Luxury Living: Avant-Garde residences

Sir Norman Foster’s Chesa Futura is a triumph of contemporary design in St. Moritz. Built into the Corviglia hillside, the three-story building has a striking bubble-shaped timber façade coated in a quarter of a million larch shingles. The largest of Chesa Futura’s five residences offers nearly 6,000 square feet of chic living spaces with five bedrooms and five bathrooms. A grand terrace is dramatically positioned to take in the breathtaking panorama of the lake, the village, and the Alps. The challenging pistes of the world’s most famous winter resort are steps away.

Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada form the backdrop to Ski the Future — a modernist masterpiece in Nevada’s Incline Village. Soaring above the shores of the lake, this deftly designed contemporary home is one of the most spectacular waterfront properties in North America. The 9,000-square-foot multi-faceted, cantilevered structure is wrapped by walls of glass and steel. Inside, a six-story glass staircase and futuristic glass elevator zip between each floor. Outside, the landscaped grounds lead down to almost 100 feet of lake frontage with a steel pier featuring a boat lift and moorings.

The Bubble Palace is the iconic French Riviera estate of fashion designer Pierre Cardin. The creation of world-renowned architect Antti Lovag, this unique property is composed of a cluster interconnecting terracotta spheres which enclose 12,900 square feet of living space with a panoramic lounge, reception room, and 10 luxurious suites decorated by contemporary artists. The two-acre grounds are a private paradise featuring lush gardens, water ponds, an infinity pool, and a 500-seat auditorium overlooking the Bay of Cannes.

Shining Hand Ranch is a one-of-a-kind property on more than 700 private acres in the foothills of Oregon’s Siskiyou and Cascade mountain ranges. The main residence is an architectural showpiece built to mimic the organic flow of nature. At the entrance, arched Brazilian mahogany doors are framed by copper tree sculptures. Other highlights include a foyer with a handcrafted wood staircase and a treehouse-inspired master suite. The home also functions in harmony with nature: all the floors are heated and cooled geo-thermally and the indoor pool is solar heated.

Avant-garde architecture, chic interior design, and resort-inspired amenities converge at this deluxe villa in La Eliana, Valencia. Built in the mid-1970s, the lavish residence has a curved exterior punctuated by walls of windows that frame views of the picturesque gardens. The palatial interiors offer more than 19,500 square feet of living space with seven bedrooms and eight bathrooms. Among the home’s features are a discotheque, wine cellar, indoor pool atrium, outdoor lap pool, and a ‘Basque pelota’ sport court.