Unique Houses Around the World III
These extraordinary architectural homes redefine
how — and where — we live
—
From cliff edges to forests and urban hillsides, these extraordinary houses challenge conventional ideas of domestic architecture. Designed by influential architects, each home responds uniquely to its surroundings — proving that contemporary living can be radical, poetic and deeply connected to place.
Greenhouse Home – Margit Klev | Kongsberg, Norway
Enclosed within a functioning greenhouse, this family home rethinks sustainability. With a controlled microclimate it allows year-round cultivation — merging architecture, climate and self-sufficient living.
Sheats–Goldstein Residence – John Lautner | Los Angeles, USA
An icon of mid-century architecture, this concrete masterpiece showcases organic modernism. Embedded into the Holywood Hills it dissolves boundaries between house, landscape and city.
Jikka – Issei Suma | Shizuoka, Japan
A small residential complex composed of five interconnected, teepee-like structures. Designed to provide meals and accommodation for elderly residents — reimagining care-focused living.
Invisible House – Steve Smith | Warwickshire, England
Feeling both present and disappearing, Invisible House blurs the boundary between interior and landscape. Composed of individual pavilions, the home creates an illusion of a floating series of interconnected rooms.
The House on the Cliff – Gil Bartolomé Architects | Salobreña, Spain
Carved into a rocky hillside, this dramatic residence reads as both futuristic sculpture and natural extension of the terrain, with its flowing shell and panoramic views.
Analog House – Olson Kundig | California, USA
A raw, elemental home shaped by material honesty and deep respect for its landscape. Built from steel, concrete and glass, Analog House opens fully to its forested, high-desert surroundings, inviting residents to engage with nature.
Graham House – Arthur Erickson | West Vancouver, Canada
Suspended above a steep forested slope, Graham House is a mid-century masterclass in lightweight construction and site sensitivity.
These extraordinary houses are more than architectural statements. They are experiments in lifestyle, climate response and spatial imagination — reminders that the future of living can be as bold as it is beautifully grounded.
If you enjoyed this article, you should check out Visionary Architectural Spaces Around the World: Design That Redefines Place
