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It bodes well when architecture meets vacation, it is a combination that promises relaxation and pleasure, inspiration and style, all in one. Each of these very special European lodgings is distinguished by the highest stylistic quality, personal touches, originality and passion for detail: Whether minimalist, experimental, posh or lavish; whether newly built or refurbished; whether houseboat, luxury loft or treehouse; whether one-time church, vineyard, mill or pump room; whether located in the trendiest metropolis, high in the mountains or on a remote coastline; whether holiday home, resort, glamping or bed and breakfast... The selected unique and individual projects appeal to traveling architects and design aficionados as well as individual travelers with discerning tastes, while at the same time reflecting the diverse beauty of the old continent.

Germany is one of the most popular destinations in the world: on over 350,000 square kilometers the traveler is offered wonderful forests, amazing beaches, spectacular mountains, romantic lakes, exciting cities, beautiful villages, as well as an indescribably wide choice of cultural highlights. For this reason, the third volume of the series ’Where Architects Stay“ is dedicated to the territory in the center of Europe between Flensburg, Görlitz, Passau, Freibung, Saarbrücken and Aachen. This guide to architecture and accommodation presents outstanding lodgings for design lovers and individual travelers. Each is distinguished by the highest stylistic quality, personal touch, originality and passion for detail. It immediately show that all these travel jewels have been conceived as favorite projects by the respective designers and already at first glance one can feel their careful and thoughtful composition.

People have always been fascinated by the mountains. They are a source of strength and a symbol of freedom, the perfect setting for an in-depth time-out, for self-discovery, or the sporting challenge. Beyond the hustle and bustle of everyday life, the beauty of nature offers inspiration and relaxation. In the setting of the Alps, this volume presents wonderful new accommodations with powerful design ideas that have been consistently applied. The architecture enters into a dialog with the mountains and appears sometimes archaically rough, wooden and close to nature, or also with contrasting shapes and materials. Despite the many different concepts, the presented projects are always distinguished by their high-quality design, their uniqueness, and their individuality.

For more than 100 years, winter sports have been an integral part of the image of mountainous regions. Skiing in particular became the “in” activity for the rich and beautiful during the “roaring twenties”. The sport was as much about competition as it was about an exclusive lifestyle. Since that time, winter sports destinations have advertised their assets through artistically designed posters. Renowned artists have used pencils and water colors to express the ideals of winter vacations in top Alpine locations such as St. Moritz, Chamonix and Gröden, as well as dream places like Vail and Whistler in the Rocky Mountains. The collection in this book documents the stylistic development while presenting in different chapters the most beautiful and exceptional posters of the era.

Wood is nature’s greatest resource, embedded in the history, culture and life of humans worldwide. And it is ingenious as building material: remarkably malleable and at the same time resilient, recyclable in many ways and reducing greenhouse gases, universally applicable and locally available, renewable and beautiful. Today, new processing technologies extend the spectrum of its possible applications and the combinability with other building materials, enabling new amazing technical and design solutions. In short, almost anything – structurally – can be done with it. Whatever architects and interior designers think of can be realized with wood: from energy-efficient houses via multi-story academic facilities to the interiors of fashionable bars. The traditional building material has become ultra-contemporary and increasingly cutting-edge, offering extraordinarily exciting possibilities for architectural design.

Rising rents, the desire for a simpler life, the aim for sustainability, or the wish to posses a relocatable home: These are just a few reasons why the market for tiny houses has become increasingly popular in recent years. The "Tiny House Movement“ lifestyle trend, which began in the Unites States, has spread throughout the entire world driven by the construction and financial crisis. Even though there are many regional variations, all residences of this type share a major feature – on an area of up to 500 sqft they provide all necessities of life. Nowadays, they are no longer designed by individual solo fighters but also by renowned architects who take on the simple yet challenging task and develop the enthralling room concepts and spatial solutions that are presented in this volume.

Modern life is marred by hectic pace, stress and negative environmental influences. Places to get away from the routine, where body and soul can find harmony again, to breathe deeply and feel good with oneself are sought out more and more. Beautifully designed retreats are turning up across the globe – usually in special locations in the midst of breathtaking, pristine nature. This volume presents buildings and spaces devoted specifically to contemplation, meditation, regeneration and the enjoyment of quietude. The designs are guided by lighting and color schemes, natural materials and views into nature, providing energy on the way to complete relaxation, self-awareness and inner illumination. Architecture creates the connection between the human being, space and nature.

What will architecture be like in the coming years and decades? Are new trends and tendencies emerging? Who are the future protagonists? What will be their goals and what values will they represent? This book presents architects ranging in age from their mid-twenties to their mid-forties who with a few already implemented buildings have caught the attention of the sector experts and opened the eyes of the general public to what is coming. They are focussing on the future, creating their own individua style and tackle the challenges of our times. Short portraits of the protagonists and their respective design principles are complemented by the presentation of individual works. This gives the reader an insight into the architecture of tomorrow along with an understanding of the design principles on which it is based.