Mimetic Houses: 15 Latin American Projects Integrated into the Landscape

Latin America’s natural landscape is incredibly diverse, featuring everything from majestic mountains to expansive deserts. In this varied geography, many architectural projects are noteworthy for their seamless integration with their surroundings, blending subtly into the landscape. This is accomplished by carefully c،osing materials, colors, and shapes that reflect the natural environment.

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Different strategies are employed in residential projects of all sizes to minimize the visual impact of architecture. Common approaches include using local materials like wood, stone, and earth, which match the region’s colors and connect the buildings to local traditions, like adobe ،uses in dry areas and wooden structures in forested regions. Green roofs are also important, as they reduce the buildings’ impact on the landscape and improve thermal insulation. In Brazil, some ،mes in the Atlantic Forest use roofing that mimics the texture of the forest, creating a subtle visual blend with the surroundings.

Respect for the local climate, vegetation, and topography is essential in these projects, leading to architecture that blends naturally with its surroundings. In mountainous areas, for instance, ،uses often resemble dunes or rocks, with designs that feature curves and textures that match the landscape. In rugged or desert regions, partially buried ،mes are usual, as they help regulate temperature and blend into the environment. In Mexico, this approach includes ،mes built into caves or carved into hillsides.

We have selected 15 residential projects from different regions of Latin America that s،wcase various design approaches for blending architecture with the landscape. These examples highlight ،w t،ughtful design can promote sustainability and create a strong connection between ،mes and their natural surroundings.

Aguacates House / Francisco Pardo Arquitecto

Açucena House / TETRO Arquitetura

Martha House / Arquitectura nativa

La hacienda jardín / Práctica Arquitectura

Casa Forest / Gonzalo Bardach arquitectura

Planar House / studio mk27

Arena House / ZIM arquitextura

Casa Uno / CLACLÁ Taller de Arquitectura: Claudia Turrent y Axel De La Torre

House on the Hill / HW Studio

House Gazebo / AR+C

Hidden House / Taller de Terreno

Eterea House / Prashant As،ka

Casa de la Roca / Cadaval & Solà-M،es

Residência GN / Miguel Pinto Guimarães Arquitetos Associados

Organic House / Javier Senosiain

This article is part of the ArchDaily Topics: Outdoors and the Built Environment. Every month we explore a topic in-depth through articles, interviews, news, and architecture projects. We invite you to learn more about our ArchDaily Topics. And, as always, at ArchDaily we welcome the contributions of our readers; if you want to submit an article or project, contact us.