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In Sync: Vacation Homes Surrounded by Nature.
In a world where the hustle and bustle of everyday life often leaves us yearning for peace and tranquility, vacation homes that embrace the beauty of nature offer the perfect escape. These thoughtfully designed spaces, created by visionary architects, not only provide a retreat from the ordinary but also foster a deep connection with the surrounding environment. From sleek modern structures that complement their natural settings to rustic hideaways built with sustainable materials, these properties bring the outside in, blending luxury with the raw beauty of the landscape.
What makes these homes so special is their seamless integration into nature. Whether perched atop a mountain, nestled in the woods, or perched beside a serene lake, each home is designed to enhance the natural beauty that surrounds it. The use of large windows, open-concept spaces, and natural building materials ensures that the architecture does not compete with the landscape, but rather celebrates it. In this collection, we explore the world of architecturally inspired vacation homes that promise not only a getaway but a chance to reconnect with nature in ways that go beyond the typical retreat.
01. MANZANITA HOUSE
Voted one of VRBO's 2023 Vacation Homes of the Year, Manzanita House is a contemporary Pacific Ocean gem. Architect and Owner Eva Sobesky succeeded in her aim of creating a property with her own mark on it, without detracting from its surroundings. This peaceful forest haven is the ultimate retreat from city life.
02. MOUNTAIN MODERNISM
This prefabricated house just 16-feet wide is beautifully situated on the densely forested hillside of Le Conception with sweeping views of the Mont-Tremblant. The skin and bones of the house were built almost entirely out of sustainably-forested native wood making it almost a seamless part of the forest that shelters it.
03. THE ACRES
Designed to bring the outside in, The Acres features an open plan layout, 5 bedrooms with king-size beds and a professional kitchen set up for those who fancy themselves as the next Iron Chef. Located in the beautiful Hocking Hills region featuring 78 acres of panoramic cliff views and creeks, the untouched wilderness invites joyful exploration.
04. THE HUT
The Hut is the cabin-in-the-woods reimagined from a creepy witch lair to a crisp Scandinavian design and the ‘hygge’ mindset. When you talk about architecture with a light touch, this Eco-friendly vacation rental has to be in the conversation. Standing on a minimalist foundation of concrete piers this sustainably built space barely touches the ground, and leaves little-to-no environmental footprint running off solar power and collected rainwater.
05. POND HOUSE
The clue is in the name. The Pond House constructed from Corten which has been allowed to rust, overlooks a south-facing pond. The property stands atop an exposed concrete plinth, stepping down to the pond. Reflect in nature in this property memorable for its quiet wabi-sabi character which blends with the natural wooded surroundings.
06. HUDSON LOOKOUT
Named after its roof deck that opens via an operable skylight at the top of the stair, this propety offers spectacular views across the beautiful rolling landscape of New York State’s Catskill Mountains. The Hudson Lookout is a vertical watchtower with the kitchen, living area and bedrooms located on the open plan bottom floor, turning traditional architecture on its head.
07. PINE MOUNTAIN
Updated by design studio Alta Projects in 2023, Pine Mountain is an elegant, modern retreat near Yosemite. It’s essentially a woodland cabin with soaring windows set in the private community of Pine Mountain. In the heart of the Yosemite Valley, Pine Mountain is ideal for hikers and rock climbers looking to explore its 7-mile wide canyon full of incredible rock formations, including El Capitan, the world's tallest granite monolith.
08. NOIR PEAKS
Noir Peaks nestled in the landscape of the San Francisco Volcanic Field, has cladding painted to match the local lava flow rocks. This area would be flat without the volcanoes that break from the horizontal landscape dramatically towards the sky.
09. THE BEAR STAND
The evocatively named Bear Stand stretches parallel to this retreat’s lake and an adjacent granite rock face to the south, with primary living and dining spaces at ground level spilling to the outdoors and sleeping and bathing spaces perched above to capture views of the surrounding wilderness.
10. APRÉS CABIN
Every element of the design of Aprés Cabin was designed to reflect the landscape around it and ease connection to it. Located at the edge of the wilderness, this Scandanavian-style is inspired in name and design by the Nordic ski culture. It’s surrounded by ponderosa pine forest and just 15 miles from Washington state’s dramatic Liberty Bell granite rock formation.
Architecture you can stay in.
DSGN Map is a growing collection of design-forward places and spaces for inspired travelers. We’re a small team of architects and creatives bringing you incredible projects you can stay in, each one crafted by architects and interior designers. Browse our collection, book your stay, and subscribe to our newsletter for design content you’ll love.