These examples of metal architecture range from structures set high on a mountaintop, ready to brace the elements, to designs done purely for aesthetic reasons. What's intriguing is just how many types of buildings can be put together with this type of material.
With the correct insulation used along with the metal exterior, a house made from this material can withstand the worse of the elements. From gale-force winds to sleet and snow, those living inside can rest with a better peace of mind. Perhaps one of the most impressive pieces of metal architecture here is the house situated in the Swiss alps designed by Savioz Fabrizzi. It was recently updated to include solar panels and an improved heating system to survive the harsh conditions at such high altitudes.
45 Examples of Metal Architecture
From Mountainous Metallic Abodes to Shipwreck-Inspired Buildings:
Jamie Danielle Munro — Mar 16, 2014 — Art & Design
43
Container Condos
Metal Shutter House in New York
42
Refuge-Encouraging Abodes
The Main Street House by SHED Architecture & Design Stimulates Solace
41
Modern Multi-Dimensional Abodes
The Private House by Divercity Architects Layers Cubed Elements
40
Bulging Bladder Abodes
The Succulent House by Murmur Digests Anatomical Architecture
39
Mirrored Indoor Slide Abodes
The 'Skyhouse' By David Hotson x Ghislaine Vinas is Incredible
38
Mountainous Metallic Abodes
The Mountain House by Savioz Fabrizzi Architectes Naturally Blends In
37
Shipwreck-Inspired Buildings
The Titanic Belfast Pays Tribute to a Doomed Vessel
36
Roof-Raising Residences
Javier Corvalan Designs a Home with a Unique Self-Ventilation System
35
Elegant Spiraling Abodes
Toda House by Kimihiko Okada Rests on Stilts
34
Biomorphic Architecture
Jet House
33
Grain Storage Homes
Gigaplex's Monte-Silo
32
Sleek Geometric Properties
This Modern Abode by Craft Arquitectos is Fire Truck Red
31
Desert Skyscraper Hotels
The Stone Towers in Cairo, Egypt by Zaha Hadid Are a Cool Oasis
30
Eternity Puzzle-Inspired Architecture
The Perth Arena is Futuristically Faceted
29
Curvy Aluminum Schools
Massimiliano and Doriana Fuksas Create the 'Lycée Georges Frêche'
28
Pristine Prismatic Buildings
The Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland Toys With Geometry
27
Sci-Fi Angular Abodes
The Hironaka House by Ken Yokogawa Brings Bold Architecture to the Suburbs
26
Shipping Container Theatres
Platoon Kunsthalle is an Eco-Friendly Space for Artistic Works
25
Modernized Barn Abodes
The Stables by Andy Ramus Houses Humans Not Horses
24
Ink Splatter Architecture
The Linkong SOHO Building Will Have You Zip-Zagging Through Its Hallways
23
Boxy Metallic Abodes
The Sluijmer & Van Leeuwen Villa Horatiuslaan House is Roomy and Rectangular
22
Metal Mesh Architecture
Marcelo Alvarenga Creates Metallic Knit Storefront for Coven
21
Modern Faceted Abodes
The Palms House Gives a Sense of Privacy via Its Metal Enclosure
20
Silver Spaceship Structures
The OCT Design Museum by Studio Pei-Zhu is Inspired by the Ocean
19
Metallic Ribbon Exteriors
The Performance Center Alexanderhoehe Features a Unique Linkage Space
18
Scrap Metal Surf Shacks
The Third Wave Kiosk in Australia by Tony Hobba Architects Reclaims Waste
17
Fanciful Futuristic Facades
This Renovation Project has a Sun-Protecting Perforated Metal Shield
16
Symmetrical Honeycomb Stores
This New Furniture Store in Brazil Boasts Honeycomb Designs
15
Sawtoothed Skyline Architecture
(RE)Configured-Assemblage Rebuilds the City with Recycled Metal
14
Sleek Sliced Metal Complexes
Beijing's Wangjing Soho Complex is a Contemporary Architecture Dream
13
Pleated Metal Architecture
The Eli & Edythe Broad Art Museum by Zaha Hadid
12
Metal-Encased Skyscrapers
The M9D4 Apartments by Architectures Anne Démians Filter Urban Spac
11
Shuttered Facade Exteriors
IS by Yo Yamagata Architects is a Contemporary Abode in Japan
10
Metal-Clad Cottages
The Aluminum Cabin Mirrors the Mineral Aesthetic of its Rough Site
9
Malleable Skyscrapers
The Kinetower Unites Movable Design and Architecture
8
Metal Lace Exteriors
The Beautiful Elsbethen Site Extension by Trint + Kreuder d.n.a
7
Silver Armadillo Buildings
The Dalian Shell Museum Houses Calcified Formations
6
Oceanic Recreation Pavilions
The Liège Ice Rink by L’Escaut is Built to Resemble a Whal
5
Metal Cloud Architecture
The Experience Music Project in Seattle by Frank Gehry Houses a Sci-Fi Mu
4
Monolithic Glacier Museums
The Glacarium Resembles the Very Formations it Hopes to Save
3
Metal Nest Exteriors
The Manny Building is Covered in Aluminum Bars
2
Tentacle Transport Systems
Terreform 1 + KARV Designs the Smart DOTS + Soft MOBS Concept
1
Crinkled Steel Facades
The M03 House is Newly Fitted with a Lightweight Metal Roof Extension
Related Ideas
Corrugated Cabin Prefab Models
Zinc Studio Unveiled a Prefabricated Building 'The Cabin'
Prefabricated Cabin Projects
The Zinc Studio Cabin Uses Intersecting Volumes
Elongated Hillside Home Designs
Gonzalo Rufin Arquitectos Designs the RWO House
Recycled Tiny Houses
Shadow House by Matti Kuittinen Uses Waste Materials for Full-Scale Living
Industrial Office Buildings
Steel House by Morris Adjmi Architects Nods to Rino’s Warehouse Past
Sleek Modular German Homes
Lux Architect and Cánovas Arquitectura Design House Anton II
Ultra-Colorful High-Density Residential Designs
Ballistic Architecture Machine Applies Color
Contemporary Rural Dwellings
StudioAC's South Bay House Reinterprets Rural Canadian Architecture
Climate-Responsive Prefab Homes
The Drop Pod House Adapts to Floods and Unexpected Guests
Historically Inspired Modern Homes
MU Architecture Balances Historic Charm & Modern Sensibilities
Dome-Like Futuristic Desert Homes
Anastasiya Dudik Designs the HATA Dome in Pioneertown
Modern Timber Lake Houses
nARCHITECTS Completes the CLT House Nestled in Hudson Valley Forests
Scandinavian Barn Homes
The House Comet by GAISS Rethinks Rural-Urban Living in Riga
Dramatic Roof-Topped Ontario Homes
Superkül Designs the Ridge House in Grey County, Canada
Shape‑shifting Retreats
This Modular Off‑Grid House Adapts to Natural Sites with Expandable Walls
Modern Prefabricated Residential Projects
Palette Architecture Designs the Sleek Shift House
Chalet-Inspired Showrooms
Gstaad House by Foster + Partners Creates an Alpine Retail Destination
Castle-Inspired Homes
This Hollywood Hills House Channels Medieval Castles with a Modern Aesthetic
Pointy Modular Hospitality Architecture
Roman & Dmytro Seliuk Designs the Futuristic Namety Cabins
Forested Raised Metal Homes
Daiber & Aceituno Arquitectos Designs the House in the Forest
Contemporary Wooden Dwellings
MJARC Arquitectos Designs House Douro Wood in Portugal
Coastal Forest Houses
Openspace Architecture Coastal House Sits Along British Columbia
Contemporary Mountainous Homes
Guillaume Pelletier Architecte Completes Le Noroît
Coastal Timber Retreats
The Casa Guaecá Project Reinterprets Beach House Living Through Structure
Metal-Clad Coastal Homes
The Corrugated Casa 144º Sits Above the Barcelona Coast
Barn-Form Family Homes
The Twisted House by Andy Martin Merges Barn Form and Landscape
Mahogany Intergenerational Homes
The Mahogany House by R ARCHITECTURE is Chic and Contemporary
Converted Industrial Homes
A 1960s Warehouse Transforms into a Residence Honoring Its Raw Design
Chic Avant-Garde Restaurant Interiors
Estereotomia Architects Designs Masahouse
Curved Green Roof-Topped Museums
Atelier Alter Architects Designs the Sunner Museum in China
Portuguese-Inspired House Designs
A+Architecture Relies on Portuguese Design Principles
Surrounding-Inspired Architectural Homes
Gonzalo Rufin Arquitectos Designs the Casa RWO
Contemporary Brutalist Homes
The MS House by Studio Saransh Balances Architecture with Nature
Wooden Ship-Inspired Housing Complexes
Steven Holl Architects Present the Meander Housing
Black-Timber Overhanging Roof Buildings
i29 Designs the Senior Shelter in the Netherlands
Modernist Home Renovations
The Bauhaus Budapest Apartment Receives a Contemporary Refresh
Modern Resilient Homes
Atelier Schwimmer Designs the Owl's Shield House in Quebec
Minimalist Concrete Complexes
Ryuichi Sasaki Architecture Completes a Residential Project in Tokyo
Serpentine Forest Houses
The S House by Pl.architekci Winds Between Trees in Poznań
Inward-Focused House Architecture
Inverted House Redefines the Boundary Between House and Fence
Simple Material Family Homes
Keshaw McArthur and Matheson Whiteley Designs the Openfield House
Millennium Concrete Houses
Heirloom House is a Modular Concrete Home Designed to Last 1,000 Years
Minimalist Beach House Designs
ARP - Architecture Research Practice Tackles a 1980s Beach House
Chilean Hillside Retreats
The House in Three Heights is Shaped by Topography and Natural Materials
Elevated Flood Refuge Homes
The Lift House Reimagines a Red Cottage That Rises with Flood Waters
Forest-Edge Timber Homes
Timbertop House by Atelier Kastelic Buffey Anchors in Canada’s Woods
Cave-Like Exposed Concrete Homes
Suzuko Yamada Architects Designs the Nakano House in Tokyo
Steel Facade-Wrapped Residences
Atelier Itch Designs the Bomun House with a Shiny Facade
Ceramic Modern Houses
The Hillsborough Residence Blends Modern Design with Sculptural Ceramics
Leaf-Inspired Countryside Homes
The Leaf House Interprets Organic Form Within a Rural Landscape
Moody Industrial Retreats
The Pattern House Blends Industrial Materials and Lakefront Views
Urban Layered Homes
The Salmon House Layers Warmth and Sculptural Form to Melbourne’s Suburbs
Modern Dark Tonal Homes
Texas Residence Highlights Moody Tones in a Refined Mid-Century Design
Tropical Timber Schools
Oceana Innovation Hub School Introduces a Mass Timber Structure
Wooden Site Home OFfices
Swatt + Partners Create the Moss Rock Design Project
Moon-Bound Architectural Installations
The Moonhouse Project Fuses Conceptual Art and Space Tech
Adaptive Workspace Designs
Twobo’s SALT HQ Highlights Material Reuse in a Community-Ready Office
Timber Alpine Shelters
Carlo Ratti Associati’s Self-Sufficient Bivouac for 2026 Winter Olympics
Emirati-Inspired Towers
The Symphony Tower Introduces a Woven Façade to Dubai’s Skyline
Innovative Steel Laneway Houses
Weiss Architecture & Urbanism Limited Presents a Striking Project
Hillside Family Homes
The Sky House by Klas Hyllén Architecture is a Retrofitted 1970s Bungalow
Concrete Brutalist Hilltop Residences
Pedro Domingos Arquitectos Designed the Frame House
Rammed Earth Galleries
The Museum Ehrhardt by Kéré Architecture in Plüschow, Germany
Elevated Forest Cabins
Columbia River Valley Lookout Lifts Living Spaces Above the Trees
Lightweight Timber Home Designs
Espiral Arquitectos Designs the Los Pinos House
Hilltop Modern Retreats
The Cloud House Transforms a Hudson Valley Site into a Serene Eco Home
Skylight-Centric Home Renovations
SHED Architecture & Design Leads the Portland House Renovation
Nature-Rooted Family Retreats
The Haus Am Lagnesberg Blends Art, Family Life, and Natural Design
Stepped Hillside Residences
B2A Architects' New Cascade House Has Panoramic Views
Bathroom-Centric Dubai Apartments
Bone Studio Blends Architecture and Experience in This Bold Home
Elevated Coastal Homes
Monterey Home by Studio Michael Hilal Features a Treehouse-Style Layout
Forest-Treetop Retreats
The MORE Cabin Floats 60 Feet Above the Forest on a Single Post
Red Roof-Topped Irish Buildings
A1 Architects Completes the Design of the Gate Lodge
Textured Mid-Century Houses
Highland Park Residence Has Moody Hues with Modernist Material Honesty
Red Steel Forest Houses
Villa Jevany by Architektura Embeds a Bold Structure into Hillside Terrain
Scenic Sustainable House Designs
ONUS Architecture Studio Presents the Breathtaking Horizon House
Climate-Adaptive Tropical Homes
The Ocean Eye House Influenced Today’s Climate-Responsive Design
Adaptive Reuse Gallery Projects
Atelier L'abri Design the FOIL Gallery in Montreal
Interactive Architectural Pavilions
The Folding Landscape Pavilion Turns Design into a Living Lens
Rock-Framed Coastal Houses
False Bay House by Heliotrope Architects Nestles Between Rock Site
Wavy Concrete Roof-Topped Homes
VY Architecture Studio Designs the Vaazh House in Vedanthangal
Curved Facade Canadian Residences
Architecture Building Culture Designs the Piano House
Sculpted Desert Dwellings
Desert Fairway Residence by Kendle Design Collaborative Rethinks Design
Modern Vietnamese Dwellings
Tien Giang House by Tropical Space Honors Traditional Architecture
Mountain‑inspired Residences
The Echo Villa Home Channels Taiwan’s Mountains into Sculptural Form
Modern Kyoto House
APOLLO Architects Unveil the Element House as a Concrete and Walnut Design
Wooden Architecture Award Programs
WoodWorks - Wood Products Council Recognizes Wood Construction
Sophisticated Government Office Designs
Agata Kurzela Tackles a Heritage Building in Abu Dhabi
Nature-Inspired Bungalow Residences
House & Beyond Designs the Maurpankhi House in Gurugram
Contemporary Weatherized Homes
OOF! Architecture Designs the Acute House for a Family
Concrete Coastal Residences
The Lima House in Chile is a Pink-Pigmented Concrete Residence
Industrial Loft Homes
The Casa MRGT unveils a Multi Level Residence Within an Industrial Building
Hillside Concrete Retreats
This Concrete House Blends Sculptural Form with Panoramic Views
Burnt Orange Walled Residences
Raúl Sánchez Architects Designs the Earthy Casa Magarola
Contemporary Mountainous Residencies
Muuk Architecture's Mountainside Residence is Very Modern
Intimate High-Altitude Cottages
The AltiHut Cottages Expand Mountain Refuge Ecosystem
Mountain Courtyard Residences
The SKI House by Roberts Gray Architects Forms a Warm Family Retreat
Scandinavian Stone Pavilions
The Mountain Chamber by Erdegård Arkitekter Anchors Structure in Rock
Rustic Striking A-Framed Residences
Jack Morgan Designs the Bold A-Frame House in Dallas
Concrete Dune Villas
Villa Nouvelle Vague by Magalie Munters Integrates into Coastal Dunes
Organic Striking Tower Designs
David Macullo Architects Designs the Leaves Tower
Madrid Warehouse Conversions
Burr Studio Transforms an Industrial Space into a Light-Filled Home
Barn Home Transformations
The Bulls Barn House Blends Rustic Form and Modern Living
Contemporary Beach Houses
Ghoche Architecte Designed the Lake Archambault Residence
Tranquil A‑Frame Retreats
This Steel‑glass A‑frame Home Design Showcases a Stunning Treehouse Deck
Stepped Cabin Designs
The Staggered Cabin by Mork-Ulnes Architects Follows the Tahoe Slope
Speculative Shelter Builds
Asympta by Leopold Banchini Architects Explores Ancient Landscapes
Art Museum Architecture
The Xiao Feng Art Museum is a Sculptural Concrete Building in China
Typhoon-Resilient Shelters
The Seoul Wing Project is Designed to Withstand Typhoons
Serene Waterfront Pavilions
The Lake House Life Experience Pavilion Blends Architecture and Nature
Sculptural Inverted Homes
Fala Atelier’s Porto House Flips a Roof for an Expressive Architecture
Residential Timber Houses
The Arbour House is a Wood House Designed by Andrei Saltykov in London
Cliffside Minimalist Retreats
The AIP Azóia Villa Creates a Design That Melts into Its Landscape
Pavilion-Style Art Homes
Casa Galeria by BLOCO Architects Merges Living and Gallery Space
Tree-Lined Striking Modern Residences
Palette Architecture Designs the Shift House in New York
Coastal-Inspired Home Interiors
Casa Puerto Blends Modern Architecture with Mediterranean Hues
Coastal Terraced Villas
Villa Boë in Indonesia Turns Steep Slope Constraints into Design Advantage
Bushfire-Resistant Contemporary Homes
Klaus Carson Studio Designed the Ironbark House
Slate-Clad Prefab Houses
Office Inainn Models the 18-07 Holiday Home on a Slate Plinth
Balanced Industrial Building Designs
HA-HA Design & Development Presents the Aluned Hq Project
Metal Screened Academic Buildings
Studio Gang Designs the Mary Schmidt Campbell Center
Coastal Island Homes
Pasparakis Friel’s Coastal Home Embraces Its Exposed Island Context
Hillside Wooden Houses
The House in Takahatayama Shapes Living Spaces Around Terrain
Bold Architectural Renovations
Flat Iron House Showcases a Sculptural Staircase as Its Centrepiece
Textured Glass Landmarks
Helsinki Design and Architecture Museum Designed as Clear Public Pavilion
Earthened Architecture Pavilions
Khalil Morad El Ghilali & El Mehdi Belyasmine Design a Pavilion
Domed Shelter-Like Holiday Homes
Anastasiya Dudik Designs the HATA Building in California
Refined Modern Dwellings
The Silver House Reinterprets a Traditional Home with Minimalist Design
Modern Mountainous Luxury Homes
Robert Chisholm Architects Designs a New Home in the Wilderness
Residential Mountain Retreats
The Avber House Fuse Concrete & Timber to Respond to Alpine Terrain
Sandstone Brick Home Extensions
DGN Studio Extends the Stone and Steel House in North London
Hillside Embedded Residences
The House in the Slope Harmonizes Architecture with Riverside Terrain
Multigenerational Modern Twin-Homes
Buero Wagner Designs the House with One Pillar by the Lake
Minimal Mountain Retreats
The Caju House Blends Weathering Steel, Wood, and Concrete in Wyoming
Serene Desert Villa Interiors
The Al Mahra Residence is a Contemporary Expression of Place
Weatherized Minimal Modern Homes
Splinter Society’s Coastal House Settles into Ocean Grove Site
Metal Roof Topped Offices
Office in Hashima is Designed by PERMANENT Co., Ltd. and Atelier Nagara
Wave-Inspired Civic Halls
The Sail Congress Centre in Big Normandy Curves into Public Architecture
Terraced Coastal Roofscapes
Los Cabos Home by Zozaya Arquitectos Layers Roofs into Living Spaces
Hillside Concrete Houses
GM House Uses Stepped Volumes to Follow the Natural Slope of the Site