The VR Cabin is a vacation refuge designed by Mexico City-based firm CRB Arquitectos. Completed in 2021, the 90 m² project is located in the forested area of Avándaro in Valle de Bravo, Mexico. The cabin was conceived as a space for its users to disconnect from city life and reconnect with the surrounding nature, with a design that emphasizes warmth, simplicity, and a seamless coexistence between the cabin and the forest. The core concept of the VR Cabin is to offer a serene escape where the user can fully experience the tranquility of their forested environment. This connection is achieved through a deliberate design approach: The cabin's exterior is a simple, solid block, which ensures the natural landscape remains the focal point. In contrast, the interior is richly lined with wood to create a warm and cozy atmosphere. The design blurs the line between indoor and outdoor spaces through a series of thoughtful connections. A large front terrace allows occupants to immerse themselves in the surrounding greenery, while the private area features a bathroom and dressing room that open directly to the outdoors. The 90 m² cabin features a simple yet highly functional layout that focuses on maximizing comfort and the connection with nature. The main living area is an open-plan space containing a lounge area with a fireplace, a bedroom space, and a small office area. A ladder provides access to an upper-level sleeping loft, with gabled wooden roofs that evoke the feeling of a classic Nordic cabin. A secluded space for contemplation is integrated into the design, surrounded by lush vegetation. A unique outdoor shower, also surrounded by foliage, provides a direct and immersive connection with the natural surroundings. The material choices for the VR Cabin were selected to create a warm, welcoming, and harmonious atmosphere that complements the natural setting. The extensive use of wood throughout the interior, including the gabled roofs of the loft, provides thermal comfort in Valle de Bravo's humid climate and creates a soft, cozy aesthetic. While the interior focuses on wood, the exterior is defined by a simple, solid block form. Although details on the specific exterior finish are limited, CRB Arquitectos frequently uses materials like earth-toned exposed concrete in their projects to allow structures to age naturally. Project Credits Architects: CRB Arquitectos (Mexico). Lead Architects: Sebastián Canales and Javier Rivero Borrell. Location: Avándaro, Valle de Bravo, Mexico. Area: 90 m². Year of Completion: 2021. Photographs: Arturo Arrieta. Manufacturers: Cemex, Grupo Arca.

Completed in 2022 in Oaxaca, Mexico, the Plúmula Workshop House is a 70-square-meter project by Espacio 18 Arquitectura that breathes new life into a dilapidated residence to create a functional and poetic live-work space for an artist. The project's name, Plúmula, which refers to the embryonic shoot of a plant, reflects the design's focus on new growth and revitalization. A central aspect of the design is the preservation of pre-existing adobe walls, honoring the building's history, while a lightweight steel framework is integrated to reinforce the structure and expand the space. The house was commissioned by Amy García Kennedy, a plastic artist who works abroad and wanted a retreat in her home country. At the heart of the design is a magnificent Flamboyán tree, which the architects made the focal point of the property, with key views from the workshop, meeting space, and bedroom all centered on its contemplation. The layout was designed for practicality and warmth, utilizing a sensitive monochrome palette that visually enlarges the interiors. This is achieved through the use of budget-friendly, locally sourced materials such as steel, adobe, pine wood, and red brick. These materials also create a dialogue between the old and new, and their familiarity to local craftsmen facilitated the construction process. The project employs several sustainable strategies. The existing adobe walls offer natural thermal mass, keeping the home cool during the hot Oaxacan summers and warm in the winters. The house also incorporates a solar water heater and a rainwater harvesting system with filters, while LED lighting was chosen for energy efficiency. Tall sliding windows blur the boundaries between the indoors and the surrounding lush environment, inviting natural light and ventilation and reinforcing the visual connection to the Flamboyán tree. Plúmula Workshop House is a project that responds thoughtfully to its context, integrating into the local neighborhood while offering a tranquil and inspiring sanctuary for its inhabitant. Credits Architects: Espacio 18 Arquitectura Lead Architects: Carla Osorio and Mario Ávila Design Team: Sonia Morales, Karina Flores, Paola Alavez, Renata Balseca, Aranza Toledo, Amy García Kennedy, and Ivonne Kennedy Client: Amy García Kennedy Engineering: LM Estructuras Carpentry: Orvesa y diseño Steel Works: Alfredo y Ramon Photography: Camila Cossio Manufacturers: Cemex, Helvex, Lumileds, Tecnolite

Completed in 2024, Casa Cono by Estudio Atemporal is a tranquil woodland retreat located in the forests near Valle de Bravo, Mexico. Designed for a young couple seeking an escape from urban intensity, the project harmoniously integrates living, working, and daily routines within its serene natural setting. The design respects the land's slope and incorporates existing trees, making nature a key part of the architecture. The structure consists of two rectangular volumes layered and rotated to create an L-shaped configuration that organizes the home's program on two levels and frames views of the forest. Translucent facades give the house a light appearance and connect the interior and exterior. Large windows frame views of the outdoors. The ground floor includes public areas like a patio, study, and open living, dining, and kitchen area. An internal staircase leads to the private areas upstairs. The house appears to float on the landscape from a distance, with views opening up upon entry. Changes in scale and materials create a warmer feel in the upper-level bedrooms. Credits Architects: Estudio Atemporal Lead Architects: Luciana de la Garza and Paul Curuchet Photography: LGM Studio (Luis Gallardo)

Designed by ET.co and led by architect Omar López Bautista, the Bungalow H is a 30-square-meter contemporary cabin completed in 2022. Located on the slopes of the Northern Mountains in San Andrés Huayápam, Oaxaca, Mexico, the project was conceived as a tranquil personal refuge for short stays. Positioned on a natural terrace surrounded by trees, the bungalow offers panoramic views of the valley and the city below. The minimalist and low-maintenance design of Bungalow H prioritizes a connection with its stunning natural surroundings. The concrete structure is painted black, which helps minimize its visual impact on the landscape. The exterior is closed off on three sides to ensure privacy, while the fourth side is a fully glazed façade that frames the breathtaking view. To enhance the sense of lightness and the minimalist aesthetic, the bungalow appears to float slightly above the ground. This effect is achieved with a smaller foundation area and is further emphasized at night by perimeter lighting along its base. The interior of the bungalow is kept simple to reflect its temporary and essentialist function. The space is largely dedicated to the room and a small outdoor staying area, with a diagonal cut in the front of the box-like structure directing the view towards the valley. This design approach reflects ET.co's philosophy of creating clear, robust, and easy-to-understand geometries, where the structure is inherently the architecture. The project also takes a sustainable approach by minimizing its footprint, allowing it to be "deplanted" without altering the environment significantly. Credits Architects: ET.co Lead Architect: Omar López Bautista Photography: Marcos Rojas Sosa, Omar López Bautista Manufacturers: Cemex, Helvex, Tecnolite

Nestled in the arid, boulder-strewn terrain of the Valle de Guadalupe in Baja California, Mexico, the Hotel Encuentro Guadalupe is an "antiresort" that seeks to connect guests with the rugged landscape rather than separate them from it. Designed by Tijuana-based architect Jorge Gracia of Graciastudio, the hotel comprises 20 individual, elevated "eco-lofts" that appear to hover over the hillside, offering both privacy and panoramic views of the wine valley. The project was completed in 2011 and is part of a larger, 99-hectare development that includes a winery and a residential area. From its inception, the design philosophy prioritized environmental preservation. To minimize interference with the land, the individual rooms were constructed as steel-framed pods and elevated on stilts, avoiding direct contact with the soil and allowing the local flora and fauna to continue thriving underneath. This "deluxe camping" concept provides guests with modern comforts while maintaining an immersive connection to the natural surroundings. The exterior cladding of the eco-lofts is made of Corten steel, a material chosen for its rust-like appearance, which weathers over time to achieve a color palette that blends harmoniously with the desert environment. The hotel's design embraces minimalism and simplicity, both in its materials and its layout. The interiors are clean and sober, focusing the guest's attention on the dramatic views framed by large windows. Outside, cantilevered decks and strategically placed pools are integrated into the rocky landscape, providing spaces for relaxation and contemplation. The approach to construction was also influenced by local economic and material conditions, with Graciastudio leveraging prefabricated construction techniques and locally available materials to realize the project efficiently. For architect Jorge Gracia, the Hotel Encuentro Guadalupe reflects a commitment to sustainable, region-specific design that responds to the unique character of its location. The project has been recognized internationally for its innovative approach, which successfully balances high-end hospitality with ecological sensitivity. Credits Architecture: Graciastudio Jorge Gracia Photography: Luis García Operator: Grupo Habita

"The Aculco House is a minimalist, 90-square-meter retreat located in a secluded, rural area of Aculco, Mexico, designed by PPAA Pérez Palacios Arquitectos Asociados. Completed in 2017, the project was commissioned by two brothers who discovered the property during a rock-climbing trip and sought a remote escape to reconnect with nature. The cabin is set amidst a natural landscape featuring impressive cliffs. The design emphasizes simplicity, a deep connection to the environment, and a low-impact approach. Prior to construction, the brothers spent several years reforesting the plot. To minimize transportation and environmental disruption, the masonry for the exterior walls was sourced from a nearby quarry. Local and naturally finished materials, including clay floors, wood, and glass, were chosen to complement the surroundings and create an unpretentious aesthetic. The house's layout is centered on maximizing the landscape views through large windows and sliding doors. The interior, which functions as a ""container of views,"" includes a living and kitchen area, a bathroom, and two bedrooms, all within an open floor plan that promotes natural light and cross-ventilation. A large external terrace, nearly double the size of the house, extends the living space outdoors. The slanted roof, mimicking the surrounding hills, was a practical solution for the area's climate, designed to be maintenance-free. Credits Architects: PPAA Pérez Palacios Arquitectos Asociados Design Team: Pablo Pérez Palacios, Alfonso de la Concha Rojas, Miguel Vargas Terán, Jose Luis Jimenez Rojas Engineering: BVG Ingenierías Photography: Rafael Gamo"

"Completed in 2020 by Singaporean writer and designer Prashant Ashoka, Casa Etérea is a 75-square-meter off-grid retreat built on the slopes of Palo Huérfano, an extinct volcano near San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. With no formal background in architecture, Ashoka conceived the minimalist, mirrored dwelling as a ""theater to nature"" that prioritizes a sensory connection with the rugged, volcanic landscape. The project took three years to complete and was heavily inspired by the ""emotional architecture"" of Mexican architect Luis Barragán. The name Etérea, Spanish for ""ethereal,"" reflects the home's weightless, camouflaged appearance. The design is based on a concept of radical integration with the environment. The cabin consists of two rectilinear volumes that meet at a 120-degree angle, mirroring a ravine visible through the exposed shower. The exterior is clad in mirrored glass, featuring a patterned ultraviolet coating that prevents birds from colliding with the surface while remaining invisible to the human eye. To minimize its footprint and construction impact, the foundation was built from volcanic rock collected on-site. The property is completely off-grid, relying on solar panels for electricity and a rainwater collection system for water. This self-sufficiency allows for a fully immersive, secluded experience. The interior is a single, open-plan space with a minimal and natural material palette of concrete, timber, jute, and leather, which prevents it from distracting from the views. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors slide open to connect the living area, bedroom, and copper bathtub with a decked patio, heated pool, and the encompassing olive and pomegranate trees. Remote-controlled PVC shutters offer privacy and security. The isolated location, only accessible by 4x4, reinforces the sense of disconnection from urban life. Credits Designer: Prashant Ashoka Interior Styling: NAMUH Photography: Prashant Ashoka Client: Prashant Ashoka"

"Completed in 2019, Monte House is a 42-square-meter compact vacation home designed by TACO taller de arquitectura contextual for a young couple. Located on a 10,000-square-meter plot in the wild landscape of southeastern Mexico, the house is a secluded retreat that encourages contemplation and a close connection to its natural surroundings. The structure is a simple and compact two-story volume set on a platform elevated off the ground. This elevation helps protect against undesirable animals and facilitates construction on the site's rocky terrain, which prevented excavation. The home is strategically oriented to work with the region's dominant winds and sun exposure, ensuring a comfortable interior temperature. The exterior and interior are finished with a rough stucco and an artisanal lime-based paint with mineral pigments, giving the building a natural, reddish tone that blends with the surrounding soil. Regional cedar wood is used for the folding doors and operable louvers, allowing residents to control the amount of privacy and connection to the outdoors. A pre-existing tree provides shade for the swimming pool and terrace, an extension of the interior social area. The compact interior includes a double-height living room with a kitchenette, a sleeping mezzanine, and a bathroom with an outdoor shower. The interior design features a collection of locally crafted design pieces in natural tones that enhance the space's warmth and connection to the region. Credits Architect: TACO taller de arquitectura contextual Team: Carlos Patrón Ibarra, Alejandro Patrón Sansor, Ana Patrón Ibarra, Estefanía Rivero Janssen, Joaquín Muñoz Olivera Photography: Leo Espinosa Manufacturers: CASTEL, Comex, Tecnolite, Trivasa, URREA "