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Every month brings with it new architecture, and to commemorate the best houses posted online in May, we have another installment of Fresh Builds: The 25 Coolest Houses of May 2013. In celebration of summer, this list highlights a few beach houses that may inspire you to finally book that getaway, in addition to some genuinely cool and contemporary cribs from around the world. Enjoy and may your fantasies run free (perhaps along the beach of one of these houses).
RELATED: Fresh Builds: The 25 Coolest Houses of April 2013
RELATED: The 25 Coolest Beach Houses
Elizabeth Beach House
25. Elizabeth Beach House
Location: Australia
Architect: Bourne Blue Architecture
Constructed in a small village in Australia, this timber-paneled house is surrounded with trees. A more modest construction, this multi-level house impresses with its use of different wood panelling and complex divisions.
Galeria House
24. Galeria House
Location: Nova Lima, Brazil
Architect: MACh Arquitetos
A modern construction suspended over a rolling hill in Brazil, the Galeria House has a crisp white exterior and a long pool for recreation. The glossed back opens the house to the stunning views, and allows light to fill the long living room.
House in Alibaug
23. House in Alibaug
Location: Alibaug, India
Architect: WE Design Studio
The 3,500 square foot house was designed to accommodate a family of four, while assuring a view of the Arabian Sea below. Another casual beach getaway, with a glossed back for unrestricted views. The infinity pool is a nice touch, so you can swim around and observe the setting sun with the sea in the distance.
Cosgriff House
22. Cosgriff House
Location: Annandale, Sydney Australia
Architect: Christopher Polly Architect
A converted bungalow, the Cosgriff House now boasts double the living space than of the previous building. A more modest construction than others featured on Fresh Builds, this home nonetheless impresses with its sleek look and many windows that allow light to fill the house.
Merricks Beach House
21. Merricks Beach House
Location: Merricks Beach, Melbourne, Australia
Architect: Kennedy Nolan Architects
Deisgned as a short-term rental vacation home, Merricks Beach House has two bedrooms and ample space for entertaining. The contrast between the brick and wood give the home a modern yet rustic look, while the interior is quite sleek. Not bad at all, and it can be yours if you are looking to vacation in Merricks Beach.
Panorama House
20. Panorama House
Location: North Chungcheong Province, South Korea
Architect: Moon Hoon
A dynamic home catering to the needs of 4 small children, Panorama House features an innovative staircase/bookcase/slide installation. Essentially, a practical indoor jungle gym that also doubles as seating for screenings on the opposite wall, this contraption is any kid's dream. Who didn't dream of having a slide in the middle of their home? With an odd twist, this house also features heated floors to encourage inhabitants to sit on the floor rather than on the furniture.
Gros Ventre Residence
19. Gros Ventre Residence
Location: Jackson, Wyoming
Architect: Stephen Dynia Architects
A modern wood cabin, the Gros Ventre Residence combines large windows with a wooden exterior to create a comfortable yet modern space. You might have to go to Wyoming to appreciate this house, but you will be warmed by one sweet fireplace as you admire the surrounding nature.
House on Krk Island
18. House on Krk Island
Location: Krk Island, Croatia
Architect: DVA Arhitekta
Overlooking the sea, the House on Krk Island incorporates traditional Croatian and modern architecture through the use of contrasting smooth and stone exteriors. Large windows open the house to light and the mesmerizing view of the sea in the distance. Croatia has risen in popularity as a getaway spot, and with such homes popping up it makes sense why (of course in addition to the beautiful beaches).
JKC2 House
17. JKC2 House
Location: Bukit Timah, Singapore
Architect: ONG&ONG
Open and modern, the JKC2 House is built around a serene pool. Sliding panels allow the residents to open the house for unrestricted air flow and access to the pool. Oh the countless extravagant summer parties you could throw living in this luxurious house.
Seacombe Grove House
16. Seacombe Grove House
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Architect: b.e architecture
A home fully surrounded by a garden, the glossed bottom floor gives the house a very tropical feel. However, the top floor is clad in smooth polished stone, which creates an interesting contrast. The interior is equally sleek, with polished white walls reflecting the light flooding through the many windows.
KS House
15. KS House
Location: Stein, Austria
Architect: Two in a Box
A geometric construction with strong horizontal lines, the facade of the house radiates modernity. The interior is flooded with light, which is reflected off of the glossed walls. It's truly a cool and sleek home that breathes class.
The Glass House
14. The Glass House
Location: Winchester, England
Architect: AR Design Studio
The remodeling of an old English house, with an expansion into the previously servant's quarters, the Glass House derives its beauty from the contrast between the glass and red brick. The transformed house is saturated with light, and the glass extension from the original house creates a modern kitchen and living room.
House in Monasterios
13. House in Monasterios
Location: Monasterios, Spain
Architect: Ramon Esteve
A house that seamlessly incorporates elements of traditional Spanish architecture (the pale stone) and modern sleek lines, the House in Mosaterios also entices with its large pool and extensive covered outdoor areas. It is difficult to imagine anyone wanting to leave this luxurious home.
Tucson Mountain Retreat
12. Tucson Mountain Retreat
Location: Sonoran Desert, Arizona
Architect: DUST
To minimize the impact of the house on the surrounding environment, the walls of Tucson Mountain Retreat are made of locally sourced rammed earth, and is specifically located away from known animal migrating paths. In addition to being environmentally friendly, the house also boasts a music studio, large rooftop for entertaining, and several covered outdoor areas. A sleek take on traditional Arizona architecture, this home impresses with its beautiful views and comfortable interior.
Fairhaven Residence
11. Fairhaven Residence
Location: Victoria, Australia
Architect: John Wardle Architects
Following the trend of wood-paneled interiors, the Fairhaven Residence does this while being encased in a metal angular exterior. A modern beach house with an unobstructed view and access to the ocean: another dream beach-front property.
Mediterrani 32
10. Mediterrani 32
Location: Sant Pol de Mar, Spain
Architect: ISERN
A complicated project on a small piece of land, the house looks like it is performing a difficult balancing act on a steep hill. Mediterrani 32 manages to minimize environmental impact while maximizing air and light. The large windows of the house allow the inhabitants to appreciate the sea below and the surrounding nature.
Sagaponack House
9. Sagaponack House
Location: Sagaponack, New York
Architect: Bates Masi Architects
A house designed for an active family of six, it also boasts a pool, pool house, garage, and sports courts. This beachfront home is the definition of modern luxury.
Apelle House
8. Apelle House
Location: Karjaa, Finland
Architect: Sasagrande Laboratory
Incorporating the longstanding tradition of Finnish carpentry and craftsmanship, the Apelle House is a modern residence constructed by two local carpenters that specialize in ship-building, which explains its boat-like appearance. Doubtless, this house makes for one blissful and warm getaway from the snow piling up outside.
Haus am Moor
7. Haus am Moor
Location: Lower Australia
Architect: Bernardo Bader Architects
With an interior and exterior outfitted with local elm, fir, and spruce, Haus am Moor used a total of 60 trees in its construction. The wood hides the underlying concrete structure, which is exposed in some areas to contrast with the wood paneling. A unique modern home, Haus am Moor is sure to impress with its high ceilings and open layout, while maintaining an inviting feel thanks to the warmth of the wooden paneling.
Long Farm
6. Long Farm
Location: Suffolk, England
Architect: Lucy Martson
A three-storey family house built to resemble an old English farmhouse, Long Farm has windows placed throughout to allow light during different times of day, with a crisp white interior. With views of the surrounding beautiful countryside, it makes sense why this house was commissioned by an established writer: just one look out the window is sure to inspire.
Main Ridge Residence
5. Main Ridge Residence
Location: Mornington Peninsula, Australia
Architect: McAllister Alcock Architects
Built on an established working vineyard, Main Ridge Residence has four bedrooms and ample space for entertaining. Not only do you get to live in style, but you get to look out on your lands as they soak up the sun, working on the next batch of grapes for your wines. Ah, to live the dream.
Casa Lapo
4. Casa Lapo
Location: Unknown
Architect: Florent Lesaulnier
Casa Lopo was designed to be the embodiment of Italian entrepreneur Lapo Elkann, who the architect Florent Lesaulnier interviewed for the project. This spaceship-camouflaged house with a glass-encased staircase is the perfect bachelor pad.
Tower House
3. Tower House
Location: Upstate New York
Architect: Gluck+
Designed as a treehouse, Tower House features a living room that is elevated nine meters above three stories of bedrooms and bathrooms. The house features a bright yellow staircase, which can be seen through the clear glass paneling along the tower. One of the aims of the architect was to minimize the impact of the house on the surroundings, hence the tower has a footprint of only 40-square-meters. In addition, Gluck+ used mirrored glass to camouflage the house in reflections of trees, a trend amongst glossed houses to minimize interference in wooded environments.
18.36.54 House
2. 18.36.54 House
Location: Connecticut
Architect: Daniel Libeskind
The contrast between the polished and angular form of the house and the surrounding landscape creates a dramatic effect for the house, an almost "Alien Ship Landed in a Field" effect. The exterior of the house is covered in polished copper panels, which reflect images of the surrounding trees. But of course, the interior lives up to the hype of the exterior. A custom wood bookcase is fitted to the unconventional form of the house, while the wooden panelling creates a comfortable environment within the metal frame.
CIPEA Number 4 Blockhouse
1. CIPEA Number 4 Blockhouse
Location: Nanjing, China
Architect: AZL Architects
A five-bedroom house that was inspired by the Chinese pagoda, CIPEA Number 4 incorporates horizontal lines that place it in harmony with the horizons of the landscape. We imagine this is what the future looks like, if we even make it there.