Modern

This Victorian-era home in Melbourne, renovated by OOF! Architecture, maintains privacy from the street, but does so in an unusually "friendly" manner—with a giant brick wall that spells out "Hello," a collaboration with local artist Rose Nolan. The residents wanted their house to appeal to passersby, since it sits on a well-trafficked block near a café.

Contrasting with the densely organized upper floor, the lower one features one main open area for cooking, eating, and living that spans the building's entire depth. Pendant lamps by Supermodular hang above the dining table.

Spiekermann and Dulkinys agree that their house—the first they’ve built from the ground up—is definitely different.

This is John Lautner's Sheats House from 1963.

Modern by Dwell Magazine is a holistic home collection, available exclusively through Target starting December 27. Pictured above from left to right: the Bar Trolley in black/copper, $149.99; LED Pendant Light in white, $99.99; Side Table in white/natural, $89.99; Lounge Chair in white/natural, $249.99; Outdoor Lounge Chair in gray, $269.99 for two; Outdoor Side Table in gray, $89.99.

With his son, William, watching, architect Noah Walker tries out the floor-to-ceiling Schüco glass doors he integrated into a guesthouse he designed off an existing barn for Nathan Frankel, an amateur violinist, in Beverly Hills, California. The new portion features an open living-dining area. See more glass houses we love!

Pallasmaa considers San Diego’s Salk Institute an architectural masterpiece for its spiritually inspiring vistas and poetic sense of monumentality. Designed by Louis Kahn, it was completed in 1965.

Grunbaum was unafraid of a little color, as his living room (above) proves. It includes a coffee table by Mockett and a Tufty-Time sofa by Patricia Urquiola for B&B Italia.

Bornstein’s living room features an intriguing collection of furniture. The sofa is made by Swedish manufacturer Ire. The 1970s wood burner was a secondhand store find, and the wood table, by Bruno Mattson, was found in a bin at a recycling station. He inherited the lounge chair from his parents.

The staircase has a floating metal landing that connects to a fir plywood wall.

Concrete block walls allow light and air to pass into the garden while maintaining a screen of privacy.

Incredible, airy photos from the JUNGFRAUJOCH observatory by Samuel Zeller.

Incredible, airy photos from the JUNGFRAUJOCH observatory by Samuel Zeller.

Rising to a catwalk above, a huge glass-and-steel central stair envisioned by architect Filippo Caprioglio spans four floors of the Chiavellis’ newly expanded house.

MODERN TAKE ON A TRADITIONAL FARMHOUSE IN MISSOURI Thanks to Matthew Hufft, their envelope-pushing architect and longtime friend, Hannah and Paul Catlett have a new home in southwestern Missouri that’s a fresh, unconventional take on the traditional farmhouse. The homeowners call the house Porch House after it's majestic wraparound porch. photos by: Joe Pugliese

Glulam beams keep the interior column free and enable a large skylight that runs the length of the roof.