Sitting amongst hayfields and woods, in the center of a nature reserve, this home is barely visible. Named the Dutch Mountain, the home was designed by krft architects and was built inside an artificial hill so as not to interfere with the stunning surrounding landscape. The hill acts as the perfect camouflage, hiding the home from view and engulfing the bulk of the building work.
With the north side of the dwelling hidden from sight, the south is open with a glass front that's framed in larkwood. A large terrace that runs the full width of the house is shaded by a canopy, that also regulates the sunshine throughout the seasons.
When Stockholm-based architect Hans Murman of Murman Arkitekter and his partner Ulla Alberts decided to build a country retreat on the island of Gotland, in the Baltic Sea, the house had to overcome a particular design challenge. The island's local authority decreed that no modern architecture should spoil that landscape so they came up with an ingenious solution to help this house disappear into a grove of trees.
The house uses a double façade, with a printed vinyl cloth stretched around the entirety of the timber building. Steel rods hold the fabric 15 inches away from the wood cladding, with parts of the screen extending out to hide private areas such as the outdoor shower. Inside the cladding has been painted white with sliding doors seamlessly connecting the outside with the interior.
The evergreen trees that were used on the printed pattern also reach just one foot away from certain parts of the 538-square-foot house, which further blends the straight edges into the natural surroundings. The screen is translucent, allowing light to pass in and out of the small windows on the two end walls.
With typical Scandi elegance and restraint, this house manages to be both perfectly in line with the wooded landscape from the outside and cozy and stylish inside. The larger windows and inner courtyard are positioned to be completely private, and generous sliding glass doors on the western façade are used as the main entrance.
At first glance, this roadside spot in Chile is home to woodlands and tranquil waterfront views. However, hiding below the trees, you'll find an ingenious concrete house designed by architects Felipe Assadi. Barely perceptible, this modern masterpiece flies completely under the radar of passersby.
A unique façade, the property has an array of openings in various sizes, framing the best of the surrounding natural landscape. A partially covered terrace runs along the side of the structure, allowing residents to enjoy the great outdoors whatever the weather.
This has got to be one of the coolest concrete houses in the world. Inside, the design has a modern minimalist interior that faces out across the shoreline. Concrete dominates the design, while the layout is arranged to perfectly frame the stunning vistas.
Designed by Jack Woolley, this house in south London looks like nothing more than a brick wall at first glance. Once a garden plot, the unassuming residential spot shelters a rather unique dwelling, tucked just out of sight.
The single-story house was designed to have minimal impact on the surrounding properties. Squat in stature, the structure simultaneously protects the privacy of neighbors, whilst ensuring the home isn't overlooked thanks to its clever positioning of windows.
Named the Spiral House, the property twists in on itself, with the surrounding brick boundary wall spiraling in to create the property's single-story structure. Inside, the remarkable feat of architecture features nearly 1,000 square feet of modern living space.
With the house sitting slightly below ground level, the courtyard features gently sloping steps that lead up to street level. Bi-folding doors complete the design, blurring the line between the terrace and the large living and dining area.
A large pivoting door concealed in the concrete reveals a modular home created by architects Modscape. The idea behind the design was to create a private haven sheltered from the road below, while making the most of the stunning rural landscape. It almost looks like a zombie-proof house!
Facing out onto the terrace and swimming pool, the rear of the property is clad in striking black timber. Swaths of glazing frame the beautiful tree canopy, while the enclosed outside space allows residents to soak up the great outdoors in complete privacy.
The striking home comprises a suspended box that hovers just above the ground amongst the dense woodland, in harmony with the surrounding natural landscape. Large panes of glass help to reflect the trees and camouflage the unique structure.
The four-bedroom, four-bathroom house offers no end of luxurious accommodation, with bare concrete walls and a striking minimalist aesthetic. From almost any room in the house, you can look out into the pine forest, which spans 2,470 acres, blurring into sand dunes along the rugged coastline.
We've seen some gorgeous homes hidden inside forests but this is next level, offering wilderness living at its finest – you won't have to worry about the neighbors in this secluded spot. You can swim on your own private rooftop pool, explore the nearby forest or take a walk down to the beach. The options for relaxation are endless.
Perched on the edge of a steep cliff face, this futuristic house designed by Kois Associated Architects has an infinity pool on the rooftop where lucky residents can enjoy panoramic views over the Aegean Sea without sacrificing any privacy.
Beneath the elevated pool, a cozy sheltered terrace is the perfect vantage point to soak up those breathtaking ocean views. Decked out in soft white furnishings and rustic wood accents, the pared-back scheme allows the natural vista to do all the talking.
This innovative design by Make Architects was part of rendered plans for a hidden eco-house in the north of England for English soccer star Gary Neville, who bought the $11.4 million plot back in 2007.
Set across one story, the design encompasses 8,000 square feet of floor space and features a unique layout in the shape of a flower. The petals are organized around the kitchen at the heart of the house, leading off to various wings for relaxation, work and play.
Outside, the patio area is connected to the interior with swaths of glass, drawing the outside space in. The unusual sunken design means that the house would leave no real trace on the horizon. Despite this, after a prolonged planning battle, Neville abandoned the ambitious project in 2017.
Found in Texas, this ingenious house, designed by Bercy Chen Studio, sits comfortably under a patch of grass. Based on the vernacular of the pit house, which is one of the oldest housing types in North America, the sunken property was built on a rehabilitated brownfield site.
A ground-breaking design, the building is dug under the earth's mass in such a way that it utilizes heat from the ground to keep the property at a comfortable temperature, while still allowing enough sunlight to stream in.
The kitchen is filled with natural light from the huge windows, but the thoughtful design, which orientates the house around a sheltered courtyard, ensures privacy is protected. The interior scheme is minimalistic with neutral colors and sleek streamlined surfaces for a thoroughly modern finish.
The hidden courtyard is a theater for observing hummingbirds, butterflies and even ant colonies, and the perfect private place for relaxing in the sunshine. The architects also introduced over 40 native species of wildflowers and grass to the home and its grounds to help preserve the local eco-system.
Designed by architects OPA, this incredible futuristic-style overhanging home has been proposed for construction in a cliff face in Beirut, overlooking the ocean. Just imagine the views from that staggering cliff edge!
The design includes six bedrooms and underground parking for up to three cars. The bright, open-plan living space will feature a concrete-cast dining table with warm wooden benches for sociable dining.
The unusual camouflaged design has been likened to a James Bond lair and we can certainly see why! Casa Brutale is rumored to be in the middle of construction, and while it's not for people with a fear of heights, just imagine waking up to that vista every morning.
This clever five-bedroom house is a conversion of a former water reservoir in Sidmouth, south-west England. Its unusual structure features swaths of glass walls, allowing light to stream into the unconventional interior.
Previously on sale for $1.1 million, the home towers above the central courtyard which is lined with floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating each individual living space. The structure has been dug into the ground to maintain a low profile and protect the homeowner's privacy.
The façade of the house slopes upwards, framing the best possible view of the breathtaking mountain ranges on the other side of the valley. Now a holiday rental, it's the perfect place for keen skiers or simply those who want to escape the hustle and bustle.
The spacious interior has been furnished with a mix of sleek modern furnishings and eclectic statement pieces by Dutch designers. You’ll need a bit of spare cash for a family trip though, as you’re looking at up to $6,700 for a week’s stay.
Nestled into an alcove in south-eastern Utah, this prehistoric-looking cave house is only 20 minutes from a local town, despite appearing as though it's in the middle of remote desert shrubland.
The 2,100-square-foot property consists of three bedrooms, two bathrooms, three garages and 12 acres of dramatic red rock landscape. Hidden in plain sight, the property's neighbors are just over a mile away.
Constructed in 1986, the property was designed to imitate traditional Anasazi cliff dwellings. It's pretty cozy on the inside, and even comes with its very own mature orchard and vineyard – just in case living in a cave doesn't quite cut it.
Designed for the picturesque fields of Hampshire in south-east England, this unusual design looks almost like an eye embedded in the landscape, but only when seen from above. The land, complete with planning permission for this extraordinary eco house, sold for $2.2 million. Now, that's not much for your own subterranean haven now is it?
This is a truly subterranean house. As you approach the driveway, the house is almost completely hidden from view and barely visible from all angles – including from the air – as it merges seamlessly into the landscape.
Inside, the south-facing kitchen is perfectly positioned to get the best of the day's light, while the whole building was sited to maximize the position of the sun, all day, every day. The six-bedroom home will feature tunnel access from the garage, a natural swimming pool and a decked sun area.
A concept in development, the Cliff House by Modscape was designed for a client who wanted to build a modular home on an extreme parcel of coastal land. Not for the faint-hearted, the five-story property hangs on the side of a cliff along the coast in Victoria.
With 13,000 square feet of space to play with, this is no modest home. The property is spread across five enormous floors and features plenty of open-plan rooms, including the leisure room which is illuminated in blue light and features a football table for family tournaments – and let's not forget the sports bar and indoor pool.
Welcome to the Jungle House; the ultimate paradise home for nature lovers. This incredible rainforest project is located on the Paulista shore of the rainforest in Brazil, among mountains and dense vegetation.
Designed by architects Macio Kogan and Samanta Cafardo for Studio mk27, the home's elevated position ensures residents can look out across the ocean while enjoying the rugged jungle landscape too. And what better way to enjoy all of this than taking a dip in the infinity pool on the building’s roof?
Only accessible by foot or horseback, the hunting lodge was designed by architects Snøhetta. Measuring a tiny 53 square feet inside, it has room for up to 21 people. The structure is made from two curved steel beams which are connected by a layer of hand-cut logs for a unique blend of old and new.
Covered in grass, the curved roof appears to grow up out of the landscape. The rustic façade has been crafted from local stone, tar-treated wood and glass which blend beautifully into the natural surroundings. We can think of worse vistas to wake up to!
Inside, a central fireplace with a statement funnel hood is framed by beds along the wood-clad walls that can be used as seating during the day. A narrow nook by the entrance has space for cooking equipment and extra storage. For a snug space, this secret home is pretty smart!
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