From Germany to the Bahamas, rural dwellings designed to embrace their natural surroundings make up Dezeen's top five houses of the month for April 2023.
The list of five projects includes an inconspicuous Canadian residence modelled on agricultural buildings and a luxury holiday home that blends into a mountainside in Greece.
This roundup is the latest in our Houses of the month series, which collects five of the most popular residences featured on Dezeen every month, from all around the world.
Read on to find out more about Dezeen readers' favourite houses of April 2023:
Wooden House by the Lake, Germany, by Appels Architekten
Black-stained spruce cloaks this geometric house in southeast Germany, designed by Zurich studio Appels Architekten for a forested site near a lake.
Its exterior contrasts with the bright interior, which is illuminated by large windows and lined with a cross-laminated timber structure that has been painted white.
Find out more about Wooden House by the Lake ›
Devil's Glen, Canada, by StudioAC
Agricultural buildings that dot the rural landscapes of the Bruce Peninsula informed the design of this Canadian house.
It is covered in sheets of corrugated metal chosen for its robustness but also to reflect "the hues of the landscape throughout the day".
Find out more about Devil's Glen ›
Casa Dosmurs, Spain, by Mesura
Spanish studio Mesura deliberately opted for common structural materials such as brick and concrete at Casa Dosmurs and left them exposed for an "​​honest" aesthetic.
The dwelling's form, which steps down a sloped site in Catalonia, opens up to the sea on one side through giant windows that line a double-height living area.
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This holiday home uses earthy tones and natural textures to blend in with its surroundings on a coastal mountainside in Crete.
"The mountain and the sea are such strong elements of this place," said Block722 creative director Katja Margaritoglou. "They are very dominating and you understand that you have to respect them and intervene in a humble way."
Find out more about O Lofos ›
Beach House, Bahamas, by Brillhart Architecture, Garth Sawyer and Darren Sawyer
Overlooking Pink Sands Beach, this island home marries vernacular references with elements of tropical modernism.
It is composed of six different pavilions that are linked by external walkways and bridges to provide views of the ocean, providing an experience of "living both inside and out at all times".
Find out more about Beach House ›