Contemporary retreats in the thick of trees

It uplifts our mood, eases our anxiety, makes us feel relaxed and improves our physical health. The father of modern medicine, Hippocrates, said it himself that nature is the best physician.

Especially coming from a prolonged health crisis, all of us find delight in escaping to the great outdoors to breathe in fresh and clean air, take in relaxing views of lush and verdant flora, and soothe ourselves with the calming sound of water. But understandably, not everyone is a fan of rustic life. And while it’s easy to assume that living amid nature means going home to a simple, bucolic cabin in the woods, you’d be surprised how contemporary houses have made their way in forests the world over.

From homes that seem to disappear among the abundant greenery to spaces which are built to complement the surrounding woodland, here are a few remarkable structures that, aside from allowing its residents to benefit from living surrounded by nature, provide all the creature comforts of a modern home.

Pole Pass Retreat

San Juan Islands, Washington

Looking out from the harbor to the scenic Salish Sea and the San Juan Islands archipelago is Pole Pass Retreat, a project by Olson Kundig with Tom Kundig as design principal and Christopher Gerrick as project architect. It is nestled in a densely wooded area along the shore and features an open floor plan layout and a green roof.

The waterfront house’s siding is done using the traditional Japanese method shou sugi ban and features a slightly charred cedar, giving it a very dark, slightly silvery color. The glass walls, which enclose the kitchen, indoor sitting and dining areas, can be opened completely using a hand-cranked wheel, allowing for the most expansive living space.

Aframe Rehab by Subtraction

Quebec, Canada

While not entirely new, A-frame houses never fail to make us take a second look with its singularity and simplicity, and the Aframe Rehab by Subtraction by Ar. Jean Verville is no exception. Standing quietly amid trees and lush greenery in Saint-Adolphe-d’Howard, a small village in the Laurentian Mountains in Quebec, the two-story cottage was designed to be a nature retreat for a city-dwelling family.

Black-stained cedar shingles cover the home’s exterior while its interiors are awash in white, with Canadian maple flooring and wood-frame doorways and windows. Originally from the ‘60s, the cottage was reconstructed with a reduced floor area. On the ground floor is a compact kitchen, a living room and a children’s bedroom with a cozy reading nook. Up the maple staircase is the master bedroom where one can get a sweeping view of the woods.

Under Pohutukawa

Auckland, New Zealand

It stands amid a forest of pohutukawas, trees native to New Zealand known for its vibrant red flowers. The house’s private and common spaces were built around the trees and joined by a walkway.Designed by Herbst Architects, the living area’s roof is supported by tree-like columns while glass panes allow the rooms of the home to be bathed in as much natural light while giving the residents an ample view of the surrounding trees. The common areas feature double-height ceilings as well, adding to that airy, spacious feel.

Tower House

Syracuse, New York

Here’s a different take on living among the trees. Tower House takes you way, way up that you’d find yourself looking out at the canopy of trees instead of being under it. A project by Gluck+, the home’s three bedrooms are stacked on top of each other as a glass-enclosed staircase leads to the main living area that’s next to the treetops.

Expansive glass windows wrap around the home, providing the residents with a panoramic view of the entire Catskill mountain range and the blue skies over it. The back painted glass exterior reflects the forest where the house stands, which in effect camouflages the structure.

House in Ghent

Ghent, New York

Overlooking the Hudson River Valley is House in Ghent. It is split up into four separate glass houses: the main pavilion, where there’s the master bedroom and a combined living, dining and kitchen area; the guest pavilion; the cooking pavilion, which is for entertaining guests; and the exercise pavilion.The idea was to minimize the footprint on the land, hence Ar. Toshiko Mori took from the concept of Kyoto’s Japanese garden pavilions and built a series of four structures. This way, owners Bob Greenberg and Corvova Lee would be able to minimize energy use, reduce their carbon footprint and live a compact and sustainable lifestyle.

Sources: Dwell.com, Homedit.com, Architecturaldigest.com, Olsonkundig.com, Dezeen.com, Jeanverville.com, Herbstarchitects.co.nz, Gluckplus.com, Tmarch.com