Vancouver House
Patkau Architects Inc.
A client's offhand request—that the architects add a lap pool to the design for a new house—turns into a defining moment for this Vancouver residence. The lap pool ended up cantilevered above the entrance to the house, where it casts shimmering reflections throughout the space.

Photo © Paul Warchol

Howard Street Residence
Jim Jennings Architecture
In a hiply harsh San Francisco neighborhood, a stark street facade gives little clue of the gentle barrel vaults and optical projections that give the interior a more domestic feel.

Photo © Sharon Risedorph

Reeve Residence
Cutler Anderson Architects
Careful siting of this vacation home on an island in the Pacific Northwest fulfils the clients' dream of placing a home on the wilderness property without disturbing the surroundings.

Photo © Art Grice Photography

F2 House
Adriá + Broid + Rojkind
The architects draw on influences like le Corbusier and Mies van der Rohe to create an L-shaped house not far from Mexico City.

Photo © Undine Pršhl

Island House
Shim – Sutcliffe Architects
An urban Pennsylvania couple commission a clean, open house on an island in the St. Lawrence River.

Photo © James Dow

Tower House / Restaurant Renovation
Shim – Sutcliffe Architects
A four-story house, connected to a restaurant and cooking school negotiates the urban terrain with ease, modulating between differently-scaled neighbors.

Photo © James Dow

Beverley House
Daly, Genik Architects
A loose interpretation of "renovation" allows the architects to completely reinvent a Santa Monica, Calif., bungalow while fitting into the existing neighborhood.

Photo © Tim Street-Porter

Stein – Fleischmann House
Moussafir Architectes Associés
In a community accented with houseboats, this angled and nuanced house provides a journey inside, with a progression of views.

Photo © Nicholas Borel