The summer has officially kicked off, and homeowners will soon be looking for safe havens from the hot weather as things heat up across the country. Cool breezes and inviting places to take a dip will be high on owners’ priority lists this summer as they escape the cities and suburbs in search of a tranquil oasis.
Here, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite home designs that sit right on the water. From coastal cottages on sunny sprawling beaches to quaint cabins in the shade of cool lakes, these homes featured in the BUILDER Project Gallery provide scenic landscapes and a relaxing waterfront retreat perfect for a summer getaway.
Casa Bahia, by Alejandro Landes
The Miami retreat serves as a restorative sanctuary where the homeowners can connect to the surrounding environment.
Summerhouse Lagnö, by Tham & Videgård Arkitekter
Tham & Videgård Arkitekter designed this home located in the Stockholm archipelago as an integral part of nature by choosing materials that connect with the surrounding granite bedrock of the island's landscape.
Island Residence, by Peter Rose + Partners
Peter Rose + Partners designed this Edgartown, Mass. residence as part of a collection of environment- and landscape-centric interventions that blur the boundaries between inside and outside.
Cliff House, by MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects
This austere wood box dwelling is precariously perched off the bedrock cliff of the Nova Scotian Atlantic Coast to create the illusion that its residents are floating above the sea.
Case Inlet Retreat, by MW|Works Architecture+Design
Looking to offer a unique view of the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound, MW|Works designed this lakeside residence in Lakebay, Wash., with a bold concrete cantilever that projects the living areas of the home toward the surrounding landscape.
Sea Song, by Form4 Architecture
Form4 Architecture built the private, self-sustaining Sea Song residence, located in Big Sur on the California coast, to resemble a gliding trio of Manta Rays.
Coastal Residence, by Neumann Mendro Andrulaitis
When presented with two adjacent lots in Santa Barbara, Calif., purchased by a rancher looking for an oceanside retreat, Neumann Mendro Andrulaitis renovated an existing 7,000-square-foot home and designed an additional residence on the neighboring narrow space to create a cohesive coastal retreat.
House on Solitude Creek, by Robert Gurney Architect
Robert Gurney Architect renovated this existing Dutch Colonial style home in St. Michael's, Md., to comply with updated—and strict—zoning laws and showcase the surrounding lake views by adding a series of small decks and a large cantilevered porch.
Sagaponack House, by Bates Masi + Architects
Paul Masi often designs new houses for stunning sites like this piece of land tucked between the Atlantic Ocean and a freshwater pond near the east end of Long Island. The design of this kitchen enhances the scenery by blending with the place’s colors, textures, contours, and moods.
Key Biscayne Residence, by The Weber Studio
Weber Studio designed this custom, coastal residence in Key Biscayne, Fla., in a soothing palette and with gracious outdoor spaces.
New Residence on the Water, by Richardson Architects
After powderpost beetles were discovered in this 1960s Belvedere, Calif., home, its existing structure needed to be demolished. A new, modern, and FEMA-standard compliant house was designed and built in its place by Richardson Architects.
Island Residence, by Bohlin Cywinski Jackson
Bohlin Cywinski Jackson designed this oceanside Honolulu home to embrace the Japanese heritage of the clients while also reflecting the culture of the lush Hawaiian Islands.
Redaction House, by Johnsen Schmaling Architects
Johnsen Schmaling Architect's design of this Oconomowoc, Wiss., residence maximizes lake views with floor-to-ceiling windows in a double-height living room and a second-floor deck.
House on Maine Coast, by Toshiko Mori Architect
Toshiko Mori Architect's Z-shaped design provides views of the harbor while still ensuring privacy for the residents of this Camden, Maine, home, which is made of local materials and incorporates sustainable features.
Spencer Butte Residence, by 2fORM Architecture
Situated on the south side of a national park, this home by 2fORM Architecture in Eugene, Ore., is designed to utilize the natural elements by enhancing daylight with high-performance windows and incorporating energy efficient technology.
Newberg Residence, by Cutler Anderson Architects
Cutler Anderson Architects chose an overgrown man-made pond on the client's farm as the site for this Newberg, Ore., residence, and designed the home to bring the pond and structure together as a singe entity.
