With just months remaining before the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, construction of the Milan Olympic Village wraps up in the city’s former Porta Romana railway yard. The project, designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) and delivered under the general and architectural supervision of Progetto CMR, marks Italy’s first use of the ‘partnering’ contract model for a major public development. This collaborative, efficiency-driven approach allowed the 50,000 square-meter complex to be completed ahead of schedule, with official handover to COIMA real estate taking place in July 2025. During the Games, the site will host 1,300 athletes; after the closing ceremony, it will be transformed into Italy’s largest publicly supported student housing community, offering 1,700 beds, shared services, and green spaces (find designboom’s previous coverage here).

UPDATE September 30th, 2025: COIMA officially delivers the Olympic Village at Porta Romana to Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026, marking a major milestone ahead of the Winter Games. From October 1st, 2025, the complex will serve as the athletes’ residence before being converted in just four months into Italy’s largest publicly supported student housing community.

At the same time, reservations are now open for the 1,700 student beds available from the 2026/27 academic year. The project will meet around 6% of Milan’s student housing demand, with 450 units offered at subsidized rates.

COIMA officially delivers the Olympic Village to Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026 | image by Donato Di Bello

A fast-track conversion for a post-Olympic legacy

As of February 2025, all six residential buildings that make up the Olympic Village have been structurally completed, alongside the restoration of two historic railway buildings: the Squadra Rialzo and the Basilico warehouse, named after photographer Gabriele Basilico. Designed by the international architecture firm SOM with conversion in mind from the outset, the village will be handed over to Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026 six months ahead of the Games and returned immediately afterward for transformation into student housing – a record-setting turnaround for an Olympic facility.

The future student village will offer 1,700 beds, with 30% at subsidized rates. Thanks to support from COIMA’s ESG City Impact Fund and the Fondo Nazionale Abitare Sociale (FNAS), 450 of these units will be available at an average of €430/month, roughly 25% below market. The development has already been pre-qualified by the Italian Ministry of Universities as eligible for public funding under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), potentially reducing rents even further for up to 12 years.

the complex will serve as the athletes’ residence | image by Donato Di Bello

A climate-conscious village for future generations

The Olympic Village is one of Italy’s most sustainable residential developments to date. Certified LEED Gold, the buildings achieve zero operational emissions thanks to advanced energy systems consisting of no fossil fuels, high-efficiency heat pumps, LED lighting, and a rooftop photovoltaic array producing 1 MW of power. Prefabricated timber facade panels reduce both construction time and environmental impact. Public green areas, designed by Desvigne, are fully integrated into the neighborhood network, promoting walkability and ecological continuity.

The internal programming, including fitness facilities, coworking areas, dining, and healthcare, will be converted into community-serving spaces after the Games. This approach ensures the Olympic legacy contributes directly to long-term social infrastructure.

reservations are now open for the 1,700 student beds | image by Donato Di Bello

Public and private alignment

Located between Via Ripamonti and Corso Lodi, in the Fondazione Prada district, the disused Porta Romana scalo was once a vast infrastructural void dividing Milan’s southern sector. The site is currently undergoing one of the most ambitious regeneration initiatives in Europe, coordinated by COIMA SGR and its institutional partners through the Porta Romana Fund. The wider redevelopment began in 2005 as part of the Scali Milano initiative, which sought to convert over one million square meters of obsolete railway land into new urban centralities. The Olympic Village, a key anchor within the masterplan by Outcomist and Michel Desvigne, marks a milestone in this decades-long process.

The project is supported by a wide consortium of institutional stakeholders, including Cassa Forense, ENPAM, Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo, Intesa Sanpaolo, and CDP Real Asset SGR. The residential component of the Porta Romana site will also include 320 affordable housing units, covering the housing needs of over 2,500 residents and aligning with Milan’s municipal housing strategies and Confindustria’s national sustainable housing program.

As Italy eyes its post-pandemic urban future, the Olympic Village at Porta Romana stands as an example of infrastructure designed to serve beyond spectacle. 

the project will meet around 6% of Milan’s student housing demand | image by Donato Di Bello

Italy’s first use of the ‘partnering’ contract model for a major public development | image by UDB Studio

8th March 2025, The Basilico building | image by Donato di Bello

during the Games, the site will host 1,300 athletes | image by UDB Studio

construction of the Milan Olympic Village wraps up | image by UDB Studio

5th February 2025, corner of the construction site between Ripamonti and Lorenzini Streets | image by Donato di Bello

8th March 2025, the West courtyard and building A | image by Donato di Bello

8th March 2025, the South facade of the A building and the mezzanine | image by Donato di Bello

8th March 2025, the South facade of the D building | image by Donato di Bello

8th March 2025, Olympic Village, the east facade of the construction site | image by Donato di Bello

8th March 2025, the ex-Squadra Rialzo Building, train maintenance depot | image by Donato di Bello 

project info:

name: Olympic Village Milano-Cortina 2026

architect: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) | @skidmoreowingsmerrill

location: Porta Romana, Milan, Italy (more info here)

site area: 46,620 square meters

building gross area: 53,380 square meters

masterplan: Outcomist

developers: COIMA SGR, Covivio, Prada Holding

project partners: COIMA ESG City Impact Fund, CDP Real Asset SGR, Fondo Nazionale Abitare Sociale

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ABC Flats stands in the dense Cilandak neighborhood of South Jakarta, Indonesia as a compact co-housing development by Isso Architects. Built on a 175 square-meter (1,884 square-foot) site, the three-story concrete structure encompasses a total area of 423 square meters and accommodates eleven ensuite rooms arranged across three distinct room types. A rooftop pantry and communal terrace extend the shared living concept upward, offering residents a modest yet inviting outdoor space.

images © Ernest Theofilus

isso architects’ stack of concrete cylinders

From the street, the Isso Architects-designed ABC Flats building distinguishes itself through an interplay of soft curves and heavy geometries. The design team uses cylindrical forms as repeating elements, creating a rhythm that softens the presence of raw concrete while lending a sense of movement to the facade. This subtle fluidity contrasts with the more conventional neighboring houses and establishes ABC Flats as both a visual landmark and a considered response to its tight urban plot.

Entry to the building unfolds across a wooden floor beneath a triple-height staircase. Above, a skylight introduces natural light that shifts throughout the day, casting patterns along the stairwell walls. A reflective pond at the base amplifies these effects, bringing air and water into dialogue and giving residents and visitors a tranquil moment within the dense surroundings.

ABC Flats brings co-housing to South Jakarta, Indonesia

inside the ABC flats

Inside, the layout follows three longitudinal bands — stairs, aisles, and rooms — arranged with clarity and efficiency. Mechanical and electrical systems are consolidated within a central shaft, simplifying maintenance and preserving a sense of openness. Curved interior walls and partially detached railing sections echo the fluid facade, allowing light and movement to animate the compact circulation spaces.

The interiors balance the texture of exposed concrete with clean lines, wood finishes, and a restrained color palette. These choices enhance a feeling of warmth and stability while encouraging residents to inhabit shared areas. The rooftop pantry and communal terrace continue this theme, offering a quiet gathering point above the lively streets of South Jakarta.

cylindrical elements give the facade a soft, rhythmic character

a communal kitchen pantry is designed to bring residents together

wood finishes and a neutral palette balance the raw concrete

eleven ensuite rooms are arranged across three distinct room types

compact spaces are animated by curved interior walls

a rooftop terrace creates a communal gathering space

project info:

name: ABC Flats

architect: Isso Architects | @issoarchitects

location: Indonesia

area: 423 square meters (4,550 square feet)
year: 2025

photography: © Ernest Theofilus | @ernesttheofilus

lead architects: Wibisono Soegih, Stephanie Tatimu
lead team: Arini Zairina Putri
design team: Rangga Cakra Birawa
general contractor: PT. HAGE Primadi Konstruksi
interior contractor: Silla Home

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In the heart of the Aegean, on the island of Leros, Greece, The Monk by a+ architects emerges as a sanctuary that redefines the meaning of hospitality through architectural simplicity and an atmosphere of serenity. The residence, carefully revived with respect for local tradition, blends elements of island modernism with clean, minimalist lines.

The interiors follow a restrained aesthetic, where white light, natural textures, and linen fabrics highlight the essence of the place: authenticity, calmness, and timelessness. The choice of materials, stone, wood, linen, and handcrafted objects, serves as a bridge between the island’s environment and a universal language of contemporary design. The space conveys a sense of ‘monastic’ simplicity, translated into a form of luxury that is rooted in experience rather than display.

all images by Vice Versa Photography

The Monk Blends Island Tradition with Contemporary Design

The architecture of The Monk is not just a shelter; it is a narrative. A story of light shifting through the day, of tactile sensations unfolding in linen, of silence embracing the guest. A house that reflects the dialogue between the island’s history and today’s quest for depth and essence. The design team at a+ architects considers The Monk as not a hotel, but a living organism of hospitality, an experience shaped by space and detail, ultimately leaving guests with the feeling of having stayed in a house with a soul.

a distinct bright blue color defines the exterior

The Monk by a+ architects stands on the island of Leros

island modernism is blended with minimalist lines

respectful revival of local tradition

white light enhances natural textures

linen fabrics emphasize authenticity and timelessness

stone, wood, and linen connect design to landscape

handcrafted objects anchor the space in tradition

monastic simplicity redefined as experiential luxury

a dialogue between island history and contemporary design

a house with the essence of soul and memory

project info:

name: The Monk Leros
architects: a+ architects | @alta_plus_architects

lead architect: Ioannis Zacharakis

location: Leros, Greece

photographer: Vice Versa Photography | @viceversa.gr

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Located on the outskirts of the traditional village of Oia in Santorini, Greece, this residence by Kapsimalis Architects overlooks the surrounding vineyards and the Aegean Sea. The site is accessed via a narrow pedestrian path connecting the village’s main street on the caldera ridge to the cultivated hillside below.

The design responds to both the settlement and the rural landscape. A slim rectangular plot with an existing stone berm informed the composition, which combines subterranean spaces with freestanding volumes. White plaster prisms of varying dimensions are arranged across the ground and upper levels, referencing the island’s cubistic architectural tradition. These structures contain the private and semi-private areas of the house, while the voids between them form shared spaces linked to outdoor courtyards. Patios and skylights enhance natural light and create continuity across horizontal and vertical planes.

all images by Giorgos Sfakianakis

Kapsimalis Architects Draws from Santorini’s cave typology

For the lower level, the design team at Kapsimalis Architects adopts the typology of Santorini’s cave dwellings. Subterranean rooms are positioned side by side, extending inward and opening only through the existing stone wall. This floor accommodates a sitting area, office, wine cellar with bar, gym with sauna and bathroom, and two guest suites.

On the ground floor, spaces include an entrance hall, dining and living areas, kitchen, bedroom with en-suite bathroom, guest WC, library corner, and an internal stair. This level connects to multiple outdoor zones: a courtyard with water surface and floating dining table to the north, a protected patio with barbecue to the west, a smaller lounge with fireplace to the east, and a private yard with plunge pool further north. The upper floor houses two bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and private terraces. Outdoor areas continue across the site with Mediterranean planting, herbs, and vines, framing the residential complex. A larger swimming pool and lounge areas are integrated into the main yard.

the residence sits on the outskirts of the traditional village of Oia in Santorini

House in Oia is defined by Light tones and clean lines

Materials emphasize continuity with local building traditions: volcanic stone from the site is reused for the facade and perimeter walls, complemented by white plastered surfaces, white-painted timber for windows, iroko wood pergolas, and marble paving in beige and grey tones. Bioclimatic strategies were applied throughout. These include planted roofs, water features, thick masonry walls, high-performance insulation, and strategically placed openings based on orientation.

The interior reflects the architectural language of the exterior. Light tones, clean lines, and built-in furniture define the ground and upper levels, while the subterranean spaces adopt curvilinear geometries with darker, earthy colors. Materials such as natural stone, wood, and metal-glass elements are used consistently across levels, establishing cohesion while allowing subtle contrasts between spaces.

House in Oia by Kapsimalis Architects overlooks vineyards and the Aegean Sea

the ground floor contains living spaces arranged around courtyards

subterranean rooms reference Santorini’s cave dwelling typology

skylights and patios enhance natural light throughout the house

a plunge pool is positioned within a private enclosed patio

white plaster prisms reinterpret Santorini’s cubistic architecture

freestanding volumes and voids define private and shared spaces

a narrow pedestrian path links the site to the village above the caldera

project info:

name: House in Oia

architect: Kapsimalis Architects | @kapsimalisarchitects

location: Oia, Santorini, Greece

photographer: Giorgos Sfakianakis | @g_sfakianakis

photography stylist: Katia Maria Sarantidou

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

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Located in Dongnan Village near Shaxi Old Town in Dali, Yunnan, China, No. 8 House is a residential project by Xian Architects. The design engages with the region’s historic context, where traditional Bai settlements and community rituals continue to shape everyday life. The house references the Kuige Stage in nearby Sideng Street, a historic wooden structure with expansive eaves that define its spatial character. Drawing from this precedent, the architects introduced curving eaves on the residence’s terraces, corridors, and rooftop parapets. These elements provide shade in Dali’s sunlit basin while establishing a visual dialogue with the local architectural heritage.

The spatial organization is centered on a series of courtyards and sky-well volumes. Two vertical towers, a Sundial Tower and a Book Tower, anchor the composition, functioning as contemporary interpretations of traditional sky-wells that bring natural light, wind, and rain into the interior. These voids, combined with the house’s upturned eaves and open courtyards, create a dynamic interplay of shadow, air, and weather, integrating the rhythms of the environment into daily living.

all images by Liu Guowei, Xia Zhi

Open courtyards invite wind, rain, and shadow into daily routine

The ground-level courtyard connects the main living spaces, which include a living room, dining area, yoga and meditation room, master suite, and six guest rooms. The rear garden accommodates functional and recreational spaces such as storage, a wine cellar, a drying area, a woodworking workshop, and an outdoor campsite. Xian Architects’ team follows material and formal strategies that emphasize continuity between interior and exterior. The layout frames transitional conditions between open and enclosed zones, supporting both collective and individual activities. The design focuses on orchestrating relationships between time, space, and atmosphere, where architecture acts as a medium to engage with the surrounding landscape and climate.

Through its combination of sky-wells, courtyards, and shading elements, No. 8 House explores how architecture can mediate between traditional typologies and contemporary living requirements. The project reflects a design approach rooted in everyday life while situating the residence within a broader cultural and environmental continuum.

No. 8 House by Xian Architects stands in Dongnan Village near Shaxi Old Town

the residence engages with the historic traditions of Bai settlements

curved eaves reference the Kuige Stage in nearby Sideng Street

courtyards and sky-well volumes structure the organization of the house

expansive overhangs provide shade in Dali’s bright, highland basin

the Sundial Tower acts as a vertical sky-well for light and air

a Book Tower introduces natural elements into the interior spaces

natural light and ventilation shape the atmosphere of the interiors

design strategies mediate between tradition and contemporary living

No. 8 House reflects everyday life within a cultural and environmental continuum

project info:

name: No. 8 House in Dongnan Village
architect: Xian Architects | @xian.architects

location: Shaxi, Dali, Yunnan, China

land area: 990 sqm

gross built area: 733 sqm

lead architects: Wang Yanshi, Bai He

design team: Dong Zhiyuan, Liu Yifeng, Zhou Mengzheng

engineering: Gao Xuemei

structural designer: Li Ping

photographers: Liu Guowei, Xia Zhi

video: Liu Guowei

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

The post curving eaves top chinese residence’s courtyards and sky-well volumes by xian architects appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Beijing-based B.L.U.E. Architecture Studio takes to the historic Guangling district of Yangzhou, China to design this Jiangnan House hotel. The renovation project brings contemporary hospitality to a site that layers timber-frame architecture with twentieth-century brick-concrete structures. What was once a cinema is now a modern retreat that humbly preserves Yangzhou’s cultural heritage.

The renovation forms part of the first phase of the Guangling Ancient City urban renewal program. Architecture and Engineering Co., Ltd. of Southeast University oversaw the overall planning, while B.L.U.E. Architecture Studio was responsible for key interior renovations, two new buildings, and facade updates.

The design team worked alongside local groups including Yangjian Group and Yangzhou Yijiangxuan Garden and Ancient Architecture Construction Co., Ltd., creating a collaborative platform that celebrates the neighborhood’s historic urban fabric.

images © XIA ZHI Pictures

a sensitive renovation by b.l.u.e. architecture studio

B.L.U.E. Architecture Studio sites the lobby of its Jiangnan House within the former auditorium of the former cinema. The building’s original timber roof structure has been preserved by the design team to maintain the lofty interiors. A new screen nods to the building’s cinematic past, while a central tree pond and corridor recall the courtyards of traditional Yangzhou gardens.

Aged elm wood, natural stone flooring, and sawtooth wood veneer establish a tactile palette, complemented by terrazzo and vintage metal fittings inspired by historic cinemas. Local artists contributed woodcarving prints of classic film scenes, reinforcing the connection to the site’s earlier life.

Jiangnan House stands within the historic fabric of Yangzhou’s Guangling district

inside the new jiangnan house

The Jiangnan House offers forty guest rooms, many set within the preserved courtyard layout of the B.L.U.E. Architecture Studio-renovated heritage buildings. These rooms occupy two newly constructed volumes, whose design draws on the forms of pavilions and terraces found in classical Yangzhou gardens, using flowing corridors and layered roofs to create a sense of movement and varied perspective.

Recycled bricks, bamboo-molded concrete, and hand-carved stone tiles pair contemporary techniques with the textures of the old courtyard walls and the small green tiles typical of local architecture.

While the original timber structures and facades remain intact, each unit is fit with air-conditioning, heating, and ensuite baths. Natural materials like wood, stone, handmade bricks, and textured plaster lend a quiet authenticity. Details like hand-hewn wood panels, distressed copper surfaces, and woodblock prints reference Yangzhou’s craft traditions, while vertical greenery along the corridors softens the facades and enriches the guest experience.

B.L.U.E. Architecture Studio leads the interior renovation and design of two new buildings

a central tree pond and garden evoke the spirit of traditional Yangzhou courtyards

vertical greenery and subtle facade updates lend a calm atmosphere for guests

the former Subei Cinema lobby retains its timber roof structure and high ceilings

natural materials like aged elm wood and stone flooring create a tactile interior

forty guest rooms with local craft details occupy preserved timber structures

project info:

name: Jiangnan House Yangzhou Guangling

architect: B.L.U.E. Architecture Studio | @blue_architecturestudio

location: Guangling, Yangzhou, China

gross area: 4,250 square meters

completion: April 2025

photography: © XIA ZHI Pictures | @xiazhi_pictures

urban renewal: Architecture and Engineering Co., Ltd. of Southeast University

interior design: B.L.U.E. Architecture Studio

landscape design: Youxiang Lab

cinema exhibition design: Zhudaoruwen Studio

client: Guangling Culture&Tourism Group

brand operation: Vanke Hotels & Resorts

construction: Yangjian Group; Yangzhou Yijiangxuan Garden Ancient Architecture Construction Co., Ltd. (Renovation of Cultural Heritage Buildings)

B.L.U.E. Architecture Studio team: Shuhei Aoyama, Yoko Fujii, Lingzi Liu, Suyun Li, Ziwei Zhou, Jingyuan Li, Xinrui Zhao, Jiahui Wang, Jingyu Yan

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Founded in 2024 in Guidel, Brittany, France, the company Tiny Binocles designs and manufactures compact mobile homes characterized by their distinctive round windows and use of bio-based construction methods. The structures combine practical living spaces with sustainable materials, reflecting a design approach rooted in carpentry craftsmanship and ecological responsibility.

The twin circular windows, a defining element of the Binocles series, provide daylight, natural ventilation, and framed views of the surrounding environment. This feature not only establishes the houses’ recognizable identity but also enhances their environmental performance. Founder Ambroise Humeau, trained with the Compagnons du Tour de France and in Switzerland, applies techniques influenced by boatbuilding, emphasizing compactness, efficiency, and durability while incorporating natural finishes.

all images courtesy of Tiny Binocles

the design emphasizes compactness, efficiency, and durability

The Binocles collection consists of six variations. Grand-Duc (22.18 sqm) spans two mezzanines, accommodating four to six occupants. Lapone (17.39 sqm) is a single-level model designed for step-free accessibility, while Chevêchette (12.94 sqm, 4.28 m length) offers a compact solution for two. Each unit is mounted on a 3.5 t trailer, keeping them legally towable under Europe’s standard B(E) license. Alongside the Binocles series, the company also produces the Classiques collection, which adopts more conventional aesthetics.

Sustainability principles are integrated into every design. Timber is sourced from responsibly managed regional forests, insulation is made from bio-based materials free from petrochemicals, and natural oils are used to protect wood surfaces, allowing them to age without synthetic coatings. Prototypes were presented at the 2025 Grande Expo du Morbihan in Vannes and the Foire Internationale de Bordeaux, where visitors could explore the first series of models. With its combination of modular design, ecological materials, and distinctive architectural identity, Tiny Binocles positions its houses as adaptable mobile dwellings suited to diverse contexts.

Tiny Binocles specializes in compact mobile houses

each design is defined by its distinctive round windows

the houses combine practical layouts with ecological materials

circular windows frame views of the landscape

bio-based construction methods are central to the approach

the design emphasizes compactness, efficiency, and durability

timber is sourced from responsibly managed local forests

the round openings also provide daylight and natural ventilation

natural oils protect wooden surfaces without synthetic coatings

project info:

name: Tiny Binocles | @tinybinocles
designer: Ambroise Humeau

location: Guidel, Brittany, France

models (Binocles): Grand-Duc, Lapone, Chevêche, Noctua, Hulotte, Chevêchette

models (Classiques): Masquée, Oural, Épervière, Pagodes, Petite-pagodes

dimensions & areas: 12,94 sqm–22.18 sqm

materials: timber frame, bio-sourced insulation, natural finishes, locally sourced woods

mobility: 3.5 t trailers; permit B(E) category

status: in production, showcased Vannes 2025 & Bordeaux 2025

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Habitação CL, or CL House, is a private residence in Portugal designed by Artequitectos. Conceived as an interpretation of its sloping site, the house engages topography, material, and the act of inhabiting with intentional restraint.

The project begins with the extension of an existing retaining wall along the western edge of the plot. This structural element defines the building’s elevation and establishes a raised platform where the home rests, aligning with the surrounding urban fabric. The placement allows the program to remain primarily at garden level and preserves the two-story profile that characterizes neighboring structures.

images © Ivo Tavares Studio

interiors open inward to a private patio

Turning inward, the CL House is organized by Artequitectos around a sheltered central garden. A northern retaining wall reinforces the sense of enclosure and stabilizes the terrain to create a private and contemplative patio that the architects design to shape the interior experience.

Programmatically, the house follows a clear hierarchy. The lower floor, partially embedded into the slope, accommodates service and support areas. Above, the main living spaces maintain a continuous relationship with the garden, with social areas opening directly to the outdoors. This layout lends an interior atmosphere that is breezy, sunlit, and private from neighbors.

CL House rests on a raised platform shaped by a western retaining wall

artequitectos’ palette of travertine and stacking stone

With the design of its CL House, the team at Artequitectos curates an expressive material palette. The lower level is enclosed by textural gabion walls, or caged partitions filled with stone. Interiors of exposed concrete provide structural clarity and a sense of permanence. Thermally modified wood introduces texture and warmth, balancing the coolness of concrete, while travertine accents add subtle elegance and durability.

Through these elements, Artequitectos achieves a measured synthesis of structure and atmosphere. The materials age gracefully, reinforcing the project’s intent to integrate architecture with the passage of time. More than just a functional response, the residence encourages a peaceful daily atmosphere. The design reflects the client’s desire for a contemporary home that favors a strong connection to the outdoors.

a central garden defines the home’s inward-looking layout

social zones open directly to the outdoors for fluid interior-exterior connections

the lower floor is partially embedded into the slope for support spaces

main living areas maintain a continuous relationship with the garden

thermally modified wood introduces texture and warmth to the material palette

the upper-level facade is shaped by travertine planes

project info:

name: Habitação CL (CL House)

architect: Artequitectos | @artequitectos.oficial

location: Guimarães, Portugal

completion: 2024

photography: © Ivo Tavares Studio | @ivotavaresstudio

builder: Construpovoa
engineering: PN10 Engenharia
lighting design: Artequitectos, Eng. Miguel Nuno Ferreira Andrade
acoustic design: Ambiestudos
interior design: Alberto Sousa

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Casa Tao by HW Studio stands in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, as an architecture shaped by the coastal sun and shade. Rather than chase a postcard view, the concrete house faces a tree-lined courtyard, drawing in breezes and scents while filtering the intense Pacific sunlight. Its quiet stance responds to the climate as much as to the personal histories of its owners.

‘The project began with the silent memory of those who inhabit it,‘ the architects explain. Gustavo, who grew up in Puerto Vallarta, hoped for a house that promised coolness and retreat, recalling the modest home of his childhood where shade was essential. His wife, Cynthia, shared a fascination with Japanese design after a trip with their daughters.

The clients told the design team: ‘We’d like to feel as if we were living inside a Japanese museum,’ describing a place where time slows and silence is tangible. These experiences shaped every decision, giving Casa Tao a language of restraint and depth.

image © Hugo Tirso Domínguez

casa tao: a composition of simple geometries

HW Studio organized the plan of its Casa Tao as a composition of stacked forms. Bedrooms, garage, and service areas create a grounded base, while a light, double-height volume floats above with the social spaces. By lifting the living areas, the architects surrounded them with air and treetop views, capturing the ocean breeze without exposing the interiors to direct sunlight.

‘We wanted the presence of the plaza to be sensed without being overwhelmed by heat,’ the architects note. Instead of large panes of glass, angled openings frame glimpses of trees and sky, allowing the house to observe the neighborhood at a measured diagonal.

Inside, the bedrooms gather around a secluded patio where a curved wall and a single tree create a soft threshold. This arrangement encourages movement that is slow and deliberate. ‘Shade here is an emotional condition,’ the team continues, ‘a promise of calm and silent protection.’ The house turns inward yet remains permeable as breezes carry the fragrance of the sea through subtle apertures, and shafts of daylight slip across the walls.

image © Hugo Tirso Domínguez

hw studio takes cues from japanese design logic

Concrete forms Casa Tao’s structural core, chosen by HW Studio for its durability and tactile depth. Exposed surfaces absorb the coastal sun with a muted glow, while white finishes heighten the gentle contrast between shadow and light.

‘We wanted the material to settle light, not bounce it,’ HW Studio explains. Over time, the concrete will warm and soften to become a surface that records use and weather rather than resisting them. The combination of solid mass and delicate illumination gives the house a meditative stillness.

The architects hope to invited lingering throughout the home. Elevated patios become terraces for contemplation, where the scent of flowers mixes with the sound of leaves in the wind. Each space is an atmosphere for quiet observation. The team seeks to echo the reflections of 20th century Japanese author, Junichirō Tanizaki in his essay, In Praise of Shadows, where subtle light reveals depth and texture. HW Studio captures that spirit, allowing light and shade to guide the senses and slow the day. In this way, dwelling becomes a study in presence.

image © Hugo Tirso Domínguez

image © César Belio

image © César Belio

image © Gustavo Quiroz

image © Hugo Tirso Domínguez

image © César Belio

project info:

name: Casa Tao

architect: HW Studio | @hwstudioarq

location: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

completion: 2025

photography: © Gustavo Quiroz, © Hugo Tirso Domínguez, © César Belio
video: Mavix (Hugo Tirso Domínguez)

lead architect: Rogelio Vallejo Bores
architects: Oscar Didier Ascencio Castro, Nik Zaret Cervantes Ordaz
team: Juan Pablo Camacho Ayala
structural engineering: ARGA Constructora
construction: COMAQSO

The post casa tao: HW studio frames calm courtyards through minimalist concrete interiors appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

In Batuan, south of Ubud, RF Studio completes a residence for Yayasan Bali Purnati, a foundation dedicated to the performing arts in Bali. The project expands the foundation’s grounds with three villas and nine guest rooms designed to host artists-in-residence and support public programming. The architects conceive the form as an extension that integrates into the landscape with minimal intervention, merging with rice fields, native vegetation, and the rhythms of daily life on the island.

The design draws inspiration from the existing features of the site, including trees, volcanic stone, bamboo, salvaged wood, and terracotta, and weaves around the site’s contours to create a series of interconnected living spaces.

all images by Tommaso Riva

local artisans collaborate with the architects for the interiors

The collaboration between the lead designer of RF Studio’s team and artist Rafael Freyre and Yayasan Bali Purnati began in 2002, when the Peruvian architect first arrived on the island with drawings in hand, accompanied by the late theater director Robert Wilson after a summer at the Watermill Center in New York. 

The residence complements the foundation’s amphitheater and stage, framing architecture as part of a living system. Interiors were realized in close collaboration with local artisans, with all furniture and fixtures crafted specifically for the site. ‘It’s not about building something new. It’s about uncovering what is already here. The spirit of the place is older than us. The architecture just listens and reacts,’ Freyre notes.

in Batuan, south of Ubud, RF Studio completes a residence for Yayasan Bali Purnati

the project is designed to host Yayasan Bali Purnati artists

Yayasan Bali Purnati is a platform where Balinese traditions intersect with contemporary experimentation, founded in 2000 by dancer Restu Imasari, writer Leonard Lueras, journalist and cultural organizer Justin B. Smith, Willem Eisenbeis, and Christopher Frank. Since its inception, it has welcomed artists across performance, dance, music, design, and visual arts, maintaining a strong connection to the local cultural fabric. Its artist-in-residence program, established in 2005, invites practitioners to spend extended time on the compound developing projects and often culminates in free public presentations.

With the new residence, the foundation strengthens its capacity to host international artists and offers an alternative to the rapid overdevelopment of the island. Daily acts like resting, bathing, watching the moon, and tending to gardens become part of a broader performative experience. ‘Rafael has created an architectural artwork in the heart of Bali’s leading international arts foundation, renewing a tradition that started 26 years ago in the rice fields south of Ubud,’ co-founder Justin B. Smith reflects.  

the foundation is dedicated to the performing arts in Bali

expanding the foundation’s grounds with three villas and nine guest rooms

designed to host artists-in-residence and support public programming

an extension that integrates into the landscape

the design draws inspiration from the existing features of the site

trees, volcanic stone, bamboo, salvaged wood, and terracotta shape the project

a series of interconnected living spaces

the buildings weave around the site’s contours

stage area of the Yayasan Bali Purnati

framing architecture as part of a living system

the residence complements the foundation’s amphitheater and stage

since its inception, Yayasan Bali Purnati has welcomed artists across performance, dance, music, design, and visual arts

inviting practitioners to spend extended time on the compound

project info:

name: Nine-room residence for Yayasan Bali Purnati

architect: RF Studio | @rfstudioperu

location: Batuan, Bali, Indonesia

lead architect: Rafael Freyre

client: Yayasan Bali Purnati (The Bali Purnati Center for the Arts) | @balipurnati

photographer: Tommaso Riva | @tommasorivaphotography

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