These Jaw-Dropping Buildings Make The Most Of Their Stunning Natural Habitats

Rider Smart Elements and OFIS Arhitekti, Alpine Shelter, 2016, Skuta, Slovenia
Rider Smart Elements and OFIS Arhitekti, Alpine Shelter, 2016, Skuta, Slovenia | © OFIS Architecture

Architecture & Design Editor

New book Elemental Living celebrates the best of contemporary architecture that is both sensitive to and celebrates its envious natural surroundings. The book showcases 60 incredible buildings from around the world, each designed to fit seamlessly into their environment. Be prepared to get serious house envy as we explore some of these incredible properties below, ranging from mountain hideaways to cliff-side caves.

Villa Mecklin, Finland

Located on rocky island terrain in Naantali, Finland, this simple wedge-shaped house was created to maximise views across the sea, with a deep terrace that stretches to the shore. Clad in untreated wood, the exterior was designed to weather over time so that it becomes a passive addition to the landscape rather than a bold design statement.

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CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
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1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

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CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
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2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
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CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
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3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
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SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
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1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

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SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
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2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
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Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
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1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

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Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
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2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
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Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
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3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
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Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
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1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

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Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
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2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
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SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
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3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
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Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
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1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

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Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
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2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
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IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
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3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
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Huttunen Lipasti Pakkanen Architects, Villa Mecklin, 2008, Naantali, Finland

Cabin Knapphullet, Norway

This Norwegian house by the sea has been built against large boulders and is defined by its unusual sloping roof, which folds to form a wide staircase of shallow steps connecting to its viewing platform.

Lund Hagem Arkitekter, Cabin Knapphullet, 2014, Sandefjord, Norway

Alpine Shelter, Slovenia

Located at an altitude of over 2,000 metres in the Slovenian Alps, this innovative building is clad in Oko Skin fiberglass-reinforced concrete, a very light but strong and durable material that can withstand extreme weather conditions. The shelter, designed to house intrepid mountaineers, is situated in an area of unspoiled wilderness, with rare and spectacular views over the landscape.

Rieder Smart Elements and OFIS Arhitekti, Alpine Shelter, 2016, Skuta, Slovenia

Villa Vals, Switzerland

Carved out of the Alpine slope, this home is hardly visible to passersby, yet it has been cleverly designed to give incredible views across the valley. The exposed facade serves both as the entrance and also an outdoor terrace, complete with hot tub, naturally.

SeARCH and CMA, Villa Vals, 2009, Graubünden, Switzerland

Tolo House, Portugal

This holiday home in Portugal was built on a narrow, sharply sloping site; to combat this challenge, the house cascades down the hill in a series of stepped terraces to best capture the sunlight and the view. The exposed concrete structure adapts naturally to the topography of the site, evoking enormous boulders.

Álvaro Leite Siza Vieira, Tolo House, 2005, Alvite, Portugal

Dragspel House, Sweden

In this contemporary extension to a cabin dating back to the 19th century, the internal walls and ceiling of the warren-like den are lined with pine lattice and reindeer hides to create a cosy, typically Nordic atmosphere.

Natrufied Architecture, Dragspel House, 2004, Smolmark, Årjäng, Sweden

Croft House, Australia

The architects of this house in Victoria designed the property to appear to originate from the surrounding landscape rather than an element sat on top of it, embracing the landscape and engaging with it. Shaped like a sand dune, the gently curving walls direct the eye outwards towards the ocean.

James Stockwell Architect, Croft House, 2013, Inverloch, Victoria, Australia

Pound Ridge House, New York

Located in the suburban Westchester County, this home sits among 33 acres of rocky terrain and woodland. The reflective exterior mirrors the ever-changing seasonal shifts, camouflaging the house as it snakes along the contours of the land.

Kieran Timberlake, Pound Ridge House, 2014, Pound Ridge, NY, USA

Hadaway House, Canada

Overlooking Whistler Valley in British Columbia, this imposing ski chalet is positioned on a wedge-shaped site at the top of a steep slope. The design of the house is dictated by the need to shed considerable amounts of snow; the sharply-angled roof both protects the structure and wards off the prevailing weather.

Patkau Architects, Hadaway House, 2013, Whistler, British Columbia, Canada

Bjellandsbu Hunting Lodge, Norway

Sat beside a lake and encompassed by untouched mountains in western Norway, this lodge appears to emerge from the majestic rocky landscape. The roof, covered in grass, rises elegantly from one side of the house, disguised amid the pools, crevices and canyons of the surrounding environment. It may look small, but the cabin can actually sleep 21 people, provided you’ve arrived by foot or horseback.

Snøhetta, Bjellandsbu Hunting Lodge, 2013, Etne, Hordaland, Norway

Elemental Living, published by Phaidon, is out now and costs £29.95/$49.95. Buy your copy here.

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