The strangest homes around the world that embrace nature

How far would you go to get close to nature?

From boulders to cliff edges, these weird and wacky homes prove that when it comes to natural living, anything is possible. So, if you’re tired of run-of-the-mill cookie cutter homes and want some inspiration, take a look at these properties that said “no” to the norm and “yes” to nature.

Boulder Home, Portugal

The owners of this home live under a rock … literally. This incredible cottage in Monsanto, Portugal is one of many homes in the historical town that have embraced their rocky surroundings. The upside of living here is you wouldn’t need to worry about your roof leaking. And once you overcome the fear of being crushed in your sleep, it’s actually quite cosy.

Casa Do Penedo, Portugal

Unlike most homes, builders started constructing the Casa Do Penedo roof first. The boulder-sandwich house is located in the north of Portugal and has attracted widespread attention from nature lovers and architectural experts who want to study the unique property. Built in 1974, Casa Do Penedo has truly become one of the strangest homes on the planet.

Villa Vals, Switzerland

Burrowed in the Swiss village of Vals, this architectural wonder bypassed strict historical regulations permitting only stone roofs allowed in the area. The luxurious dugout is rented out as a holiday home and can fit up to 10 people. There is a fence around the outer edges of the property to stop unwanted objects from falling into the front area of the home.

Casa Vogue, Brazil

The owner of this Brazilian property loved this tree so much she wasn’t willing to part with it for the sake of her dream home. Instead, architect Alessandro Sartore designed a three-metre opening in the floor and ceiling to incorporate the tree, later named Bethany by the owner. Not only does the home embrace nature, it brings it a unique focal point to the entire property.

The Cliff House, Australia

We all have different house preferences. Some like open-plan living while others like compact or cosy abodes … and then some like to be suspended over the ocean in a glass container. Actually, this luxury property located in Victoria, the Cliff House, boasts five storeys each with spectacular panoramic ocean views. The designers intended the home to appear as a natural extension of the cliff face, thus blending with its natural surroundings. Even with this level of luxury, it might be hard convincing a lot of people to step foot inside it.

Glass Dome House, California, US

This quaint little dome hut built into the iconic Big Sur Californian coastline was the home base for innovative designer Mickey Muenning while he worked on his main house project in 1975. However, he loved the eco-friendly dome so much he remained in the property for a further 18 years. Mr Muenning developed a name for himself creating a series of ecological architecture homes in Big Sur.

Fallingwater, Pennsylvania, US

This unique property built partly over a flowing waterfall is any nature lover’s dream.  It was designed in 1935 by Frank Lloyd Wright, who was praised by architects from all across the world. The waterfall home was used a weekend getaway home by the Kaufmann family between 1937 to 1963 after which it was donated to local conservation.

Kumbuk Treehouse, Sri Lanka

This back-to-basics treehouse is perched up on trees overlooking a river. The house is made of almost 100 per cent wood, besides some bathroom fittings. Travellers can stay here as it’s used as a guesthouse – just watch out for the monkeys.

The Organic House, Mexico

Hidden away in Mexico is a luxury home that looks like it belongs in The Lord of the Rings. Organic designer specialist Javier Senosiain created the home so it would be almost invisible to the outside world because of how it blended into the surrounding scenery. The underground smooth sculpted interior gives the appearance of being inside rabbit warren, albeit an extremely cool one.

Cliff Haven, Utah, US

This red rock property is quite literally hidden away in remote Utah. Built in the heart of America’s wild west, the abode is truly an escape from the modern world. Cliff Haven was built in 1986 and was inspired by the land’s indigenous ancestors. The property is almost 100 per cent self-sufficient and the cliff walls provide much needed shade during hot summer months.