Looking Glass sits on the shore of Lake Washington in Seattle, WA, United States, a reimagined house by Olson Kundig for multigenerational living by the water. The project reworks a 1990s split-level into a modern, family-focused retreat, pairing reflective materials with a calm, lake-ready palette. Inside and out, the composition balances open gathering zones with quieter corners for reading, working, and watching the light move across the lake.
Ashley Lake House sits on the wooded edge of Ashley Lake in Flathead County, MT, United States, a contemporary cabin conceived by Workaday for an active family. Two gabled volumes joined by a glass hall balance privacy from the road with wide-open views to the water, turning the house into a calm hub for year-round gatherings. Inside, warm timber and crisp lines keep lake life relaxed yet clearly organized.
Kownatki Lake House sits in Kownatki, Poland, as a refined holiday house by Archmondo Piotr Kowalczyk that draws directly from the quiet Masurian landscape. The project anchors a 36-hectare lakeside development and uses rigorous detailing, robust materials, and a barn-like form to give contemporary leisure living a distinctly local character. Guests move between forest, water, and home with an ease that feels both grounded and deliberate.
Beach House: Lake Archambault Residence sits on the shore of Lake Archambault in Québec, Canada, a new house by Ghoche architecte. Composed as a low, quiet arrangement of volumes, the project turns to light, water, and native planting rather than overt expression. The result reads as a clear coastal gesture tuned to a northern lake climate.
Set along the shoreline in Minnesota, Lakeside Modern is a 7,400-square-foot (686-square-meter) residence designed by PKA Architecture to redefine private living while maximizing lake views. Positioned discreetly from the road yet seamlessly open to the water, its design caters to a family seeking a home for both summer and year-round vacations, transforming the space into an inviting retreat filled with familial warmth and collaboration with Martha Dayton Design.
Chok Chai 4 House, located in Bangkok, Thailand, presents a tri-level house designed in 2025 by S+S Architects. Emphasizing both privacy and spaciousness for its residents, the house’s interior features large openings that invite natural light and greenery, contrary to its closed exterior walls. This modern design fosters shared spaces while allowing personal flexibility, and ensuring all family members, including the elderly, can navigate comfortably with wide stairs and an elevator.
Jetty House in Taupo, New Zealand, designed by First Light in 2023, offers panoramic views of Lake Taupo. Prioritizing the Passive House Standard, this 178-square-metre home provides year-round comfort in one of New Zealand’s challenging climates.
The remote Mountain Retreat, completed in 2021 by OPAL Architecture, overlooks a serene lake from its Canadian setting, presenting a unique architectural opportunity. A pinwheel form, highlighting a core all-wood panel, inspired the layout, designed to provide privacy and maximize surrounding site views.