Elemental Living

  • Bjellandsbu Hunting Lodge (2013), Norway by Snøhetta. Photo © James Silverman

    Bjellandsbu Hunting Lodge (2013), Norway by Snohetta. Photo C James Silverman
  • Fallingwater (1939), USA by Frank Lloyd Wright. Photo © Ian G Dagnall/Alamy Stock Photo

    Fallingwater (1939), USA by Frank Lloyd Wright. Photo C Ian G Dagnall/Alamy Stock Photo
  • Villa Vals (2009), Switzerland by SeARCH and CMA. Photo © Iwan Baan

    Villa Vals (2009), Switzerland by SeARCH and CMA. Photo C Iwan Baan
  • MIMA Light (2011), Portugal. Photo ©José Campos Photography

    MIMA Light (2011), Portugal. Photo C Jose Campos Photography
  • Rainforest Retreat (2014), Canada by Agathom Co. Photo ©Steven Evans

    Rainforest Retreat (2014), Canada by Agathom Co. Photo C Steven Evans
  • Sun Valley House (2013), USA, by Rick Joy Architects. Photo © Joe Fletcher Photography

    Sun Valley House (2013), USA, by Rick Joy Architects. Photo C Joe Fletcher Photography
  • Bjellandsbu Hunting Lodge (2013), Norway by Snøhetta. Photo C James Silverman
  • Fallingwater (1939), USA by Frank Lloyd Wright. Photo C Ian G Dagnall/Alamy Stock Photo
  • Villa Vals (2009), Switzerland by SeARCH and CMA. Photo C Iwan Baan
  • MIMA Light (2011), Portugal. Photo C Jose Campos Photography
  • Rainforest Retreat (2014), Canada by Agathom Co. Photo C Steven Evans
  • Sun Valley House (2013), USA, by Rick Joy Architects. Photo C Joe Fletcher Photography

Contemporary Houses in Nature

As the world continues to urbanise more and more people are beginning to feel a desire for a place away from the pressures of city life. This new design book, Elemental Living, explores sixty works of contemporary architecture that have a special relationship with the natural environment.

Each house selected for this book demonstrates a deep concern with the creation of unique living spaces that not only connect the inhabitants with the natural landscape but also aim to preserve and respect the environment using new and innovative methods.

The book is broken down into three sections: 'With' - houses constructed from natural materials found nearby, 'Within' houses that are truly integrated into the natural environment; and 'At' houses that make the most of spectacular views. These three elements have produced groundbreaking new ideas of working with the landscape, from modern mountain hideaways to Frank Lloyd Wright's 'floating' waterfall sanctuary, the houses selected achieve beautifully natural spaces that are awe inspiring.

Elemental Living is published by Phaidon.

The Bjellandsbu Hunting Lodge in Norway, by Snøhetta, featured in the March/April (Issue 301) of Resurgence & Ecologist alongside Hallam Giradet's review of another design book, Eco-Homes: People, Place and Politics by Jenny Pickerill.

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