But freed of the constraints posed by frigid temperatures, they also create a greater connection to the outside, whether overlooking Puerto Escondido’s wave-swept beaches or nestled in the bustling metropolis of Mexico City.

Here, concrete surfaces help to create a sense of seamlessness between indoor and outdoor spaces – often separated only by removable partitions – while unfinished natural materials, such as wood or stone, are brought into the interior.

Also, This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring homes with exposed services, primary-coloured living spaces, and houses with outdoor showers.

Casa Alférez, Cañada De Alferes, by Ludwig Godefroy

Tucked away in the forest outside Cañada De Alferes near Mexico City, this brutalist holiday home has a board-formed concrete shell.

Moreover, This is left on display throughout its entire interior, all the way down to the bedrooms (top image) and the double-height lounge (above).

To bring a sense of homeliness to its otherwise spartan living spaces, architect Ludwig Godefroy added warm wooden floors and lush pops of green – as seen across upholstery and lighting fixtures.

La Casa del Sapo, Playa Zapotengo, by Espacio 18 Arquitectura

The kitchen of this seafront home – set right on Oaxaca’s Zapotengo beach – can be merged with its neighboring patio using a wide wooden folding door.

All-around concrete helps to underline this fusion, while also serving a practical function in the form of a kitchen island and matching shelves.

The Hill in Front of the Glen, Morelia, by HW Studio

Reminiscent of the Hobbit houses in JRR Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, this sunken home is nestled into a hillside in the forests of Michoacán in central Mexico.

The building’s interiors are defined by its concrete vaulted ceilings, which can be seen in every room, while log benches and full-height glazing provide a visual link to the woodland outside.

Casa Mérida, Mérida, by Ludwig Godefroy

Mayan architecture and craftsmanship informed the design of this otherwise brutalist house in Yucatán state. It is considered the capital of the indigenous civilization.

The perimeter walls have joints covered in stone splinters that take cues from the design of Mayan pyramids and temples. Furthermore, These are left exposed on the interior alongside the concrete ceilings, creating a rich medley of architectural references.

Pachuca Apartments, Mexico City, by PPAA

Concrete slabs pave both the patio and living spaces in this Mexico City house to create a sense of continuity. Only separated by a full-height glass wall that can be completely pushed open.

Furthermore, On the interior, the rough concrete finishes are contrasted with details in American white oak. Among them a long dining table as well as a staircase with treads that slot into a huge bookshelf.

Casa UC, Morelia, by Daniela Bucio Sistos

Neutral colors and tactile materials are found throughout this home in the city of Morelia. Including raw concrete ceilings and floors finished in a honey-toned tropical timber called cabrilla.

Additionally, In the library, the same wood forms integrated shelves and a huge porthole window that opens/closes like a door.

Casa Aguacates, Valle de Bravo, by Francisco Pardo

Mexican architect Francisco Pardo repurposed the pinewood formwork used in the process of constructing this concrete house to form a series of partition walls throughout the home.

Moreover, the resulting interior layout is simple and fluid and centers on a kitchen, dining area, living room, and garden.

Zicatela, Puerto Escondido, by Emmanuel Picault and Ludwig Godefroy

Set in the small surf town of Puerto Escondido, this weekend home accommodates its main areas inside a covered patio. Also, it is almost entirely concrete.

The only exceptions are the doors and sliding louvered wood screens that open the space up to the gardens on either side, as well as a few sparse furnishings. Such as the low-slung dining table, which is from a cross-sectioned tree trunk.