Big windows replace the rear wall of a 20th-century house in Rotterdam, which has been overhauled by Shift Architecture Urbanism to create two light-filled apartments. More about Shift exchanges brickwork for glazing to create bright apartments in Rotterdam townhouse
Architect José Almeida has partially demolished a late 19th-century property in northern Portugal, and used the rubble to create holiday accommodation where guests can bathe in a former wine press. More about José Almeida transforms stone villa in rural Portugal into holiday house
At this year's SXSW festival, an Austin-based startup has launched sales for its prefabricated tiny house equipped with systems controlled by a mobile app. More about Kasita launches sales of high-tech micro dwellings at SXSW
Two tiers of glazing sweep around a stout olive tree in the back garden of this Rotterdam residence by MVRDV, contrasting with the almost windowless brick walls that face the street and neighbouring houses. More about MVRDV wraps Rotterdam house around a mature olive tree
Straight walls are in short supply at this house in Póvoa de Varzim, Portugal, which curls around the edges of a curving cobbled courtyard. More about House L27 by dIONISO LAB is arranged around a curving courtyard in northern Portugal
This robust concrete house in the Swiss town of Savièse steps down the side of a hill and contains rooms lining internal patios that look out towards the nearby mountains. More about Anako Architecture completes "fortress-like" concrete house in an Alpine town
This stone villa in Arizona by Los Angeles architect Marwan Al-Sayed was conceived as a succession of interior and exterior spaces that are organised around a central courtyard. More about Limestone walls define sequence of courtyards at Arizona desert home by Marwan Al-Sayed
Dutch studios NL Architects and XVW Architectuur have renovated one of the largest apartment buildings in the Netherlands, restoring the repetitive gridded facades of the 1960s block but leaving the flats bare for residents to customise. More about Colossal Amsterdam housing block brought up to date with customisable apartments
A geometric staircase and eclectic furniture feature alongside wooden surfaces in this apartment in northern Italy, which was renovated by Italian office Jab Studio and boasts views of the mountains. More about Jab studio creates rustic interior for Alpine loft overlooking the mountains
A spiralling steel staircase connects the living spaces inside this timber and glass extension to a semi-detached property in Hackney, north London. More about Steel-wrapped staircase winds through Hackney extension by Cousins & Cousins
The limited floor area of this Montreal dwelling required Canadian firm La Shed Architecture to lay out the home's social spaces on two distinct levels. More about La Shed Architecture creates split-level living spaces in compact Montreal residence
American studio Elizabeth Herrmann Architecture + Design has created a light-coloured micro dwelling with cut-out corners and a sloped roof, aiming to demonstrate that a "small house need not be a claustrophobic, monotonous box". More about Elizabeth Herrmann creates tiny house for artist in Vermont
This week's roundup from Pinterest finds homes that borrow from their rural locations and use natural materials, including a 19th-century barn conversion in rural Germany and a Barcelona apartment with exposed stone walls. More about 10 rustic home interiors from Dezeen's Pinterest boards that go back to basics
This concrete home shaded by a wooden screen by Chilean architects Felipe Assadi and Francisca Pulido is elevated off the ground, allowing plants to grow underneath the structure. More about Hexagonal wooden lattice wraps Mexico City home by Felipe Assadi and Francisca Pulido
Stilts elevate this small winter cabin by Delordinaire above a snow-laden slope in Quebec, sheltering beneath its base an outdoor living space with a warming stove. More about Delordinaire raises High House above snowy Quebec countryside to protect an outdoor lounge
British firms Squire and Partners and SOM have completed a slender skyscraper just north of the City of London, which at 117 metres is the tallest tower in the borough of Islington. More about SOM and Squire and Partners complete tallest tower in London's Islington
Low-slung volumes stretch along either side of central outdoor spaces at this family home in Northern California, by American firm Bohlin Cywinski Jackson. More about Bohlin Cywinski Jackson creates Silicon Valley residence with pool and meditation garden
Entirely glazed walls ensure the owners of this residence designed by Penelas Architects are presented with the best possible views of a picturesque forest outside Madrid. More about Penelas Architects embeds glass and rusted-steel retreat in forest glade near Madrid
American architect Richard Meier has completed a trio of residential buildings and two charter schools in downtown Newark, the city where he was born. More about Richard Meier designs schools and teacher housing for his hometown in New Jersey
Staggering a series of parallel spaces, architect and Columbia University professor Lydia Xynogala has created a hillside home on Skiathos where rooms have secluded terraces facing the ocean. More about Greek island home by Lydia Xynogala fans out to maximise sea views