Located on the hill above a small village at some 150km from Mexico City, the main feature of this retreat is its magnificent view. Its aim is to live with the landscape under a canopy with as few interior elements as possible.


A fireplace, a kitchen bar and a marble platform 20m long laid as a free floor plan for public areas and garage on top of a solid block which houses the rest of the program, namely services, three bedrooms and a family room.

Continuing our feature of the recipients of 2009 AIA Housing Awards with this project, located on a remote ranch in far West Texas in the vicinity of Big Bend National Park, 26 miles from the nearest town.

The owner desired a retreat that was economically and quickly constructed, which would cause a minimal impact on the chosen building site. Recycled shipping containers were chosen as the primary building component for their compact size and ready availability.

Site-Sensitive Design Creates New Charles River Landmark in Cambridge


Architect Kyu Sung Woo has designed a new graduate housing complex for Harvard University in Cambridge, MA. The 115,000 SF project is a part of University’s ongoing effort to house 50 percent of its graduate, professional and doctoral students, further supporting a strong residential campus community and helping to alleviate pressure on the local housing market.

The scheme houses 215 beds in over 30 different suite types, and includes a faculty director’s suite, a fitness room, study lounge spaces, a multipurpose room, and a garage that extends under the building, its courtyard, and a new public open space along Memorial Drive. 

With his attention to the fine details, and a contant effort to produce a enjoyable living spaces, Italian architect Duilio Damilano has produced this modern house called ‘Maison De La Lumière’ and located in Bologna, Italy.



The Oriental Arts Centre in Shanghai is an impressive cultural project designed by French Architect Paul Andreu.

Its architecture looks like a large sculpture, shaped as an orchid that is opening up towards the sky. This lobed structure allows the spatial articulation of the different venues and their complexities while giving the project an aspect of unity.

This is a treatment center for the mentally challenged children, that offers a place where they would live together and start regaining their mental health. Like a small village aiming that offers a rich variety of activities within an intimate context.

Photographs courtesy of Sou Fujomoto and Daici Ana.