Architecture

Hex keys to Bond villain chic: The best houses of 2016

Hex keys to Bond villain chic: The best houses of 2016
New Atlas highlights our top 10 houses of 2016
New Atlas highlights our top 10 houses of 2016
View 51 Images
With its combination of brutalist muscle and James Bond villain-chic, OPA's Casa Brutale looks like a project destined to stay on the drawing board but it's actually being built
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With its combination of brutalist muscle and James Bond villain-chic, OPA's Casa Brutale looks like a project destined to stay on the drawing board but it's actually being built
Casa Brutale features a large glazed facade that will offer views toward Beruit
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Casa Brutale features a large glazed facade that will offer views toward Beruit
Casa Brutale is expected to be completed in 2018 for an estimated budget of US$2.5 million
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Casa Brutale is expected to be completed in 2018 for an estimated budget of US$2.5 million
Casa Brutale is defined by its thick, unfinished concrete slabs and topped by a reinforced glass pool that doubles as a roof
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Casa Brutale is defined by its thick, unfinished concrete slabs and topped by a reinforced glass pool that doubles as a roof
Access to Casa Brutale will be gained by a long concrete staircase or by elevator inside its three-car underground garage
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Access to Casa Brutale will be gained by a long concrete staircase or by elevator inside its three-car underground garage
PAO recently completed Mrs. Fan's Plugin House for just $10,000
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PAO recently completed Mrs. Fan's Plugin House for just $10,000
Mrs. Fan's Plugin House was commissioned by a young woman who wanted to live in her parents' former courtyard house
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Mrs. Fan's Plugin House was commissioned by a young woman who wanted to live in her parents' former courtyard house
Mrs. Fan's Plugin House was assembled by a small team in just a few hours, but can potentially be built by two people with one hex key in just 24 hours
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Mrs. Fan's Plugin House was assembled by a small team in just a few hours, but can potentially be built by two people with one hex key in just 24 hours
Mrs. Fan's Plugin House consists of modules which include insulation, interior and exterior finish, wiring and plumbing all squeezed into one molded part
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Mrs. Fan's Plugin House consists of modules which include insulation, interior and exterior finish, wiring and plumbing all squeezed into one molded part
Mrs. Fan's Plugin House is located in inner city Beijing
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Mrs. Fan's Plugin House is located in inner city Beijing
Estonian firm Kodasema is developing a prefabricated concrete micro-home that can be assembled and installed within just seven hours
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Estonian firm Kodasema is developing a prefabricated concrete micro-home that can be assembled and installed within just seven hours
Koda's windows are quadruple-glazed and roof-based solar-panels reduce grid-based requirements
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Koda's windows are quadruple-glazed and roof-based solar-panels reduce grid-based requirements
Koda has a total floorspace of 30.3 sq m (326 sq ft), mostly taken up by a relatively large living room and kitchen area on the ground floor
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Koda has a total floorspace of 30.3 sq m (326 sq ft), mostly taken up by a relatively large living room and kitchen area on the ground floor
Koda requires no foundations. It can be placed on gravel, asphalt, and other surfaces, providing it has a level footing
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Koda requires no foundations. It can be placed on gravel, asphalt, and other surfaces, providing it has a level footing
Those looking for an out of this world living experience could do worse than consider the UFO 2.0
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Those looking for an out of this world living experience could do worse than consider the UFO 2.0
The UFO 2.0 is essentially a flying saucer-shaped houseboat that would allow you to sleep with the fishes, literally
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The UFO 2.0 is essentially a flying saucer-shaped houseboat that would allow you to sleep with the fishes, literally
All being well, Jet Capsule hopes to start delivering the first models in early 2018
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All being well, Jet Capsule hopes to start delivering the first models in early 2018
The UFO 2.0 has a beneath-water bedroom
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The UFO 2.0 has a beneath-water bedroom
Jet Capsule envisions the UFO 2.0 as having twin engines
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Jet Capsule envisions the UFO 2.0 as having twin engines
Norwegian architecture studio Vardehaugen designed a charming off-grid cabin that cleverly riffs on a snowbound home theme
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Norwegian architecture studio Vardehaugen designed a charming off-grid cabin that cleverly riffs on a snowbound home theme
Located deep in the woods near Lillehammer, Norway, Cabin Vindheim consists of a series of sharply sloping roof sections that lend the impression of a larger structure hidden beneath the snow
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Located deep in the woods near Lillehammer, Norway, Cabin Vindheim consists of a series of sharply sloping roof sections that lend the impression of a larger structure hidden beneath the snow
Cabin Vindheim gets its electricity from a solar panel setup, while the kitchen includes a wood-fired oven
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Cabin Vindheim gets its electricity from a solar panel setup, while the kitchen includes a wood-fired oven
Inside, Cabin Vindheim is finished in waxed poplar veneer and there's a total of 55 sq m (592 sq ft) available
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Inside, Cabin Vindheim is finished in waxed poplar veneer and there's a total of 55 sq m (592 sq ft) available
Cabin Vindheim split between a large living room, bedroom, a ski preparation room, mezzanine, and a small annex
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Cabin Vindheim split between a large living room, bedroom, a ski preparation room, mezzanine, and a small annex
Cutler Anderson Architects' Newberg Residence is a luxury home that takes the form of a bridge over a large pond
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Cutler Anderson Architects' Newberg Residence is a luxury home that takes the form of a bridge over a large pond
The interior of Newberg Residence includes a kitchen, living/dining room and master bedroom
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The interior of Newberg Residence includes a kitchen, living/dining room and master bedroom
Newberg Residence allows people to dive right into the pond from the living room
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Newberg Residence allows people to dive right into the pond from the living room
Located in Newberg, Oregon, the project was carefully landscaped to ensure a strong connection with the surrounding farmland
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Located in Newberg, Oregon, the project was carefully landscaped to ensure a strong connection with the surrounding farmland
Cutler Anderson Architects' Newberg Residence is a luxury home that takes the form of a bridge over a large pond
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Cutler Anderson Architects' Newberg Residence is a luxury home that takes the form of a bridge over a large pond
The CHiBB (Concept House Institute of Building and Business Administration) House is an experimental sustainable home located in Rotterdam University
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The CHiBB (Concept House Institute of Building and Business Administration) House is an experimental sustainable home located in Rotterdam University 
CHiBB comprises a timber frame with a huge greenhouse-like glazed area up top
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CHiBB comprises a timber frame with a huge greenhouse-like glazed area up top
In all, the CHiBB house will serve as the family's full-time home for three years
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In all, the CHiBB house will serve as the family's full-time home for three years
The interior temperature of CHiBB is controlled by simply opening operable windows
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The interior temperature of CHiBB is controlled by simply opening operable windows
CHiBB has no solar power, but a solar water heating system provides hot water
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CHiBB has no solar power, but a solar water heating system provides hot water
Located near in Kent, the oddly-named Ancient Party Barn is a barn conversion commissioned a couple who wanted a house that can be secured when left empty
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Located near in Kent, the oddly-named Ancient Party Barn is a barn conversion commissioned a couple who wanted a house that can be secured when left empty
Liddicoat & Goldhill fitted large insulated shutters which open to reveal a generous glazed area
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Liddicoat & Goldhill fitted large insulated shutters which open to reveal a generous glazed area
The oddly-named Ancient Party Barn features restored original wood throughout
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The oddly-named Ancient Party Barn features restored original wood throughout
A high-end security and home automation system allows the owners to manage the Ancient Party Barn's services remotely
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A high-end security and home automation system allows the owners to manage the Ancient Party Barn's services remotely
Located near in Kent, the oddly-named Ancient Party Barn is a barn conversion commissioned a couple who wanted a house that can be secured when left empty
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Located near in Kent, the oddly-named Ancient Party Barn is a barn conversion commissioned a couple who wanted a house that can be secured when left empty
This stunning concrete house by award-winning Polish firm KWK Promes was conceived by practice head Robert Konieczny as his own home
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This stunning concrete house by award-winning Polish firm KWK Promes was conceived by practice head Robert Konieczny as his own home
Local grazing animals have also made Konieczny's Ark a home for themselves
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Local grazing animals have also made Konieczny's Ark a home for themselves
Only one corner of Konieczny's Ark touches the ground
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Only one corner of Konieczny's Ark touches the ground
This stunning concrete house by award-winning Polish firm KWK Promes was conceived by practice head Robert Konieczny as his own home
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This stunning concrete house by award-winning Polish firm KWK Promes was conceived by practice head Robert Konieczny as his own home
Konieczny's Ark boasts stunning views of the Polish countryside
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Konieczny's Ark boasts stunning views of the Polish countryside
Only one corner of Konieczny's Ark touches the ground and water runs beneath Konieczny's Ark
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Only one corner of Konieczny's Ark touches the ground and water runs beneath Konieczny's Ark
To ensure security (it's a very isolated, rural spot), Konieczny's Ark can also be closed up with a series of shutters
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To ensure security (it's a very isolated, rural spot), Konieczny's Ark can also be closed up with a series of shutters
Murphy House includes multiple pulleys and levers, which re-arrange sections of wall to open up the home to the sun
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Murphy House includes multiple pulleys and levers, which re-arrange sections of wall to open up the home to the sun
Murphy House boasts some modest green cred too, and features a solar array on the roof that reduces grid-based electricity requirements
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Murphy House boasts some modest green cred too, and features a solar array on the roof that reduces grid-based electricity requirements
Murphy House is likened to the kind of home Wallace and Gromit might live in by the architect himself due to its many hidden secrets
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Murphy House is likened to the kind of home Wallace and Gromit might live in by the architect himself due to its many hidden secrets
A high-tech air-circulation system provides fresh air throughout Murphy House, and rainwater is collected for the toilet and the sprinkler system
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A high-tech air-circulation system provides fresh air throughout Murphy House, and rainwater is collected for the toilet and the sprinkler system
New Atlas highlights our top 10 houses of 2016
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New Atlas highlights our top 10 houses of 2016
View gallery - 51 images

Residential architecture often sees architects and designers at their experimental best, resulting in some of the most exciting projects we cover. From an affordable home that can be built using only a hex key to a luxury house with James Bond villain chic, read on for our pick of the top 10 houses of 2016.

Casa Brutale

Casa Brutale is defined by its thick, unfinished concrete slabs and topped by a reinforced glass pool that doubles as a roof
Casa Brutale is defined by its thick, unfinished concrete slabs and topped by a reinforced glass pool that doubles as a roof

With its ambitious melding of brutalist muscle and lair-like aesthetic that would make any SPECTRE boss houseproud, OPA's Casa Brutale seemed destined to stay on the drawing board, but then a wealthy CEO saw the project online and commissioned the firm to make it.

Currently under construction on a mountainside near Beirut, Lebanon, Casa Brutale is expected to be completed in 2018 for an estimated budget of US$2.5 million. The home is defined by its thick, unfinished concrete slabs and topped by a reinforced glass pool that doubles as a roof. A large glazed facade will offer views toward the capital.

Access to the interior will be gained by a long concrete staircase or via elevator from its three-car underground garage. It includes four bedrooms, four bathrooms, a lounge area, dining area (with concrete dining table), and kitchen.

Murphy House

Murphy House boasts some modest green cred too, and features a solar array on the roof that reduces grid-based electricity requirements
Murphy House boasts some modest green cred too, and features a solar array on the roof that reduces grid-based electricity requirements

Declared the 2016 RIBA House of the Year, Scotland's Murphy House looks to be a remarkably charming home.

Likened to the kind of homeWallace and Gromit might live in by the architect himself due to its many hidden secrets, Murphy House includes multiple pulleys and levers, which re-arrange sections of wall to open up the home to the sun. Sliding bookshelf ladders glide around a subterranean library, and a hidden bath is located in the master bedroom.

A solar array on the roof reduces grid-based electricity requirements and a high-tech air-circulation system provides fresh air throughout. Rainwater is collected for the toilet and sprinkler system.

Mrs. Fan's Plugin House

Mrs. Fan's Plugin House was assembled by a small team in just a few hours, but can potentially be built by two people with one hex key in just 24 hours
Mrs. Fan's Plugin House was assembled by a small team in just a few hours, but can potentially be built by two people with one hex key in just 24 hours

China's People's Architecture Office (PAO) recently completed Mrs. Fan's Plugin House for just $10,000.

Mrs. Fan's Plugin House was commissioned by a young woman who wanted to live in her parents' former courtyard house in central Beijing, but the existing home was too dilapidated. Therefore, the firm partly knocked down the old structure and inserted the new prefab to expand what was left.

The home is based on the same prefab technology used in PAO's Plugin Tower and consists of modules which include insulation, interior and exterior finish, wiring and plumbing all squeezed into one molded part.

It was assembled by a small team in just a few hours, but has the potential to be constructed by two unskilled people within 24 hours using a single hex key.

Koda

Koda requires no foundations. It can be placed on gravel, asphalt, and other surfaces, providing it has a level footing
Koda requires no foundations. It can be placed on gravel, asphalt, and other surfaces, providing it has a level footing

Estonian firm Kodasema is developing a prefabricated concrete micro-home that can be assembled and installed within just seven hours. It's also reported easy to move if necessary, and is expected to fetch roughly €100,000 (around $111,000), excluding transport costs, once it hits the market.

Koda requires no foundations. It can be placed on gravel, asphalt, and other surfaces, providing it has a level footing.

The home has a total floorspace of 30.3 sq m (326 sq ft), mostly taken up by a living room and kitchen area on the ground floor. Also on the ground floor lies a bathroom, while stairs lead to a small bedroom and laundry room.

Koda's windows are quadruple-glazed and roof-based solar-panels reduce grid-based electricity requirements.

UFO 2.0

Those looking for an out of this world living experience could do worse than consider the UFO 2.0
Those looking for an out of this world living experience could do worse than consider the UFO 2.0

Those looking for an out of this world living experience could do worse than consider the UFO 2.0, by Italian mini-yacht company Jet Capsule. Though not yet available, the firm plans to launch a crowdfunding campaign soon to help get it built.

The UFO 2.0 is essentially a flying saucer-shaped houseboat that would allow you to sleep with the fishes, literally, with a bedroom that's submerged and glazed. The home has a total of three levels. The first floor includes the kitchen and bathroom, while upstairs lies a hot tub, a desk and seating, and the controls to maneuver it.

The submerged level will have one large bedroom and bathroom as standard, but different configurations could be chosen, too. Jet Capsule envisions the UFO 2.0 as having twin engines. The home will get its electricity from a combination of solar panels, wind power, and a water turbine could also be used.

All being well, Jet Capsule hopes to start delivering the first models in early 2018. We've no word on the price, but guess it will be around $200,000.

Cabin Vindheim

Norwegian architecture studio Vardehaugen designed a charming off-grid cabin that cleverly riffs on a snowbound home theme
Norwegian architecture studio Vardehaugen designed a charming off-grid cabin that cleverly riffs on a snowbound home theme

Norwegian architecture studio Vardehaugen designed an off-grid cabin that cleverly riffs on the motif of a snowbound home that only has a roof protruding through the snow.

Located deep in the woods near Lillehammer, Norway, Cabin Vindheim consists of a series of sharply sloping roof sections that lend the impression of a larger structure hidden beneath the snow, but what you see above is all there is to the cabin. Its sloping form also serves as a ski jump and a toboggan/sledding run.

Inside, the interior is finished in waxed poplar veneer and there's a total of 55 sq m (592 sq ft) of floorspace available. This is split between a large living room, bedroom, a ski preparation room, mezzanine, and a small annex. Cabin Vindheim gets its electricity from a solar panel setup, while the kitchen includes a wood-fired oven.

Newberg Residence

Cutler Anderson Architects' Newberg Residence is a luxury home that takes the form of a bridge over a large pond
Cutler Anderson Architects' Newberg Residence is a luxury home that takes the form of a bridge over a large pond

Featuring in our American Institute of Architects Housing Awards coverage, Cutler Anderson Architects' Newberg Residence is a luxury home that takes the form of a bridge over a large pond.

Located in Newberg, Oregon, the project was carefully landscaped to ensure a strong connection with the surrounding farmland, and visitors must make their approach to the home on foot through a forest. Entry is gained via the rear. The front of the home is positioned to allow the owners and their guests to dive right into the pond from their living room.

The interior of the home includes a kitchen, living/dining room and master bedroom. An indoor mudroom links the home with the garage and a small nearby guest house is connected via an outdoor covered walkway.

CHiBB

The CHiBB (Concept House Institute of Building and Business Administration) House is an experimental sustainable home located in Rotterdam University
The CHiBB (Concept House Institute of Building and Business Administration) House is an experimental sustainable home located in Rotterdam University 

The CHiBB (Concept House Institute of Building and Business Administration) House is an experimental home located in Rotterdam University that's designed to explore sustainable methods of living.

Structurally, it comprises a timber frame with a huge greenhouse-like glazed area up top. Its interior includes three bedrooms and a home office. In addition, a rooftop vegetable garden is used to grow greens. The interior temperature is controlled by simply opening operable windows. There's no solar power, but a solar water heating system provides hot water. In addition, rainwater is collected for irrigation and toilet flushing.

The home is currently occupied by Dutch stylist Helly Scholten and her family. In all, the CHiBB House will serve as the family's full-time home for three years.

Ancient Party Barn

Liddicoat & Goldhill fitted large insulated shutters which open to reveal a generous glazed area
Liddicoat & Goldhill fitted large insulated shutters which open to reveal a generous glazed area

Located in Kent, England, the oddly-named Ancient Party Barn is a barn conversion commissioned a couple who wanted a house that can be secured when left empty, but that opens up to the countryside when they're home.

Liddicoat & Goldhill fitted large insulated shutters to the old barn which open to reveal a generous glazed area. This glazed area can in turn be raised with an industrial mechanism adapted from a chain lift. Similarly, an aircraft hanger door covers the home's glazed east-facing facade. With the throw of a lever, the hangar door concertinas upwards, creating a canopy over the newly-exposed dining area.

The interior features original wood throughout. As the existing green oak framing was rotten, it was disassembled, removed and repaired, before being put back into place.

A ground-source heat pump produces hot water and heating, while a high-end security and home automation system allows the owners to manage the building's services – including lighting and heating – remotely over an internet connection.

Konieczny's Ark

To ensure security (it's a very isolated, rural spot), Konieczny's Ark can also be closed up with a series of shutters
To ensure security (it's a very isolated, rural spot), Konieczny's Ark can also be closed up with a series of shutters

This fantastic concrete house by award-winning Polish firm KWK Promes was conceived by practice head Robert Konieczny as his own home. To maximize the expansive views of the Polish mountainside, he installed extensive glazing. The home can also be completely closed up with a series of shutters.

Only one corner of Konieczny's Ark touches the ground (which can be seen in the gallery) and when rain falls down the hill, it's surrounded by water (a grid system lets water pass beneath the home also). Access is therefore gained by a drawbridge.

Local grazing animals have made Konieczny's Ark a home for themselves, taking shelter under it and rubbing up against it. At night the home is lit from underneath and appears like a large lamp.

That completes our selection of this year's best homes. Head to the gallery for a closer look at each of the projects.

View gallery - 51 images
1 comment
1 comment
Tom Lee Mullins
I think those are really nice.