7 Houses That Famous Architects Built for Themselves

Recently, we told you how famous architects live and showed you the 'hot eight' of incredible interiors. Ready for another dose of inspiration from acclaimed architectural geniuses? We've compiled a selection of original houses built by world-famous masters for themselves. There's plenty to be amazed at!

Konstantin Melnikov

This architect is called the 'Soviet Gaudí'. In 2001, Konstantin Melnikov was named the most outstanding domestic architect of the 20th century as a result of a survey conducted among members of the Russian Academy of Architecture and Construction Sciences.

During the era of Soviet equality and monotony, he managed to create truly genius things. Melnikov is the author of the first sarcophagus for Lenin's body, the Culture Palace named after Rusakov, and the 'Intrant' garage.

Culture Palace named after I.V. RusakovGarage 'Intrant'Culture Palace named after I.V. Rusakov

Where did Konstantin Melnikov live? This extremely unusual house, both today and especially in the 1930s, is located in Moscow, in the Krivoarbatsky Lane. The mansion is known far beyond Russia's borders and rightly considered a masterpiece of architectural heritage.

The cylindrical shape, honeycomb windows, a large workshop, one and only for all family members, a bedroom, and the full pride inscription 'Konstantin Melnikov Architect' above the entrance. By the way, this incredible house was built during the intensification of the housing question!

Photo: Viktoria SavutaPhoto: Viktoria SavutaPhoto: Viktoria Savuta Photo: Alex NaanouPhoto: Nikolai Vassiliev

Gerit Ritveld

The leading Dutch modernist architect Gerit Ritveld – creator of the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, author of the legendary red-blue chair and the 'Zigzag' chair. Furniture designer, member of the artistic group 'Style', one of the creators of the Neo-Plasticism style.

Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam'Zigzag' ChairRed-Blue Chair

Where did Gerit Ritveld live? It's hard to believe that this house for widow Truus Schreder and her three children became one of the first architectural works by Ritveld. During its construction, the master so bonded with the client that he ended up living there with her for his entire life.

Rectangular forms, white and grey walls, vivid vertical colored lines. It seems that the architect literally transposed an abstract painting into three-dimensional space! Interestingly, the interior decoration was executed in the same color palette as the outer walls. By the way, this house has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2000.

Walter Gropius

German architect, founder of the Bauhaus (a German educational institution from 1919 to 1933, an artistic collective emerging from this institution, and the leading modernist architectural trend of the 1930s–1960s).

Among Walter Gropius's architectural legacy are the U.S. Embassy building in Athens, a memorial to the victims of the Kapp Putsch in Weimar, the Bauhaus building in Dessau, and many other works and projects.

U.S. Embassy Building in AthensMemorial to the victims of the Kapp Putsch in WeimarBauhaus building in Dessau

Where did Walter Gropius live? In the 1930s, the architect moved to the United States and built a house for himself and his family in Lincoln, Massachusetts, which became a cultural event in itself. It was distinctly unlike all traditional buildings: clear division of interior into zones, abundant natural lighting, a harmonious blend of functionality and style.

Later, while teaching at Harvard's Design School, Walter Gropius used his house as a kind of textbook, visually demonstrating to students what modern architecture is. Agree that even today the building looks more than relevant.

Gunnar Asplund

A well-known Swedish architect, the inspiration and founder of functionalism in Sweden.

Among Gunnar Asplund's most important projects are the Stockholm Library building, the Forest Cemetery ensemble in Stockholm (now a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and the Bacteriological Institute in Stockholm.

Stockholm Library BuildingForest Cemetery in StockholmForest Cemetery in Stockholm

Where did Gunnar Asplund live? It's hard to believe that this rather unassuming house at first glance is the home of a genius and world-famous architect.

However, upon closer inspection, it becomes evident that the structure is perfectly integrated into its surroundings, the interior clearly demonstrates attention to the finest details, and the house itself represents a perfect reflection of Asplund's architectural principles: functionality in an incredibly aesthetic execution.

Philip Johnson

The founder and leading representative of the 'international style' in American architecture in the mid-20th century. He gave the world the Chrysler Building in New York, 'Lipstick Building' on Manhattan, the Gates of Europe in Madrid, the Sony Corporation building in New York, and many other outstanding architectural works.

By the way, Philip Johnson was the first laureate of the Pritzker Prize – the most prestigious award in architecture.

Architect Philip Johnson'Chrysler Building' in New York'Lipstick Building' (Lipstick Building) on Manhattan'Gates of Europe' in MadridSony Corporation Building in New York

Where did Philip Johnson live? This, to put it mildly, not quite ordinary house was built not far from the town of New Canaan in Connecticut, USA. In essence, it represents a glass parallelepiped. Metal frame, glass instead of walls, and virtually no partitions. The built-in cylindrical room is the bathroom.

To be fair, the architect didn't live here permanently but regularly used the house for weekend retreats. Although the house itself wasn't particularly spacious, the size of the plot allowed for no fear of prying eyes.

Le Corbusier

A French architect, a pioneer of modernist and functional architecture, a representative of the international style in architecture, a painter, and a designer. Le Corbusier seems to have significantly outpaced his time.

In his projects, he was among the first to use techniques familiar to us today: block volumes, elevated above the ground using columns, roof terraces ('gardens on roofs'), and free floor plans.

The architect left behind numerous projects, among which is the incredible, unique concrete pilgrimage church Notre-Dame-du-Port, the National Museum of Western Art in Tokyo, and the Central Union building in Moscow.

Notre-Dame-du-PortNotre-Dame-du-PortNational Museum of Western Art in TokyoCentral Union building in Moscow, Cultural Heritage Object of the Russian Federation

Where did Le Corbusier live? It's hard to believe that looking at the architect's projects – massive, impressive in form and still relevant today – he himself lived in a hut that more resembles a shed. Strictly speaking, this miniature structure is even not a house but an annex to a restaurant owned by the master's friend.

'I have a castle on the French Riviera,' said Le Corbusier. But he honestly added: '3.66 by 3.66 meters in size'. Le Corbusier gave up the kitchen, providing a direct entrance from the house into the restaurant. He equipped his dwelling with minimal ventilation and drainage, acquired only the most essential furniture, and opted for wall paintings. As the master confidently claimed, a person feels best in a house where he can reach the opposite walls with his hands. Well, he certainly cannot be accused of inconsistency.

Alvar Aalto

The leading figure in Finnish architecture, the 'father of modernism' in Northern Europe, one of the founders of the modern design school. In his homeland, all Alvar Aalto projects are considered national treasures and are carefully preserved.

Among the most striking completed projects of the master are the library in Vyborg and the Church of the Crosses in the suburbs of the southern Karelian town of Imatra.

Library in VyborgChurch of the Crosses

Where did Alvar Aalto live? For his personal house, the architect chose a quite secluded spot deep in Finland, amidst untouched nature, on an island that could only be reached by boat in earlier times.

Agree, the structure looks quite unconventional, more resembling a fortress than a residential home. It's not surprising: it became a kind of experimental ground for architectural experiments by Alvar Aalto. For example, bricks were laid here in 50 different ways, and the guest cottage was built without a foundation. Today, the building houses a museum.

Architecture: Alvar Aalto

Photo on the cover: Melnikov House, Nikolai Vassiliev