Designed by the architecture firm Flow 81, Villa Las Nubes pushes the boundaries of architectural design, seamlessly blending respect for nature with structural innovation. Suspended a remarkable 11 meters above ground and perfectly integrated into the surrounding forest, the villa not only coexists with the trees but allows them to grow freely through the structure itself.
The project was born from the need to enhance the natural landscape without compromising its integrity. The site, home to 133 pine trees and other native species, presented unique challenges, including a 26% slope and an unfavorable orientation. The key challenge? Building without damaging the existing ecosystem.
The architectural solution was clear: elevate the structure. This gave rise to the concept of “flight”: a platform suspended on large cantilevered columns, supporting an aerial terrace that preserves the tree roots and allows the foliage to grow through the building. The bamboo decking of the terrace is carefully perforated to accommodate the tree branches, transforming the outdoor space into a suspended garden that requires no maintenance.
The villa’s elevation serves not only as a symbolic gesture of respect for nature but also as a functional advantage. Positioned at the highest point of the site, the house now enjoys sea views—previously inaccessible from ground level—while maintaining strong privacy from the access road.
At ground level, the absence of fences or artificial barriers allows the natural vegetation to act as a green screen, enabling the free passage of local wildlife and preserving the site’s ecological balance.
The dialogue between architecture and nature is further enhanced by large sliding glass walls that wrap around the villa, opening the interiors to the treetops. The continuity between the indoor and outdoor flooring visually dissolves the boundary between inside and outside, fully immersing residents in the surrounding forest.
Inside, nature quite literally enters the home: trees grow within the internal courtyards, and a striking waterfallwelcomes visitors at the entrance, creating a multisensory environment that merges natural elements with living spaces.
Despite its generous size, Villa Las Nubes maintains a human scale thanks to its open and barrier-free spatial organization. The seamless flow between rooms fosters social interaction and creates a sense of openness and continuity throughout the house.
The result is a virtuous example of how architecture can coexist with nature, rising—both figuratively and literally—without overpowering it. This project demonstrates how sustainability and design can go hand in hand, creating spaces that are innovative, functional, and deeply respectful of the environment.
CREDITS
Project: Villa Las Nubes
Studio: Flow 81
Year: 2022
Photo: Fernando Alda
