55 Extraordinary Homes on the Water

Architects respond to the challenge of designing a home around the temperamental element

Person standing by a modern rooftop pool overlooking a scenic mountain view, surrounded by bamboo plants.
Domus Aurea, Alberto Campo Baeza and GLR Arquitectos, 2016, Monterrey, Mexico. Photo: Javier Callejas, javiercallejas.com

Cover of the book "Living on Water" featuring modern architecture over a blue pool with mountains in the background.
Living on Water ($49.95, Phaidon). Phaidon

“I see the shoreline as a magic line between two realms,” Seattle architect Tom Kundig tells Galerie, reflecting on his approach to designing homes around water. “I try as much as possible to engage that line so that there’s a sense of water and a sense of land in virtually every room.”

One project that embodies this philosophy is the Pole Pass Retreat, located on one of Washington’s scenic San Juan Islands. Occupying a prime waterfront parcel and clad in charred cedar, the striking home is just one of 55 featured in a new book from Phaidon called Living on Water, which showcases how the world’s top contemporary architects are gracefully solving the age-old challenge of designing a home on or around various bodies of water, be it an ocean, a river, or even a man-made oasis.

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Aside from featuring the work of Kundig’s firm Olson Kundig, the title also includes projects from other top-tier talent, including architects John Pawson, Alberto Campo Baeza, Tadao Ando, and David Chipperfield. Spread across 26 countries—from Kenya to Japan—the residences are divided into three sections: houses built on water, houses built to reflect water, and houses built to look at water.

Outdoor kitchen with stovetop and cutting board overlooking a serene lake view at sunset, trees and deck visible.
Pole Pass Retreat, Olson Kundig, 2013, San Juan Islands, Washington. Benjamin Benschneider

While there is no denying that water has the potential to be a powerfully destructive force, one need only look at the sky-high prices on waterfront homes for proof of their perennial appeal. “Water especially can symbolize survival at a deep, humanistic level,” says Kundig. “The bottom line is, we often find beauty in places and experiences that offer a sense of balance to our natural state.”

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“I think the reason we are drawn to that ecotone line between land and water, with big expansive views of water and sky ahead of us, and the protection of forest, cliffs, or mountains behind us, is based in our human condition. It’s a place where we find balance between prospect and refuge.”

See below for a few of the standout homes featured in the book.

Infinity pool with ocean view, surrounded by modern architecture and palm trees, under a clear blue sky.
Cliff House, Khosla Associates, 2010. Kerala, India. © Bharath Ramamrutham, Courtesy Khosla Associates

Modern wooden house surrounded by forest and reflected in a tranquil pond.
Newberg Residence, Cutler Anderson Architects, 2013, Newberg, Oregon. Jeremy Bittermann

Modern house with unique wavy roof design built into a hillside, featuring large windows and a small pool, surrounded by nature.
The House on the Cliff, GilBartolomé Architects, 2015, Granada, Spain. Jesús Granada

Modern house on elevated platform overlooking a scenic coastline with lush greenery and a clear blue sky above the ocean.
Pole House, F2 Architecture, 2017, Fairhaven, Australia. Tanja Milbourne

Modern lakeside cabin on stilts with wooden deck, surrounded by lush greenery and overlooking calm waters and distant sailboats.
House Over the Sea, Elliott + Elliott Architecture, 2014. Surry, Maine. © Trent Bel

Minimalist white building with a solitary potted tree, reflecting on a polished surface under a clear blue sky.
White Cave House, Takuro Yamamoto Architects, 2013, Kanazawa, Japan. Ken’ichi Suzuki

Futuristic wooden pod floating on a river with a small dock, set against a cloudy blue sky and lush greenery.
Exbury Egg, PAD Studio, SPUD Group, and Stephen Turner, 2013, Beaulieu River, Hampshire, UK. Nigel Rigden

Modern wooden cabin with large glass window overlooking a rocky shoreline and calm sea with mountains in the background.
Manshausen Island Resert, Stinessen Arkitektur, 2015, Manshausen, Norway. Siggen Stinessen

Modern concrete house with a footbridge over a pond, surrounded by trees and a clear sky in the background.
Watershed Lodge, Hughes Umbanhowar Architects (HUUM), 2013, Big Timber, Montana. Gibeon Photography

Modern white house by the sea with lush greenery and clear blue sky in the background.
Tulia House, Alberto Morell, 2015. Kilifi, Kenya. © Javier Callejas, javiercallejas.com

Modern concrete structure with a tree on a terrace overlooking a scenic lake and mountainous landscape under a clear blue sky.
House in Brissago, Wespi de Meuron Romeo Architects, 2013, Brissago, Switzerland. © Hannes Henz Architekturfotograf

Person standing by a modern pool with a geometric structure in the background, surrounded by greenery and a serene sky.
Domus Aurea, Alberto Campo Baeza and GLR Arquitectos, 2016, Monterrey, Mexico. Javier Callejas, javiercallejas.com