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Well-camouflaged buildings
These houses are barely visible. So they protect privacy from the outside. And on the inside, they offer luxurious comfort.
author: Karin Bornett
With some houses, it's worth taking a look behind the façade. If you can find them. Because from the outside, our masters of camouflage are inconspicuous. They hide underground, disguise themselves as rock faces or use reflections to deceive the eye – offering their residents maximum privacy. And they don't have to compromise on comfort either.
Mole hill
Villa Vals is hidden in the Swiss ground, like a mole hill. Architects Bjarne Mastenbroek and Christian Müller designed the luxurious 160 m2 holiday home. And because the regulations for protecting the traditional appearance of the village are so strict, they decided to simply build the villa underground. A tunnel leads from the old barn to the high-quality accommodation in a modern, cosy country house style, which can accommodate up to ten holidaymakers. A romantic view of the Swiss mountains from the private sun terrace is included.
Cave apartments
The Habitat Troglodita Almagruz is hidden in the rugged cliffs of Andalusia. From a distance, it is impossible to tell that there are six holiday apartments here. The only thing these accommodations have in common with the traditional cave dwellings of southern Spain is their façade. Equipped with hot water, a fireplace and a pool, the cave apartments of Almagruz offer a unique retreat for tourists.
Pit house
The Edgeland House by Bercy Chen Studios in Austin, Texas, takes the traditional construction method of North American pit houses and translates the concept into the modern age. The foundation is located in a pit about 2 metres deep. The building disappears into the landscape under its green roof and is probably one of the best-hidden properties in North America. With large glass facades facing the inner courtyard, an infinity pool and a well-thought-out interior, the pit house has been given a modern, luxurious makeover.
Mirror facade
Houses with mirror facades camouflage themselves through deception. They simply disappear behind the reflection of their surroundings. In the Viken district of southern Norway, tourists can experience the Nordre Øyeren nature reserve from the WonderINN Tinyhouse. The mirrored accommodation is discreetly understated. The large glass walls blur the boundaries between indoors and outdoors. Incidentally, the Austrian studio Delugan Meissl Associated Architects has built a similar but larger mirror house in Slovenia.
