The Alden Mason House, crafted for the renowned Seattle artist Alden Mason in 1958 by architect Charles A. Marsh Jr. and builder Tom Paulsen, stands as a true Northwest Mid-Century Modern retreat, nestled in the woods like a treehouse.
Project name
Alden Mason House
Architecture firm
Ueda Design Studio
Location
Seattle, Washington, USA
Principal architect
Nahoko Ueda
Collaborators
Kitchen Cabinetry: Space Theory; Dining table: Chadhaus; Wall sculpture: Alden Mason; Painting (in living room): Simeon Nikolov; Art print (red, @ stair well): Robert Rauschenberg; Painting (in dining area): Do Ho Suh
Interior design
Nahoko Ueda
Construction
Mercer Builders
Material
Concrete, Wood, Glass, Steel
Typology
Residential › House
Defined by flexibility, Puzzle Prefab took on the challenge to build dwellings that minimize environmental impact, while fostering health and connection to nature for the inhabitants. A quarter of the size of the typical 2,000-square-foot American home, the prototype includes 600 square feet of living space attached to 557 square feet.
Project name
Whidbey Puzzle Prefab
Architecture firm
Wittman Estes
Location
Whidbey Island, Washington, USA
Photography
Andrew Pogue, Dan Sutherland (construction) Wittman
Design team
Matt Wittman AIA, LEED AP. Jody Estes, Don Bunnell, Naomi Javanifard, Tristan Walker, Jen Sutherland
Collaborators
Net Zero Energy Consultant: Erin Moore, FLOAT; Mechanical Engineer: Solarc Energy Group
Interior design
Wittman Estes
Structural engineer
Josh Welch Engineering
Construction
Sparrow Woodworks
Typology
Residential › House
Nestled in the historic village of Nikolina Gora, just outside Moscow, this 230 m² house is surrounded by towering trees and fragrant lilac bushes, seamlessly blending into the creative heritage of its storied surroundings — once home to writers, architects, and artists. Originally built in the late 1990s with materials available at the time.
Project name
A family country house rooted in art and tradition
Location
Nikolina Gora, Moscow Region, Russia
Photography
Mikhail Stepanov
Collaborators
Margarita Castillo
Interior design
Irina Tatarnikova, IT-DECOR Studio
Typology
Residential › House
Nestled in picturesque Sun Valley, this residence is a testament to the seamless integration of rustic charm and contemporary elegance. Adorned with authentic hand-hewn heavy timber and stone with big grout joints reminiscent of old-world craftsmanship, the home imparts a warm and lived-in feel appropriate for a full time family residence.
Project name
Pioneer Ranch
Architecture firm
Farmer Payne Architects
Location
Sun Valley, Idaho, USA
Principal architect
Scott Payne
Collaborators
Sawtooth Construction
Interior design
Suede Studio
Structural engineer
Frost Structural Engineers
Landscape
Ben Young Landscape Architects
Visualization
Farmer Payne Architects
Material
Stone, Wood, Steel
Typology
Residential › House
As part of our Oblivion House design research series, this project redefines the relationship between architecture and nature, creating a home that breathes, evolves, and connects. More than just walls, it is an immersive experience - organic forms, natural materials, and seamless transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces.
Project name
The Feeling Of Being Home
Architecture firm
Mind Design
Tools used
Autodesk Maya, Rhinoceros 3D, Unreal Engine, Adobe Photoshop
Principal architect
Miroslav Naskov
Design team
Miroslav Naskov, David Richman, Jan Wilk, Michelle Naskov
Visualization
Mind Design
Typology
Residential › House
Nestled within the lush embrace of Thailand’s tropical forest, this modern villa stands as a testament to the harmonious integration of architecture and nature. Drawing inspiration from the elegant simplicity of Japanese design principles, this residence embodies a unique blend of contemporary aesthetics and traditional craftsmanship.
Project name
The Concrete House
Architecture firm
The Concrete House
Tools used
Midjourney AI, Adobe Photoshop
Principal architect
Mohammad Hossein Rabbani Zade
Design team
The Concrete House
Collaborators
Visualization: Mohammad Hossein Rabbani Zade, Morteza Vazirpour
Typology
Residential › Villa
Nestled high among the ancient giants of the Amazon rainforest, our unique villa offers an unparalleled escape into nature. Built on the sturdy trunks of centuries-old trees, this enchanting retreat allows you to immerse yourself in the lush greenery and vibrant wildlife of one of the world's most biodiverse ecosystems.
Project name
Enchanted Treehouse Retreat in the Heart of the Amazon
Architecture firm
Norouzdesign Architecture Studio
Tools used
Midjourney AI, Adobe Photoshop
Principal architect
Mohammadreza Norouz
Design year
February 2025
Typology
Hospitality, Tourist Complex
As construction begins on a pristine site, it can be painful to watch the earthwork. Carpets of native grasses and flowers are ripped up and certain trees inevitably must be removed to make way for a new house. In the case of Wildflower House, in Washington’s Methow Valley, the site's unspoiled meadows and forest demanded a careful approach.
Architecture firm
PBW Architects
Location
Winthrop, Washington, United States
Photography
Andrew Pogue Photography
Principal architect
Margo Peterson-Aspholm
Collaborators
PBW Architects designed; Carlton Landscaping installed, Site restoration: Methow Natives, “Firewise” forestry work: Brothers Fire
Structural engineer
Lori Brown, Evergreen Engineering
Landscape
Carlton Landscaping installed
Construction
• Super insulated building envelope. • Heat pump mini-split for cooling and filtering air. • Firewise site design. • Native plantings that require no irrigation long-term and help restore the site’s original ecosystem
Material
Metal roof. Siding: Untreated hot rolled steel and stained rough-sawn fir shiplap. Floors: concrete slab on grade with in-floor heat. Countertops: Pental “leathered” black granite. Backsplash: Heath Classic Field Tile Color: kpfa
Typology
Residential › House
