Luxury Living: Homes with awards for architecture

The outstanding conversion of the Grade II-listed Lymm Water Tower, by British design firm Ellis Williams Architects, has resulted in a long list of accolades including the 2006 Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) award. This unique luxury dwelling in the Cheshire countryside has 6,127 square feet of living space with five bedrooms, minimalist open-plan living areas, as well as a cinema, gym, sauna, and 70-foot-high rooftop garden offering breathtaking 360-degree views of the surrounding counties and as far as north Wales.

The Stremmel House in Nevada is ranked in Architectural Digest’s AD 100 list as one of the world’s great buildings, and has been selected by Architectural Record  as House of the Year. Built into 9.28 acres of land, the 6,515-square-foot structure is distinguished by its vibrant hues and use of natural materials. An abundance of entertaining areas and cosy conversation spaces are framed by vaulted ceilings and walls of windows, offering spectacular vistas of forests, mountain peaks, and the valley floor below.

Nestled between two tranquil coves, 12 miles off the coast of Rhode Island, Swede Hill House on Block Island has won awards for both design and green construction, including the AIAri Honor Award, 2013, for outstanding achievement in architectural design. Designed by Estes/Twombly architects, the LEED-certified hilltop home offers 3,600-square feet of immaculate living areas and four acres of ocean-facing grounds with manicured gardens, a bluestone courtyard, an infinity pool, and guest accommodations.

The winner of cable channel HGTV’s Ultimate House Hunt: Best Glass House in the USA, this tropical retreat blends cutting-edge architecture with a breathtaking location on Kauai’s north shore. Hidden behind private gates at the end of a quiet road, the contemporary Hawaiian residence is situated on a half-acre beachfront parcel amid lush grounds. The sophisticated, open floor plan features dramatic walls of glass, which allow for superb views of the Pacific Ocean, Mount Haena and Manoa Falls. 

This striking modernist villa on the Greek island of Antiparos was the 2004 winner of the ar+d Emerging Architecture award. The creation of Athens design firm DecaARCHITECTURE, Kratir is perfectly integrated into its magnificent hilltop setting, commanding 360-degree views of the Cycladic islands and the Strait of Antiparos. The 6,135-square-foot residential compound is composed of several structures, connected by 7,911 square feet of terraces, with an 82-foot lap pool and nearly two acres of landscaped grounds.