Contemporary Houses

From China to Chile, the realm of private residential design presents architects with unique challenges and complexities. Unlike public building projects, the scale of these homes tends to be smaller, and the technical requirements may be less formidable than those found in industrial settings. However, the true intricacy lies in prioritizing the individual preferences, needs, and visions of homeowners. Architects must skillfully transform the emotional and practical elements that define "home" into a tangible structure. This book showcases 100 of the world's most intriguing and innovative homes designed over the last 20 years. It highlights the work of both established and emerging talents, including renowned figures such as John Pawson, Shigeru Ban, Tadao Ando, Zaha Hadid, Herzog & de Meuron, Daniel Libeskind, Alvaro Siza, and Peter Zumthor. These homes effortlessly accommodate basic activities like eating and sleeping while also providing a personalized space for individual experiences and relationships—demonstrating architecture at its most fundamental and intimate.