Tower houses are a powerful example of how architecture can transcend locale. Though these dwellings are rare, they share similar approaches to view and hierarchy, and engender wonderfully unique living experiences. As homes that rethink typical forms of dwelling, the following tower houses reveal novel approaches to vertical living around the world.<\/p>\n
From dense urban environments to rural, idyllic countrysides, these projects take advantage of height to frame expansive views. Built with structural systems that allow for flexibility, each design possesses its own programmatic hierarchy and material expression. From stacked services to intricate staircases, careful consideration is given to circulation and spatial sequences. Together, these designs break the mold to stand out and capture our imagination.<\/p>\n
\u00a9 Marlon Blackwell Architects<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n
\u00a9 Marlon Blackwell Architects<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n
\u00a9 Marlon Blackwell Architects<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n
Keenan TowerHouse<\/b><\/a> by Marlon Blackwell Architects<\/a>, Fayetteville, Ark., United States<\/p>\n Marlon Blackwell\u2019s Keenan TowerHouse was built as a structure that soars above the trees to offer expansive views across the horizon. Designed with stairs that rise through a 50-foot-high courtyard and an open-roof exterior room that frames the sky above, the project was oriented on the cardinal points to intensify the presence of celestial movements.<\/p>\n \u00a9 Yoon Joon-hwan<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n \u00a9 On Architects Inc.<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n \u00a9 On Architects Inc.<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n Tower House<\/b><\/a> by ON Architecture INC.<\/a>, Gimhae-si, South Korea<\/p>\n Sited behind Gimhaehyanggyo Confucian School, this tower house takes advantage of multiple views over the cityscape of Gimhae. To capture these views, a family room was created atop an observation tower, while a vertical gallery and foyer links and integrates all the rooms of the house together.<\/p>\n \u00a9 Christian Pottgiesser<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n \u00a9 Christian Pottgiesser<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n MAISON L<\/b><\/a> by Christian Pottgiesser<\/a>, France<\/p>\n Christian Pottgiesser\u2019s Maison L is located outside the Paris city center near the river Seine. Overlooking the Parisian outskirts, the tower minimizes construction on the grounds while forming a complex topography between the house and its landscape.<\/p>\n \u00a9 Pezo von Ellrichshausen<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n \u00a9 Pezo von Ellrichshausen<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n Casa Cien<\/b><\/a> by Pezo von Ellrichshausen<\/a>, Concepcion, Chile<\/p>\n The Cien House was designed as a seven-story concrete tower that includes studio space. Rising from a partially submerged base, the structure was built with layered concrete and exposed aggregate to establish a monolithic profile.<\/p>\n \u00a9 Paul Warchol Photography<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n \u00a9 Paul Warchol Photography<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n Tower House<\/b><\/a> by GLUCK+<\/a>, Ulster County, N.Y., United States<\/p>\n Inspired by the trees that surround it, this vacation house features green enamel back-painted glass and a spacious living area on the top floor. Made with views to the Catskill mountains, the project includes glass-enclosed stairs that ascend to the treetops.<\/p>\n \u00a9 Edward Ogosta Architecture<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n \u00a9 Edward Ogosta Architecture<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n Four Eyes House<\/b><\/a> by Edward Ogosta Architecture<\/a><\/p>\n Created as a weekend desert residence, Four Eyes House was designed to intensify viewing and the experience of the surrounding site. Each \u201csleeping tower\u201d was oriented to a different part of the landscape, from the morning sunrise and southern mountain range to evening city lights and the nighttime stars overhead.<\/p>\n \u00a9 Marte.Marte Architects<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n \u00a9 Marte.Marte Architects<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n Maiden Tower<\/b><\/a> by Marte.Marte Architects<\/a>, Dafins, Austria<\/p>\n Maiden Tower in Austria was created as a vertical steel and concrete monolith rising above the land. Connected to an in-ground pool and the nearby forest, the project includes living quarters, a library and carefully crafted outdoor space.<\/p>\n \u00a9 Andersson-Wise Architects<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n \u00a9 Andersson-Wise Architects<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n Tower House<\/b><\/a> by Andersson-Wise Architects<\/a>, Leander, Texas, United States<\/p>\n Building upon Lake Travis\u2019s vernacular limestone cabin designs from 1930, Andersson-Wise\u2019s house introduced additional living quarters through a vertical wood tower. The project was made with a terrace that opens up to a panorama of the lake and surrounding landscape.<\/p>\n \u00a9 7-t<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n \u00a9 7-t<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n 4×4 House<\/b><\/a> by Tadao Ando Architect & Associates<\/a>, Kobe, Japan<\/p>\n Tadao Ando\u2019s 4×4 House is connected by a stairway that leads up to a glass cube atop the concrete house. Oriented to the Seto Sea and Awaji island, the design serves as a lighthouse with views towards the famous Akashi bridge.<\/p>\n \u00a9 Waechter Architecture<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n \u00a9 Waechter Architecture<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n Tower House<\/b><\/a> by Waechter Architecture<\/a>, Portland, Ore., United States<\/p>\n This tower house design is situated atop steep topography and is accessed by a steel pedestrian bridge. Built with one main room per floor, the house has three primary spaces that float within the tubular building skin. The tall spaces are connected to the sleeve through closets, bathrooms and stairs.<\/p>\n \u00a9 Prentiss + Balance + Wickline Architects<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n \u00a9 Prentiss + Balance + Wickline Architects<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n \u00a9 Prentiss + Balance + Wickline Architects<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n Glen Lake Tower<\/b><\/a> by Balance Associates, Mich., United States<\/p>\n The Glen Lake Tower House was designed as a three-story plywood form bounded and supported by two metal-clad walls. Overlooking views to the landscape and Glen Lake, the project features expansive cantilevered decks and a dramatic glass-wrapped living space.<\/p>\n \u00a9 Doublespace Photography<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n \u00a9 Doublespace Photography<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n Rabbit Snare Gorge<\/b><\/a> by Omar Gandhi Architect<\/a>, Inverness, Canada<\/p>\n Rabbit Snare Gorge was designed around the remoteness of Cape Breton in the Northeastern seaboard. The house places the environment on display to encourage exploration in the surrounding landscape. The gabled tower opens up towards views of the Acadian forest and the Northumberland Strait.<\/p>\n Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work by uploading projects to Architizer<\/a>\u00a0and sign up for our\u00a0inspirational newsletters<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Tower houses are a powerful example of how architecture can transcend locale.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":31,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"architizer_featured_type":"projects","architizer_featured_image":"1809764","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8,3],"tags":[],"architizer_project":[10852,10850,10851,3748,10849,3934,802,1543,5681,10853],"architizer_brand":[],"architizer_firm":[10856,10854,9518,10855,9636,9534,10857],"architizer_product":[],"class_list":["post-8075","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-collections","category-inspiration","architizer_project-ando-4x4-house","architizer_project-casa-cien","architizer_project-four-eyes-house","architizer_project-glen-lake-tower","architizer_project-keenan-towerhouse","architizer_project-maiden-tower","architizer_project-maison-l","architizer_project-rabbit-snare-gorge","architizer_project-tower-house-6","architizer_project-tower-house-1","architizer_firm-andersson-wise-architects","architizer_firm-edward-ogosta-architecture","architizer_firm-gluck-formerly-peter-gluck-and-partners-architects","architizer_firm-marte-marte-architects","architizer_firm-omar-gandhi","architizer_firm-tadao-ando-architect-associates","architizer_firm-atelier-waechter"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n\t
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