Winter Homes

Few things feel as deeply comforting as a snug retreat set against a snowbound landscape, where the walls seem to promise shelter, safety and ease. This book examines how homes in cold climates around the world have been shaped to meet that need. Its focus is the design thinking behind them: how plans are arranged, and which architectural and interior strategies help a building feel rooted in its surroundings while standing up to harsh winter weather.

The selection covers contemporary and fashionable winter residences in a range of settings, including mountain peaks, sheltered valleys, woodland, open plains and stretches of coastline. Each one shows a different response to its particular site and climate. A generous number of images carries much of the content, letting readers compare approaches side by side.

It will appeal to architecture and interior design enthusiasts, and to anyone who enjoys imagining life in a well-judged house at the edge of a winter landscape.