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5 Architectural Works of Art

Luxury Defined spotlights five designer residences that are works of art

The art on our walls, the carefully selected interior decor, the objects we collect over a lifetime tell the story of who we are. But sometimes the story is woven into the very fabric of a house, making it more than just a showcase for our art, but art in and of itself. Each of the homes in this Luxury Defined collection convey their own unique story, where the artist’s stroke and the architect’s hand are one and the same. Consider the high art in the otherworldly curves of Antti Lovag’s iconic Bubble Palace or Sir Norman Foster’s innovative Chesa Futura; the modernist, linear strokes of the gravity-defying, deftly designed Ski the Future ; or the sculpted artistry of Villa Duinhove or Shining Hand Ranch. Here, the art of living is art itself.

The Bubble Palace
Théoule-sur-Mer, France

 Pierre Cardin’s iconic Bubble Palace was designed by Hungarian architect Antti Lovag. The unique living spaces are composed of interconnecting terracotta orbs which flow into beautiful gardens overlooking the Bay of Cannes.

The Bubble Palace is the iconic estate of fashion designer Pierre Cardin. Built from 1975 to 1989 by celebrated Hungarian architect Antti Lovag, the unique and other worldly palais just outside Cannes was built without a single straight line. The 12,900-square-foot structure, composed of interconnecting terracotta spheres, features a panoramic lounge and 10 suites individually decorated by contemporary artists such as Patrice Breteau and Jérôme Tisserand. The grounds are an earthly paradise with Mediterranean gardens, an infinity pool, and a 500-seat amphitheater facing the sea.

Related: Take a Look Inside the Iconic Bubble Palace

Chesa Futura
St. Moritz, Switzerland

Sir Norman Foster’s Chesa Futura is a landmark property positioned on the Corviglia hillside, overlooking the Alps and the exclusive Swiss village of St. Moritz. The three-story residential building exhibits a dynamic form and innovative appearance with its alluring bubble-shaped timber façade coated in a quarter of a million locally sourced larch shingles. The largest of the five residences offers nearly 6,000 square feet of sleek, ultra-luxurious living spaces with five bedrooms and five bathrooms. A grand terrasse is positioned to take in the breathtaking panorama of the lake, the village, and the Alps. Moments away are the legendary slopes of the world’s most famous winter resort.

Ski the Future
Incline Village, Nevada

Soaring above the shores of Lake Tahoe with the Sierra Nevada in the distance, Ski the Future is one of the most spectacular waterfront properties in North America. The multi-faceted, cantilevered structure is a convergence of art and technology, offering 9,000 square feet and six stories of swish living spaces enveloped in walls of glass and steel. The sleek features include a beautiful glass staircase and high-tech glass elevator that zips between all six levels. The landscaped grounds lead down to 98 feet of lake frontage with a steel pier, boat hoist, and two buoys.

Related: Explore Homes for Art Connoisseurs

Shining Hand Ranch
Ashland, Oregon

Shining Hand Ranch is a 700-acre estate in the foothills of southern Oregon’s Siskiyou and Cascade mountain ranges. Completed in 2016, the 8,880-square-foot main residence was carefully designed to pay homage to the land that surrounds it. Throughout, exquisite accents of exotic wood and river rock echo the lines of nature. At the entrance, Brazilian mahogany doors, sculpted by local artist Russell Beebe, open to a dazzling foyer with an intricately carved staircase that evokes the flow of a river. The treehouse-style master suite has a beautiful domed cedar ceiling. The amenities not only honor nature but function in concert with it: The floors are heated geothermally and the indoor pool is solar-heated.

Related: Learn More About Iwan Baan-Architecture’s Favorite Photographer 

Villa Duinhove
Bosch en Duin, Netherlands

The most luxurious home in the Netherlands, Villa Duinhove was inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s iconic Fallingwater. The villa was built into its picturesque woodland setting just outside the village of Bosch en Duin, near Amsterdam. The house rises up from the landscape like a contemporary castle. A huge natural stone arcade, crafted from Jerusalem gold limestone —which also graces the floors and walls—glass balustrades, and brushed aluminum imbue the villa with a classic yet sophisticated ambience. The exquisite craftsmanship is exhibited throughout the 23,000-square-foot, seven-level interior. A wellness center, swimming pool, gym, and movie theater add extra layers of opulence.