Casa FM

Embedded into a mountainside in the Calamuchita Valley of Argentina, Casa FM is a holiday home with sweeping views. The concrete dwelling is comprised of a low-lying, rectangular form perched on the sloped terrain. A green roof helps to further integrate the structure into the verdant landscape. Internally, exposed cement creates a modern, minimalist atmosphere, while a series of skylights and wood tones soften the dense palette. Its linear layout leads to the main living area. Capped by a wall of sliding glass doors, the room features expansive mountain vistas. The glazing opens to a cantilevered terrace that overlooks the adjacent lake.

Photos: Federico Cairoli / Alarciaferrer Arquitectos

Seachange House

Situated in Australia's Barwon Heads, the Seachange House bridges the gap between the area's traditional beach houses and contemporary architecture. The home is comprised of a series of stacked boxes. Their staggered placement creates an unconventional silhouette and allows for views in every direction. Each one is clad in timber slats made from sustainable Western Red Cedar. The timber screens create a sense of privacy while filtering in natural sunlight and controlling ventilation. Internally, white walls and natural wooden hues create a light, airy atmosphere. The spacious ground floor opens to a courtyard, offering outdoor living spaces to take advantage of the coastal setting.

Photos: Benjamin Hosking / Solomon Troup

Miyuan Hotel

Nestled in a bamboo forest, the Miyuan Hotel brings boutique accommodations to the mountains of China. Its 22-rooms are situated among the mountains of Anhui overlooking a river and the mouth of a dam. It continually connects guests to the impressive surroundings with expansive glazing and organic materials. Filled with local furnishings, each room has a unique character but the central focus is the landscape, highlighted by south-facing windows. For an even more immersive experience, a network of hiking trails connect to the property for guests to explore the serene scenery.

Photos: Miyuan Hotel

Lamborghini Miura 1:8 Scale Model

The Miura was arguably the world's first supercar, an after-hours pet project of Lamborghini's technical director and his deputy. It was an immediate success upon its release in 1966, becoming an icon of automotive design in the process and setting the company's DNA for decades to come. Amalgam's 1:8 scale model recreates the final Miura model, the P400 SV from 1971, in painstaking detail. Created in collaboration with Lamborghini using digital scanning and other modern techniques, each handcrafted model is incredibly accurate, from the V12 engine and hood vents to the tachometer and Bertone sill plates. It comes mounted on a display base, protected by a clear acrylic cover, with the model title, original branding, and edition number displayed on a polished stainless steel plaque at the front of the base. Limited to just 199 examples.

Ecological House

Located in northern Israel, the Ecological House is a low-lying concrete dwelling surrounded by agricultural land. The property adds to the scenery with an orchard and a fruit garden. It complements its environment with a palette of natural materials as well as a variety of green elements that include teak screens and shading pergolas. The wooden features not only lower energy consumption but also break up the monolithic facade. Its interior is divided between two perpendicular wings — a communal side and a private side. Lined in walls of glazing, most rooms are afforded expansive views of the pastoral landscape. Its L-shape wraps around a central courtyard where sliding glass doors expand the living spaces out to a pool-side terrace.

Photos: Amit Geron / Israelevitz Architects

Alpine Terrace House

Enveloped in New Zealand's southern alps, the Alpine Terrace House soaks in the mountain views. The dwelling is comprised of four black rectangles arranged around a central courtyard. Situated on a concrete plinth, the low-lying volumes appear to float above the sloped terrain. The shadowy affair continues on the inside where dark tile floors and charcoal walls create a striking, minimalist aesthetic. Its dim palette pushes the focus toward the rugged scenery that's being framed in by floor-to-ceiling windows around the perimeter. When the weather is favorable, the glazing opens to expand the living spaces out to the impressive landscape.

Photos: Simon Wilson / Fearon Hay Architects

Sol House

Set among a rugged backdrop, Alex Nerovnya imagines the Sol House. The exterior is defined by a clean yet classic silhouette. While its harp, minimalist form contrasts the wild landscape, a mirrored facade reflects the surroundings and camouflaging the dwelling from view. On the interior, the walls of glazing immerse the open living spaces in the natural scenery. As the day goes on, the atmosphere changes with the incoming light. A palette of natural materials and devotion to energy efficiency inspire the remainder of the home.

Photos: Alex Nerovnya Architecture

Dawson Lake Tree Houses

Nicknamed "Wild and Wonderful," West Virginia's landscapes are just that and the Dawson Lake Tree Houses are designed to highlight them. The collection of sustainable cabins are perched above Dawson Lake — a 40-foot lake surrounded by meadows, streams, and wetlands. Nestled in the wooded hillside, their steeped roofs and timber cladding take cues from the neighboring fir and larch trees. Interiors are a minimalist refuge featuring a lounge area, a sleeping loft, and floor-to-ceiling glazing to immerse guests in the rugged scenery. To respect the protected land and native species, the structures are expected to meet the net-zero energy and environmental impact guidelines.

Photos: Peter Pichler Architecture

Balogh House

Architect Tivadar Balogh built his Plymouth residence in 1958 from his Progressive Architecture prize drawings. In 2012, the home was placed on the National Register of Historic Places and is now on the market for the very first time. The redwood-clad cube is situated on 2.7 wooded acres and features 1,911 square feet of living space. Its carefully preserved interior retains its historic character with original wood paneling, midcentury modern furnishings, and expansive glazing. While there are two bedrooms, an office, and an impressive two-story great room on the inside, covered outdoor spaces give the modest dwelling a spacious quality.

Photos: Real Estate One

Ravine House

Nestled on a forested ravine outside of Chicago, this single-story dwelling is a modest homage to its natural setting. The rectangular structure is sliced at an angle, separating the main house and the garage. Between the two volumes is a courtyard lined by screens of Black Locust and local stone. The property has been removed of all its invasive species and planted with no-mow meadows and elevated beds. Although much of the house is clad in black metal, the interior is lined with the warm tones of oak flooring and walnut casework. The surrounding landscape is very much a part of the decor with floor-to-ceiling glazing framing in views of the neighboring trees while the painting and spinning studio overlooks the courtyard birches.

Photos: Tom Rossiter / Wheeler Kearns Architecture

Beverly Hills Dinosaur House

As homes get more extravagant, so do the furnishings and nothing says welcome to my $38 million abode quite like a 100-million-year old fossil. The $1.5 million Allosaurus skeleton is situated at the entry of this Beverly Hills mansion and will remain there for an extra cost. The carnivorous dinosaur is enveloped in 12,000-square-feet of immaculate living space and features five bedrooms, a 600-bottle wine wall, a 12-seat home theater, fitness center, and sauna with a Calacatta porcelain-clad steam room. Wrapped in 10,000 square feet of terrace, the exterior offers an 80-foot infinity pool, fire pit, and a double-side black marble fireplace, all with views over Los Angeles and to the Pacific Ocean in the distance. If displaying rare automobiles is more your style, there's also a garage showroom for four vehicles as well as a four-car motor court.

Photos: The Agency

Stealth Barn

The English countryside is blanketed with classic barns. While the Stealth Barn complements the Norfolk vernacular with its traditional silhouette, the guesthouse takes a step toward modern design with its shadowy facade. The dwelling's prefabricated timber frame is clad in planks of ebony-stained rough sawn fencing. Its interior continues the minimal approach with floor-to-ceiling plywood lining. Depending on whether guests are standing, lounging on the sofa, or lying down, horizontal windows and are carefully placed to capture specific views of both the sky and the landscape.

Photos: Turner Works

Hotel Distil

Housed in the former headquarters of the J.T.S. Brown & Sons Bourbon Company, Hotel Distil is keeping Louisville's Whiskey Row legacy alive. The 205-room hotel celebrates its spirited past with bourbon-influenced decor and experiences. Guests are welcomed to observe the overturn of prohibition with a nightly toast at 19:33 — the year the era ended. The celebration continues at the on-site restaurant Repeal where steaks are prepared over a fire of oak-aged barrels. While there are many subtle nods to the local spirit, the rooftop bar Bitters End serves literal tributes with an extensive menu of bourbon cocktails. You can also sample the whiskey with an in-room tasting cart offered in the Connoisseur Suites. If that's not enough bourbon for you, the hotel also offers a $75,000 "Exactly Like Nothing Else" experience that includes 12 vintage bottles of bourbon from each decade between 1900-2010, airport transfers, and a limo ride to Ashbourne Farms for a private picnic lunch while and performance by a bluegrass duet.

Photos: Hotel Distil

Villa Hexagon

Perched above a Norwegian river, the Villa Hexagon is a Brutalist beauty. The forest fortress is housed in a six-sided concrete shell with its cement surface is left exposed on the interior. Its monolithic appearance is softened by warm wood cladding and oak floors. A series of angular windows continue the geometric theme, framing in views of the surrounding trees and filtering in natural light. Wrapping around the exterior, an outdoor terrace affords views across an old industrial area, the passing river, and the city of Kristiansand in the distance.

Photos: Knut Folstad / Hoem + Folstad Arkitekter

Society Hotel Bingen

Located in Washington's Columbia River Gorge, the Society Hotel Bingen is an ideal spot for those seeking adventure, relaxation, or both. Within the converted 1900s schoolhouse, the hotel offers modern camp accommodations to fit every kind of traveler, ranging from more private cabins and rooms to hostel-style bunks. The surrounding mountains and rivers are prime for exploration with hiking, snowboarding, and skiing at Mt. Hood or rafting and windsurfing along the White Salmon River. To recover from the day's activities, take some time to soak in the saltwater pool or get a massage at the on-site spa.

Photos: Society Hotel Bingen

Clinton Corners House

Overlooking Lake Upton in the Hudson Valley, the Clinton Corners House offers a bespoke retreat in prefab form. The dwelling is based on Lake|Flato's Porch House and utilizes prefabricated timber framing and super-insulated panels to complete the home in just eight months. Its three gabled volumes are clad in western red cedar and feature a metal roof to resemble the traditional barn vernacular. Divided between family, guests, and entertaining, the interior's rustic minimalism is defined by exposed white oak beams, vaulted ceilings, and concrete floors. A wall of glazing in the great room puts the focus on lake views while a series of porches are completely enveloped in the rural landscape.

Photos: Chris Cooper / Lake|Flato

Comporta Cabanas

Inspired by the local fishing huts, Comporta Cabanas is a relaxing retreat on the coast of Portugal. The residence is comprised of four small cabins sited in a forest of pine. Their Douglas fir cladding is charred for protection while its dark finish helps the compound blend into the surrounding trees. Each volume is placed to take advantage of incoming sunlight and wind flow and features oversized eaves and mesh screens to shield from intense rays and mosquitoes. Internally, sleek white finishes and concrete floors create a clean minimalist atmosphere where glazed panels slide open to connect the interiors to the landscape. Additionally, the cement floors help regulate heat, adding to the home's sustainable features that include photo-voltaic panels and heat pumps. The units are connected by a timber walkway and offer an outdoor swimming pool to soak in the natural setting.

Photos: Nelson Garrido / Studio 3a

Slope House

Sited on a bank overlooking Chile's Rapel Lake, the Slope House is inspired by its slanted plot. The dwelling is made form a series of stacked, rectilinear volumes. Staggered in placement for minimal disruption to the land, the exterior follows the property's gradient and descends down to the edge of the water. Pine cladding and steel framing complement the wooded hillside, blending it into the landscape. The interior follows the same palette of timber and steel for a warm minimalist atmosphere. Living spaces are spread throughout three levels. Each floor is capped by expansive glazing and an outdoor terrace, affording sweeping views of the lakeside scenery.

Photos: Hsu-Rudolphy

Casita Del Árbol

Argentina's Parana River is consumed by lush landscapes. The Casita Del Árbol attempts to keep the scener intact with its suspended design and dark facade. Clad in black metal, the exterior fades into the lush landscape and completely disappears in the night. A foundation of pillars resembles the native timbers, minimizing the footprint and disruption of the land. Metal stairs lead to a deployed metal terrace. Walking through the semi-transparent space gives the illusions of floating thought the Timbó trees. The compact interior creates a spacious atmosphere with a bright, airy pallet and double-height ceilings. Encased in a glass facade on three sides, the glazing further adds to the aesthetic by washing the room in natural light while framing in views of the surrounding canopies.

Photos: Federico Cairoli / Paschetta Cavallero Arquitectos

Hudson Fieldhouse

Situated into a hillside in Upstate New York, the Hudson Fieldhouse is a classic example of a modern, barn-inspired dwelling. It features a clean, gabled form clad in black timber and topped with a standing-seam metal room. A natural stone foundation finishes off the attractive vernacular exterior. But it's not just another contemporary farmhouse. Stowed inside the dark facade is a fitness enthusiast's playground. The lower level is occupied by a basketball court with an adjacent living area for adoring fans. In the loft above, a fitness center and a pilates studio are positioned in front of a wall of glazing, offering serene views of the landscape during workout sessions. While the interior focuses on athletics, it still maintains its rural minimalism with batten walls, wooden beams, and steel details.

Photos: Blackstock Photography / Mowery Marsh Architects