Toby Orton

Out in the desert beyond Los Angeles, a renovation transforms a classic mid-century property into the home it was always meant to be. Architect Albert Frey ’s Bel Vista House is one of only three remaining intact homes from a post-war project by the visionary modernist designer in Palm Springs. Designed in 1945 with developers Culver and Sallie Stevens Nichols, the home became a part of the Bel Vista neighborhood, a pioneering display of modest desert homes that blended sleek contemporary design with a thoughtful integration with the landscape. The post-war project was part of the postwar building boom and was in part developed by ideas Frey had developed when working for La Corbusier in Europe.

Located in Morelia, Michoacán, Casa Emma is a minimalist 54-square-meter residence that finds itself sandwiched tightly between neighbors on either side. HW Studio brought its meticulous approach to compact design into the project. Clad in chukum—a natural plaster made from the resin of the chukum tree – Casa Emma’s exterior exudes a monolithic, almost mysterious presence against its neighbors.

Perched on a steep slope in a neighborhood in northeast Los Angeles, UnStack House by FreelandBuck reimagines hillside living, balancing a bold interplay of geometry and dramatic landscape. Designed as a series of stacked, rotated volumes that flow down the terrain, the residence integrates outdoor spaces into its structure, creating a fluid connection between architecture and the surrounding environment.

In Denmark, over one thousand single-family homes are demolished annually, often simply to make way for new modern designs. However, with the large environmental cost of these demolitions, the challenge is being met to adapt existing homes as a more sustainable approach to issues in the housing market. One such transformation is the renovation of this 1967 house, designed by architect MAA Steffen Hougaard. The redesign by Jesper Kusk Architects preserves the home’s original geometry while integrating modern, eco-friendly updates.

Poised on an elongated site on a quiet street, overlooking the serene waters of Cabo San Lucas, the IMA House is a paradisical property by anybody’s measure. Not only does the building have elegant curb appeal, it has the all-important location, location, location. Merging nature and architecture with its thoughtful use of rammed earth walls, the design by

Against a muted blue-grey sky, color pops from the parade of houses that line the streets of a Colombian town. Shot by photographer Vincent Versluis on a trip through the country, the primarily primary array of reds, yellows, blues and occasional greens that intricately decorate the facades of the buildings is a dazzling attraction. Pitched in perfect contrast to the gentle swirling cloud that seems to be gathering momentum above, Versluis’ images capture a gentle pace throughout his series, with life moving slowly. People stand poised on doorsteps, prepping horses, or paused on streetside benches with little in the way of moving traffic interrupting the flow.

Inspired by the compact elegance of a Japanese ski chalet, Sugi House is a smartly crafted retreat on the shores of Lake Wanaka, New Zealand. Designed by Condon Scott Architects as a serene escape for a Singapore-based family of five, the holiday home blends minimalist design with thoughtful functionality.

This elegant tiny house emerges from the landscape in a rural location in the foothills of Victoria’s Great Alpine Road. An ode to the sense of impermanence that characterizes the area, with the many structures that once covered it since weathered and worn away, the use of a shipping container shell is poignant for its makeshift essence. The 15 sqm

Interior design practice Miriam Barrio Studio worked a pleasant surprise into this Barcelona apartment with a hidden door installed to separate living and private spaces. Merging Japanese and Mediterranean influences, the home is all warm wood, soothing putty tones, and fine craftsmanship. The compact space showcases a refined approach to modern living, celebrating minimalism and adaptability in its use of space optimization alongside its understated elegance.

Located in San Francisco’s Liberty Park, late architect George Homsey’s 1961 residence offers a rare glimpse into The Third Bay Tradition—an architectural movement rooted in organic forms and natural materials. Open for visitors after recently coming onto the market, the property showcases the early explorations of the pioneering architect, renowned for his contributions to California’s iconic modernist enclave, Sea Ranch.