The world's most spectacularly-designed houses that prove that nothing is impossible when it comes to architecture

Presented with photos and drawings, alongside the architects’ project lists and addresses - for those fortunate enough to be in a position to ask Shigeru Ban to design an 800-square-meter house on a cliff in Sri Lanka for them (Villa Vista).

But even if the budget for such extravagance is lacking, curiosity will surely see you delving into the magazine's third edition of its eye-opening and thought-provoking Architecture Now! series.

Japanese self-taught architect, Tadao Ando, who dropped a career as a boxer to immerse himself in his passion for building design, has created some of Japan's most renowned structures.

Born in 1941, Mr Ando is inspired by Japanese culture, particularly the Buddhist concept of Zen, focusing on simplicity and inner feelings rather than outward appearance.

Woodstock Farm Estate, Woodstock, Vermont, USA: The simple, but very effective, Woodstock Farm by Rick Joy Architects, is a contemporary gable house with stone walls and a cedar shingle barn. It has several modern touches including large windows that wrap up over the roof and open plan interior