9 modern architectural masterpieces you canstay. balancing barn, thorington, england. if your vision of a holiday rental in theenglish countryside involves padding about a tudor cottage, there's no shortage of options. but modern homes are rare finds— which is why writer/philosopher alain de bottonstarted living architecture, a non- profit that enlists europe's top architectsto design âcontemporary vacation homes. aavego, nordjylland, denmark. located just a half-mile from the north sea,this airy nordic getaway interacts in
perfect harmony with a dramatic landscapefull of fjords, lakes, and dunes. the main house and the annex are kitted out with vintageand modern danish furnishings, and connected by a spacious deck that’s perfectfor outdoor dining. still bend, two rivers, wisconsin. when life magazine commissioned wright todesign a dream house for the american family, the result was this understated exemplarof organic architecture. it’s perched on the bend of a river, and as thesun rises over the marsh, light floods in
through the floor-to-ceiling windows, castingits brick interior walls in warm amber light. moore condo, sea ranch, california. these ten shed-style condominiums—whichearned the american institute of architects's 25 year gold medal award in 1991—occupya spectacular ten-mile stretch of sonoma county coastline. moore, who made his home in #9 until his death,referred to sea ranch as his mother earth. neuendorf house, mallorca, spain.
the geometric forms and sharp vertical linesof this high-walled villa by the master minimalist pawson (in collaboration with silvestrin)makes for residential architecture that feels like an art installation. it features views of the the mountains and the mediterranean, a sunkentennis court, and very long and narrow pool that culminates in a waterfall. kugel/gips house, wellfleet, massachusetts. zehnder designed this very secluded, outercape beauty in the stylistic image of his mentor, frank lloyd wright.
centered around a large minimalist brick hearth,with cantilevered decks overlooking a freshwaterkettle pond, the house hosts vacationers during the summer, and artists and scholarsin the offseason. the winged house, table cape, australia. winner of an institute of architects awardin 2009, this tasmanian retreat sits poised on a slope, with waves breaking onrocks to the east and views of rocky cape national park to the west. goodwin, the internationally renowned architectand artist, designed winged house to lift guestsfrom worldly cares.
mission accomplished. harg house, pessac, france. commissioned by an architecture-loving industrialistin the 1920s, le corbusier oversaw a pathbreaking community of fiftyvibrantly painted homes with an eye towards bringing modernism to the masses. a perfect jumping off point for exploringbordeaux, the four-floored harg house offers easy accessto a wide range of amenities, including restaurants, shopping, a golf course,tennis courts, a zoo, and an aquatic
fitness center. the lux, palm springs, california. this desert hideaway is a particularly stellarexample of midcentury modern, steel- driven design by the pioneering palm springsarchitect wexler. it’s ideal for lounging, with a giant saltwater pool in thefront-yard, a sailcloth-covered patio, and bright airy rooms with wondrous desertviews.