For Graft Architects, ‘Villa M’ in Berlin was a chance to rethink the traditional typology of a private house. The structure resembles more of a boulder than a human home as we have come to know it. Its glacial appearance is achieved by cladding the façade with ceramic plates. It sits in a sea of green, strategically placed to establish visual connections with the landscape. This asymmetrical appearance is reflected in the interiors where flowing transitions between the rooms create a sense of openness.

Neighboring the Le Relais ski resort in Canada, the Villa Vingt is inspired by its sloped plot. The modern villa is nestled into a snowy bank, opening up fully to the north. Dark timber planks create the external facade, contrasted by a light-filled interior. At the center of the modern home is a double-height concrete wall. It not only creates a divide between interior spaces but also acts as an accent to the white walls. White cedar ceilings run out over the outdoor decks, adding warmth to both the interior and exterior palettes. A second story living area cantilevers over the landscape, floating above the ground level. Wrapped in glazing, the room is afforded sweeping views of the surrounding Laurentian hills. You might be also interested in Ultramodern Villa Ypsilon or Modern Countryside Villa.

This perfectly minimalist Canadian retreat is available for rent on Airbnb! Located in Charlevoix, Canada, the charming snowy villa is only 10 minutes away from Le Massif de Charlevoix ski resort. Developed by Cargo Architecture, the contemporary cottage is inspired by Scandinavian design, it features sleek white interiors, concrete floors, and pale wood tones. On the exterior, the black metal cladding also creates an impressive contrast that highlights the smooth matte finish of the steel and the natural grain of the Eastern white cedar. This vacation rental offers 4 bedrooms, including 7 beds and can accommodate up to 12 guests. The perfect setting for a relaxing evening with friends and family after a hard day on the slopes.

Combining elements of a houseboat, luxury yacht, and oil rig, Arkup Mobile Overwater Villas propose a new solution for maritime living. Designed by Dutch architect Koen Olthuis, the 4,350 square-foot solar-powered inaugural model offers four bedrooms, a living room, kitchen, and laundry room, outfitted with high-end finishes and floor-to-ceiling windows. Its unique hydraulic self-elevating system can lift it above the waves, keep you safe in a storm — it’s designed to withstand a Category 4 hurricane — and transform the moving vessel into a stationary home, making it more permanent than a yacht yet far less constricting than a shoreline condo.

Villa Heerenveen was designed by Lautenbag Architectuur. The clients are a young couple with two toddlers. They have a full agenda and wanted an efficiënt house, closer to work and school. A modern spacious house with a large kitchen/dining area was their wish. On a plot on the edge of Heerenveen, their clear modern villa, with lots of glass and a number of special features, has been realized. The elevated property positioned on a black podium gives the illusion that the home is floating adjacent to the watercourse. The stunning façade with contrasting finishes which include folded perforated metal panels make a bold statement within this residential area, coupled with a contemporary entrance and a beautiful wooden canopy. This canopy is mirrored on a larger scale to provide shade to the south façade. This detail provides natural cooling to the interior of the property whilst the opposing materials complement the exterior of the building. The interior of the building provides clean lines with striking results from the perforated metal panels used on the exterior which allow light to penetrate the building and natural light effects which reflect off the walls and give an alternative dimension, whilst offering privacy from the neighbouring residential development. Floor to ceiling glazed panels with minimal framing add to the open feel of the building bringing the outside in and give the building the visibility of stunning sun rises and sun sets over the adjacent landscape , picture windows providing specific focus to the external elements and natural flora and fauna over the watercourse. The open plan feel is continued throughout the building with strategically placed dividing walls to give privacy whilst allowing the interconnection of rooms to flow, the stairs are a key yet striking feature of the property whilst being functional yet minimalist, this home offers a spacious living environment which is both functional, contemporary and maximises the assets of its location.

Inspired by the sandy, woodsy parcel on which it sits, Villa Meijendel takes advantage of its location with a multi-level, partially sunk floorplan. You enter the home on the middle level, home to an office and two bedrooms. Above it lie the open kitchen and living spaces, while the bottom floor holds the master bedroom, as well as a garage and technical room buried in the sand. The main unpolished concrete structure dictates the flow between floors with gentle slopes, while the steel, wood and anodized aluminum are similarly left raw. The exterior is coated in burned wood, broken up only by the sizable windows that provide views to the dune valley beyond.

LA-based studio Arshia Architects is a winner of The American Institute of Architects Los Angeles (AIA|LA) 2016 Design Awards program for its MU77 project in Los Angeles. The house on the cusp of a fold in the Hollywood Hills identifies the differential complexity of the steep hillsideas its functional and formal generator. The stark, rigid appearance enters a dialogue with the landscape, defining itself as a real object through the process of alienating its context. This alienation is at the same time natural in the way a rock formation identifies itself through the process of unearthing. A matrix of complex parameters was identified early in the process of design as the programmatic needs, budgetary requirements, code regulations, environmental constraints and formal aspirations gradually came to being.  These parameters superimposed forces on the raw massing of the project that developed the final form through an evolutionary iterative process. Programmatically, the 5,000 SF building is split into two main levels, horizontally organized along a shifted east-west axis. The restrictions imposed by the planning and building regulations provided strenuous challenges to the site planning of the project as it pushed the building downhill, over the ridge. This coupled with height and view shed restrictions, provided for a narrow and steeped profile for the building, particularly on the entry façade. This, however, became a desirable aspect of the project, as the building muted itself towards the intrusion of spectators on Mulholland Drive. The project traded the lazy concept of material agglomeration in favor of simplicity, yet spatial significance to balance its budgetary goals.

Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? Thanks to Nickelodeon you can now live in a pineapple just like Spongebob (minus the ‘under the sea’ part). Located in the Dominican Republic, this real-life pineapple villa was created by Nickelodeon and Nick Resort Punta Cana. True Spongebob lovers can book a stay for around $3,800 per night and enjoy 1,500 square feet of pure Spongebob livin’. Think amazing underwater decor, a private pool, a shell phone, and even a life-size replica of Gary! The best part? A butler who will bring you the famous Krabby Patties whenever you want…

This spectacular chalet situated in Selva di Val Gardena, Italy, was designed in 2016 by Rudolf Perathoner Architect. “In Selva of Val Gardena at an altitude of 1563 meter, at the foot of the impressive natural landscape of the UNESCO World Heritage Dolomites, the studio Perathoner Architects designed a house in a peculiar architectural style. It is located in the middle of a unique landscape and offers an exceptional view of the Sella massif. The entire building has a modernist architecture with clean lines, but also carries echoes of architectural traditions like the use of local materials such as stone and wood. The main goal of the project was to merge the building with the surrounding natural alpine landscape. The steepness of the terrain suggested extending the building over four floors with the first two levels partly below grade. The house presents a smaller front on the north side, while the main front faces the south side featuring large windows overlooking the beautiful mountains. The building offers three separate living units and a large garage with a car lift that provides access to an underground parking space. The preferred space of the house is the attic with floor-to-ceiling windows for a striking view of the landscape. The house was constructed according to high energy efficiency standards in full compliance with regulations of environmental sustainability of the materials used and earned a Nature Climatehouse certification.”

Villa Mistral designed by Mercurio Design Lab is located in the island of Sentosa in Singapore, a mere 15 minute drive from downtown. Named after the seasonal strong, north-westerly wind that blows across the Mediterranean, Mistral is like a sleek cruise ship. Painted in a a hint of metallic white, its structural elements are expressed both externally and internally, simultaneously referencing a boat and communicating the sense of a strong forward thrust. Mistral is over four levels, including a large entertainment room in the basement. Dining, dry kitchen and living are on the entry level, while level two consist of bedrooms and a roof terrace overlooking the canal. The bedrooms on level two, including the master bedroom, are to the side with one at the rear (streetside) with views back to the ocean. With Mistral, the structure is the form. Due to the complexities of the building and difficulties with the contractor, the construction started in 2008 and completed in 2014.

Clean geometry, pristine nature, brutalist accents, sand dunes and pines. These elements are unlikely to be found in the same place, but in Barrio Marítimo II, they coexist in complete harmony and complement each other perfectly. Casa L4 is a four hour drive from Buenos Aires, Argentina and is located just over 200 meters from the beach. The owners hired the Luciano Kruk Architects firm to build their dream home. The plot of land is parallel to the beach and there’s a two meter slope from one side to another, marked by the suspended section of the house. The studio used exposed concrete throughout as it’s a long-lasting material requiring virtually no maintenance over the years, but mostly because it integrates into this particular natural environment thanks to its color tone and texture. Entering the house, you are met by the sight of a narrow staircase guarded by concrete walls, but upon reaching the top, the space becomes completely open and filled with light. Here is the heart of the home. This socializing area includes the living room, dining room and kitchen, and it features another staircase which has an almost sculptural quality to it, adding symmetry to the interior as it reaches towards the upper level. A crystal box containing the stairs brings a bright ray of light to the lower ground level, while a glazed wall lets natural sunlight to come through and offers unrestricted views of the pine forest. Four bedrooms with their own bathrooms are delegated to the four corners of the ground floor, to provide privacy from the center space. These rooms have unique windows, added either on the lower side of the walls or on the upper sections, while skylights provide plenty of light in the bathrooms. Climbing the last section of the stairs, you reach the best section of the house, the rooftop, where there are two swimming pools and decking areas. This space provides breathtaking views over the natural landscape; surrounded by pine tree tops, you can admire the sea blending with the blue sky. It’s a peaceful, meditative place, and it illustrates the entire character of the home. Casa L4 is a part of the landscape and it almost feels like it has always been here.

Simple geometry and structural dynamism create a unique residential space in Risskov, Denmark. Villa V3 is designed by ARDESS as a single family home with four levels and an integrated garage, and it’s a striking example of modern Scandinavian architecture and design. The facade offers privacy thanks to the asymmetrical windows placed at a higher level, continuing over the roof to both maximize the amount of light reaching the interior and to create a calm, almost ethereal ambience by providing views of the trees and the sky. The other side of the building, facing the garden, contrasts the closed appearance of the front of the house. Here, everything is open and connected to nature. Various levels are nuanced by concrete walls cast in-situ, continuing inside the home to become the defining feature of the interior and providing a link between enclosed living spaces and the terraces. The careful planning of the home’s four levels and rooms is also present in the garden layout. Trees have been positioned to strike the right balance between offering privacy and creating the perfect view. A lounge and dining area were added to two different platforms of the outdoor space, but large glass windows and doors always provide a glimpse at the green landscape. The interior features concrete walls and ceilings, with light and slightly muted brown Douglas timber and linoleum materials, but also numerous pieces of custom made furniture that include tables and cabinets in the kitchen and bathroom. The colors are dark and refined, with gray tones dominating the palette, joined by black and white, and the occasional chocolate brown and bronze accents. This choice of colors makes the blue sky and the green plants and grass stand out even more, complementing the contemporary and modern design. In Villa V3, sophisticated and organic features are brought together in harmony to create a stylish home where the use of clever angles, glass and concrete maximize the potential of both indoor and outdoor spaces.

Tucked away on the shores of the New Zealand coastline, is this beachside house, designed by Patterson Associates. The house is nestled into the Banks Peninsula, hidden among the hills, with it’s own little private beach and cove to enjoy. The cottage has been built using local materials, like the rock that was quarried near its site. There is also on-site water harvesting and wastewater treatment. Large floor-to-ceiling windows provide the perfect opportunity to enjoy the natural surroundings all day long. The holiday home, which can be rented, has just three rooms, a lobby, a living/sleeping area and a bathroom.

Under the graceful expression of a concrete-cast butterfly roof “Casa GG” sits respectfully atop a small green plateau in a natural clearing that boasts a rugged terrain of hills and valleys framing the colima volcano in the distance. Designed by Mexican studio Elias Rizo Arquitectos, the structure accommodates two bedrooms, a master suite, office, and open living/dining/kitchen area enjoying a series of semi-private decks. Entry to the begins at the highest point of the site where a driveway descends the sloping terrain and terminates into a carport nestled into the hillside. A progression of staggering precast pavers establishes a strict datum underling the long axis of the home, reflected in a polished steel wall that makes up the front facade. A window and a deeper void framing the front door in stained cedar panels are the only elements that break up the monolithic nature of the glassy metal wall designed to transform into a rusted plane whose orange tones complement the natural reds of the native soil. Once inside, a constricted foyer flanked by full glass panes gives way to immediate views of the expansive landscape beyond, inviting visitors onto the exterior deck. The entry also bisects the two primary uses of the house, maintaining the private areas to the north and the social areas on the south. As in section, the plan at this point is also at its narrowest, opening up towards either end. The living and dining room enjoys a large open space with two expansive retractable sections of fenestration that almost encase the entire perimeter. Each glass wall leads to an exterior space, either a large covered deck facing south or the elongated semi-open veranda to the north. The space sits between a polished concrete floor and rugged cast-in-place canopy accented by the continuation of the exterior wooden walls into the interior. Crossing the foyer to the north end of the home, a single hallway provides access to a pair of mirrored bedrooms with private bathrooms, a small office and the master suite which expands to occupy the entire width of the house. Large windows extend views to the natural surroundings and further support the home’s motif of reflection, both hiding behind its mirrored representation of its surroundings as it does emerge as an introduced structure in an vegetated landscape.

The Howe Farm is a modest contemporary dwelling located on an open 9.5 hectare plot of land in Buckinghamshire, UK. Local studio IPT Architects designed the structure to unfold along its long axis as one progresses further into the site. An unassuming and carefully proportioned building clad in vertical wooden louvers faces the primary entrance from the street. Voids cut through the exterior dark cladding to reveal lighter-toned wood siding and he main entrance. The side porch is obscured by a screen of charred wood planks and covered by the extended roof plane providing shading along the glass-enclosed facades facing the interior of the lot. After entering the home, the exterior envelope opens up towards the private side of the lot framing panoramic views of the landscape. The vertical timber facade planks gradually extend beyond the roof line making a 50% open balustrade framing a rooftop deck that additionally provides a space for viewing the expansive site. Due to timeline restraints and stringent efficiency standards, the structure is a result of two construction techniques. Structurally insulated panels cut down on construction time as well as provide a high level of thermal efficiency. Using this strategy to erect the primary structure and more traditional techniques for the exterior finishes, the home exhibits the same details found in local architecture supported by a more contemporary concealed core. From the interior, the space is heated through the use of an air source heat pump and a natural wood-burning stove which efficiently regulate temperatures without an excessive use of energy.

Set in a clearing near the Passo del Cavallo, a high Alpine pass in Italy’s Brescia province, Alps Villa is framed by a open valley to the south and the peaks of the Alps to the north. A panoramic window surrounded by a faceted wood and corrugated copper frame dominates the facade of this villa. The broad window faces out onto the valley, while a courtyard sunken into the slope to the rear of the house gives views of the mountains that rise 1,200 metres above sea level. Botticini wanted to strike a balance of “harmony and tension” between the building and the site, and this semi-submerged design helps to creates the illusion that the structure is rooted to the hillside. “We are still in a place close to the urban noise but at the same time far away, where the aroma of mountain herbs and grazing sheep seem to have stopped time,” said the Italian architect, whose studio is based locally. “The house looks like in his primary relationship with the landscape without other artificial elements other than the suspended staircase that cuts the grass slope.” The sheets of pre-rusted corrugated copper and treated Accoya wood that cover the walls help to further integrate the building with the site. “The ventilated wall copper is modulated with a slight pleating to vibrate the light on the non-reflecting surface,” explained Botticini. “The wood of the great splay reflects light that is refracted from the south.” A flight of textured metal steps runs up the hillside from a steep hairpin road that bypasses the front of the house. The foot of the stairs is enclosed by a gatehouse-like structure made from same oxidised copper and wood as the house. The house’s glazed entrance is sheltered by the broad window and a terrace set on its overhanging sill. Inside, an irregular C-shaped plan curves around to protect the iroko wood patio. The plan is split into three sections, the first hosting three bedrooms and their corresponding bathrooms, the second a living and dining space, and the third a kitchen and circulation area.

Villa New Water is a contemporary residence located in Naaldwijk, the Netherlands. It was designed by Waterstudio.NL, an architectural firm with the primary focus on developing solutions for problems raised by urbanization and climate change. Their continuous planning for change allowed them to also find flexible solutions for the challenge presented by this particular project. The location in this case imposed a series of strict regulations which limited the volume above the ground that the architects could include in their project. These restrictions were imposed in order to preserve the rural character of the site and to maintain cohesiveness at that location. The solution found that allowed the architects to both follow the regulations and offer their clients the desired features was to build a floor underground. However, this raised a series of new challenges, the most important one being to find a way to allow light into all the spaces. The minimalistic architecture of the villa describes it as a simple white frame outlining large glass surfaces and timber inserts. While the glass has the role of connecting the residence to its surroundings, letting the light in and revealing the views, the wood is there to add warmth to the concept. The frame closes off the house on both ends but the concept of transparency is maintained throughout, being reflected in the open layout and the interior design as a whole. This design strategy was chosen in order to establish balance and to create an optimal experience related to the surroundings. The surroundings, as a result, interact with the interior. Both the garden and the water are part of the house’s design, contributing to its overall character and beauty. The kitchen is placed at the center of the villa. This space is connected to the dining room and living area. However, since there are almost no doors in the residence, there’s an open layout and few and subtle partitions. These manage to visually divide the areas giving them each their own character and style while still letting be a natural part of the whole. The main social area is a large and sophisticated space, featuring comfortable seating, warm and earthy colors and a stunning chandelier. A fireplace built into a partition wall enhances the comfortable ambiance. The living area, dining space and the kitchen are all situated on the ground floor while the bathroom together with the more private spaces can be found underground. Once again, spaciousness and openness define this floor.

Architect studio SoNo created design of family villa in Slovenia. “One-family villa M is located in an area, which represents a typical Slovenian landscape. That is why the design derives from standard architectural elements, from which, one is dominant – gable roof. The house is made out of three elongated volumes with symmetrical gable roofs, which are set in a way that creates a dynamic ground floor organisation. It accomodates and serves the needs of the modern family and provides the highest level of comfort and quality living. Uniformed facade and roof’s form emphasize the dynamic of the three volumes especially with the combination of dark and light colour shades as well as the use of the materials themselves – pattern of wood panels and fiber-cement panels. Dark-light contrast facade complements the neighboring birch groves and its surrounding landscape. The final result presents a dream house for the investor and a quality addition to the Slovenian residential topography as well.”

With a panoramic views to the distant cliffs of the south Pacific and the Chilean coast located in Valparaiso, Victor Gubbins Browne of Gubbins Arquitectos created “Casa Mirador”, a residence that is a paean to the iconic villa Savoye by Le Corbusier- in which the Chilean architect visited during his childhood. The modernist structure is actually their holiday home, comprised heavily of concrete, it is a tribute to the French architect and brutal buildings built during the sixties and seventies. Rising above the ground, it is seemingly supported by a single, smaller volume at its base, while generating symmetrical cantilevered areas. The structure is aimed to appreciate its location, and context, despite its dominant form. The double-height main area is entered through a ramp, where a large meeting space connected to two terraces opens out to the sea and the countryside. Simultaneously, a spiral staircase leads up to a roof terrace and as a whole, because of its prominent location and architecture, Casa Mirador can be spotted from far away from the countryside and coastline.

The Laiki Lefkothea project is a contemporary residence with original design twists, developed by Tsikkinis Architecture Studio in Limassol, Cyprus. With a bold facade, the new house stands out in a countryside neighborhood, perfectly suited for family living. Natural materials such as wood and stone are showcased both outside and inside, for a calm and pleasant living environment. This is a clear case of “form embraces function”, as many elements used in the construction draw attention mostly due to their aesthetic surprise. A “shell” seems to protect the exterior of the residence; the steel units are also visible inside, creating interesting geometric effects.