Inspired by natural forms and tracing back to the very roots of architecture, ZOO Architects have taken organic materials such as rock, earth, and hay to create houses specifically tailored to the scale and needs of otters based on a deep knowledge of their preferred environments, social behaviour, diet, and cognitive abilities.
Written by
ZOO Architects
Photography
ZOO Architects
Nestled in the picturesque Estancia San Ramon, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina, Casa Comarcas is a stunning residential project that redefines luxury and comfort. Completed in 2020, this impressive development sprawls over 450 square meters, offering a seamless blend of modern design and natural beauty.
Project name
Casa Comarcas
Architecture firm
Muro Studio
Location
Luján, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Principal architect
Carolina Rovito
Interior design
Muro Studio
Civil engineer
Sergio Loscalzo
Structural engineer
Sergio Loscalzo
Environmental & MEP
Muro Studio
Tools used
AutoCAD, Lumion
Typology
Residential › House
Located on the Menorcan coast, this single-story home extends across a landscape of pines and native vegetation, engaging in a topographical dialogue by adapting to the gentle slope of the terrain through subtle folds and stepped platforms.
Project name
Zenith House
Architecture firm
NOMO STUDIO
Principal architect
Alicia Casals
Design team
Karl Johan Nyqvist, Jennifer Méndez, Mira Botseva, Sam Azrak, Gonzalo de la Parra
Interior design
NOMO STUDIO
Structural engineer
Windmill Structural Consultants
Environmental & MEP
NOMO STUDIO
Landscape
Horticola Balear
Supervision
Mus&Segui / NOMO STUDIO
Tools used
Revit, Enscape
Construction
CONRADO Y ASOCIADOS SA
Material
Concrete, concrete blocks
Typology
Residential › House
"The Other Side," a weekend home in Chekhla, Gujarat, was designed by Shweta Pandya and Krishna Patel to fulfill the vision of a client with a strong artistic sensibility and specific design aspirations.
Project name
The Other Side
Architecture firm
Architects at Work
Location
Chekhla, Gujarat, India
Photography
Inclined Studio
Principal architect
Shweta Pandya, Krishna Patel
Collaborators
Jaipur Rugs, D-Tale, Trezure
Interior design
Architects at Work
Civil engineer
Vallabhi Infrastructure
Structural engineer
Amee Associates
Landscape
Architect at Work
Lighting
Architects at Work
Supervision
Vallabhi Infrastructure
Visualization
Eyeview Studio
Construction
Vallabhi Infrastructure
Material
Bricks, R.C.C., Metal
Typology
Residential › Weekend Home
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
The house that was once an old pharmacy uses the arch as a central element. The village house is located at the top of the slope, above the village of Paredes de Coura Due to its location, shape and size, the house is a prominent element that imposes itself on the village experience. It was built for commercial use – Pharmacy.
Architecture firm
Tiago Castro Sousa Lda
Location
Paredes de Coura, Portugal
Photography
Ivo Tavares Studio
Principal architect
Tiago Filipe Soares Castro de Sousa
Typology
Residential › House
Located in Pasadena, California, House 3461 is a renovation of a classic California ranch home. The owners — a designer and a food stylist — had a strong visual aesthetic, and a practical need for a large, sun-filled professional chef’s kitchen.
Location
Pasadena, California, USA
Principal architect
Brad Engelsman
Typology
Residential › House
Nestled in the suburbs of Poznań, Bridge House is a striking example of modern architecture that effortlessly blends the contrasts of contemporary living with timeless natural elements. Bridge House doesn’t just exist within its walls – it extends outward.
Project name
Bridge House
Architecture firm
mode:lina™
Photography
Patryk Lewiński
Principal architect
Paweł Garus, Jerzy Woźniak, Kinga Kin
Design team
Ewa Pawlicka-Garus, Lidia Jeżak, Beata Czarnocka
Collaborators
Ewa Pawlicka-Garus, Lidia Jeżak, Beata Czarnocka
Interior design
Paweł Garus, Jerzy Woźniak, Kinga Kin
Civil engineer
Paweł Majchrzak
Structural engineer
Paweł Majchrzak
Environmental & MEP
SIMA Projektowanie Instalacji Sanitarnych Jacek Sikora, Maciej Olszanowski
Tools used
Cinema 4D, ArchiCAD
Construction
Paweł Majchrzak
Material
Brick, wood, glass, dark metal cladding
Typology
Residential › House
