As the July 2016 architecture trends reveal, designers are increasingly looking for new ways to bring us closer to the natural world. Whether this means building in a remote location or bringing a bit of green space to an urban metropolis, there is a clear demand for fusing modern architecture with elements of nature.
One of the most unique ways that architects are bringing consumers closer to nature is by building in areas that were once thought to be inhospitable. For example, the German architect Matthias Arndt built a triangular home perched on the edge of a threatening cliff side. Similarly, Christo Vladimirov Javacheff created a series of floating piers located in the middle of Italy's Lake Iseo.
However, the July 2016 architecture trends demonstrate that not everyone is willing to live off-the-grid in order to get closer to nature. As an alternative solution, many architects have found creative ways to add elements of nature to modern buildings. These examples include office towers with terraced gardens, lounges flanked by living walls and villas covered in natural vegetation.
Top 90 Architecture Ideas in July
From Serene Oceanside Chapels to Landscaped Rooftop Terraces:
Katherine Pendrill — Jul 31, 2016 — Art & Design
88
Solar Canopy Designs
Brooklyn SolarWorks Creates Canopies to Make the Most of Rooftop Space
87
Fairy Tale Green Homes
These Green Roof Houses Save on Energy and Look Stunning
86
Triangle Cliff Houses
Matthias Arndt Designs an IncrediblePermanent Tipi-Like Concept
85
Economical Off-Grid Cabins
This Heated Cabin Offers Refuge From the Pacific Northwest Winter
84
Efficient Home Designs
Hennebery Eddy Architects' Home is Loaded with Self-Sufficient Features
83
Monolithic Mountainside Homes
The Rainforest House Surprisingly Blends Into Its Surroundings
82
Passive House Factories
This Sustainable Factory's Design Lives Up to The Company's Purpose
81
Luxurious Co-Working Spaces
This Co-Work Space Adapts to More Modern Work Practices
80
Printed Concrete Micro-Homes
This Concrete Tiny House Was 3D-Printed in Just 24 Hours
79
Minimalist Marble Homes
Fran Silvestre Arquitectos' 'Aluminum House' Project is Monumental
78
Plant-Filled Lounges
Alberto Caiola's Cocktail Bar Has Walls Coated in Plant Installations
77
Modern Indonesian Homes
This Beautiful Home Offers Privacy in a Bustling City
76
3D-Printed Home Concepts
This 3D-Printed Freeform House Maximizes Curb Appeal
75
Modern Barns
AW Works Converted an Old Barn Into a Relaxing Retreat
74
Whimsical Tiny Homes
The 'Moon Dragon' Home Brings Fairy Tale Designs to Small Living
73
Vegetation-Covered Villas
This Eco-Friendly Villa Blends in With Natural Surroundings
72
Floating Sustainable Housing
The Freedom Cove British Columbia House Resides on the Ocean
71
Curvaceous Tiny Homes
This New Rocky Mountain Tiny House Features a Massive Curved Roof
70
Domed Energy Conserving Homes
The Zome Alloy Abodes Utilize Solar Energy in Residential Spaces
69
Tide-Proof Cabins
This Home is Structured to Accommodate High Tide Without Flooding
68
Pop-Up Garden Oases
This Empty Storefront Was Transformed into a Tranquil Temporary Venue
67
Forest-Inspired Offices
This Office Design is Inspired by Its Company's Service
66
Stacked Rectilinear Residences
Johnsen Schmaling Architects' Door County Home Embodies Minimalism
65
Passively Cooled Homes
This Modern Home Employs Passive Cooling Techniques To Reduce Energy
64
Off-Grid Tiny Homes
This Dutch Tiny Home Embraces Contemporary Design and Modern Technologies
63
Modular Architecture Exhibits
RAW SHIFT Shows How Buildings Evolve by Adapting to Crowds
62
Lush Stacked Villas
These Villas are the Second Addition to a Communal Landscape Design
61
Wooden Checkered Pavilions
Jingxiang Zhu Designs a Heritage Pavilion Using Panels and Lattice
60
Slatted Contemporary Homes
Wolveridge Architects' Torquay Residence Boasts a Monumental Facade
59
Renovated Transparent Offices
What Was Once a Factory is Now an Office with a Translucent Design
58
Monumental Mexican Resorts
Mar Adentro Hotel and Residences Embodies Contemporary Elegance
57
Enormous Pier Installations
The Floating Piers on Lake Iseo Offer Stunning Sights of Italy
56
Floating Water Skyscrapers
The Conceptual 'Seascraper' Building Solution to Combat Homelessness
55
Steel Screened Abodes
Diaz Puanetto Arquitectos Adds Artistry to a Window Using Geometric Panels
54
Modern Fortress Homes
The 'Shell House' Combines the Luxury of a Villa with High Security Features
53
Mosaic Tile Homes
This Artsy Home is Completely Covered in Colorful Tiles
52
Geometric Rainbow Architecure
The Design of This High School Provides a Bright Learning Space
51
Modern Suburban Homes
This Standard Home Was Upgraded With More Modern Features
50
Cozy Office Spaces
This Office Manages to Make Cubicles Look Inviting
49
Landscaped Rooftop Terraces
The Shenye TaiRan Building Boasts Stunning "Secret" Gardens
48
Whimsical Tea Pavilions
These Armadillo-Inspired Canopies Create a Versatile and Comfortable Space
47
Glass-Paneled Office Spaces
This Office Has Many Indoor Windows That Give It a Playful Aesthetic
46
Rustic Office Spaces
This Office Combines Modern Amenities with a Rustic Charm
45
Serene Oceanside Chapels
The Design of This Beach Chapel Leaves Space for the Tide to Roll In
44
L-Shaped Homes
In Situ Studio Designs a Contemporary House in North Carolina
43
Airy Contemporary Apartments
Lucas y Hernández-Gil Arquitectos' CC58 Project Boasts Vivid Details
42
Glass-Covered Serpentine Homes
This Serpentine Architecture is Connected With a White Ribbon
41
Triangular Cliffside Homes
This Fictional Home is Perched Right on Top of a Steep Decline
40
Robotic Sculptural Art
This Robotic Sculpture is on Display at the Rose Beton Festival
39
Converted Stable Studios
What Once Functioned as a Stable and Garage is Now a Studio Space
38
Home-Building Robots
This Free-Form Robotic Printer Can Print Construction Materials
37
Landscape-Blending Houses
This Rural Home Design Hides Within Its Snowy Terrain
36
Canopied Train Stations
This Taiwanese Train Station Design Offers Expansive Public Space
35
Galatic Spacecraft Abodes
This Home in Australia is Similar in Shape to the Millennium Falcon
34
Sculptural Spiral Staircases
This Sculptural Staircase Resembles a Tornado
33
Miniature Urban Scenes
Ryan Monogan Makes Mini Sculptures Inspired by Urban Locations
32
Converted Garage Libraries
This Garage Was Converted into a Home Library
31
Furniture Brand Museums
An IKEA Museum is Opening to Showcase the Iconic Swedish Furniture
30
Sustainable Housing Exhibits
'Saving the City' Shows Architects How to Improve Urban Areas
29
Connecting Interactive Structures
This Unique Steel Path Brings Together Separated Spaces
28
Shimmering Island Walkways
The Floating Piers Project Lets People Walk Between Islands
27
Sustainable Park Concepts
This Environmentally Friendly Park Will Be in Downtown Los Angeles
26
Pop-Up Studio Spaces
'Minima Moralia' Provides an Affordable Place for Artists to Work in London
25
Sloping Music Schools
The Conceptual Mevaseret Makes Use of the Natural Incline of the Terrain
24
Pop-Up Religious Buildings
These Buildings Will Accommodate All Religions in Refugee Camps
23
Bookshelf Library Exteriors
The Kansas City Library Was Painted to Look Like a Row of Books
22
Circular Pavilion Designs
This Pavilion is Made Up of Many Circles That Form a Maze
21
Undulated Box Towers
The Annual Serpentine Gallery Pavillon is Comprised of Stacked Hollow Blocks
20
Sustainable Wooden Churches
The 'Excelsior' Parish in Norway Offers a Modern and Ecological Design
19
Confiscated Land Exhibits
This Project Shows the Struggles Faced in Urban Italian Areas
18
Ventilated Home Exteriors
This Home Exterior Features a Prominent Teak Screen
17
Geometric School Designs
The Maritime University of Malmo Takes on a Sculptural Appearance
16
Modern Shakespearian Amphitheatres
Studio Andrew Todd's Circular Theatre is Built Out of Wood
15
Prismatic Tower Designs
Skidmore, Owings & Merril Created a Building with Light-Reflecting Windows
14
Brand-Reflecting Canteens
This Coca-Cola Space Offers Multi-Use with Subtle Company Referencing
13
Wood-Framed High-Rises
This Swedish Architecture Firm Will Design a Cultural Center with Wood
12
Integrated Forest Juiceries
Cold Pressed Juicery Integrates a Living Tree into the Store Interior
11
Upcycled Architecture Exhibits
This Exibit at the Venice Biennale Uses 100 Tons of Recycled Waste
10
Architectural Model Museums
'Kenchiku Soko' is a Destination for Viewing Architectural Models
9
Willow-Wrapped Art Centers
Patrick Dougherty Created a Stunning Sculpture Made from Willow Trees
8
Sterile Dentist Office Decor
Ylab Arquitectos' Valles & Valles Dental Office Embodies Minimalism
7
Milk Carton-Shaped Homes
This Japanese Home Uses a Milk Carton Design as Its Inspiration
6
Trash-Made Bricks
WasteBasedBricks by StoneCycling Embraces Eco Practices in Architecture
5
Glass Airplane Apertures
This US Air Force Academy Features a Skylight Shaped Like a Plane's Wing
4
Glistening Glass Buildings
This All-Glass Office Building in Hong Kong Reduces Energy Consumption
3
Elevated Park Pathways
The 'Loop' by Rastvorgroup Offers an Aerial View of Natural Surroundings
2
Tube-Shaped Theater Buildings
Fuksas Created an Unconventional and Futuristic Exhibition Space
1
Timber Township Developments
Ornsro Timber Town Features Wooden Buildings and Parkland
Related Ideas
Terraced Tiny Living
The Park Tiny Home Elevates Compact Living with a Rooftop Terrace
Historic Luxury Home Interiors
Marianne Tiegen Interiors Transforms a Hotel in the Swiss Alps
Floating Canopy Homes
The Holocene House Concept Integrates Water & Architectural Geometry
Contemporary Rural Dwellings
StudioAC's South Bay House Reinterprets Rural Canadian Architecture
Urban Ecological Design Projects
Henning Larsen Designs Bidadari Park in Singapore
Greenhouse Office Pavilions
Office for Roundtable + JXY Studio Create Multifunctional Office
Modern Timber Lake Houses
nARCHITECTS Completes the CLT House Nestled in Hudson Valley Forests
Relaxing Residential Retreats
Inspatia Designs the Forest Within with Hybrid Sensibilities
Shape‑shifting Retreats
This Modular Off‑Grid House Adapts to Natural Sites with Expandable Walls
Modern Ethereal Residential Projects
Philipp Architekten Collaborates with Bruzkus Greenberg
Thoughtful Residential Architecture Projects
Hacienda Wabi by RA! is Situated in Tulum's Jungles
Pointy Modular Hospitality Architecture
Roman & Dmytro Seliuk Designs the Futuristic Namety Cabins
Coastal Forest Houses
Openspace Architecture Coastal House Sits Along British Columbia
Biophilic Workplace Designs
Mangrove Garden Office by Bean Buro Reimagines Corporate Spaces
Textural Residential Interiors
L Architects Complete the Plant-Inspired In a Park Residence
Eco Living Vertical Towers
The Eden Rise Vertical Eco Living Community Integrates Food Production
Architectural Community Spaces
The Street Clubhouse Forms Social Connection Through Open Design
Coastal Timber Retreats
The Casa Guaecá Project Reinterprets Beach House Living Through Structure
Organic Lake Retreats
Usonian-Inspired Lake House Embraces Modest Scale and Deep Connection
Mahogany Intergenerational Homes
The Mahogany House by R ARCHITECTURE is Chic and Contemporary
Sustainable Off-Grid Remote Retreats
Daria Sheina Studio Designs the Nest Home in Canada
Rerfeshed Historic Workspaces
Daytrip’s Cloisters Interiors Boasts Modern Furniture Design
Contemporary Brutalist Homes
The MS House by Studio Saransh Balances Architecture with Nature
Elevated Garden Lofts
Attic Above Garden Brings Serene Living to a Compact Elevated Space
Living Landscape Homes
Hedge and Arbour House by Studio Bright Merges Garden and Architecture
Modernist Home Renovations
The Bauhaus Budapest Apartment Receives a Contemporary Refresh
Artistic Lakeside Retreats
Ely Retreat Blends Modern Cabin Living with a Serene Creative Studio
Minimalist Concrete Complexes
Ryuichi Sasaki Architecture Completes a Residential Project in Tokyo
Terracotta-Wrapped Village Hotels
Further Hotel Blends Village Scale and Modern Minimalism in Bali
Serpentine Forest Houses
The S House by Pl.architekci Winds Between Trees in Poznań
Tranquil Courtyard Homes
The Sanctum House by Renesa Creates a Calm Interior World Using Geometry
Inward-Focused House Architecture
Inverted House Redefines the Boundary Between House and Fence
Climate-Smart Rural Designs
Vernacular Home Cools Interiors with Passive Clay-Pot Ventilation
Contemporary Home Renovation Projects
Ofisvesaire Completes the Renovation of the S House
Dramatic Clifftop Retreats
Casa Yuri Perches on Pacific Cliffs in Mexico to Merge Sea and Sky
Minimalist Beach House Designs
ARP - Architecture Research Practice Tackles a 1980s Beach House
Minimal Sculptural Interiors
The Edge of Calm Villa Reshapes a Dubai Residence with Restraint
Glass‑brick Belgian Homes
The Glass Brick House by Delmulle Delmulle Embeds Privacy and Greenery
Lakefront District Towers
The Lake Views Slopes and Folds to Maximize Panorama for Every Home
Forest-Edge Timber Homes
Timbertop House by Atelier Kastelic Buffey Anchors in Canada’s Woods
Ceramic Modern Houses
The Hillsborough Residence Blends Modern Design with Sculptural Ceramics
Leaf-Inspired Countryside Homes
The Leaf House Interprets Organic Form Within a Rural Landscape
Sustainable Canopy Pavilions
The Casa Solai Frames Ocean and Jungle Through a Dual-Pavilion Design
Renovated Parisian Flats
Hauvette & Madani Architecture Uses Nature as a Frame in Paris Apartment
Urban Layered Homes
The Salmon House Layers Warmth and Sculptural Form to Melbourne’s Suburbs
Modular Workplace Architecture Trends
DualSpace Studio Debuted the Adapatable 'ELIT Office'
Parisian Social Housing Projects
PietriArchitectes Built 34 Units for Social Housing
Modern Dark Tonal Homes
Texas Residence Highlights Moody Tones in a Refined Mid-Century Design
Bamboo Forest Structures
This Amazon Rainforest Pavilion Explores Biomimicry in Architectural Form
Tranquil Courtyard Homes
The Cupertino Courtyard House by SHED Architecture Highlights Serenity
Staggered Modern Apartments
OSPA Arquitetura E Urbanismo Reimagines Urban Residential Living
Ancient Gymnasium-Inspired Residential Buildings
Triptyque and Architects Office Build AGE360
Contemporary Tropical Architecture Projects
PAON Architects Present the Khun Atiruj Residence
Minimalist Private Residential Projects
baukultur/ca Completes Work on the Glen Manor Haus
Timber Screen Ventilated Homes
House in Corjeum Field by Atelier Roots Home Within Rural Context
Landscape-Integrated Homes
House by the Grove is a Home Designed to Sit Within Its Natural Site
Green Roof Residences
Tapestry by Shibanee & Kamal Architects Brings Nature to Rooftops
Hilltop Modern Retreats
The Cloud House Transforms a Hudson Valley Site into a Serene Eco Home
Biophilic Mountain Retreats
The Villa Prakriti Biophilic Merges Design with Its Landscape
Organic Cliffside Retreats
The Intaaya Retreat by Pablo Luna Studio Draws on Oceanic Forms
Skylit Belgian Residences
The He Winter Garden Home Blends Indoor Greenery with Elegant Living
Nature-Rooted Family Retreats
The Haus Am Lagnesberg Blends Art, Family Life, and Natural Design
Contemporary Garden Pavilions
This Garden Pavilion Reframes a 1990s Home with Calm, Modern Living
Stepped Hillside Residences
B2A Architects' New Cascade House Has Panoramic Views
Organic Coastal Homes
Diachok Architects' Coastal Villa Brings Sculptural Living to Brisbane
Lunar-Based Rotating Pavilions
The Moon Pavilion by Atelier Guo Transforms an Abandoned Greenhouse
Scenic Sustainable House Designs
ONUS Architecture Studio Presents the Breathtaking Horizon House
Climate-Adaptive Tropical Homes
The Ocean Eye House Influenced Today’s Climate-Responsive Design
Sustainable Dome Villas
The Belalu Dome Villa Offers Sustainable Charm Wrapped in Organic Form
Modernized 1960s Villas
The Castelli Romani Reno Introduces Clean Design in Historic Structure
Interactive Architectural Pavilions
The Folding Landscape Pavilion Turns Design into a Living Lens
Minimal Timber Retreats
Zenhouse by Studio Nirvana is a Residential Sanctuary in Palakkad, India
Sculpted Oak Grove Houses
Aidlin Darling Sculpts Landscape into the L | J Residence
Tranquil Clinic Interior Designs
Studio Gimgeosil Shapes Palo Verde Aesthetic with Soft Green Hues
Urban Roofscape Projects
Groundscaper's Central Yards Transforms Rooftop Lanes into a Development
Desert Landscape Residences
Juniper Hill Home Reimagines Desert Living Through Connection
Modern Vietnamese Dwellings
Tien Giang House by Tropical Space Honors Traditional Architecture
Mountain‑inspired Residences
The Echo Villa Home Channels Taiwan’s Mountains into Sculptural Form
Climate-Generating Skylight Homes
Casa Con Lucarna Highlights Natural Light and Passive Cooling
Dark Timber Forest Houses
MORFEUS arkitekter Unveiled Solem Forest House
Outdoor Living-Focused Tower Designs
OODA Designs the Miramar Tower in Porto, Portugal
Climate-Responsive Housing
The Cielo Residential Building Uses Screens by Indian Architecture
Water-Centric Residences
Cubo Design Architect Creates the 10M Home Surrounding Light on Water
Gap-Focused Living Rooms
one-aftr Unveiled The 'Pavilion TEUM' Architectural Concept
Elevated Mountain Retreats
La Cadree Perchée Offers a Quiet Forest Refuge Suspended in Nature
Nature Integrated Offices
Bochum Office Embeds Gardens and Felt Paths to Enhance Well‑being
Bright Urban Apartments
Ooiio Architecture’s House 64 Renovation Transforms a 1960 Flat
Education Architecture Expansions
Rainbow International School Extends with Nature Spatial Design
Hillside Concrete Retreats
This Concrete House Blends Sculptural Form with Panoramic Views
Verdant Pavilion Houses
Sukchulmok and BRBB Architects Unveil Pojeon House That Embraces the Field
Topology-Conscious Architectural Interventions
The Oeiras House by OODA is Contemporary
Scandinavian Stone Pavilions
The Mountain Chamber by Erdegård Arkitekter Anchors Structure in Rock
Modernist Modern Retreats
General Assembly revives 1960s Hamptons villa with coastal modernism
Contemporary Beach Houses
Ghoche Architecte Designed the Lake Archambault Residence
Courtyard Connection Designs
StudioAC Designs Pale Cedar Duplex for Multi-Generational Living
Modern Farmstead-Inspired Structures
MUUK Architecture's 'Le Pâturage' is Thoughtfully Designed
Beachside Architectural Retreat
Caam Arquitectos Opens the Suuel Hotel as a Beach Escape
Volcanic Visitor Architecture
PLAT ASIA's Volcano In Visitor Center Turn to Surrounding Landscape
Speculative Shelter Builds
Asympta by Leopold Banchini Architects Explores Ancient Landscapes
Contemporary Residential Architecture Projects
Groundeddesign Designs the Lime Tree Valley Villa
Forest Edge House Design
Casa Guapuruvu Uses Geometry & Light to Engage Brazil’s Atlantic Forest
Serene Waterfront Pavilions
The Lake House Life Experience Pavilion Blends Architecture and Nature
Sculptural Inverted Homes
Fala Atelier’s Porto House Flips a Roof for an Expressive Architecture
Modern Tuscan Chapel Homes
The Pailunga Tuscan Chapel Transforms into a Contemporary Living Space
Monochrome Living Spaces
The Grigio Verde Villa Transforms Grayscale Tones into a Warm Home
Cliffside Minimalist Retreats
The AIP Azóia Villa Creates a Design That Melts into Its Landscape
Pavilion-Style Art Homes
Casa Galeria by BLOCO Architects Merges Living and Gallery Space
Green Roof-Topped Circular Villas
Sou Fujimoto Designed the EARTH Villa in Okinawa Prefecture
Coastal Terraced Villas
Villa Boë in Indonesia Turns Steep Slope Constraints into Design Advantage
Cultural Green Libraries
The Taichung Green Museumbrary by SANAA Weaves Architecture and Nature
Sustainable Country Homes
The Three Oaks Farm Redefines Low-Impact Living in Sussex Countryside
Thatched Roof Wildlife Retreats
Ma+rs Serenity Retreat Anchors Hillside Residence in New Zealand
Terraced Light Houses
House Under the Poplars Enhances Spatial Flow Around Natural Landscape
Building-Nestled Compact Cafes
A Triangular Prism Chapel Cafe Creates Calm in Bucharest
Rock‑Like Coastal Centers
Nature Rocks Visitor Centre by MVRDV Inspired by Taiwan’s Coastline
Patio-Centering Villa Designs
Casa Tres Patis by Twobo Has a Roman Villa Layout Modern Courtyard
Hillside Wooden Houses
The House in Takahatayama Shapes Living Spaces Around Terrain
Textured Glass Landmarks
Helsinki Design and Architecture Museum Designed as Clear Public Pavilion
Coastal Courtyard Homes
The Patio House Residence Transforms a Cliffside Plot into a Retreat
Domed Shelter-Like Holiday Homes
Anastasiya Dudik Designs the HATA Building in California
Curved Green Towers
The Island Introduces Gaudi-Inspired Balconies to a Residential Building
Contrast-Texture Community Centers
Snøhetta Introduces the Lakehouse Community Center in Sweden
Valley-Inspired Offices
Wataru Architects' Kitaoka Group Office Redefines Workspace in Mima City
Forest Sanctuary Homes
The Sadowski House near Warsaw Showcases a Modern Forest Retreat
Garden Annexe Architecture
No. 23 Annexe by Tristan Burfield Organizes Rooms Around a Courtyard
Modern Mountainous Luxury Homes
Robert Chisholm Architects Designs a New Home in the Wilderness
Residential Mountain Retreats
The Avber House Fuse Concrete & Timber to Respond to Alpine Terrain
Lakeside Lab Hub Designs
The Boathouse Zuka Lab Adapts a Heritage Boathouse as a Research HQ
Hillside Embedded Residences
The House in the Slope Harmonizes Architecture with Riverside Terrain
Aperture Apartment Designs
Garden Apartment by Aranda\lasch Reframes Interior Space Through Light
Slender Alley Dwelling Revivals
The Brown House Uses Ecological Materials to Redefine Urban Infill
Vibrant Tropical Guesthouses
The Bi Design House Guesthouse Blends Local Design with Modernity
Blue-Accented Rooftop Residences
Bruzkus Greenberg Embraces Tranquility & Intrigue in This Design
Weatherized Minimal Modern Homes
Splinter Society’s Coastal House Settles into Ocean Grove Site
Compact Urban Cafes
The Chapel by Vinklu Transforms a Bucharest Lot into a Narrow Coffee Shop
Glass Philosophical Retreats
The Glass Ridge House blends philosophy with California minimalism
Circular Garden Homes
The Villa O Features Four Sunken Gardens for True Lakeside Living
Woodland Arts Pavilions
Julia Manacas Architecte's the Waterhouse-Oyama Fuses Gallery & Forest
Valley-Sited Home Extensions
Päivä Architekti Adds a Timber Extension to a Family Home
Terraced Coastal Roofscapes
Los Cabos Home by Zozaya Arquitectos Layers Roofs into Living Spaces