For the most part, homes that take heed of their surroundings rather than blindly building with an indifference to the landscape, seem to stand the test of architectural time. Such is the case of the Wissioming2 House. Located just outside of Washington DC in the town of Glen Echo, American architect Robert M. Gurney positioned the residence towards the river on a south facing slope in order to preserve a collection of mature trees. Glass bridges connect the two main volumes dynamically, with expansive windows and a variety of exterior materials ensuring that the leafy landscape is included rather than ignored. Inside, things are kept light and airy, with high studs, white walls and black steel window frames combining for dramatic effect. 

In the countryside of Oberbergenm, Austria, sits the Summer House by Judith Benzer Architektur. The residence is comprised of two levels, the ground level designed to house a wine cellar and production space, while the first floor is for residential use. Elegant and peaceful looking, the architects left the wood, steel and concrete materials unfinished and untreated on purpose, so that it maintains a natural appearance, blending into the surrounding countryside. On the flip side, the residence's sharp edges are formed by copper corner plates and a shutter board design that when closed, sits flush with the side of the structure. These same shutters allow sun to enter the home during the summer and also create shade over the outside deck. Inside, the minimalist-contemporary theme works to balance the rustic and raw feel of the exterior, with ample use of high ceilings and clean lines.

Situated on the edge of the ancient crater that embraces Orakei Basin, sits a new and striking home by Auckland based architect Daniel Marshall. With sweeping views to the city and across the harbour, the home makes the most of its seaside vantage point with many rooms within the home primed for coastal viewing. Marshall's brief was very specific, he explains:

"Garaging a number of [the owners'] cars was a primary concern. My design response was to wrap the garaging around a central 'pergatoria' - a term coined by the Italian architect Terragni for an entry courtyard. The garage doors are detailed in such a way [so that they can] disappear into the adjoining cedar walls. This area also incorporates the entry, conceived as a three level atrium that entices the visitor up to the living level [with the] eventual revelation of the views of the Auckland landscape. The curved edge of the infinity pool echoes the form of Orakei basin and draws the sea view closer to the home."

Marshall used a limited palette of materials to create a sense of cohesiveness with the home's exterior and interior, and also commissioned many bespoke items designed specifically for the house including a hand blown chandelier by Katie Brown and a front door handle crafted by David White. The exceptional panels behind the dining table were painted by the architect himself.

This small waterfront residence is located on a decidedly narrow section (10 metres wide by 47 metres deep) on the south shore of English Bay, Vancouver. Designed by local firm, Patkau Architects, the house was designed with a single occupant in mind. Due to the narrow site restrictions, the architects used generous ceiling heights to open rooms up, while the unusual location of the lap pool lets light pass through into the lower level passageways and outdoor area, making for an impressive entrance to this waterfront abode. Due to Vancouver's status as an area of high seismic risk, the house is constructed almost entirely of reinforced concrete, while muted colours and materials are used throughout the house in order to keep spaces light and airy.

Often described as the Hampton's scruffier sister, Montauk is New York's most eastern town, and is also the location of this hilltop house designed by Bates Masi Architects. With expansive views of the Atlantic, this 7,000 square foot house hugs one side of the hill and at first sight seems to be two modest cedar-shingled ranch houses connected by a bridge. In actual fact, the residence is wedge shaped, the communal living spaces and private areas separated by the 40 foot long bridge, allowing the owners to entertain often, whilst still retaining a sense of privacy.

Without a central, prescribed entrance, both visitors and owners are encouraged to experience the property in different ways. After ascending the bluestone bleacher like steps set into the hill underneath the bridge, you are greeted with panoramic views of the meadow and water. Alternatively, one can come and go by way of a stone terrace that wraps around the exterior area all the way to the pool without ever needing to enter the main house. The interior of the house is impressive, with the vast spaces, high ceilings and cedar wood creating an elegant beach house that includes its natural surroundings rather ignoring them, with views out across fields and bush to the sea. 

Situated against the snowy backdrop of Mount Hotham, Australia, sits an angular house by architect Giovanni D'Ambrosio. The angles of the house draw reference from typological archetypes that were once used by countrymen and cowboys that lived in the area. The interior and exterior are comprised predominantly of stone, metal and wood - which all enable the house to fit seamlessly within its environment. With double-glazed windows, the architect wanted to give the owners the ability to enjoy the outside surrounds, from the warmth of the indoors. The main living within the home is enjoyed from the ground floor, whilst the bedrooms and spa find a home comfortably on the level above.

Berkley, California-based design firm Cheng Design, designed this home in Menlo Park, California back in 2009. Predominantly made from concrete, the 'Concrete House' as it was named, showcases one of architect Fu-teng Cheng's first ever 'hybrid' structures - exploring the use of both concrete and wood. The interior, which carries classic pieces such as Ligne Roset's Togo sofa by Michel Ducaroy, uses key pieces to add pops of colour, adding vibrancy to the project.

For more work from this design studio go here.

Casa Corallo is set amongst a mountainous forest in Guatemala, and appears very much at home amongst its leafy woodland surroundings. Designed by PAZ Arquitectura, the exterior is comprised of three levels and is made of exposed concrete slabs and rustic wood. With the designers determined that the house must complement its environment rather than compete with it, the owner’s closest neighbours are the surrounding trees, with glass used all throughout the home. Outside elements are further used inside the house with a sizable wooden tree trunk growing up through the living room floor, its branches stretching out into other areas of the home. The interior is equally as impressive as the exterior, as you enter through an oversized, reclaimed wooden door to rooms filled with textured stone, glass shelving, dark wooden floors and the pièce de résistance; a large custom built fireplace. 

Australian architect Andrew Maynard has designed this very unique looking house in Melbourne. Situated on a small north facing site, the brief was to create a house that would suit the requirements of a young family with three small children (in which the spaces could transform to meet their adult requirements in later years). Box like in form, unusually, the facade of this modern home doesn't seem dominated by windows, but rather presents a rather solid exterior. Cleverly, however, the facade opens up by way of shutter system, to let in light. The entertaining aspect of the home is focused around the backyard - the only spot that offered the owners any real sense of privacy from the street front. Internally, the spacious living area's main defining feature is a modern spiral staircase, that pays ode to winding staircases of yesteryear. The landscape, wraps up around the home, with the grass becoming as much of a feature of the home as the architecture itself.