New York studio Bates Masi Architects added sprung cedar boards that can be acoustically "tuned" to this house in The Hamptons, so residents can have noisy parties without disturbing their neighbours (+ slideshow). More about Long Island house by Bates Masi Architects has adjustable sound barriers for walls
Work has completed on the UK's "first amphibious house" by Baca Architects, which rises in its dock-like foundations to avoid flood water (+ slideshow). More about Baca Architects completes buoyant house on the River Thames
A turquoise staircase runs diagonally across the facade of this cube-shaped home in rural Quebec, designed by Montreal studio Architecturama (+ slideshow). More about Turquoise staircase creates diagonal stripes across Quebec home by Architecturama
Four house-shaped blocks enclose a courtyard in the centre of this hilltop holiday home on the Danish coast by Lenschow & Pihlmann (+ slideshow). More about Danish summer house by Lenschow & Pihlmann is fragmented into house-shaped blocks
Dallas studio Wernerfield has completed a lakefront dwelling that features concrete and glass volumes, and a treehouse clad in pre-rusted steel (+ movie). More about Wernerfield uses concrete and weathering steel to create low-maintenance weekend home in Texas
Wooden hatches fold open to reveal a new loft room inside this former Victorian schoolhouse, recently renovated by London studio McLaren Excell as a holiday home. More about McLaren Excell creates "floating" loft room inside renovated schoolhouse home
Set on a gently sloping dune on the Argentinian coastline, this holiday home by Buenos Aires-based Besonias Almeida Arquitectos features board-marked concrete walls and warm-toned wood detailing (+ slideshow). More about Concrete summer house by Besonias Almeida sits among dunes on the Argentinian coastline
This pool house nestled among trees on the estate of a farmhouse in Spain's Sierra Nevada region is flanked by dry stone walls and has a turf roof that helps it merge with the landscape (+ slideshow). More about Roz Barr's pool house in the Sierra Nevada is surrounded by stone walls and olive trees
A narrow swimming pool spans the roof of this concrete house in northern Portugal, designed by local studio Carvalho Araújo to exploit views of the rugged landscape (+ slideshow). More about Concrete house with rooftop pool offers views over Portugal's Serra d'Arga mountains
A spindly crucifix-like frame supports a huge window overlooking a patio inside this Mexican residence by architect Abraham Cota Paredes (+ slideshow). More about Grand window fronts peaceful courtyard inside Abraham Cota Paredes' V House
Perforated screens cover the windows of this cement-clad house in Melbourne by Jackson Clements Burrows Architects, allowing light from within to shine through circular openings (+ slideshow). More about Perforated shutters animate facade of Melbourne house by Jackson Clements Burrows
A 312-metre-long concrete wall provides the framework for this house and art centre designed by Japanese architect Tadao Ando for a picturesque site on the Mexican seafront (photos by Edmund Sumner + slideshow). More about Tadao Ando's Casa Wabi is an artist's retreat that stretches along the Mexican coast
Buenos Aires studio Adamo-Faiden has refurbished a local 1970s townhouse and constructed a huge glazed enclosure at the back. More about Adamo-Faiden adds giant conservatory to updated Buenos Aires townhouse
A strip of glazing separates the blocks of textured concrete and timber that make up this house designed by architecture studio Carvalho Araújo overlooking a valley in northern Portugal (+ slideshow). More about Carvalho Araújo nestles timber and board-marked concrete residence into Portuguese valley
A sliding screen can reveal or conceal a glass office that cantilevers from the concave face of this concept house by American studio Fixd Architecture/Design (+ slideshow). More about Retractable sunscreen sheaths glazed cantilever at Ventus House
Wooden walls integrate bookshelves, doorways, windows and a foldaway desk inside this family house in Geneva that has been renovated by local architect Aurélie Monet Kasisi (+ slideshow). More about Aurélie Monet Kasisi adds wooden walls with built-in storage to family home in Geneva
Gently undulating walls and a wavy roof enclose this family home in northern Belgium by Office O Architects, which projects two broad windows over a secluded garden to the rear (+ slideshow). More about Office O Architects uses "flowing lines" and projecting windows to create Villa MQ
Boxy marble-clad bays project from this family home by Ariasrecalde Taller de Arquitectura, which completes a terrace in Granada, Spain (+ slideshow). More about Strips of grey marble clad Granada residence by Ariasrecalde Taller de Arquitectura
This two-bedroom family home in Japan is small but tall, so that residents can look out and see the foliage of neighbouring Japanese elm trees (+ slideshow). More about Compact wooden house by Takeru Shoji Architects stands alongside 200-year-old trees
An open-sided shelter made from railway sleepers provides a stable on the roof of this house by CC Arquitectos, which is partially embedded in a slope overlooking a Mexican valley (+ slideshow). More about Stable built from railway sleepers tops El Mirador House in Mexico by CC Arquitectos