Over the years, architects have always looked for creative ways to incorporate the built form into nature.
Famous architects such as Frank Lloyd Wright, who is well known for Fallingwater in southwest Pennsylvania, have always found ways to use nature to design some of the most unique and breathtaking homes ever constructed.
“Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature,” Wright once said.
“It will never fail you.”
Here are 10 homes from around the world that epitomise homes built into nature featured in Architectural Digest.
Mill Run, Pennsylvania
Frank Lloyd Wright, a preeminent midcentury-modern architect, is renowned for designing several iconic structures, including the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City, the Unity Temple in Oak Park, Illinois, and his winter residence in Scottsdale, Arizona. However, his most celebrated creation is likely Fallingwater, located in Mill Run, Pennsylvania, which he designed to be constructed above a scenic waterfall on Bear Run. The home’s design features clean lines and organic materials, emblematic of the era’s architectural style.
Bois D’amont, France
This house in Bois D’amont, France, was constructed by JDS Architects and designed to be in harmony with its surroundings and nestled into a hill to meld with the landscape. The home is embraced by the environment just as much as it embraces it, with expansive windows adorning the front and rear of the building, welcoming ample natural light into its interior.
Mallorca, Spain
Spanish design firm, Osvaldo Luppi Architects, created O67 House, which is nestled into a hillside in Majorca, Spain, with a stunning view of the Mediterranean Sea. The house boasts hammered walls that soar almost 6m high, forming a covered outdoor patio area that strengthens the bond between the residence and its natural surroundings.
São Paulo, Brazil
Jungle House, a creation of Studio MK27, is situated on the Paulista coast in São Paulo, Brazil, enveloped by luxuriant jungle foliage. The architects were able to merge the home into the terrain, opting to elevate the primary structure, melding it with the topography of the land. The roof of the house boasts vegetation, a pool, and a deck, contributing to the home’s integration into its lush surroundings.
British Columbia, Canada
The Mountain House was designed by Iranian architect Milad Eshtiyaghi and is nestled between four pre-existing trees that impart a touch of vibrancy to the rocky cliff on Quadra Island, an idyllic expanse of land off Vancouver’s eastern coastline. Despite being a multi-level residence, the complex boasts distinct areas designated for the owners and their son’s family, connected by a recreation space.
Joshua Tree, California
Kendrick Bangs Kellogg, a student of Frank Lloyd Wright, made some observations that later informed his own work. Kellogg’s Doolittle House, situated in Joshua Tree and built over almost two decades, was constructed for artist Bev Doolittle and her spouse Jay while attempting to contend with the challenging terrain. The Doolittle House is noteworthy for its unexpected warmth and cosiness, particularly when experienced from within.
Hegra, Saudi Arabia
Designer Amey Kandalgaonkar was captivated by the rock cut-tomb architecture of Mada’in Salih in Saudi Arabia and felt compelled to incorporate it into a project. This resulted in the creation of the House Inside a Rock, situated in the Saudi Arabian desert. Given the intricate appearance of the rocks at Mada’in Salih, Kandalgaonkar used a simple design in terms of shape and composition, relying heavily on 3D software to achieve balance through the use of planes and cubes.
“To minimize the visual impact from eye-level, I attempted to limit the house’s insertion into the rock, only revealing the extent of the intervention when viewed from above,” Kandalgaonkar explains.
Mendocino, California
Iranian architect Milad Eshtiyaghi has demonstrated that he’s not afraid of heights with this cliffside home located in Mendocino, California. Designed to instil a sense of excitement and trepidation in its occupants, the house is suspended on the cliff’s edge. Despite its unconventional location, Eshtiyaghi says that the house exudes a sense of tranquillity due to its connection to the surrounding environment. To secure the home in place, he used a cable system with elevated cables bearing the weight of the structure.
Vancouver, Canada
This spectacular white home was also designed by Milad Eshtiyaghi with inspiration drawn from modern bridges. Positioned above a deep ravine separating two cliffs, the house allows for a the flow of air between levels accessible through an exterior staircase and elevator. Adding to the home’s unique features is a rooftop pool, tinted in a striking shade of aqua-coloured glass.
