Arquitectura-G completes Patio House, a single-story residence in Aiguablava, Spain, that distills domestic life into a continuous loop of light, air, and shadow. The architectural team uses the courtyard typology as a spatial tool to mediate between the natural terrain and the built form, creating a dwelling that feels enclosed and open at the same time.

A setback from the original plot boundary defines the geometry of the house, a move that preserves a ring of untouched terrain around the perimeter. Within this protected envelope, a roofed porch traces a perfect square, enclosing a 15 × 15 meter courtyard framed by a colonnade. At its center lies a shallow reflecting pool and three trees whose canopies filter sunlight across the paving, forming a living microclimate. A thin roof plane seems to hover lightly above the columns and perimeter wall, uniting all spaces under a single horizon.

all images by Maxime Delvaux, unless stated otherwise

continuous porch wraps around patio house

The Barcelona-based collective Arquitectura-G transforms the archetype of the Mediterranean patio house into a contemporary statement of restraint, material clarity, and environmental intelligence. Inside, life circulates through a continuous corridor that wraps the courtyard. Conceived as a variable-width porch, this transitional zone gradually shifts in character from a narrow passage to generous communal spaces like the living room and kitchen. Every room opens directly onto the courtyard through large glazed panels and adjustable louver screens, which regulate light and ventilation.

Arquitectura-G completes Patio House in Aiguablava, Spain

a continuous loop of light, air, and shadow

the architects use the courtyard typology as a spatial tool

a dwelling that feels enclosed and open at the same time

a setback from the original plot boundary defines the geometry of the house

a move that preserves a ring of untouched terrain around the perimeter

life circulates through a continuous corridor that wraps the courtyard

a roofed porch traces a perfect square

enclosing a 15 × 15 meter courtyard framed by a colonnade

a thin roof plane seems to hover lightly above the columns

uniting all spaces under a single horizon

every room opens directly onto the courtyard

large glazed panels and adjustable louver screens regulate light and ventilation

project info:

name: Patio House

architect: Arquitectura-G | @arquitecturag

location: Aiguablava (Girona), Spain

lead architects: Jonathan Arnabat, Jordi Ayala-Bril, Aitor Fuentes, Igor Urdampilleta

project team: Diogo Porto, Siddartha Rodrigo, Jesús Jiménez

structure engineer: Ofici:Arquitectura

MEP engineer: TDI Enginyers

surveyor: Xavier de Bolòs

photographer: Maxime Delvaux | @maxdelv

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Tent House is a private family residence designed by Nha Dan Architects, characterized by a spatial concept inspired by the structure of a voluminous tent. The project explores continuity between interior and exterior spaces while addressing environmental conditions within Vietnam’s dense urban setting.

The design is organized around a series of roof planes spanning between two primary structural walls. This approach minimizes the need for interior columns and enables an open, flexible floor plan. The roofs extend over both indoor and outdoor areas, creating a continuous spatial sequence that connects the ground-level garden with the upper-level study. Circulation is arranged so that family members enter directly into a shared, multi-story living space when moving from private rooms, reinforcing visual and spatial connections throughout the house. The layered roof configuration supports natural ventilation and daylighting, with the building orientation and roof geometry optimized to enhance environmental performance.

all images by Hiroyuki Oki

Overlapping roof planes give the residence its tent-like form

Openings between the roof planes frame views of surrounding greenery and the urban context while allowing daylight to penetrate deep into the interior. Operable glass louvers regulate airflow, facilitating cross-ventilation during warmer months and providing protection from heavy rainfall during the monsoon season.

Through its structural strategy, environmental responsiveness, and spatial organization, Tent House by Studio Nha Dan Architects establishes a continuous living environment that integrates domestic life with natural light, air, and landscape. The completed form, defined by overlapping roof planes, recalls the image of a large tent, which gives the project its name.

Tent House is a private family residence by Nha Dan Architects

the design is inspired by the structure of a voluminous tent

the project emphasizes continuity between interior and exterior spaces

the house responds to environmental conditions in a dense urban setting

the structure’s district configuration supports natural ventilation

the house responds to environmental conditions in a dense urban setting

the ground-level garden links directly to the interior living spaces

the resulting floor plan is open and flexible

the structural approach reduces the need for interior columns

a series of roof planes span between two primary structural walls

roofs extend over both indoor and outdoor areas

visual connections are maintained across multiple levels

operable glass louvers enable cross-ventilation

the design integrates light, air, and landscape into daily living

daylight penetrates deep into the interior spaces

circulation leads from private rooms into a shared, multi-story space

project info:

name: Tent House
architect: Nha Dan Architects

location: Vietnam

photographer: Hiroyuki Oki

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

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Spanning over 14,000 sq. ft. in the Civil Lines development in New Delhi, India, Urbanscape Architects design a sanctuarious home for a family of ten. Through cohesive materiality, forms, and architectural planning, the building intensifies the intangible psychological experience of being in a space, especially a home. The physical and the psychological combine to take occupants and visitors on a spatial journey, from the site’s green oasis to the highly personalized light-filled interiors, interconnected volumes, and transformative Mediterranean basement.

Urbanscape Architects design a sanctuarious home inside the Civil Lines development in New Delhi, India

All images courtesy of Urbanscape Architects, photography by Andre Fanthome

honest philosophy guides urbanscape architects

Established in 2008 by Ar. Dinesh Panwar, Urbanscape Architects approaches design with an intent rooted in honesty and authenticity, aiming for outcomes that are functionally harmonious and sustainably integrated. The residence at Civil Lines holds special significance, having been commissioned by the next generation of their very first client from 2008, symbolizing the enduring trust the studio builds through design. They create highly functional, expressive buildings by coherently following guiding configurations like grids or layers. This ultimately results in humane environments that demonstrate a commitment to sensitive, effective design.

visitors are welcomed by a grand, double-height entry, crowned with a Metronome lamp by Tim Van Steenbergen

designing the experience of being in a space

The entry to the Urbanscape Architects-designed residence at Civil Lines is meticulously designed to set a grand tone. Visitors are welcomed by a double-height patio, crowned with a Metronome lamp, created by fashion designer Tim Van Steenbergen. This element is visually anchored by a Bijolia grey Indian stone wall cladding and a contrasting zinc ceiling. The main entrance, clad in ocean black stone, opens into a foyer overlooking a central courtyard. Here, a sculptural cotton steel staircase ascends in harmony with the surrounding landscape. The courtyard wall itself becomes an abstract artwork, interpreting the site’s verdant surroundings. All these architectural details combine to not only express the firm’s design philosophy but also deliver an enriching, personalized experience for inhabitants.

Bijolia grey Indian stone wall cladding and a contrasting zinc ceiling anchors the space

The home is expertly planned for the family’s multi-generational lifestyle. The family room occupies the heart of the home, overlooking the sunken courtyard complete with a water body and lush landscaping. This space is zoned into an everyday viewing area and a more intimate nook anchored by a striking double-height cotton steel fireplace, measuring six feet in diameter. The upper floors cater specifically to the occupants: the first floor houses four children’s bedrooms and a common study lounge, while the second floor is dedicated to the master suites, complete with a private gym and spa. Throughout the shared and private spaces, eclectic art and curated collectibles narrate the owners’ deep appreciation for creativity.

the physical and psychological design elements combine to take occupants on a spatial journey through the home

The basement of the residence deliberately diverges in character, serving as the family’s primary entertainment and party space. Descending into this level feels like a transition into a Mediterranean retreat. In contrast to the crisp, geometric lines that define the upper floors, the basement employs arches to create an atmosphere of escape and indulgence. While designed for vibrant celebrations, its most surprising feature is its relationship with light. Carefully planned openings ensure sunlight streams generously, challenging the typical subterranean experience. This grants the basement the same natural brightness as the upper floors, making it a space of comfort and delight at any hour.

throughout the spaces, eclectic art and curated collectibles narrate the owners’ deep appreciation for creativity

the first floor houses four children’s bedrooms and a common study lounge

the family room occupies the heart of the home, overlooking the sunken courtyard’s lush landscaping and water

the second floor is dedicated to the master suites, complete with a private gym and spa

the basement deliberately diverges in character, serving as the family’s primary entertainment space

portrait of Ar. Dinesh Panwar, Founder and Principal at Urbanscape Architects

portrait of Ar. Manisha Hakim, Principal at Urbanscape Archiects

project info:

project name: Civil Lines

project size: 14,000 sq. ft.

location: New Delhi, India

design studio: Urbanscape Architects

design team: Dinesh Panwar, Manisha Hakim, Soni Rawat, Sameeksha Jain, Vikas Aggarwal, Shagun Aggarwal photography: Andre Fanthome

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A House in Xueshan Village is a 350-sqm self-developed residential project designed by DL Atelier in Xueshan Village, Changping District, Beijing. Located at the urban-rural fringe, approximately 30 minutes from the city’s Second Ring Road, the building operates simultaneously as a private residence, a design office, and a space for community-oriented activities. The project explores how multiple programs can coexist within a single architectural framework while remaining adaptable to future change.

The site occupies a rectangular plot at the northeastern edge of the village, bordered by village roads to the north and west and neighboring courtyards to the east and south. Initially undeveloped, the plot was activated through a design process that addressed three potential uses: residential living, office operation, and rental or commercial activity. Rather than fixing a single function, the project was conceived as a flexible spatial system capable of supporting these different scenarios over time.

The architectural strategy reverses the typical rural housing model in which buildings enclose a central courtyard. Instead, the building volume is placed at the center of the site, allowing courtyards of varying sizes to surround it on all sides. This arrangement ensures that each room has direct outdoor access while improving daylight, ventilation, and spatial flexibility. Perimeter walls are raised to maintain privacy, and the building mass steps back at upper levels to form terraces for second-floor bedrooms. A three-car garage occupies the side of the site facing the village road, responding to both functional requirements and street conditions. A large sliding door allows the garage to open fully to the street, enabling its use for outward-facing programs while visually extending the street into the site. The garage is integrated with a workshop used for fabrication and prototyping, separating noisy or dusty activities from the living areas while maintaining operational efficiency.

all images by ©Zhu Yumeng – Coppak Studio

A Hybrid Interior Framework for Public and Private Activities

Interior spaces are organized as open, fluid zones that can shift between residential, office, exhibition, and commercial uses. On the ground floor, public interior spaces connect directly to the courtyard, allowing indoor and outdoor activities to overlap. The second floor combines private living areas with open workspaces accommodating over ten people. An independent office entrance, staircase, and restroom on the street-facing side allow work functions to operate separately from the residence or be connected as needed.

The building, developed by DL Atelier design studio, also incorporates exhibition and community functions. A former living room has been converted into a display space, while a ground-floor room currently operates as a small community library accessible from the street. The building itself serves as a demonstrative platform for rainwater harvesting and recycling systems, while ground-level and rooftop gardens are used for ongoing landscape and planting experiments. Anticipating future changes in village infrastructure, the east facade was designed with increased glazing to support potential street-facing commercial use once the adjacent road is widened. Throughout the project, architectural expression was intentionally kept neutral, prioritizing economical construction, standard materials, and ease of replication over individualized formal gestures.

House in Xueshan Village is a hybrid residence designed by DL Atelier in Beijing’s urban-rural fringe

Hybrid Program and Passive Design at the Urban-Rural Edge

The project employs a passive energy-saving approach aimed at reducing long-term operational costs and improving environmental performance. Building form, insulation, and orientation were carefully calibrated, alongside detailed studies of window placement, courtyard wall heights, and seasonal ventilation patterns. Courtyard walls help promote cross-ventilation in summer while shielding the building from cold winds in winter. Landscape and water systems were developed in collaboration with the homeowner, whose professional background informed the rainwater management strategy. Permeable paving, planted courtyards, and a partially soil-covered green roof work together as an integrated rainwater collection, infiltration, and reuse system. These elements support both environmental performance and ongoing research into water-efficient landscape design.

By accommodating residential, work, exhibition, and income-generating functions within a single structure, A House in Xueshan Village proposes a hybrid lifestyle model suited to the urban-rural fringe. The project positions architecture as a tool for flexible living and small-scale development, responding to changing professional patterns and housing needs. Rather than presenting a fixed solution, the building functions as a prototype for adaptable, self-developed housing. Its design supports phased growth, potential connections with neighboring plots, and the gradual formation of a small, mixed-use community. As such, the project frames architecture not as an isolated object, but as a scalable framework for future rural development at the edge of the city.

the project combines living, working, and community programs within a single adaptable structure

the building volume is positioned at the center of the site rather than enclosing a single courtyard

multiple courtyards of varying sizes surround the building on all sides

every room connects directly to an outdoor space for daylight and ventilation

raised perimeter walls provide privacy from neighboring properties

upper floors step back to form terraces for second-floor bedrooms

architectural expression is intentionally kept neutral, prioritizing economical construction and standard materials

a separate office entrance and staircase allow work functions to operate independently

ground-floor public spaces connect directly to the courtyard

the garage is combined with a workshop for fabrication and prototyping

courtyards and a partially soil-covered roof support passive cooling and water management

a ground-floor room functions as a community library accessible from the street

project info:

name: A House in Xueshan Village

architect: DL Atelier
lead architects: Liu Yang, Cai Zhuoqun

location: Beijing, Changping, China

area: 350 sqm

client: Mr.Zhao

structure: Gao Xuemei

HVAC: Guo Haifeng

landscape & rainwater energy conservation design: Beijing Yuren Runke Ecological Technology Co., Ltd.

photographer: Zhu Yumeng – Coppak Studio | @Yumeng_Zhu_coppakstudio

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

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Perched on one of the steepest plots within Tampah Hills in South Lombok, Indonesia, Nyrenstone Estate is a 1,117-square-meter residential and rental project by Alexis Dornier. The house steps down the slope, translating topography into architecture through a system of circles and tangents that organize space, movement, and views across the bay.

As the house descends, its forms echo the curvature of the coastline below, and the architecture follows the land, unfolding across multiple levels gradually, avoiding the impression of a single volume. The estate reads as a series of interconnected moments that appear to grow from the hillside itself. Movement through the house mirrors the slope, creating a spatial experience shaped as much by walking and looking as by form.

Warm teak ceilings, off-white walls, and pale Palimanan stone floors establish a calm palette that allows the geometry to register without becoming overwhelming. The materials soften the strong silhouette created by the circular plan, helping the building recede into the landscape even as it remains legible from a distance.

all images by KIE

alexis dornier organizes life through circular geometry

Alexis Dornier uses circular forms that correspond to shared spaces such as lounges, dining areas, and fireplaces. These communal zones sit at the core of the German architect’s composition, while more private wings branch outward to accommodate two families. At the highest point of the site, a circular yoga platform crowns the sequence, opening the architecture fully to the horizon and reinforcing the project’s vertical dialogue with the terrain.

Subtle references to the work of American architect John Lautner surface in the way Nyrenstone Estate frames views and allows space to flow around dominant geometric anchors. Rooflines extend to guide the eye outward, while interior and exterior blur through the openings. The house operates as a lens that redirects attention back to the land and sea.

Within the broader Tampah Hills masterplan, Nyrenstone Estate’s circular language introduces softness and informality, encouraging intuitive movement and slower inhabitation.

Nyrenstone Estate is perched on one of the steepest plots within Tampah Hills in South Lombok, Indonesia

the 1,117-square-meter residential and rental project steps down the slope

translating topography into architecture

a system of circles and tangents organize space, movement, and views across the bay

as the house descends, its forms echo the curvature of the coastline below

the architecture follows the land

avoiding the impression of a single, dominant volume

the estate reads as a series of interconnected moments

unfolding across multiple levels gradually

a spatial experience shaped as much by walking and looking as by form

warm teak ceilings, off-white walls, and pale Palimanan stone floors establish a calm palette

allowing the geometry to register without becoming overwhelming

the materials soften the strong silhouette created by the circular plan

helping the building recede into the landscape

project info:

name: Nyrenstone Estate

architect: Alexis Dornier | @alexisdornier

location: Tampah Hills, Lombok

area: 1,117.14 square meters

construction: Adi Jaya Utama

landscape: WIND Landscape

interior: Somewhere Concept

environmental design: Eco Mantra

photography: KIE | @kiearch

The post alexis dornier traces circles and tangents to shape steep hillside house in indonesia appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

HO-UN is a private lakeside residence designed by Seoul-based practice IROJE KHM Architects in Jeonju, South Korea. Located along a lakeside park within a newly developed residential district, the house occupies a prominent site in a city known for its strong association with traditional Korean history and culture. Positioned at the center of the neighborhood, the site benefits from direct visual access to the lake while remaining embedded in an urban context.

The project was conceived as a residential retreat situated between city and nature. The architectural strategy responds to this condition by creating a spatial environment that balances inward-focused living with controlled visual connections to the surrounding landscape. The house is designed to function as both a place of privacy and a structure that maintains dialogue with its immediate context. IROJE KHM Architects reference elements of traditional Korean architecture and reinterpret them through a contemporary architectural language. Rather than reproducing historical forms, the project translates spatial principles and formal characteristics into a modern residential typology. This approach reflects the cultural context of Jeonju while addressing current residential needs.

all images by Sergio Pirrone

IROJE KHM Architects designs Courtyard-Centered Living space

The primary architectural concept is the ‘Gate of Life,’ derived from the traditional Korean element known as Numaru. This feature functions as a framed opening that mediates between interior and exterior conditions. Acting simultaneously as a boundary, a screen, and a visual device, the gate frames views toward the lake and city while regulating exposure and privacy. It operates as a spatial threshold that connects the inward-oriented courtyard with the broader landscape beyond. Outdoor space is organized around a central courtyard based on the traditional Madang. Enclosed on three sides, the courtyard functions as an intermediate space between interior rooms and the surrounding environment. This open void introduces light, air, and visual relief into the house, serving as a spatial buffer and a focal point within the overall layout.

The building’s roof form references the sense of upward movement commonly found in traditional Korean architecture. A simplified, curved A-type eave roof is reinterpreted in a contemporary manner, contributing to the building’s overall silhouette and reinforcing its cultural lineage through form rather than ornament. For the name of the house, studio IROJE KHM Architects selects HO-UN, meaning ‘cloud over the lake,’ which is reflected in the interior spatial arrangement. A family room is positioned above the living room and articulated as a cloud-like volume, creating a vertical spatial relationship between communal areas and reinforcing the project’s connection to its lakeside setting.

HO-UN is a private lakeside residence designed by IROJE KHM Architects in Jeonju, South Korea

the roof form references upward movement found in traditional Korean architecture

the site occupies a central position in the neighborhood with direct views toward the lake

the project is situated at the intersection of urban fabric and natural landscape

the courtyard is enclosed on three sides, creating an intermediate spatial condition

the design balances inward-focused living with controlled visual connections outward

architecture is used to mediate privacy while maintaining dialogue with the surroundings

a cloud-like family room volume is positioned above the living space

traditional Korean architectural principles inform the project’s contemporary language

historical references are translated through spatial strategies rather than direct replication

white airy interiors highlight the ‘cloud over the lake,’ HO-UN, design concept

outdoor space is organized around a central courtyard based on the Madang typology

a curved A-type eave roof defines the building’s contemporary silhouette

the house is conceived as a quiet residential retreat between city and nature

project info:

name: HO-UN

architect: IROJE KHM Architects | @irojekhm_architects

lead architect: HyoMan KIM
location: Jeonju, South Korea

photography: Sergio Pirrone | @sergiopirrone

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

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Washington-based architecture studio Wittman Estes completes its French Creek Workshops House among the sprawling, forested area of Snohomish. The a four-and-a-half-acre site is located alongside a wetland once used as an animal sanctuary. Conceived as a year-round retreat for a newly retired couple, the project balances shelter during the long, wet season with openness during warmer months.

The single-level home is arranged for aging-in-place and multigenerational use, with a plan that follows the gentle slope of the land through subtle terracing. Wide doorways, flush thresholds, and sandblasted concrete floors support steady movement throughout the 2,471-square-foot residence, while the building’s low stance allows it to settle into the landscape without becoming an obstruction.

images © Andrew Pogue

Wittman Estes’ interiors balance craft and durability

The design team at Wittman Estes curates the interior palette of its French Creek Workshop House to express a dialogue between durability and craft. Locally-sourced fir and cedar bring warmth to spaces shaped by concrete and terrazzo, while reddish-brown soffits and a vivid blue kitchen wall introduce moments of color that register against the muted palette. Cast-in-place concrete floors with hydronic radiant heating continue onto exterior patios and paths, extending the sense of continuity across thresholds.

Personal fabrication plays a visible role throughout the house. Slatted wood screens made by the owners filter daylight in the living room and enclose the exterior loading dock, while hand-blown glass works animate shelves in the dining area. ‘They wanted the home to be an expression of who they are,’ says Matt Wittman. ‘Now, they can live and create side by side — gracefully and seamlessly.’

the house sits beside a wetland on a former animal sanctuary in Snohomish, Washington

workshops and living areas encircle a courtyard pond

An essential component of the Wittman Estes-designed French Creek Workshop compound are its creative studios. Spaces for woodworking, metalworking, and glass art connect to the main house through sheltered walkways and gardens. The workshops are separated from the living spaces to prevent noise and dust, while the zone between the built spaces becomes a lush, gardened courtyard. The primary 1,471-square-foot studio rises beneath a shed roof oriented toward north-facing clerestory windows, delivering even, diffused light suited to detailed work.

The courtyard draws from the Roman impluvium, a system of collecting rainwater from surrounding roofs and into a reflecting pool. During storms, water sheets from roof edges into planted basins, turning rainfall into a daily, observable event. Gardens radiate outward from this center and transition gradually from cultivated ground to more natural growth, all maintained by the owners themselves.

a single level plan supports aging in place and multigenerational living

the home surrounds a landscaped pond which collects rainwater

gentle terracing allows the building to follow the natural slope of the site

locally-sourced fir and cedar bring warmth to durable architectural surfaces

concrete floors with radiant heating extend from interior rooms to outdoor patios

handcrafted wood screens and glass artworks reflect the owners lives as makers

project info:

name: French Creek Workshop House

architect: Wittman Estes | @wittman_estes

location: Snohomish, Washington 

completion: 2025

photography: © Andrew Pogue | @poguephoto

design team: Matt Wittman, Jody Estes, Ashton Wesely

interiors, landscape: Wittman Estes

structural engineer: Josh Welch Engineering

builder: MRA Builders

civil engineer: Jennifer Argraves, LPD Engineering

geotechnical engineer: Adam Gaston, Geo Group Northwest

The post designing for artists, wittman estes builds a home with integrated creative studios appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Perched in the exclusive landscape of La Zagaleta in the hills of Benahavís, near Marbella, Spain, Villa Geneve is a benchmark for contemporary bio-architecture, designed by Manuel Ruiz Moriche of ARK Architects. This design balances natural beauty, sophisticated architecture and contemporary sustainability to create a residence that exists in perfect harmony with its surroundings. The home is guided by ARK’s unique philosophy of bio-architecture, a transformative approach that uses architecture as a mediator between humans and nature to enhance well-being.

the home is located in the exclusive landscape of La Zagaleta in the hills of Benahavís, near Marbella
all images courtesy of ARK Architects

luxury yet sustainable architecture

The Villa Geneve’s clean, modern lines blend organically into the lush landscape of La Zagaleta, with open views across the Benahavís mountains, the Mediterranean Sea and Africa. ARK Architects’ design celebrates the connection between interior and exterior, creating a home that breathes and adapts to the rhythm of life. Contemporary luxury here is defined by authenticity and a connection with the environment, symbolizing a shift toward a quiet, conscious, and sustainable lifestyle.

the design balances natural beauty, sophisticated architecture and contemporary sustainability

A firm commitment to sustainability is evident in the materials chosen. In keeping with the ARK philosophy, the project exclusively uses natural, unprocessed materials such as stone, chemically unprocessed wood, and unadulterated finishes. Even the paints are lime-based, promoting healthy living within the villa. These materials are expressed in their purest form possible, reinforcing the project’s dedication to sustainability and achieving a raw yet refined aesthetic.

the bio-architecture achieve a raw yet refined aesthetic

The architecture and interior design are seamlessly combined. The spaces have been furnished with pieces from Flexform and the exclusive ARK Collection, reflecting timeless design, real comfort, and the highest quality materials. Every detail is carefully considered to complement natural light and the surrounding landscape, ensuring that style, functionality, and personality coexist in perfect harmony. Villa Geneve welcomes occupants to luxury living rooted in nature and well-being.

the interior features a timeless design, real comfort, and the highest quality materials

every detail ensures that style, functionality, and personality coexist in perfect harmony

the home welcomes occupants to luxury living rooted in nature and well-being

inside, even the pool and gym complement natural light with the surrounding landscape

Villa Geneve is a benchmark for contemporary bio-architecture

the project exclusively uses natural, unprocessed materials such as stone, wood, and finishes

project info:

name: Villa Geneve
studio: ARK Architects

architect: Manuel Ruiz Moriche

The post ARK architects build bio-villa in southern spain from unprocessed materials appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

The Nadhyavart Residence in Delhi, designed by Atrey and Associates, mixes climatic intelligence, material honesty, and spatial refinement within brutalist architecture. The home integrates passive design strategies, calibrated geometries, and craft-driven detailings all packaged within a sweeping, curvilinear concrete mass. This bold, texturally raw and strong form is contrasted by a terracotta brick screen, which introduces warmth and rhythm. Designed with a perforated jaali-inspired pattern, this screen functions as a breathable skin, modulating sunlight and casting dynamic shadows to balance high performance with crafted, sensory experience.

the Nadhyavart Residence in Delhi, India, designed by Atrey and Associates

All images courtes of Atrey and Associates

Studio Philosophy and Architectural Intent

Atrey and Associates, led by Ar. Arun Sharma, creates spatial experiences by treating architecture as a dialogue between people, nature, and structure. Every project is considers their philosophies: human-centered design, intelligent luxury, sustainability as a mindset, nature-positive architecture, detail-driven precision, creative boldness, and commitment to quality. The Nadhyavart Residence exemplifies this approach by balancing sensitivity, innovation, and craft, resulting in architecture that is purposeful, ecologically conscious, and deeply connected to the users’ experience.

the bold, texturally raw and strong material is shaped as a sweeping, curvilinear concrete mass

The home’s exterior design is defined by a rigorous material dialogue. The smooth, cool solidity of the curvilinear concrete is juxtaposed against the tactile vibrancy of the patterned brickwork and the industrial refinement of ribbed metal cladding. This textural palette balances rough and polished, warm and cool to spatially create tension and controlled dynamism. From the top, the cantilevered upper curve appears structurally bold and almost weightless. Then, at closer inspection, the perforated brick screen and the dramatic shadows, cast by the sculptural surfaces, reveal the architecture’s layered geometry. This highlights the project’s consistent commitment to material honesty and dynamic forms.

the interior is centered around an open-to-sky void, a vertical shaft that draws natural daylight deep inside

Inside, the design prioritizes spatial expression through light, curvature, and crafted materiality. The layout is centered around an open-to-sky void, a vertical shaft that draws natural daylight deep into the interiors. This void animates the space and makes the passage of time perceptible for inhabitants. Circulation is treated sculpturally, notably with a gracefully curved staircase ascending through the space, softened by timber detailing against the surrounding concrete. Internal glass openings are used throughout, creating a visual continuity and vertical layering that ensures different levels engage with one another. The result is minimalist luxury, pairing dark marble and warm timber with subtle, concealed lighting to maintain an understated yet premium atmosphere.

a minimalist luxury is realized by pairing dark marble and warm timber with subtle, concealed lighting

The studio continues the design’s language of quiet luxury and material harmony into the private areas. The bathrooms embrace an introspective and calm tone, defined by soft curves, stone surfaces, and framed views of nature. Similarly, the bedrooms feature large windows to bring in garden views and daylight. A semicircular backlit feature wall functions as both sculpture and an ambient light source. The spaces create a feeling of a private retreat, promoting restfulness from the fast-paced city life in Delhi.

the design’s language of quiet luxury and material harmony into the private areas

In the living areas, the design seamlessly merges interior and exterior. Long wooden ceiling panels visually extend onto the terrace, dissolving the boundary and enhancing horizontal flow. Materials like dark marble, sculptural furniture, and warm timber create a cohesive palette that echoes the adjoining garden, while large sliding glass partitions draw daylight inward. On the rooftop, the architecture turns outward. Circular pergola frames create rhythmic portals, defining the rooftop garden as a serene oasis where greenery softens the urban backdrop, completing the home’s biophilic integration and experiential richness.

materials like dark marble, sculptural furniture, and warm timber create a cohesive palette

the bathrooms embrace an introspective, calm tone defined by soft curves, stone surfaces, and views of nature

a semicircular backlit feature wall functions as both sculpture and an ambient light source

the bedrooms also feature large windows to bring in garden views and daylight

the spaces create a feeling of a private retreat, promoting restfulness from the fast-paced city life in Delhi

Atrey and Associates, led by Ar. Arun Sharma (pictured here), was established in 1997

project info:

project name: Nadhyavart Residence

project size: 11250 sq. ft.

location: Delhi, India

site area: 11250 Sq. Ft.

design studio: Atrey and Associates

design team: Ar. Arun Sharma, Neetu, Kamini, Jitendra, Vertika, Bijender

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In 2025, architects around the world continue to expand the possibilities of domestic design, presenting a diverse collection of private houses that reconsider how we inhabit landscape, community, and climate. This year’s selection ranges from net-positive, off-grid experimentation in rural Japan to rammed-earth dwellings carved into the terrain of Crete, revealing a field increasingly attuned to resourcefulness, site specificity, and the choreography of indoor–outdoor living.

Shared themes emerge across these works — some occupying their natural context gently, others defined by a bold sculptural form. Florian Busch Architects pioneers an energy-generating modular residence amid agricultural fields in Hokkaido, while Wallmakers suspends a thatched, occupiable bridge over a gorge in India. Social frameworks also come to the fore, with TEN’s collaborative housing for women in Bosnia-Herzegovina proposing new models of care-based living. Explore designboom’s top 10 private houses of 2025 below!

arthur casas builds his own house in the forest of brazil

Hidden within the dense greenery of Brazil’s Atlantic forest, the Iporanga House stands as architect Arthur Casas’s own retreat. Conceived as a place to ‘recharge his energies,’ the home sits lightly in a protected natural reserve along the São Paulo coast. Its design is guided by a desire for harmony with the surrounding vegetation, a goal demonstrated by wood cladding that blends with the forest’s shifting tones and textures.

The plan takes the form of two symmetrical cubes framing a lofty central volume. Inside, lofty ceilings rise 11 meters (36 feet), and continuous glass panels draw in light and views, creating a breezy and fluid connection to the trees beyond. ‘The shape is simple, symmetrical, easy,’ Casas notes. He contrasts the home’s subdued form with with the ‘entropic, messy profile’ of the forest that surrounds it.

image © Fernando Guerra

florian busch architects’ modular ‘house W’ generates more energy than it consumes

mykonos architects embeds wedge-shaped n’arrow house into terrain of crete

Set to be carved into the olive-dotted hills of Crete, Mykonos Architects designs a home titled N’Arrow to respond directly to the steep topography and slender dimensions of its site. The underground, rammed-earth project is designed to avoid imposition, and instead works with the natural contours of the land, inviting the surrounding environment to shape its form. Olive groves and rolling terrain are not backdrops but rooftops, and but co-authors in the architectural narrative, pushing the residential space toward harmony rather than dominance.

A fifteen-meter setback regulation, typically a limiting factor, sparked the defining concept behind N’Arrow. Mykonos Architects saw not a constraint but a creative opportunity, transforming the elongated form of the plot into a narrow, wedge-like structure that nestles into the hillside. This bold, linear geometry sets the tone for the home’s identity, drawing attention to the power of architectural adaptation when guided by site-specific conditions.

wallmakers wraps its suspended ‘bridge house’ in skin of thatched scales

ring-shaped home by alexis dornier encircles central garden in bali

fran silvestre-designed villa zig-zags across the southern spanish landscape

Fran Silvestre Arquitectos designs Villa 95 as part of the real estate developer Cork Oak Mansion project in Sotogrande, crafting a residence that appears to glide across the southern Spanish landscape. Defined by a continuous architectural gesture, the three-story villa unfurls along a sharp diagonal, its elongated form maximizing the buildable area of the 2,317 square meter plot while framing views of Altos de Valderrama area. Developed by DUS Desarrollos Inmobiliarios, the house is part of an exclusive collection of six high-end villas.

image courtesy Fran Silvestre Arquitectos

curved green roof shields wiki world’s wooden ‘cabin of palette’ in wuhan

nendo weaves six cottages together with ‘hand-holding’ roofs in japanese forest house

arquitectura-G embeds blue concrete core with spiraling staircase in portuguese residence

In Sintra, Portugal, Arquitectura-G completes House II, the latest intervention within a long-abandoned quinta de recreio, a rural estate historically devoted to agriculture and leisure. The project forms part of an ongoing sequence of works by the studio’s team, which seeks to conserve and rehabilitate the site’s buildings and reactivate the broader territory.

Strict regulations limited any change to the building’s external profile, facades, or roof, so Arquitectura-G responded by hollowing out the existing interior, retaining only the perimeter walls, and inserting a new structural body of blue-pigmented concrete. Rising from the basement cellar, this inserted core incorporates a helical staircase and extends upward to form the slabs of the upper levels. It culminates beneath a skylight on the first floor, where daylight streams into the central void and organizes the surrounding rooms.

image by Maxime Delvaux

vivid rippled panels envelop TEN’s care-based housing for women in bosnia-herzegovina

On the outskirts of Gradačac, a town in northern Bosnia and Herzegovina, stands The House for Five Women, a vibrant residence by architecture studio TEN. The project rises from the countryside to defy conventional housing models through an architecture of care, resilience, and collective authorship.

Designed with local activist Hazima Smajlović, NGO Naš Izvor, Engineers Without Borders, and the Gradačac municipality, the project provides a permanent home for five single women who have survived war, displacement, and systemic neglect. It’s positioned between privacy and solidarity to propose a new paradigm for cohabitation with five individual living units clustered around communal spaces for gathering, working, and growing food.

Artist Shirana Shahbazi sculpts the facade of the building, composing a vibrant arrangement of large, colored aluminum panels in shades of pink, red, green, and deep blue. Though seemingly spontaneous, the composition is specially calibrated, with each panel being custom-made in a local car painter’s workshop. Their rippled, high-gloss surfaces catch and distort reflections, and transform the shell into a shifting, almost liquid canvas that responds to light and movement.

image by Maxime Delvaux, Adrien de Hemptinne

see designboom’s TOP 10 stories archive:

2024 — 2023 — 2022 — 2021 — 2020 — 2019 

2018 — 2017 — 2016 — 2015 — 2014 — 2013

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