Ten houses, out of all the recently built private residences around the world. Each places the human body near nature, freeing the senses, while offering controlled experiments for designers, encouraging social innovation as well as the use of new materials and systems. As a group, they seem to be thinning away, pared down to the essence of shelter: pragmatic, earth-loving platforms for living. Welcome to Record Houses 2005. After 50 years, the experiment continues. — Robert Ivy, FAIA.

Also, visit this year's special web-only presentation of Unbuilt Houses. Discover what's on the horizon for residential design.

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Photo credits from left to right— Top row: Jeff Goldberg / Esto; Kouiji Okamoto / Technistaff; Steven Evans. Middle row: Nelson Kon; Marvin Rand; Paul Warchol. Bottom row: Richard Barnes; Patrick Reynolds; Kouji Okamoto / Technistaff; Milo Keller.