#tropicalarchitecture

In Itacaré, southern Bahia, where the Atlantic Forest meets the ocean in a landscape of nearly absolute intensity, Terramar House is sited with precision. Located in the Vila São José complex, the residence occupies a narrow and challenging hillside site, with a 14-meter elevation change and depth varying between 12 and 20 meters. Only about 40% of the lot was effectively buildable due to condominium restrictions and the trapezoidal geometry itself, marked by two 50-meter fronts: an upper one for main access and a lower one facing the street leading to the beach. With 450 sqm and four suites, the house was conceived as a summer residence as well as a rental property, requiring a balance between privacy, social interac... More

In this architectural creation, materiality becomes poetry etched in stone, concrete, and steel. Muted tones weave a hushed symphony, while textured surfaces whisper secrets to fingertips. As daylight filters through carefully placed openings, patterns shift across floors and walls, crafting an ever-evolving sonnet of illumination. Volumes and planes find a harmonious balance of solid and void, inviting contemplation on the delicate interplay of light and form—a quiet ode to space. Michael Flores Photography Michael Flores Photography Michael Flores Photography Michael Flores Photography This Miami Beach residence captures the seamless union of form and function, balancing programmatic efficiency, climate responsi... More

Flow House is located within a housing estate in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and was designed to explore how circulation can harmonize with the tropical climate and surrounding environment while preserving privacy. Presented with an undeveloped plot amid completed properties, the owner envisioned a compact, one-story home that would offer a seamless and comfortable space for herself and her parents to enjoy in retirement. Sky|Ground Sky|Ground Sky|Ground Sky|Ground Sky|Ground Sky|Ground Sky|Ground As architects working in a tropical climate, our goal is to design a home where every room benefits from full cross-ventilation—a vital feature for keeping the house cool and maximizing natural airflow. This is... More

On a long and narrow plot fronting a road junction, a semi-detached house of three and a half storey stands as a slim, monolithic mass. With minimal external views, the design aims to provide the avid gardening homeowners and their newlywed children with a climate-conscious and a unique inward-looking home. In crafting a multi-generational home, the design strives to avoid the formation of wholly segregated private zones. Instead, it aims to create a shared space where chance encounters and a sense of connectedness can flourish. Khoo Guo Jie Finbarr Fallon Serving as main artery of the house is a soaring, quadruple-volume atrium. Capitalizing on its north-south orientation, the atrium is book-ended by concrete breeze blocks,... More

ARCHITECTURAL CONCEPT NOTE Siri is a tropical oasis cut away from the hustle and bustle of the tech city of Bengaluru. Located in Karishma hills, a beautiful layout on the fringes of the Turahalli forest, the site was the perfect locale for this with its majestic teak, mango and coconut trees. These trees and the gentle topography of the site was also the perfect start point for the design. Shamanth Patil photography Shamanth Patil photography Shamanth Patil photography The house is designed as a seamless extension of the natural landscape - respecting, enhancing and celebrating the existing vegetation while creating a luxurious and sustainable living environment. The structure is positioned to maximize natural light and ve... More

Nestled amidst the natural contours of its landscape, ‘Aanandham’ exudes an aura of tranquilly and joy, where every corner whispers grandeur and comfort. Located near Greenfield Stadium,Kazhakootam,the emerging extension of the capital city of Kerala, has a unique elevation, rising from the steep road below .Situated on a wide plot, the welcoming façade with lush greenery intertwined with the stone façade offers a haven of unbounded delight! OUT OF FOCUS OUT OF FOCUS OUT OF FOCUS OUT OF FOCUS Created for a politician-businessman and his family of four children, this 4700 sq.ft residence spanning two floors has 4 bedrooms, 2 living rooms, one large dining area, kitchen, study room, gym and a bar... More

Client: JIJO JOSE & FAMILY Plot area: 16 cents Built Up Area: 3000 sq.ft. Architects: City Futures Design Collaborative,  Structural Consultants: Triangle Studio Photography: Iksha Studio Ar. Althaf, IKSHA STUDIO The ‘LEVEL ONE’ house is a four bedroom residential home located in Kollam, Kerala. The plot is just 500m away from the coast along the busy Priyadarshini Road with a strong monsoon influenced climate. The home is designed for a business couple and their three teenage daughters. Embracing the monsoon rain was a primary concern of the client. The couple also wanted the main living spaces spread across in one single level yet without losing connection between the rooms.  Ar. Althaf, IKSHA STUDI... More

Building a large house on a sea-facing hillside in Mumbai is both exciting and daunting. On one hand, the prospect of a panoramic ocean view is thrilling. On the other hand, it undoubtedly adds to the growing clutter of self-important villas in these, which not so long ago were uninhabited, natural, landscapes. Randhir Singh Ashish Sahi Rather than fighting its presence, however, the plantation retreat in Alibag emphasizes on the profile of the built from. It is not much unlike the Portuguese chapels scattered around the rolling hills of nearby coastal Goa. These chapels in their pure white brilliance do not shy away from their existence with their characteristic axial orientation and dominant silhouette. Similarly, this retreat... More

The challenge in designing a residential house which is located at the corner of the cluster's main road, with land area of 240m2, is that the effective area of ​​land could be built will be smaller, because it relates to local building regulations (Building Lines or in Indonesia it's usually called as Garis Sempadan Bangunan / GSB) on both sides of the land (front and left side). fourwallsgraphy However, the advantage is in that situation, the building has 2 sides of the building's facade which can be exposed by the architect to make it more attractive in terms of aesthetics.  Besides, the opportunity for having natural air circulation and sunlight is even better, although it must be circumvented so that it can provide more bene... More