden ceilings define the interiors, allowing architecture and education to work as a single environment.

A Place for the Future

With the multifunctional ensemble in Barbiano, Roland Baldi Architects transform a complex functional program into a clear architectural narrative. Educational building, sustainable mobility and tourist infrastructure are brought together in a single public gesture.

The result is a meeting place, a point of arrival and a new landmark for the village: a green bridge that connects levels, uses and communities, while opening new possibilities for rural public architecture.

Geometric Clarity and Landscape Integration

Located in Loulé, Portugal, PCG House by Visioarq Arquitectos is a residence that balances formal clarity, functional efficiency and a close relationship with the landscape. The design is structured through a refined volumetric composition, where distinct bodies are articulated with coherence and harmony.

The architectural language privileges pure and essential forms. Large glazed surfaces establish a direct dialogue between interior and exterior, allowing natural light to enter generously into the living areas and making the surrounding landscape part of everyday domestic life.

South-West Orientation and Natural Comfort

The social spaces are oriented to the south and west, playing a central role in the project’s strategy of openness. Generous windows frame the landscape while supporting natural cross-ventilation, an important factor for thermal comfort during the summer months.

Comfort and energy efficiency are therefore approached not only through technology, but through the careful calibration of orientation, siting and openings. The house uses its relationship with the sun, wind and topography as part of its environmental strategy.

 

 

Horizontality and Topography

The residence is anchored in a strong sense of horizontality. This gesture reduces the visual impact of the building on the terrain and strengthens its integration with the existing topography.

Each volume corresponds to a distinct function, yet the shared plasticity of the forms ensures unity and balance. Subtle projections and recesses in the façades create a changing interplay of light and shadow throughout the day, enriching both the spatial and sensory experience of the house.

Pool, Terraces and Outdoor Living

The relationship with the exterior is one of the defining principles of the project. To the south and west, an infinity pool extends toward the horizon, visually dissolving the boundary between architecture and landscape.

On the upper floor, the east-facing façade is set back from the ground floor, creating a sheltered terrace screened by a wall that ensures privacy from the adjacent street. To the west, shaded terraces with pergolas invite extended use of the outdoor living areas, reinforcing a way of inhabiting based on openness and proximity to nature.

 

 

Fluid Interiors and Everyday Flexibility

The interiors are fluid and interconnected, with seamless transitions toward the exterior spaces. This organization supports flexible use and reinforces the sense of continuity between the house, the terraces, the pool and the landscape.

The plan is shaped around everyday comfort, clear movement and the experience of natural light. Transparency does not function only as a formal device, but as a way of organizing domestic life around views, climate and exterior space.

Precision and Contextual Sensitivity

PCG House brings together geometric precision and contextual sensitivity. Its clarity of form, subtle integration into the landscape and capacity to provide environmental quality and comfort define a residence that is both visually controlled and deeply connected to the experience of living.

The project does not rely on excess. Instead, it uses proportion, orientation, light, shade and continuity with the outdoors to create a calm and efficient contemporary home.

An Operational Hub in the Vineyard

In Buellton, California, Alma Rosa Vineyard Barn by Clayton Korte is designed as a new equipment barn serving more than 50 acres of planted vineyard. Positioned at the heart of the property, the building supports vineyard blocks on both sides of the winery, creating an efficient operational hub for daily agricultural work.

The barn is carefully sited within the gently rolling terrain of California’s Central Coast. Its placement responds to the contours of the land, while maintaining clear views across the vineyard rows. Rather than appearing as a purely utilitarian structure, the project takes cues from the agrarian character of the region, balancing functionality with a strong sense of place.

A Durable Structure for Agricultural Work

The steel-framed structure provides expansive open-air covered space for the storage and maintenance of heavy farming equipment, tools and picking bins. Enclosed areas are also included, offering year-round workspace and supporting the practical needs of vineyard operations.

With a total area of 3,569 sq ft, including 2,677 sq ft of covered space and 892 sq ft of open-air area, the barn is compact but highly efficient. Its organization reflects the daily demands of viticulture, where storage, maintenance, access and durability are essential.

 

 

Weathering Steel, Perforated Metal and Concrete

The material palette is restrained and rugged. Weathering steel, perforated corrugated metal and cast-in-place concrete were selected for their durability, low-maintenance qualities and ability to age naturally over time.

These materials give the barn a direct and honest expression. They allow the building to withstand the elements while gradually developing a more embedded relationship with the landscape. The architecture does not attempt to hide its agricultural function; instead, it gives that function clarity and permanence.

Light, Air and Partial Concealment

Perforated metal cladding plays a central role in the character of the building. It filters light and air, while partially concealing the equipment stored inside. This gives the barn a layered presence: open and breathable, yet visually controlled.

The result is a structure that remains functional without becoming visually heavy. Its minimalist form and careful material expression allow it to recede into the vineyard, blending with its agricultural surroundings while maintaining a quiet architectural refinement.

 

 

Long-Term Stewardship

Alma Rosa Vineyard Barn is designed to endure and evolve with the vineyard. Its robust construction, efficient siting and low-maintenance material strategy reflect a long-term investment in both land stewardship and operational performance.

The project shows how agricultural infrastructure can be designed with care, without losing its directness or utility. Here, architecture supports work, landscape and time, producing a building that is modest in form but precise in its relationship to place.

A Global Resort Rooted in Place

Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino is a luxury destination resort that upholds the standards of a global hospitality brand while remaining deeply rooted in its context. Set above the bay of Navarino in Messinia, Greece, the resort balances large scale with an intimate experience, luxury with restraint, and high-end amenities with a meaningful connection to land, culture and environment.

The project engages with a site of historical significance, ecological value and powerful natural beauty. Rather than treating the resort as an object placed in the landscape, the design develops a system of habitation, hospitality and environmental adaptation.

A Masterplan Inspired by Rural Typologies

The masterplan draws inspiration from Greek rural typologies, particularly the mandria: organic stone enclosures that adapt to the terrain and organize sloping land with quiet pragmatism.

This strategy is applied at a larger scale, organizing the resort’s different building units along the contours of the hillside. The 48 earth-sheltered villas are arranged in stepped, undulating rows, ensuring uninterrupted panoramic views from every unit and creating successive horizons across the site.

Most villas are organized in pairs, with only two visible sides that disappear into the ground and independent entrances naturally separated by planted slopes. In this way, the architecture develops as an extension of the hillside, rather than imposing itself upon it.

 

 

Privacy, Autonomy and Semi-Outdoor Living

The dispersed organization of the resort enhances the guest experience in several ways. Each villa enjoys privacy, autonomy and surrounding gardens, while the relationship between interior and exterior is structured through a sequence of transitions.

Interiors flow smoothly into shaded semi-outdoor living areas. Wide overhangs, deep-set openings and filtered views create a sense of calm and refuge, while maintaining contact with the broader landscape.

Restraint, Luxury and Material Presence

The resort combines restraint with richness. Stone and terrazzo are used in tactile, understated ways, while the interiors refer to Mediterranean textures and tones. Curated international details evoke the spirit of travel without distancing the experience from the place itself.

Space planning is intuitive and guest-centered, ensuring clear orientation, comfortable scale and carefully framed views. Circulation takes place outdoors wherever possible, allowing nature to remain a continuous presence throughout the resort.

 

 

Operational Foresight and Flexible Management

The resort also demonstrates operational foresight. Its layout supports scalable operation, as clusters of rooms or villas can be brought into or out of use seasonally, optimizing energy consumption.

Open-air circulation reduces the need for cooled corridors, while semi-protected spaces such as covered terraces and entry courtyards temper climate extremes, reducing mechanical loads and improving guest comfort.

A Contemporary Hybrid Typology

Creatively, the project avoids spectacle in favor of serenity. It does not mimic history, but listens to it. Traditional forms are abstracted rather than replicated, and reinterpreted through contemporary materials and construction methods.

The result is a unique hybrid typology, where the aesthetic of the “village” is not reproduced literally, but translated into a contemporary hospitality system. Architecture preserves local memory without becoming trapped in imitation.

 

 

Passive Strategies and Ecological Ambition

Sustainability guided every decision. Passive strategies include planted roofs, thermal mass and cross-ventilated spaces. Materials were sourced locally whenever possible.

Water-efficient landscaping, low-impact lighting and energy zoning further reinforce the ecological ambition of the project, aligning guest comfort with a lower environmental footprint.

A New Model for Hospitality

Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino offers a new model of resort-making: one that privileges relationship over image, groundedness over excess.

It demonstrates that a resort can be both luxurious and low-impact, international and deeply local — a place where architecture, landscape and guest comfort coexist in elegant alignment.

A Compact Cabin Between Forest and River

Located in Plain, Washington, on the edge of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Wenatchee River Cabin by Wittman Estes was conceived as a small retreat for outdoor life. The client had owned the nearly half-acre property for years, using it as a base camp for adventures in the surrounding landscape. After a decade of camping on site, often with friends, he decided to build a cabin that would keep the focus on the forest and the river.

The project began as a weekend retreat, but its use changed during the design and construction process. As remote work became part of everyday life, the owner started spending more time on the property and eventually chose to live there full-time once the cabin was complete.

Living Small, Living Well

With a footprint of 746 sq ft, the one-bedroom cabin is deliberately modest. Its compactness reflects both site constraints and a desire for a simpler way of living, where everyday life is shaped less by possessions and more by experience.

The owner’s direct involvement in construction was central to the project. This reinforced the need for a clear and minimal design, built with durable materials and simple architectural moves. Concrete, steel, cedar and restrained interior finishes give the cabin a sense of permanence while allowing nature, light and artwork to remain the dominant presence.

 

 

Elevated Above the Floodplain

Because the cabin sits within the river’s floodplain, the main living level is raised 10 ft above the ground on six concrete columns. This resilient strategy protects the home from seasonal flooding while minimizing its footprint on the site.

The elevated volume also creates a covered ground-level space beneath the cabin. This area functions as sheltered parking and a working space where the owner can maintain his vintage Bronco, protected from rain and snow. In this way, the floodplain constraint becomes part of the daily use and character of the building.

Three Levels and One Large Window Wall

The cabin is organized across three levels. The ground level provides the covered parking and work area; the middle level contains the main living, dining and kitchen space, along with a full bathroom; and the top level includes the bedroom, office, half-bathroom and a loft opening onto a cantilevered steel deck.

A single window wall, 20 ft wide and 24 ft high, directs the main views toward the Wenatchee River while screening neighboring properties. In the bedroom, a view portal looks across the living room and toward the river beyond, creating a vertical connection through the compact interior.

 

 

Owner-Built Steel Elements

The cabin’s material character is closely connected to the owner’s skills. A lifelong metalworker, he fabricated several elements himself, including the raw steel kitchen countertops and backsplash, the hemlock and steel dining table, and the tube-steel guardrails with expanded metal mesh infill.

These elements give the interior a direct, handmade quality. They also reinforce the logic of the cabin as a durable structure shaped by personal labor, weather and long-term use.

A Minimal Interior for Nature, Light and Artwork

The main living space is organized beneath a fir-framed loft, with a wood-burning fireplace creating a compact center of warmth. The interior finishes remain deliberately simple, forming a quiet background for the surrounding landscape, the changing light and the owner’s artwork.

Sustainability is approached through compactness, durability and efficient systems. The cabin uses an air-source heat pump for heating and cooling, with the wood-burning stove serving as the primary heat source. Locally sourced cedar siding and soffits further connect the building to the material culture of the region.

 

 

A Weekend Cabin Turned Full-Time Home

What began as a one-bedroom weekend cabin has become an everyday residence. Its modest scale, elevated structure and durable material palette support a form of living that remains close to the river, the forest and the changing conditions of the Pacific Northwest.

Wenatchee River Cabin shows how small architecture can produce a larger relationship with the world outside. It is a home shaped by restraint, resilience and the quiet ambition to live with less, but more directly.

A House Built Around Emptiness

In Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico, Kehai House by HW Studio is a small residence of 95 sq.m., designed by architect Rogelio Vallejo Bores as his own home. The project is described as “the architect’s house”: a house in which someone used to giving form to the dreams of others turns inward, asking how architecture can become coherent with a way of living.

The house was shaped by a limited budget, but also by a long personal path toward Zen, the Dharma and Japan. Its deepest idea is not the production of an object, but the creation of a void: a central emptiness capable of containing life, movement, silence and thought.

A Closed Box That Holds a Garden

From the outside, the house appears as a quiet, closed box in the urban landscape. Its almost hermetic presence does not reveal much of what takes place inside. Once the threshold is crossed, however, the apparent closure is understood differently: the box does not isolate, but protects.

At its center lies a stone garden. It is not touched directly, yet it defines the entire house. Like the stone gardens of Kyoto, its stones are not arranged to represent something, but to evoke a state of attention. On the bed of grey gravel, two wooden platforms float as places of pause: not simply floors, but surfaces for stopping, looking and being.

 

 

The Garden as Spatial Order

The garden is not decorative. It organizes the house. Around it, the domestic spaces are arranged like satellites orbiting stillness, each one maintaining a distinct role while remaining connected to the central void.

On one side, the kitchen and dining area unfold in a double-height space. Above them, a volume gathers the smoke from the fire, introducing both memory and practical resilience: the possibility that one day the city may not provide everything needed. On the other side, the living room becomes a space of contemplation, where large stones rest like islands in a quiet sea.

A House That Reconciles with Rain

There is no covered corridor between the living room and the dining area. To move from one to the other when it rains, one either gets wet or waits for the rain to pass. This decision gives the house its most radical everyday lesson: architecture here does not protect from the world, but reconciles the inhabitant with it.

The home does not attempt to neutralize weather, time or discomfort. Instead, it allows them to enter life gently, turning movement through the house into a conscious act.

 

 

Shōji, Light and Shadow

The shōji doors, made with rice paper, are not treated as an aesthetic reference alone. They operate as the real filter between interior and exterior. Light, passing through them, loses its hardness and becomes softer, slower and more atmospheric.

In this house, shadow is not simply the absence of light. It becomes light’s most delicate expression. Daylight does not enter abruptly; it settles, creating an interior defined by quiet transitions rather than visual excess.

Three Windows and an Interior Life

The program is austere. There are no unnecessary corridors and no grand gestures. The house is almost entirely without glass, opening only through three small windows toward what is considered truly worth seeing: a mountain, a neighboring pine and the tree planted at the center of the garden.

The bedroom is placed above, as a minimal and intimate space. A single circular window opens to the foliage of the central tree. It becomes an eye of the house, a point of contemplation rather than display.

 

 

Entering by Descending

The entrance does not rise; it descends. One enters by going down, as if bowing before something sacred. The staircase reaches the point where the stone offered structural stability, reducing unnecessary foundation costs, but the gesture is also spiritual.

To inhabit this house, one must leave a certain pride outside and enter with humility. Like passing through the torii of an invisible shrine, the act of entry becomes a quiet ritual.

Silence as Architecture

In Japanese thought, value is often found in the imperfect, the incomplete and the ephemeral. Kehai House follows this sensibility. It was not designed to impress, but to endure in silence.

Through limited means, careful spatial decisions and a central void that orders domestic life, the house becomes a meditation on how little architecture needs in order to become meaningful. It holds the light weight of an honest life.

A Museum Between Memory and New Identity

In Vila do Bispo, Portugal, Vila do Bispo Museum by spaceworkers is conceived as an intervention that preserves the identity of the place while giving the existing building a new civic role. The project works with the character of the original construction, not by erasing it, but by extending and clarifying its presence.

The design proposes the addition of a new volume to the existing structure, echoing the form of the adjacent naves. This gesture creates urban and formal continuity, while allowing the new addition to establish its own identity as the main entrance to the museum.

A Red Volume Completing the Existing Building

The new volume extends to the southern limit of the plot and accommodates the technical, administrative and social functions of the museum. By concentrating these uses in the addition, the project frees the inner core of the existing warehouses to receive the exhibition areas.

This redistribution of program allows the exhibition to become the central function of the intervention. The museum is therefore organized through a clear distinction between support spaces and public cultural space, while the new red volume gives the ensemble a recognizable presence.

 

 

Neutral Exterior, Black Interior

The two pre-existing naves, with approximately 680 sq.m. of covered area, are treated in a neutral grey tone. This chromatic strategy homogenizes the existing construction and reinforces its formal abstraction.

Inside, the same warehouse volume is lined in black, creating a controlled background for the exhibition. Against this dark interior, a dynamic organic form organizes the display route, creating thematic exhibition pockets and guiding visitors through the museum in a clear and intuitive way.

Red Exposed Concrete as Urban Marker

In contrast to the chromatic abstraction of the existing structure, the new volume is built in exposed concrete with red pigmentation. Its material presence turns it into a point of reference in the urban and aerial landscape, marking the territory with clarity.

The addition acts as a formal completion of the existing building. It recreates its geometry in a delicate way, through a balance of solids and voids that organizes entrances, areas of pause and the relationship with the surrounding landscape.

 

 

A Museum That Feels Already Familiar

The result is a museum that appears as if it has always belonged to the place. For older generations, it evokes the memory of the former granaries; for younger generations, it becomes the “red museum”, a new image in the collective memory of the community.

Through this balance between preservation and transformation, Vila do Bispo Museum establishes a dialogue between continuity and new identity. It is both a careful architectural intervention and a public landmark capable of anchoring itself in the everyday image of the town.

An Office Rooted in the Everyday Landscape

Located in Hashima City, in Japan’s Gifu Prefecture, Office in Hashima by Permanent and Atelier Nagara Architectural Design Office is a new headquarters for a company active in civil engineering and real estate. Set within a calm rural landscape of rice fields, the building was designed to be rooted in the local community and appreciated over time.

The project begins with the quiet value of the ordinary. The seasonal path of the sun, the movement of rice grasses in the wind, and the ripples forming on the water of the fields during rain are treated not as background scenery, but as the material of the architectural experience.

Architecture as a Device for Noticing

Rather than simply blending the building into its surroundings, the architects conceived it as an architectural “device” that makes people more aware of the landscape. Its role is not to disappear, but to sharpen perception: to bring light, wind, rain and seasonal change into focus through the presence of the building itself.

This approach is especially appropriate for a company closely connected to land, infrastructure and construction. The office becomes a place where work, community and landscape are not separated but drawn into a continuous everyday relationship.

 

 

A Roof That Frames Natural Phenomena

The roof is the building’s defining feature. Rising dramatically toward the east, it cuts a bold profile against the sky, while its eaves descend close to the ground. This strong gesture gives the building a recognizable silhouette without overwhelming the rural scale of the site.

A gentle undulation in the roofline introduces a subtle irregularity. Reflected light, the color of the sky and the movement of raindrops are brought into focus, allowing natural phenomena to become part of the architectural expression. The roof does not simply cover the building; it registers the changing conditions of the place.

Intermediate Spaces Beneath the Eaves

Inside, spatial organization is designed to remain closely connected with the exterior. Beneath the raised roof, the entrance and meeting rooms occupy a tall space that naturally draws the outside inward.

Courtyards and verandas are placed under the undulating roof, creating intermediate spaces between interior and exterior. These zones soften the transition from work environment to landscape, offering places for movement, pause and informal encounter.

 

 

Margins, Gardens and Interior Continuity

Throughout the building and the site, small margins and resting places are carefully arranged. Stones and greenery are introduced into the interiors, producing a sense of continuity with nature even while indoors.

The result is a flexible work environment that supports meetings, breaks and moments of observation. The office is not defined only by productivity, but also by the possibility of noticing seasonal change, light, rain and wind as part of daily working life.

Light, Wind and the Southern Openings

On the south side, large openings are combined with low eaves, balancing solar control with an intimate relationship to the garden. The building does not rely on a hard boundary between inside and outside. Instead, wind, light and other natural elements are softly drawn into the interior.

Through this calibrated relationship, the office creates a new everyday scenery for the people who work there, the local community and first-time visitors. It gives form to a quiet ambition: to make the familiar landscape visible again.

A House Organized Around the Pool

In Caesarea, Israel, architect Raz Melamed has designed E30 – House in Caesarea as a family residence where the swimming pool becomes the spatial and visual center of the project. Rather than treating the pool as an addition to the house, the design reverses the usual hierarchy: the residence is organized around it, allowing the outdoor leisure space to define the rhythm of domestic life.

The project was commissioned by a couple in their 50s as a weekend retreat for hosting their children and grandchildren. Over time, the brief evolved into a full-time residence, with multiple bedroom suites, generous communal areas and a strong emphasis on the relationship between interior, garden and pool.

A Continuous Black Steel Beam

The defining architectural element of the house is an exposed black steel beam, 44 cm in height. Instead of being concealed, the beam is expressed as a continuous line that organizes the plan, divides levels and frames the main public spaces.

Inside, the beam extends as a bridge, connecting the staircase to the bedroom wing. In the double-height living area, it cuts horizontally across the glazed façade, preserving open views toward the sky while reinforcing the linear geometry of the house. Toward the garden, the same element continues outward, supporting a cantilevered pergola that shades the outdoor seating area without columns and keeps the view toward the pool unobstructed.

 

 

Street Façade and Filtered Privacy

The entrance façade is composed of white plaster surfaces, articulated with horizontal joints and vertical wooden slats. The contrast between the white volume and the dark wood gives the house a restrained but clearly defined street presence.

The wooden elements also have a functional role. They conceal the staircase from the outside while allowing natural ventilation, creating a façade that works simultaneously as screen, threshold and environmental device.

Double-Height Communal Space

The main public areas are arranged as a sequence of dining and living spaces beneath a double-height ceiling. The open plan is defined by the black steel beam above, the large glazed openings toward the garden and a restrained material palette of wood, black metal and neutral tones.

Lighting is treated in layers. Suspended linear fixtures respond to the height of the space, while recessed spotlights support everyday functionality. Together, they give scale and clarity to the large interior volume.

 

 

Kitchen as a Tall Wooden Plane

The kitchen is organized in a parallel layout, with a large island and white Corian worktops. Behind it, a tall wooden façade conceals storage and mechanical systems, rising to the full height of the double-height space.

This wooden plane intersects with the black steel beam, turning a functional wall into one of the central visual elements of the interior. The kitchen therefore operates not only as a place of preparation, but also as part of the architectural composition of the public zone.

Suites, Basement and Upper Floor

The ground-floor master suite opens directly toward the swimming pool and is finished with parquet flooring. Its bathroom combines travertine surfaces with black granite walls, black fittings and white Corian elements, continuing the project’s controlled palette of light surfaces, dark accents and natural stone.

Additional bedrooms and leisure spaces are located in the basement and on the upper floor. A home cinema and games room extend the family program, while floating black steel stairs and a glass-railed bridge connect the different levels, maintaining visual continuity across the interior.

 

 

Garden, Travertine and Outdoor Living

The outdoor areas include multiple seating zones, an open-air kitchen and a swimming pool clad in travertine, aligned flush with the garden level. The same travertine flooring continues from the interior to the exterior, strengthening the connection between the living spaces and the garden.

Landscaping remains minimal, allowing the pool, pergola and structural line of the house to dominate the site. The result is a residence where the architecture does not simply frame outdoor life, but is shaped by it.

A Private Landscape at the Center of the House

Located in Austin, Texas, Tarrytown Residence by Alterstudio Architecture introduces a contemporary architectural language into an otherwise traditional post-war neighborhood. The house is organized around a private landscape, positioned between a walled garden along the street and a central courtyard behind.

Rather than treating the exterior as a secondary condition, the project places the out-of-doors at the center of domestic life. The interior opens decisively toward the landscape, held under a continuous ceiling plane and enclosed with custom site-glazed window walls that reduce the visual weight of the frame.

Between Garden, Courtyard and Interior

The house is conceived as a sequence of spatial thresholds. Visitors enter beneath the meandering limb of an adjacent Live Oak tree, moving through a carefully choreographed progression of spaces.

Throughout the plan, the architects balance two apparently opposite intentions: defining distinct rooms while maintaining a strong sense of continuity. Glimpses of adjacent spaces, changing views and unexpected moments around each corner give the house a layered quality, where movement becomes part of the architectural experience.

 

 

Light from Above

At the center of the house, an unexpected monitor opens the interior to the sky. This gesture brings balanced daylight into the deepest part of the plan, while framing views toward the tree canopy above.

In a home otherwise organized around horizontal continuity, this vertical opening becomes a quiet spatial event. It gives the center of the house a sense of height, atmosphere and orientation, allowing natural light to work as one of the project’s primary materials.

Vertical Moments in a Horizontal House

Although the residence is largely horizontal in its organization, two spaces introduce vertical intensity: a two-story library and a similarly scaled screened porch. Together, they expand the section of the house and create moments of unexpected spatial depth.

A glass-floored bridge from an office loft provides access to the upper bookshelves and extends toward the screened porch as a Juliet balcony. This element combines circulation, structure and view, turning a functional connection into one of the house’s most distinctive architectural moments.

 

 

Abstract Volumes and Controlled Privacy

The residence is framed by two abstract volumes clad in long-format black brick and black-stained cedar. These volumes complete the composition while shielding the interior from the street and from potential future neighboring development.

In a relatively dense suburban context, the house creates a carefully protected enclave. Privacy is not achieved through withdrawal alone, but through the precise placement of walls, glazing, courtyards and opaque material surfaces.

Construction as Atmosphere

Construction and detail play a central role in the character of the house, yet the expression of detail is deliberately restrained. The architecture is conceived as a primed canvas for light and shadow, natural materials and the presence of the garden.

A custom site-glazed window system minimizes the presence of frames, while steel elements — including custom structural columns, fascia and trim, a glass floor and steel bridge, and a double-height screened porch — introduce precision and depth. These details work together with black brick, stained cedar, purpose-built cabinetry and custom furniture to create a controlled but tactile domestic environment.

 

 

Hidden Color and Material Depth

Behind the restrained exterior and disciplined detailing, the interior includes unexpected moments of color and texture. These appear behind doors, at the back of bookcases and in carefully selected surfaces, giving the house a private richness that reveals itself gradually.

Tarrytown Residence is therefore not only a house of enclosure and transparency. It is a home shaped through contrast: between public and private, shadow and light, horizontal continuity and vertical intensity, precision and delight.

An Ecological Shelter in the Pyrenees

Forestone Cabin by the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC) is a 20 sq.m. experimental wooden dwelling located at MónNatura Pirineu, in the Pyrenees. Designed and built by the 2025 cohort of IAAC’s Master in Ecological Architecture and Advanced Construction, the cabin forms part of the Bio for Piri initiative, which promotes regenerative forestry and the sustainable use of local timber from Pyrenean forests.

Led by Fundació Catalunya La Pedrera and funded by the Biodiversity Foundation with European Next Generation funds, the initiative focuses on forest management, local material cycles and the development of architecture as an ecological tool. Within this framework, Forestone operates as a student-built prototype, a research project and a small inhabitable structure for two people, including a sleeping area, workspace and bathroom.

A Resting Rock in the Landscape

The form of the cabin is inspired by the rocky terrain of the Pyrenees. Conceived as a block of stone that appears to have rolled down the mountain and come to rest on the site, its faceted geometry is shaped by inclined walls and a sloping roof.

This sculptural form is not only symbolic. The geometry responds to programmatic needs, climatic conditions and solar exposure, adjusting ceiling heights and spatial proportions within a compact footprint. Carefully positioned openings frame views of the surrounding mountains and enable cross-ventilation, while operable wooden shutters provide complete darkness at night, reducing light pollution and supporting the site’s astronomical activities.

 

 

Local Timber and Fire-Aware Construction

The structure and envelope were built using locally sourced cross-laminated timber panels and charred wood from nearby forests. The exterior façade is made of pine boards with natural edges, charred according to the Japanese Yakisugi or Shou Sugi Ban technique, which burns the surface layer of the wood to increase resistance to insects, water, fire and mold.

The boards were cut to size and charred by the students themselves. Beyond improving durability, this treatment symbolically connects the cabin to fire management and prevention, a crucial aspect of regenerative forestry in the Pyrenees. The project therefore treats fire not only as a threat, but also as a material and cultural condition embedded in the landscape.

A Continuous Wooden Interior

Inside, the cabin becomes a compact, fully integrated wooden environment. Custom-made CLT elements, including the bed, built-in furniture, washbasin counter and seating, were designed and fabricated by the students at Valldaura Labs.

Architecture, structure and furniture are brought together as a single material system. The interior avoids unnecessary separation between building and object, allowing the compact space to function with clarity while preserving a strong sense of warmth and material continuity.

 

 

Hands, Wool and Stone

Forestone extends its material logic beyond timber. During an annual wool festival in the nearby town of Sort, students collaborated with local farmers to collect sheep’s wool. The wool was then washed, dried and transformed into felt at Valldaura, with the support of Dutch artist Rian van Dijk.

The resulting blankets, rugs and pillowcases furnish the cabin, integrating local craftsmanship and agricultural by-products into the project. During the same visit, students collected a stone from the surrounding landscape and manually carved it with power tools to create a unique washbasin. Through these gestures, the cabin becomes materially tied to its geographical and cultural context.

A Replicable Prototype for Forest Habitation

From the beginning, Forestone was conceived with an emphasis on replicability. It demonstrates how small-scale architecture can be built with local timber, regional knowledge and low-impact construction methods, while inhabiting forest landscapes without altering existing ecosystems.

The use of modular CLT elements, dry-assembly techniques and locally available materials allows the cabin to be adapted, replicated or dismantled as needed. In this sense, the project proposes a model of sustainable forest habitation, aligning architectural production with long-term environmental stewardship.

 

 

Education, Industry and Regenerative Forestry

Forestone brings together education, local industry, craftsmanship and regenerative forestry. Through its careful detailing, layered construction and direct connection to place, the cabin proposes an alternative approach to building in sensitive landscapes.

From January 2026, the cabin is open to guests at MónNatura Pirineu in Planes de Son, offering visitors the opportunity to inhabit the prototype and experience its relationship with landscape, materials and climate first-hand.

A Detached Workshop for Ceramics in West Seattle

In West Seattle, Ceramics Studio by GO’C is a new detached workshop and classroom, permitted as a detached accessory dwelling unit, or DADU. Designed for a compact urban residential lot, the building provides generous interior and exterior spaces for forming and firing ceramics, while allowing for future residential use.

The project was commissioned by a maker of functional ceramics whose work is deeply informed by the landscape and memory of Northern Saskatchewan. The design challenge was to create a space that could support her practice, reflect the quiet strength of her work and offer an inspiring environment for teaching others.

A Space for Making, Teaching and Gathering

Finding adequate studio space for ceramics in Seattle is difficult and costly, especially for a growing practice that requires room for sculpting, firing, storage, classes and pop-up shops. Having lived in the existing residence for several years, the client decided to build a dedicated studio closely aligned with her functional needs and design sensibility.

The new structure was conceived not only as a workspace, but also as a flexible neighborhood hub. Since its completion, it has been used as a ceramics studio, classroom, holiday pop-up shop, kitchen prep space, setting for communal dinners and, in the loft, as an office and guest bedroom.

 

 

Light as a Working Tool

Natural light is central to the project. Large skylights pierce the roof in three key locations: the loft, the main interior studio and the covered exterior kiln terrace. Each opening brings daylight where it is most needed, supporting both the precision of ceramic work and the atmosphere of the space.

A large cantilevered roof extends from the interior toward the exterior, creating a covered terrace for two kilns and expanding the usable area of the studio. This gesture connects making, firing and gathering within one continuous architectural sequence.

Structure, Wood and Material Continuity

Exposed rafters inside and outside create a clear structural rhythm, bringing warm wood tones through the entire building. The roof structure becomes a unifying element, visually connecting the interior studio, the loft and the outdoor working terrace.

A strong material transition defines the interior: white display walls below and warm wood above. This contrast supports the display of ceramic work while echoing the lines of the structure and the cantilevered roof. Linear up/down lighting illuminates the wood underside of the roof, adding warmth during Seattle’s long winters.

 

 

A Simple, Powerful Architectural Expression

The client’s ceramic practice is described through quiet forms, simplified designs and natural earthy tones. The architecture responds with a similarly restrained language: direct, warm and carefully detailed, without unnecessary visual noise.

Rather than producing a neutral utility shed, the project gives the act of making an architectural presence. It is compact but generous, modest but precise, and designed to support both solitary work and collective activity.

Built Through Collaboration

The project was built on a tight budget. The client worked full-time alongside the contractor during construction, while her partner and friends also contributed to the making of the space. This collaborative process gives the studio a particular character: it is not only a designed object, but a place shaped through shared effort.

Ceramics Studio brings together making, teaching, hospitality and future adaptability in a single small building. It demonstrates how a detached workshop can become both an intimate space of production and a generous social infrastructure for a creative practice.

A House in the Forested Landscape of Canela

Set within a residential condominium in Canela, in the mountainous region of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, House in Canela by 0E1 Arquitetos explores the relationship between architecture, construction technique and landscape. Surrounded by native forests and rolling hills, the house occupies a 500 sq.m. sloping plot, where the terrain drops approximately 10 m from the entrance to the chosen building site and around 15 m across the entire lot.

This topographical condition became one of the main conceptual drivers of the project. Rather than treating the slope and vegetation as obstacles, the design uses them as the basis for the siting, access and construction strategy of the house.

A Compact Retreat for Flexible Use

The house was commissioned by a family with a strong interest in architecture, who actively participated in discussions and decisions throughout the process. Conceived as both a weekend retreat and a short-term rental, the project required a compact and self-sufficient program capable of comfortably accommodating up to two couples.

Within approximately 120 sq.m. of built area, the house needed to ensure independence between bedrooms while maintaining generous spatial quality. The result is a small but carefully worked residence, where every square meter is tied to a clear functional and atmospheric intention.

 

 

Site Analysis and Minimal Impact

Before the design process began, a multidisciplinary team of biologists and surveyors carried out a detailed site analysis. Vegetation was mapped, trees were catalogued and species were classified as native or exotic, allowing the architects to understand the forested terrain with precision.

The house was placed in the only existing clearing on the plot, minimizing tree removal and reducing the need for major earthworks. This decision preserves the surrounding ecosystem and turns the forest into an active component of the architectural experience.

A Square Plan with Pinwheel Organization

The house is organized on a square footprint measuring 10.8 x 10.8 m. Within this regular geometry, the spaces are arranged dynamically in a pinwheel-like configuration. The living room occupies the center of the plan and acts as the main organizational core.

From this central room, the service areas and private zones radiate outward. Two independent suites, a kitchen, service area, barbecue area and terraces are connected to the central living space, creating a clear balance between communal use and privacy.

 

 

Light Steel Frame as Construction Strategy

The choice of a light steel frame system responds directly to the constraints of the terrain and to the experimental character of the project. Lightweight and quick to assemble, the system eliminated the need for concrete mixers on site and reduced impact on soil and vegetation.

A leveling slab acts as the platform for the metal structure, helping reduce waste, maintain a clean construction site and ensure precise control over the building process. Beyond its technical role, the steel frame also informed the architectural language of the house, allowing generous spans, accurate closures and a clear volumetric relationship with the landscape.

Industrial Materials at Domestic Scale

Instead of covering the steel frame to imitate conventional masonry, the house embraces its industrial logic. The exterior walls and roof are clad with trapezoidal sandwich panels, a material usually associated with industrial buildings, here applied at the scale of a domestic retreat.

The panels provide thermal and acoustic performance, require low maintenance and visually unify the building. Their installation demanded specialized teams, ensuring construction precision and a controlled finish. Externally, the dark-toned cladding reduces visual impact, allowing the house to appear discreetly among the trees.

 

 

Skylight, Openings and Forest Views

The asymmetrical roof culminates in a skylight at its highest point, creating the only direct view of the sky from within the dense forest. This opening brings consistent daylight into the interior, enhances the perception of space and creates shifting patterns of light and shadow throughout the day.

Generous floor-to-ceiling windows, 2.4 m high, bring in natural light and ventilation while turning the surrounding forest into a continuous presence inside the house. Slightly recessed rather than flush with the façade, the windows create a sequence of planes and framed views that add depth to the envelope.

Access Through the Terrain

Access to the house is carefully integrated into the slope. A staircase of 64 steps winds through the site, avoiding trees and roots. Each step measures 1.20 x 0.30 m, with intermediate landings of 1.20 x 1.20 m.

The staircase was adjusted during construction in response to the terrain. Centrally supported steps create subtle cantilevers, and together with the landscaping, they give the impression of a light, almost floating path through the forest.

 

 

Interior Planes, Wood and Slate

Inside, the architecture is organized in two visual planes. Up to 2.40 m high, the walls remain white, continuing through doors and terrace openings. Above this level, Tauari wood panels follow the slope of the roof, while black metal trim marks the material transitions and reappears at the baseboards.

Slate flooring reinforces the material palette. Originally supplied in 0.40 x 0.40 m slabs, it was cut into 0.10 x 0.40 m pieces, creating a pattern reminiscent of parquet. Over time, the slate develops a greenish patina, allowing the effects of climate and humidity to become part of the house’s character.

Living Room, Kitchen and Autonomous Suites

The living room, elevated about 2 m above the ground, opens onto a terrace with a hidden staircase leading to the garden. A wood-burning stove brings warmth to the cooler mountain climate and becomes a focal point in the central space. From here, the surrounding landscape unfolds like a constantly changing painting.

The kitchen faces the access side and maintains a direct relationship with the staircase and rear barbecue area. Basalt countertops are combined with cabinets in alternating white and wood finishes, following the interior’s broader material logic.

The suites are conceived as autonomous units. In the main bedroom, a wooden slat headboard incorporates a functional niche, while the bathroom door is camouflaged within the same plane, reinforcing visual continuity. Floor-to-ceiling windows open the bathroom to the forest, offering generous views while preserving privacy.

 

 

A Laboratory for Residential Construction

Started in 2021 and completed in 2024, House in Canela functions as an architectural laboratory. Its 120 sq.m. built area corresponds to the condominium’s minimum permitted size, achieved without removing trees by reducing lateral setbacks.

The construction process followed an efficient schedule: approximately two months for foundations, two weeks for assembling the steel structure and additional months for closures and interior finishes. Through this process, the project demonstrates how contemporary construction systems and materials rarely used at residential scale can respond to strict site conditions.

The result is a compact retreat that combines technical rigor with architectural sensitivity, offering an immersive experience of living within the landscape.

Modular Timber Architecture for Regenerative Tourism

Located in Barra dos Remédios, on the western coast of Ceará, Casa Daia Bungalows by UNA barbara e valentim forms part of a boutique hotel conceived around regenerative tourism, cultural immersion and a close relationship with the territory and its local community. Opened in 2025, Casa Daia is set within a remote and environmentally sensitive area, where architecture is asked to respond not only to program and comfort, but also to landscape, logistics and environmental care.

The project occupies a former farm of approximately 220 hectares, where mangroves, dunes, riverbanks, caatinga vegetation and coastal forest coexist in a complex overlap of ecosystems. Within this context, the bungalows operate as a precise and low-impact architectural insertion, using industrialized timber construction as a tool for hospitality in fragile territories.

Four Bungalows in Existing Clearings

The intervention consists of four bungalows, each approximately 90 sq.m., carefully positioned in existing clearings in order to avoid the removal of native vegetation. Shallow foundations and elevated decks minimize direct interference with the soil and preserve the natural permeability of the land.

The position of each volume was guided by studies of solar orientation and prevailing winds. Cross ventilation, shading and thermal comfort are achieved without relying on mechanical systems, allowing the buildings to work with the climate rather than against it.

 

 

Verandas, Overhangs and the Continuity of Landscape

The bungalows are defined by verandas, generous overhangs and large protected openings. These elements establish a continuous relationship between interior and landscape, allowing natural light, shade and air to become structuring parts of the spatial experience.

The architecture avoids a hard boundary between building and site. Instead, it creates shaded thresholds and open edges, where the experience of hospitality is shaped by the surrounding vegetation, the coastal climate and the slower rhythm of the land.

Modular BV: An Industrialized Timber System

The bungalows were built using Modular BV, a construction system developed by UNA barbara e valentim in partnership with the Brazilian engineered timber manufacturer Crosslam, and assembled on site by Abaeté Construtora e Incorporadora. The system is based on prefabricated modules made of reforested eucalyptus CLT, produced in a controlled factory environment and dry-assembled on site.

For a project located in a remote and environmentally sensitive area, this system offers clear advantages. It increases control over cost, time and environmental impact, while reducing waste and shortening the construction process compared to traditional high-end building methods.

 

 

Industrial Precision and Architectural Authorship

At Casa Daia, prefabrication is not treated as a limitation. By combining architectural authorship with industrial precision, the project proposes a model in which technology supports the architectural intention rather than replacing it.

The result is a modular timber system capable of responding to the environmental, logistical and cultural conditions of the site. Casa Daia is the second built example using the Modular BV system, following Modular Bahia, a single-family residence on the southern coast of Bahia that applied the same principles of independent timber structure, CLT enclosures, cross ventilation, shading and integration with the landscape.

Landscape, Community and Low-Impact Practices

The siting of the bungalows begins with the recognition of the environmental singularity of Barra dos Remédios, where multiple ecosystems and traditional ways of life coexist within a landscape that has resisted the passage of time. Before construction began, an extensive environmental zoning study was carried out, in alignment with the principles of regenerative tourism: minimal impact, integration with the landscape, appreciation of local culture and respect for the time of the land.

Casa Daia also maintains an ongoing dialogue with neighboring communities such as Pescada Nova and Praia Nova. The project prioritizes local labor, supports social initiatives and adopts low-impact practices, including rainwater harvesting, photovoltaic energy, waste management, agroforestry and the reduction of disposable plastics.

 

 

Architecture, Landscape and Community in Continuity

In a context marked by environmental and social transformation, Casa Daia positions itself as a sensitive and tangible alternative for contemporary tourism. The bungalows show how hospitality architecture can engage with remote territories without imposing itself on them.

Through modular timber construction, careful siting and a commitment to the surrounding community, Casa Daia articulates architecture, landscape and local culture in a relationship of continuity.

Lightness and Transparency

On a corner plot in Glyfada, with a southwestern orientation and openness toward the sea, Divercity Architects designed a residential building composed of three floor apartments and a two-level residence at ground level. The project responds to the conditions of the Athenian Riviera, where the Mediterranean climate encourages the daily use of outdoor space and turns balconies, terraces and gardens into essential parts of domestic life.

The building is developed through an architecture of slabs and large glazed surfaces, seeking a balance between light and shadow, view and privacy. Rather than treating the façade as a fixed boundary, the project uses it as a layered interface between the interior, the city and the surrounding landscape.

Balconies, Views and Filtered Privacy

Large openings and continuous perimeter balconies define the main façades, giving the residences a sense of transparency and lightness. The apartments open toward the view while remaining protected through a system of movable shading elements that filter sunlight without obstructing the visual connection from the interior.

These light shading screens create moments of privacy and allow the façade to change throughout the day. Their movement and material expression mediate between exposure and retreat, making the exterior envelope responsive to climate, orientation and inhabitation.

 

 

Vertical Gardens as Spatial Filters

A series of vertical gardens is integrated into the balconies, separating shared from more private zones. These planted elements introduce greenery into the experience of urban living, while also supporting the creation of a more favorable microclimate around the residences.

At night, the gentle lighting of the vertical gardens transforms them into luminous markers within the building’s composition. Their presence produces a subtle play of shadows and reinforces the dialogue between architecture, planting and atmosphere.

White Geometry and Precise Detailing

The clean white geometry of the envelope and the careful handling of details give the building a sense of clarity and duration. The architectural language remains restrained, allowing the contrast between solid slabs, transparent surfaces, planting and movable screens to define the project.

This balance gives the building a timeless quality, avoiding excess while supporting a generous mode of living. Light, air, shade and view become the main materials of the residential experience.

 

 

Ground-Level Residence, Water and Greenery

At ground level, the two-level residence is framed by water and planting. A large swimming pool defines the outdoor living area, while the perimeter planting visually connects the plot with the dense vegetation beyond its boundaries.

The result is a building that extends domestic life outward, using terraces, gardens and shaded thresholds to connect the apartments with the climate and landscape of Glyfada. Transparency and lightness are not only formal qualities here, but conditions of inhabitation.

A Wooden Façade in a Densely Wooded Setting

Built from scratch in a densely wooded area of São Paulo, MLL Residence by Dado Castello Branco Arquitetura is introduced through a wooden façade that immediately reveals the project’s organic character. The house is conceived in close relation to the landscape, where architecture, vegetation and everyday family life are brought into a continuous domestic experience.

The residence does not stand apart from its surroundings. It is framed by trees, shaded paths and generous timber elements, allowing the built volume to settle softly within the garden while maintaining a clear architectural presence.

Landscape as an Extension of Domestic Life

A defining feature of the project is the way the landscaped pathways, designed by Isabel Duprat, appear to flow naturally into the interiors. This continuity creates a direct connection between the residence and the neighboring property, which belongs to the resident’s brother.

The gesture reflects an important aspect of the family’s daily life: the tradition of gathering for shared meals. Landscape is therefore not treated as a decorative frame, but as an active part of the house, supporting movement, encounter and everyday rituals.

A House Organized Around Family Connection

The relationship between the two neighboring properties gives the project a specific social dimension. The pathways do more than organize circulation through the garden; they reinforce the bond between two houses and the family members who inhabit them.

A wide canopy shelters the walkway toward the second house, creating a protected passage through the vegetation. This architectural element turns movement between the two homes into a daily experience of proximity, shade and continuity.

Tropical Greenery and the Social Area

In the social area, a striking wall of Monstera deliciosa forms a lush green backdrop. Native to Central America and widely loved in Brazil, the plant introduces depth, texture and drama into the interior atmosphere.

This living surface reinforces the project’s broader intention: to allow vegetation to participate directly in the spatial experience of the house. Greenery is not kept outside the architecture, but becomes part of how the residence is perceived, used and inhabited.

Generous Openings, Wooden Eaves and Spatial Amplitude

The residence is defined by expansive openings, generous wooden eaves and a ceiling height of 3.50 m, all of which enhance the feeling of spaciousness. These elements allow the house to feel both sheltered and open, protected from the climate while remaining connected to the surrounding vegetation.

Through material warmth, landscape continuity and an emphasis on family gathering, MLL Residence forms a calm and generous living environment. The project turns the house into a place where architecture and nature support a shared way of life.

A Courtyard House Shaped by Urban Constraints

In Baghdad, Shatt Al-Arab House by Fran Silvestre Arquitectos is conceived from the limitations of its site. Located at street level on one of the city’s busiest avenues, the plot is defined by the geometry of the surrounding urban fabric and by the need to create privacy, openness and domestic calm within a dense metropolitan condition.

The brief called for a residence that would bring together a daytime living area, two nighttime rooms and a space for physical exercise. Given the limited size of the plot, the most immediate strategy would have been to build vertically, freeing part of the site for a garden. Instead, the architects chose to occupy the entire plot with an extensive single-storey volume.

A Horizontal Strategy for a Compact Plot

The decision to work horizontally allows the house to establish a different relationship with the exterior. Rather than concentrating the program in a compact vertical form, the project expands across the site and connects with outdoor space in two distinct ways.

The first is a perimeter garden, which acts as a filter between the house, the avenue and the surrounding streets. The second is a central circular courtyard, which becomes the main open space of the residence and the organizing element of the entire plan.

The Circular Courtyard as the Center of the House

The central courtyard gathers the more public and open areas of the house around it. In one direction, it creates a sequence of indoor and outdoor spaces that begins and ends in the perimeter garden, allowing the interior to extend visually and physically across the full depth of the plot.

This spatial sequence is defined by four glass boundaries that can be fully retracted along the side walls. When opened, they create a hybrid condition between interior and exterior, transforming the house into a continuous open space that stretches from one end of the plot to the other.

Perimeter Garden, Privacy and Retractable Boundaries

The perimeter garden plays a dual role. It protects the house from the intensity of the surrounding urban context, while also allowing each space to remain connected to greenery and natural light. As a boundary, it is not a hard separation, but a planted threshold that mediates between domestic life and the city.

The retractable glass enclosures reinforce this sense of permeability. They allow the living areas to change character according to use, climate and time of day, expanding the domestic interior into the garden and courtyard whenever needed.

Night Rooms, Service Cores and Spatial Clarity

In the opposite direction from the main open sequence, the two primary nighttime rooms are positioned with a more controlled relationship to the exterior. These rooms open only toward the perimeter, ensuring privacy while maintaining contact with the garden.

At the four corners of the house, enclosed cores concentrate the service areas. This clear distribution frees the central and perimeter spaces, giving the plan a precise organization in which open, private and service zones are carefully balanced.

A Rooftop Oasis Above the City

The roof completes the spatial composition of the house. Accessed by an internal staircase, it is conceived as an elevated oasis defined by a series of boundaries. On the outer edge, the vegetation of the garden provides privacy from the city.

On the inner edge, a sheet of water crowns the circular courtyard below. One side of this water element becomes deeper, allowing it to be used for bathing. The roof therefore extends the logic of the house vertically, creating a final outdoor space where vegetation, water and enclosure form a protected domestic landscape above the street.

 

A Midcentury Modern Home Reimagined in Alexandria

Located at the end of a cul-de-sac in Alexandria, Virginia, the Menachery Residence by MODE4 Architecture transforms a midcentury modern developer home into a more expressive, functional and enduring family residence. Framed by mature perimeter trees, the property benefits from a canopy that provides privacy and shade, grounding the house within its natural setting while allowing it to retain a confident presence in the neighborhood.

The project began as a radical rethinking of the existing house. Select portions of the original structure were retained in order to direct resources toward new construction, while much of the previous envelope was replaced after proving structurally unsound. This process allowed the architects to introduce a taller roofline and an entirely new massing composition, giving the residence a renewed architectural identity.

New Massing, Taller Roofline and Vertical Rhythm

The added height of the new roof enabled the vertical tower elements to be integrated within a broader and more cohesive form. Instead of appearing as isolated volumes, these elements now participate in a unified architectural composition, where proportion and rhythm shape the overall character of the house.

A key reference for the design was the visual movement of musical notes across a staff, inspired by the clients’ teenage daughter, who is a pianist. This idea informed the project’s vertical rhythm, producing a composition that feels carefully structured while retaining a lyrical quality.

 

A Contemporary Court-and-Garden Sequence

The first floor introduces a formal foyer, office, dining room, pantry with wet bar, powder room, mudroom, family room and a new three-car garage with integrated storage. The main stair anchors the plan, organizing the sequence from the driveway court to the double-height foyer and onward toward the rear garden terrace.

This spatial continuity reinterprets the traditional court-and-garden typology within a contemporary suburban context. Arrival, movement and domestic life are treated as parts of a single architectural experience, where the house opens gradually from the street-facing court toward the more private landscape at the rear.

A New Upper Level for Family Life

The second floor extends the program with a primary suite and attached bath, connected to the first level by its own private stair. The upper level also includes a bridge, secondary family room, guest suite, laundry, powder room and storage areas.

A new wing extends from the main house to form an L-shaped plan, strengthening the dialogue between structure and site. This configuration balances openness, privacy and flow, allowing the house to accommodate family life with greater spatial clarity.

 

 

Quiet Modernism Through Restraint and Precision

Through proportion, restraint and clarity of form, the Menachery Residence reflects MODE4 Architecture’s Quiet Modern ethos. The project does not treat renovation as surface renewal, but as a deeper transformation of structure, sequence and identity.

Calmness is achieved through precision rather than excess. The familiar language of the midcentury suburban home is reworked into a more timeless architectural composition, where massing, movement and family life are brought into careful balance.

Urban Housing Around Open-Air Courtyards

Located in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Southeast Portland, Brookland Apartments by Hacker proposes a residential model shaped around light, air, greenery and everyday contact with the outdoors. The 166-unit, five-storey building reintroduces natural connections within a dense urban setting, using a sequence of open-air courtyards to bring planted outdoor space directly into the life of the apartments.

A Residential Framework for Well-Being and Community

The project is conceived as a framework for well-being and community. Rather than treating circulation as a purely functional requirement, the building organizes movement around exterior walkways, planted thresholds and shared outdoor spaces. These courtyards operate as collective “front yards,” lined with seating, planters and vine-covered pathways, while also extending outward to form terraces along the building perimeter.

 

Bright Interiors and Shared Amenities

Inside, the apartments are designed with restraint and clarity. The residential mix includes micro studios, studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom units, supported by communal amenities such as a ground-floor lounge, coworking space, fitness center, sauna and rooftop commons. Simple, bright interiors, calm colors and natural textures create a measured contrast with the warmth of Western red cedar and the dense planting of the courtyards.

Natural Light, Fresh Air and Dual Orientation

A key aspect of the design is the relationship between private units and shared outdoor space. Each apartment is planned to maximize access to natural light and fresh air, with openings toward the internal courtyards as well as views toward the surrounding neighborhood. This dual orientation reinforces the connection between domestic life, collective space and the wider urban context.

 

Open-Air Circulation and Western Red Cedar

The 127,500-square-foot building uses its open-air circulation to encourage informal encounters between residents. Walkways and stairs line the courtyards, creating moments of contact and visibility across the building. Western red cedar surfaces wrap the outdoor voids, adding visual warmth on Portland’s cloudy days and offering a tactile, natural counterpoint to the building’s scale. Vine-covered trellises provide shade and texture along common paths, while planting softens the experience of moving through the complex.

Terraces, Rooftop Commons and Urban Well-Being

On the upper levels, the courtyards open toward terraces, expanding the sense of connection to the neighborhood. The rooftop commons further extends this social and environmental agenda, offering residents sunlight, views and shared outdoor space within the city. Mechanized parking stackers improve parking efficiency, allowing more of the site to be dedicated to housing and shared amenities.

 

Nature, Community and Density as One Strategy

Through its combination of compact living, generous communal areas and carefully integrated greenery, Brookland Apartments explores how urban residential architecture can support everyday well-being. The project turns circulation, courtyards and terraces into active spatial elements, creating a housing environment where nature, community and density are not treated as opposing conditions, but as parts of the same architectural strategy.

 

 

Architectural gestures

Located in a quiet neighborhood of Palaio Faliro, this small-scale 1950s house is reapproached through a series of restrained and precise architectural gestures. The project seeks to preserve the domestic identity and spatial memory of the existing shell while adapting it to the demands of contemporary everyday living.

 

Spatial Organization

The original layout of the residence is largely maintained, with selective interventions enhancing functionality and spatial flow. The central design gesture is the reconfiguration of the kitchen, which transforms from an isolated, enclosed room into an open core of daily life. Its extension toward the entrance reinforces the continuity of the interior, while its relationship with the living area is organized through the framing of the existing opening, allowing visual connection without fully dissolving the separation between functions.

 

 

Reintegration of Existing Elements

Rather than disconnecting the house from its past, the intervention seeks to creatively incorporate traces and elements of its previous life. The decorative plaster ceiling moldings are preserved as carriers of memory, while the original kitchen sink is restored and repurposed within the bathroom, acquiring a new function in a different spatial context. The residence thus becomes a field of continuity, where old and new coexist without resorting to nostalgic imitation.

 

 

Material Palette

The material palette follows a calm and tactile logic, shaped by natural textures, earthy tones and clear geometries. Wood acts as the primary element of warmth and continuity throughout the interior, while the stainless-steel kitchen countertop introduces a subtle contemporary tension within the otherwise restrained composition. In the bathroom, the relationship between refinement and rawness is reinforced through materials that reference exposed concrete and rougher flooring surfaces, intensifying the tactile experience of the space.

The project approaches the idea of an “urban holiday house”: an intimate domestic environment where simplicity, material honesty and spatial clarity coexist with a subtle sense of nostalgia. Without attempting to replicate the past, the design seeks to carry its traces into the present, allowing the house to evolve while preserving its distinct character.

 

Architecture in the in-between

The “Polikatikia” is located on the island of Karpathos and consists of six family residences. The project approaches dwelling within the island landscape not as a strictly typological exercise, but as a complex field where morphology, topography and the everyday experience of the Mediterranean climate collectively shape a unified architectural system.

 

Landscape Integration

The arrangement of the six residences is organized through a series of overlapping volumes that shift and subtly rotate, disrupting the strict orthogonality of the conventional apartment building. The composition evokes an initially solid mass that gradually appears to fragment, separate and split into distinct spatial elements.

These geometric displacements operate not only as formal gestures but also as environmental mechanisms, generating intermediate voids, shaded areas, natural light penetration, outdoor extensions and visual openings toward the landscape. The staircase is positioned precisely within the “in-between” void created by the displacement of the volumes, transforming this transitional space into the primary vertical connective tissue of the complex.

 

 

Design Philosophy

The architecture seeks to reinforce the relationship between interior and exterior space, following the principles of Mediterranean living. Large openings and the horizontal development of the primary volumes allow the living spaces to extend outward toward the landscape, creating a sense of spatial continuity with light, air and views toward the sea.

The transitional outdoor areas function as intermediate climatic zones, providing shade, protection from strong winds and different spatial qualities throughout the day. Through this compositional approach, the residence is not perceived as an isolated object, but rather as part of a continuous experience of place and climate.

 

 

Spatial Organization

The internal organization of each apartment is structured around three distinct functional zones. At the center lies the “service core” containing the auxiliary and wet areas, naturally illuminated and ventilated through light wells, enhancing both comfort and environmental performance.

The living spaces, including the living room, dining area and kitchen, are arranged toward the north, directly oriented toward the sea views and surrounding landscape. In contrast, the bedrooms are positioned on the southern side, protected from strong winds while benefiting from natural light.

The overall composition seeks to translate the particularities of island dwelling into a contemporary architectural language, where building, climate and landscape operate as interconnected components of a unified spatial experience.

 

Dissolving into the landscape

Located within a residential development on the outskirts of São Paulo, the project was conceived as a residence where architecture, landscape and everyday life operate as a unified spatial experience. It responds to a site bordered by a golf course and an artificial lagoon, establishing a careful dialogue between built form and the surrounding environment.

Rather than emphasizing monumentality, the design strategy seeks to fragment and soften the scale of the residence. The house develops primarily across a single horizontal plane, while secondary technical spaces and recreational functions are discreetly concealed within a lower level. This organizational approach allows the architecture to remain visually grounded within the landscape, reinforcing a sense of continuity with the terrain rather than imposing itself upon it.

 

Spatial Organization

The residence is structured around a central planted courtyard filled with native Atlantic Forest vegetation, transforming nature into an active spatial nucleus rather than a peripheral backdrop. This internal garden mediates circulation, light and visual continuity throughout the house, while simultaneously reinforcing the atmosphere of retreat and privacy that defines the domestic experience.

The program includes four bedrooms, expansive living areas and entertainment spaces organized around carefully framed views toward the surrounding landscape. The spatial composition privileges openness and fluidity, allowing interior and exterior environments to overlap continuously.

A generous covered gallery occupies the most privileged edge of the plot, overlooking both the lagoon and the golf course. In response to the Brazilian climate and its strong culture of outdoor living, this semi-exterior space becomes the social heart of the residence. Inclined concrete partitions regulate western sunlight, reducing heat gain during the afternoon while preserving visual openness and airflow.

 

 

Material Palette 

Material restraint and geometric clarity define the architectural language of the project. Concrete surfaces, controlled proportions and elongated horizontal lines establish a calm and cohesive architectural identity, while the interplay between solid partitions and open voids generates constantly shifting conditions of light and shadow.

The elevated swimming pool extends directly from the main living level, visually merging with the adjacent lagoon through reflective continuity. Its infinity edge creates a cascading effect toward the lower ground, transforming the pool into both an infrastructural and sculptural element within the composition.

The bedrooms, positioned toward the front garden, establish a quieter domestic zone where vegetation operates simultaneously as privacy filter and environmental mediator. Large openings reinforce the inhabitants’ connection with nature while maintaining controlled intimacy from the street frontage.

 

 

Construction

An essential dimension of the project was the collaborative relationship established between architect, clients and construction team. Specifically, the successful realization of the house depended largely on the owners’ commitment to preserving the integrity of the architectural vision throughout the construction process.

Despite geographical distance, the coordination between the architectural office and the construction company remained continuous and highly collaborative. This ongoing exchange enabled the project to maintain coherence from concept to execution, resulting in a residence where the built outcome closely reflects the precision and atmosphere of the original design intent.