A perfect blend of refined architectural design and rustic charm, contemporary stone houses offer the best of both worlds. This page features a curated selection of designs completed by renowned architecture firms and up and coming architects from all over the world. However different they may be, all of these dwellings have something in common: they have natural stone walls. Textured, with small or large blocks, painted or left raw, these houses put the natural material in the best light and highlight its features by placing it alongside contemporary elements or using it to create elegant designs.
When it comes to contemporary stone houses, designs vary widely; from reconditioned and tastefully modernized farmhouses in the Italian countryside to modern barns that put the traditional agricultural buildings in a new perspective or minimalist dwellings that blend into natural settings. Some houses create a bold contrast between old and new. Corrugated metal appears alongside solid stone walls. Concrete floors complement the beautiful textures of stone and establish a dialogue between natural and man-made elements; between rustic and urban.
Built in natural landscapes or rural areas, many contemporary stone houses use the building material as a connection to the local setting. Sourced from quarries close to the building site, preserved as part of the walls of old buildings, or even reclaimed from ruins, stone blocks give contemporary dwellings more character. Anchored to their context, new, modern homes and weekend retreats become comfortable shelters that both celebrate and rejuvenate their surroundings. While they become a part of the landscape, they also make their mark on the land as a testament of masterful architecture.