A Mexican forest haven to a Florida dream home: 10 stunning buildings 'blended' with nature

Here are some of the world's best new buildings that are immersed in their wild surroundings.

The impulse to be immersed in nature at its most wild and untouched is a powerful one for many of us. It goes hand in hand with the human longing for tranquility, and the urge to escape the city and the modern world, along with pressing concerns about the environment.

And buildings that blend with their natural surroundings are increasingly sought after, according to the World Architecture Festival (WAF). Architects are allowing their imaginations to run free, and are exploring new, expressive ideas – from dwellings immersed in the jungle or with roofs open to the skies, to residences seemingly cradled, nest-like, among the trees.

The annual festival – taking place in Florida this year – is spotlighting many nature-inspired projects, as its shortlist demonstrates. "There's an increased interest in incorporating nature into buildings in terms of external landscape, and via balconies, terraces and rooftops," Paul Finch, WAF's founder, tells the BBC. "And there's an assumption that good buildings will be environmentally considered rather than this being exceptional."

Here are 10 projects from the shortlist, all deeply rooted in nature. 

Ayana resort in Sholayur, Coimbatore, India

This 40,000-sq ft resort occupies a sloped terrain, and one of its aims is to minimise its impact on the landscape. The complex, designed by Aslam Sham Architects, comprises closely grouped buildings, and fills a plot with a curving perimeter. Its buildings include villas, a restaurant and swimming pool, and their roofs support soil and indigenous vegetation. These help to camouflage the resort. The complex's orientation controls the degree of sunlight it's exposed to. The main, east-facing façade is bathed in gentle sunlight in the mornings, while the west-facing rear protects the complex from harsh sunlight and greatly cools its interior.

Terra House in Mallapuram, Kerala, India

The low-rise, horizontal form of this house by Atelier Design N Domain (ADND) complements the flat terrain of the surrounding, sprawling coconut grove. As its name suggests, it's grounded in the landscape ("terra" means land in Latin). The unobtrusive house is concealed by towering coconut trees but isn't cut off from the sky since its roof is punctured with openings, letting daylight flood in. Light and air further permeate the interior thanks to a series of interconnected courtyards. Materials typically used in construction in Kerala help link the house with its location. A locally quarried stone called laterite clads the exterior while other surfaces are rendered with terracotta, adding warmth.

The Mountain Fold – Nanshanli Community and Visitor Centre, near Mount Emei, China

This project by Lacime Architects nestles in the southern foothills of Mount Emei in the inland Sichuan province –a Unesco World Cultural and Natural Heritage site.........

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