To celebrate the summer solstice—the longest and sunniest day of the year in the northern hemisphere—we’re diving into eight spectacular homes around the world where design and leisure meet. From Greek islands to Kenyan coastlines, these houses not only offer architectural elegance but also feature enviable swimming pools perfect for warm-weather escapes.
Cliffside elegance in Greece
Aimasia Residence, Mykonos
Perched dramatically on a rocky Mykonos hillside, the Aimasia Residence by Greek firm A31 Architecture offers an arresting view of the Aegean Sea—and three swimming pools to enjoy it from. Two smaller pools flank private bedroom suites, offering secluded relaxation, while the third, a larger pool, stretches out beside the open-plan living space.
Designed around a pre-existing 62-metre-long granite wall, the villa flows in a curving layout that feels sculptural and natural all at once. The interiors, styled by British designer Tom Dixon, blend minimalism with textured luxury—further elevating the summer-in-the-Mediterranean fantasy.
Coastal modernism in Long Island
Bridgehampton Beach House, New York
Designed by Steven Harris Architects in collaboration with Rees Roberts & Partners, this U-shaped Long Island retreat was built for entertaining and curated living. The Bridgehampton Beach House wraps around an expansive outdoor terrace, where a sleek infinity-edge pool draws the eye to the surrounding dunes.
A curved-roof pavilion sits beside the pool, featuring a reflecting pool on its canopy—a sculptural flourish that underlines the home’s artful ambition. With a setting this serene, it’s easy to imagine summer parties melting into golden sunsets over the Atlantic.
Desert calm meets water in Dubai
House of Courtyards, Dubai
Studio VDGA, an Indian practice known for climate-conscious design, approached this Dubai home as a series of interlocking courtyard volumes. The layout reflects vernacular desert architecture, with thick walls and shaded internal spaces that regulate temperature and light.
Tucked away at the basement level is the outdoor swimming pool—unexpectedly serene, yet striking. Surrounded by arched openings and organic forms, the pool contrasts beautifully with the home’s otherwise rectilinear design, evoking a spa-like atmosphere in the heart of the desert.
Coastal craft and cool luxury in Kenya
UA House, Kilifi
On Kenya’s sun-soaked coast, UA House by Studio Mehta Architecture merges salvaged limestone with smooth pink plaster in a poetic ode to local materials. The home is centered around a breezy double-height bay that connects directly to a tranquil garden swimming pool.
The pool acts not only as a leisure feature but also as an architectural extension of the home’s open, shaded interiors. The result is a dwelling that balances tradition and modernity while remaining intimately connected to the rhythms of the coastal landscape.
Monolithic minimalism in Switzerland
Detached House, Basel
In Switzerland, where natural landscapes meet refined architecture, Patrick Reuter Architecture has designed Detached House with a confident balance of mass and transparency. The building’s concrete structure is softened by full-height glass panels that open to a lush garden.
At the center of this outdoor haven is an exposed concrete swimming pool—stark, geometric, and perfectly aligned with the architecture’s minimalist language. It’s a pool designed for contemplation as much as for refreshment.
U-shaped serenity in Portugal
Oeiras House, near Lisbon
OODA, a Portuguese design studio, brings contemporary warmth to Oeiras House, a residence shaped around a central courtyard in the Lisbon suburb of the same name. The U-shaped layout wraps protectively around a shimmering swimming pool that serves as both a focal point and a family gathering spot.
The design cleverly combines earthy textures—such as dark wood panelling on the lower floor—with cool concrete on the upper level. Sliding glass doors blur the line between indoor and outdoor spaces, allowing the home to embrace summer living with quiet sophistication.
Terraced luxury in Andalusia
Villa 95, Spain
In the hills of Andalusia, Villa 95 by Fran Silvestre Arquitectos takes advantage of its sloping site with three cascading volumes. The lowest of these features a pristine swimming pool, its horizontal plane contrasting with the rugged terrain.
The upper levels house bedrooms and shared spaces, all connected by terraces and panoramic views. As always with Fran Silvestre’s work, crisp lines and monochromatic surfaces make for a home that feels both rooted in nature and hyper-contemporary in execution.
Sculptural seaside design in Mexico
Casa Tobi, Oaxaca
Bold and unmistakable, Casa Tobi by Espacio 18 Arquitectura brings a surrealist edge to beachside living. Described by its designers as resembling “a crab emerging from the rocks,” the pink-toned home features sculptural forms that house a variety of outdoor spaces.
Among them is a semicircular pool tucked into one of the home’s “claws”—a design choice that reinforces the biomorphic concept while offering a visually unique and intimate swimming experience. Above, a rooftop terrace features a reflective pool and panoramic views of the Oaxacan coastline, turning Casa Tobi into both a home and a seaside landmark.
A summer of design and escape
From the breezy hills of Mykonos to the dense garden landscapes of Switzerland, these eight homes remind us how powerful a swimming pool can be as both a design element and a lifestyle centerpiece. Whether sunken into courtyards, perched on rooftops, or carved into natural slopes, each pool reflects its home’s character—offering moments of refreshment, reflection, and escape.
This summer, luxury lies not only in the architecture we inhabit, but also in the water that cools and connects us.
