The epitome of laid-back retreats and relaxing getaways, modern beach houses provide the perfect solution to take a break from city living. On this page, you can find some of the best architectural designs we could find that fit this description. Completed by young, up and coming architects or established studios, these beach houses feature creative designs that respond to and celebrate natural settings in different ways. Some of these houses are holiday retreats, while others are permanent homes. Here, you can also find sprawling artist retreats that focus on creating a sense of community and compact cabins nestled among rock formations.

While the words “beach house” may bring a wooden cabin and white sand dunes to mind, these projects defy that description. Think brutalist gems built between old pine trees in a secluded area by the beach or monolithic structures that overlook spectacular cliffs. These modern beach houses defy classification in a specific style, but they do share some things in common. Apart from their location – close to a beach or the coast – they also respect their natural setting. Whether they feature elevated platforms that minimize the impact on the land or asymmetric designs that follow the topography of the site, these houses showcase the architects’ desire to preserve and celebrate nature.

Modern beach houses come in all shapes and sizes. They also feature a huge range of materials – another break from the archetypal wooden beach shack. While many of these houses do feature wooden cladding, they have modern elements or finishes. Corrugated metal, stone, and concrete are also some of the other materials architects use to create coastal retreats. Regardless of design or setting, all of these houses offer access to breathtaking views of beaches, bays, fjords, or open seas.