Water-lovers, check out this fab floating lake house designed by German architects Steeltec37. Inspired by sleek sailboat silhouettes and the life aquatic, the Aqua Floathome isn’t your typical waterfront home – the modern structure has an edgy appeal, made of glass and steel with a vaulted curved roof leading the eye up to the rooftop deck overlooking the lapping waves. Interiors are decidedly modern, though compact, with floor-to-ceiling glass framing the maritime views and flooding the home with natural light. Designed with an “upscale houseboat” aesthetic, this modern floating house offers light and airy luxury, and a modern waterfront lifestyle that simply can’t be re-created on land. 


                                                               


This circular cottage plan is the coolest retreat on a hot day. Austin, Texas-based architecture firm Bercy Chen Studio blend their European and East Asian backgrounds into a totally unique architectural style that we love. They sent us photos of their Shore Vista Boat House in Lake Austin that we just had to share. This contemporary style house is a veritable playground for the water-lover, set right on a lake with a built-in water feature that brings the house to life. The circular-shaped cottage is wrapped in a winding spiral staircase that gives you the external tour of the whole home, leading you past its outdoor entertaining areas and glass walls that offer a glimpse of what’s inside. Made for entertaining and enjoyment of the finer things in life – these being nature, family, friends, peace, quiet, and good times – this waterfront cottage is a sweet retreat indeed



               

Rubberhouse, designed by Netherlands architects Cityforster, is an unconventional, too-cool rubber and wood clad house which, apart from its unusual exterior material, presents a totally traditional way of life with a modern twist. The open concept house plan boasts an easygoing flow, leading from the two-storey living space with a fab pivoting fireplace feature to be enjoyed from any point in the room, through the home and out to an outdoor entertaining area. The other side of the structure features two single-storey levels housing the bathrooms, office space and storage, and the bedrooms tucked away upstairs. Balancing private and public living, this house is a thoughtful, simple and innovative design.

                        





Modern geometry and expansive glazing set this airy home design in Haifa, Israel apart. Made for outdoor living, this house by Pitsou Kedem Architects features dazzling alfresco entertaining areas with a sparkling pool as the centerpiece – overshadowed only by the modern house itself. Various overlapping elements, roofs and terraces are a veritable playground for the eye. The striking structure is a massive space, but boasts a light aesthetic thanks to large expanses of windows and a glass wall that opens the home onto the outdoors. Regardless of which floor you’re on, or which room you’re in, the ever-present view of nature gives the home a naturally bright, cool look and feel. The open concept home is framed in upper-level modern lofts that allow an open view of the main floor, while allowing for privacy without total segregation. Pitsou Kedem Architects






                        



 Indonesia Luxury Homes: Living Large on a Small Site
This Indonesia luxury home designed by architects Wahana Cipta Selaras is an interesting home smack dab in a densely developed urban area. The small site, dotted with many mature trees, provides a cozy nook for this extravagant home – and talk about living large! Wood and exposed red brick provide a warm, tropical aesthetic complemented by many outdoor entertaining areas, adding layers of living to this indoor/outdoor house. The western facade features vertical slats as opposed to a single large glazed face, allowing plenty of natural light in with a connection to the outdoors while also offering some much-needed shade in the heat of the day. Inside, this open concept house plan features glass partitions in place of traditional walls, allowing for a see-through view of the entire space while still defining its various living areas. A wood staircase zigzags its way up – a luxury addition to this modern architectural design
                






Modern Jungle Home in Costa Rica
This modern jungle home is a luxurious getaway for the vacationer looking for something a little extra. The contemporary Costa Rica house design is surrounded by lush landscaping and picture-perfect vistas – those which are captured beautifully by this thoughtful slope house plan. Inside this 2,992-sq.-ft., three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom home, the kitchen, living room and dining area meld into one another, and open onto outdoor entertaining areas in a seamless transition from indoors out. Further connecting its residents to nature, this rooftop garden house features its very own integrated landscaping and refreshing pools that beckon on hot, sunny days. They say you can’t buy happiness, but lucky for you, this luxury villa can be rented for $600-$750 per night.