Privacy in architecture refers to design choices that give people a sense of security and privacy in a physical space. Particularly when designing residential dwellings, it's important to bear in mind that despite the importance of the materials used, level of eco-friendliness, availability of different amenities and luxuries and so on, a home at the end of the day is a place where one should feel safe in a private space.
In this regard, many urban homes are great examples of privacy in architecture in that they give their inhabitants refuge from the noise and bustle that surrounds them. In the urban context, a good home must feel like an oasis of calm in a stormy desert.
It's not just about being separated from the chaos around you though. Even within a home or other building, there is often a need for designated public and private areas. In a luxury home, you don't want spaces used for guest entertainment to infringe on more private areas of the home such as bedrooms.
What's interesting about the theme of privacy in architecture is the number of creative ways in which it can be explored, with everything from building materials and surrounding nature pliable to help create a sense of privacy and separation.
100 Examples of Privacy in Architecture
From Garden Wrapping Houses to Shaded Private Enclaves:
Rahul Kalvapalle — Mar 12, 2015 — Art & Design
100
Tropical Modern Residences
The Brillhart House is a Majestic Hand-Built Home is Downtown Miami
99
Luxurious Eco Abodes
Eentileen Arkitektur's Denmark Cabin Features a Sustainable and Chic Design
98
Playfully Designed Office Spaces
Studio O+A is Behind This Vibrant Cisco-Meraki Office Design
97
Creative Contemporary Abodes
This Home in Santa Monica Features Lots of Creative Space
96
Cubic Retro Retreats
This 1960s Renovated Bungalow Still Retains Some Vintage Charm
95
Zero-Maintenance Abodes
BAK Arquitectos Builds the Casa Mar Azul in a Forested Setting
94
Compact Glass Cabins
Modular Glass House Offers Broad Landscape Views from Every Transparent Face
93
Refuge-Encouraging Abodes
The Main Street House by SHED Architecture & Design Stimulates Solace
92
Vertically Stratified Homes
This Split-Level Home Features an Interesting Spatial Arrangement
91
Minimalist Beach Houses
Juan Carlos Doblado Designs a Striking White Home in Peru
90
Triangle-Shaped Beach Havens
This Beach Home Design is Retro and the Perfect Place to Entertain
89
Secluded Panoramic Abodes
House H by AOZ Creates Privacy without Compromising Stellar Views
88
Lushly Tropical Havens
This Contemporary Holiday Home is the Perfect Place to Relax Amidst Nature
87
Rectilinear Minimalism Housing
Montreal's Siamoises Mentana-Boyer Project Features Dual Residences
86
Window-Centric Abodes
The House in Gokurakuji Has Expansive Views
85
Invigorating Outdoor Homes
The BK House Integrates Indoor and Outdoor Spaces
84
Sustainable Luxury Villas
Casa 7A is a Luxurious and Sustainable Country Villa
83
Sturdy See-Through Architecture
The Far Pond House by Bates Masi Architects is Ready for Storms
82
Music-Themed Industrial Offices
Berlin's Soundcloud Office is Both Cozy and Collaborative
81
Minimalist Loft Abodes
This Penthouse Renovation in Tribeca Embodies Modern Design Ideals
80
Inconspicuous Island Oases
The Mirage House Features Spectacular Island Views
79
Sliding Roof Houses
The All-Glass Residence by dRMM Boasts a Retractable Exterior
78
Private Chameleon Abodes
This Novel House Design Balances Intimacy with Isolation
77
Eco-Friendly 1930s Homes
The Renovated Casa 31_4 Room House is Now a Modern Green Marvel
76
Weathered Beach Homes
The Clovelly House Gains Character with Each Year
75
Airy French Abodes
This Open Space Home Offers Terrific Views
74
Geometric Manor Homes
The Bourne Lane House was Inspired by English Barns
73
Super Slim Condominiums
The AIR-Madalena Building Celebrates Tall and Thin Construction
72
Elevated Ski Chalets
This Ski Cabin Design is Hinged on Proving Social Space
71
Tranquil Oceanic Retreats
The Oceanique Villas Provide Privacy and Relaxation
70
Luxe Master Suite Decor
This Master Suite Blends Window Views with User Privacy
69
Divided Angular Architecture
STOCK Architects Designs a Secluded House in Osaka, Japan
68
Steel Outdoor Learning Centers
The Colorado Building Workshop Presents a Space for Education
67
Modernized Victorian Residences
This Victorian House Incorporates Contemporary Elements
66
Playfully Industrial Workspaces
The DSM Office by Studio Niels and Broekbakema Makes Research Fun
65
Grand Theatrical Residences
The Backstage House is Modeled After a Theater
64
Trippy Transparent Homes
The S-House in Tokyo Has Random Staircases and a Transparent Facade
63
Privately Terraced Apartments
The Walsh Street Apartments Ensure Privacy
62
Shrouded Garden Ateliers
Atelier Pam & Jenny is a Charming Studio in Belguim
61
Windowless Wall Abodes
The Kusatsu Home by ALTS Design Office is Modern
60
Undulating Concrete Abodes
This Concrete House Embraces the Surrounding Hilly Landscape
59
Split Facade Abodes
The 'Transustainable House' Features Alternating Sides
58
Secluded Luxury Homes
The Luxembourg House is Designed to Offer Privacy and Seclusion
57
Sumptuous Seaside Resorts
Casa Mo Boasts Beautiful Views Without Compromising Privacy
56
Timber Screened Residences
The Pedro House Features a Multi-Purpose Timber Exterior
55
Abundant Foliage Abodes
This Dunbar-Southlands Neighborhood Residence Uses the Landscape
54
Glazed Transparent Architecture
Neumann Mendro Andrulaitis Builds a Stunning Home in California
53
Geologically Sustained Abodes
The Desert Courtyard House Preserves a Piece of Time
52
Watery Courtyard Residences
This Contemporary Estate Features a Water Court
51
Ascending Attic Staircases
This Renovated Attic is Accessed by a Steel Staircase
50
Privately Open Concept Estates
Inbo Designs a Villa with the Perfect Balance of Public and Private
49
Louvered Wood Screen Abodes
The House in Dawanglu Features Sliding Wood Doors
48
Framed Courtyard Abodes
The House of Nagahama Frames Several Gardens
47
Versatile Modern Homes
This Mixed Material House is Novel and Stunningly Smart
46
Modernist Grotto Abodes
The Grass Cave House Embraces Clean Minimalism
45
Harmonious Southern Abodes
This Southern-Style Home Features Traditional Elements
44
Minimalist Black Box Abodes
The Klm House by Project Dwg is a True Definition of Minimalism
43
Transparent Australian Residences
The Yallingyup Residence is Cleverly Arranged
42
High-Tech Learning Spaces
Woods Bagot Completes MUSE at Macquarie University
41
Stress-Free Urban Abodes
The Library House by Khosla Associates Reflects the Lives of Residences
40
Shaded Private Enclaves
This Modern Villa Design Protects from the Heat and Curious Passersby
39
Shape-Shifting Houses
The Sharifi-Ha House Has a Trio of Rotatable Cube-Shaped Rooms
38
Modernist Box Abodes
The MNGB House by Vaumm Architects Features Sleek Design Lines
37
Cedar Plank-Surrounded Abodes
Arbol Design Provides Ample Privacy for a Residence in Japan
36
Secluded Courtyard Abodes
The House in Fukuchiyama Features an Enclosed Courtyard
35
Shape-Shifting Pavilions
This Pavilion Design is Made With a Series of Rearranging Panels
34
Expansive Glass-Back Abodes
The Green House by Maniera Architects and Associates is Stunning
33
Transparent Floating Structures
The Grand Pinklao Project by Office AT Sits High Above Ground
32
Otherworldly Mountain Retreats
This Cozy Wood House Boasts Stunning Views and a Rustic Design
31
Intimate Timber Residences
The XAN House by MAPA is a Timber and Concrete Paradise
30
Slenderly Framed Abodes
The Scape House Features Differently Sized Windows
29
Revitalized Historical Homes
The House Chapple, Built in 1960, Still Retains its Romantic Elements
28
Hovering Glass-Roofed Terraces
Mario Gasser Develops a Transparent Design for an Austrian Villa
27
Industrial Urban Abodes
This Modern Loft Apartment Boast Brick, Glass and Metal Finishes
26
Ecologically Transparent Homes
The Washington Park Residence Overlooks the Lake
25
Secret Garden Enclaves
Eto Kenta's Hidden Garden Design Home is Stunning and Private
24
Slender Window Abodes
Takahashi Maki and Associates Build a Thin Home in Japan
23
Garden Wrapping Houses
This Wooden Home in Helsinki is Bent to Wrap Around a 100-Year-Old Garden
22
Courtyard-Focused Abodes
The 'Patio' House by Yaita Associates Has Plenty of Space for Fresh Air
21
Minimalist Sky-Reflecting Homes
Pitsou Kedem Designed This Impressive Dwelling
20
Protruding Undulating Homes
The Undulating North Star Apartments Combine Form and Function
19
Split-Level Swiss Homes
The House in the March District is Arranged Within Five Split-Levels
18
Repurposed Norwegian Dormitories
Snohetta Revived a Wooden Boathouse for Summer Camp
17
Trapezoidal Family Mansions
This Family Estate Makes Privacy a Priority
16
Secluded Boxed Abodes
The Jun Ishikawa Box House Gives Privacy in an Urban Area
15
Concrete Garden Sanctuaries
The Marseille Townhouse Offers an Urban Oasis
14
Slatted Facade Abodes
Apollo Architects Builds the Foo House in Japan
13
Transparent Diamond-Shaped Structures
Villa Kavel 1 by 'Studioninedots' Exudes Luxury
12
Limited Opening Architecture
House in Mayu by Horibe Associates Architect Firm Prioritizes Privacy
11
Glazed Showroom Abodes
Shintaro Fukuhara Designed a Home with an Audacious Display
10
Greenery-Infused Urban Abodes
The House K in Tokyo Makes the Most of a Busy Area
9
Sophisticated Event Venues
The Proud Galleries Event Space is Multi-Functional
8
Mesh Material-Lined Abodes
This Fabric-Inpired Exteriors Design Concept is Stunning and Unique
7
Triangulated Roof Designs
The Beret House is Completed by Y+M Design Office
6
Arid Hilltop Resorts
Alila Jabal Akhdar in Oman Sits High Above Sea Level
5
Curtain-Encircling Abodes
The Toledo House is Made to Withstand the Heat of Guatemala
4
Tilted Barnyard Abodes
The 34.25° House Features a Sloping Roof for Privacy
3
Steel Column Abodes
The Corten House's Steel Material Informs Its Design
2
Timber-Wrapped Facades
Y+M Design Office Creates a Private House in Japan
1
Snakeskin-Patterned Buildings
This School Canteen's Bricks are Arranged in Snakeskin Patterns
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Cat-Centric Compact Homes
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Cube-Combining Tiny Homes
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Displaced Persons House Designs
The Essential Homes Research Project Has a Bunker-Like Form
Luxuriously Artistic Homes
Child Studio Taps Mid-Sentury Modern Sensibilities & Art Deco Motifs
Greenery-Sheathed Architecture Offices
This Building Will House the Offices Of 'VTN Architects'
Plant-Filled Latticed Buildings
Wallflower Architecture + Design Creates the Touching Eden House
Glass-Reflective Illuminated Homes
The Invisible House is Detailed with Flos Lighting Systems
Garden-Centering Urban Townhouses
This Vietnamese Home's Layout is Arranged Around an Inner Garden
Shutter-Accented Tiny Homes
The houzEKO Tiny House Offers All-Season Efficiency and Privacy
Sustainable German Homes
Atelier Kaiser Shen Design a Sustainable & Clean Home in a German Village
Public-Oriented Furniture Exhibits
Furnishing Utopia's Jean Lee Displays Furniture for Public Use
Picturesque Family Retreats
Malcolm Davis Architects Adds to This Beautiful Building
Contemporary All-White Homes
BHY Arquitectos Design a Stunning All-White Residence in Argentina
Tranquil Elevated Tiny Homes
Jan Tyrpekl Designs the Cozy Zen House in Austria
Minimal Mid-Century Hollywood Homes
Studio Qasabian Designs the Mulholland Home in LA
Arts and Crafts-Inspired Homes
Rural Office Designs the Middle Avenue House in Surrey
Traditional-Style English Homes
Ström Architects Designs the Pines Home in Surrey, England
Award-Winning London Garden Homes
Nic Howett Architect Designs the Secret Garden Flat
Trapezoidal Concrete Forest Homes
Ksa Studený Designs a New Home Looking Over a Forest
Wildlife-Embracing Jungle Homes
This House is Fully Exposed to the Costa Rican Jungle
Backyard-Transformed Dwelling Units
Catch Architecture and Obreval Design the ADU Carpintaria
Japanese Inn-Inspired Apartments
Intheory Design Creates an Apartment Inspired by Ryokan
Modern Multi-Purpose Japanese Buildings
Akio Isshiki Architect Overhauls an Old Wooden Building
Stunning Mid-Century Coastal Homes
Design Theory Updates a House from the 1960s
Two-Volume A-Frame Houses
Pérez Palacios Arquitectos Asociados Designs a Home near Mexico City
Playfully Designed Family Homes
boq architekti Designs the House for Dorothy in Prague
Integrated Garden Designs
Ludwig Godefroy Champions "Habitable Gardens" in Mexico
Artful Wooden Pavilions
Centro de Colaboración Arquitectónia Designs the Orchid Pavilion
Minimalist Private Office Pods
The Solarlux Soundproof Space by Peter Kuczia Has a Flexible Design
Ultra-Compact Bungalow Designs
Satish Jassal Architects Completes the Haringey Brick Bungalow
Nature-Connecting Vacation Homes
kaviar.collaborative Designs the New House by the Lake in India
Unobstructive Hidden Pool Houses
Knox Bhavan Designs a New Brick Pool House in Kent
Peaceful Wooden-Designed Homes
Keiji Ashizawa Designs the Hiroo Residence in Central Tokyo
Transparent Shell-Covered Houses
FGMG Designs the Casa Brisa in the Town of Campinas
Silver Curtain Concrete Homes
Local Studio Bangkok Tokyo Architecture Designs the House K
Lush Surroundings Glass Homes
Room 11 Designs the Glass House in Koonya Overlooking the Bay
A-Frame Forest Tranquil Houses
Pérez Palacios Arquitectos Asociados Designs a New Forest Home
Town-Like Classroom Designs
Atelier Apeiron Designs the Kindergarten of Museum Forest Building
Gridded Urban Apartment Blocks
Office for Strategic Places Designs La Carboneria Block
Partially Buried Tranquil Retreats
WillemsenU Completes the House Under the Ground
Award-Winning Housing Designs
Hong-En Lin Emphasizes the Importance of Clean Water Access
Tranquil Contemporary Cabin Retreats
Dominik Ilichman and Adam Hofman Design the Hyatta
Moroccan-Inspired London Townhouse
PL Studio Adorns a London Home with Bright Colors and Patterns
Park-Surrounded Interconnected Homes
Atelier Data Designs the Praia Grande House in Portugal
Traditionally Formed Gabled Homes
Studio Circle Growth Designs the Casa De Mi Luna
Bright Tranquil Residential Designs
Sivak+Partners Designs the Mlynchik Residence Nearby Kyiv
High Concrete Walled Homes
Cesar Mancillas Creates a Linear Home with Tranquil Elements
Open-Plan Natural Material Houses
Architecture for London Designs the New Primrose Hill House
Excavated Underground Living Space
Cera Stribley Creates the New Hideaway House on a Lot
Micro-City Housing Nooks
Notan Office Transforms an Industrial Site in Brussels
Garden Oasis Renovated Homes
Sam Crawford Architects Designs the Hidden Garden House
Nature-Leveraging Home Designs
PAE Designs the Casa Coaba Tucked in the Hillsides
Bamboo-Inspired Cultural Buildings
This Cultural Center Seamlessly Blends Into its Surroundings
Dynamic Y-Shaped Glazed Houses
Saunders Architecture Designs the Y House in Alberta
Prefabricated Exposed Structural Homes
Workshop Architecture Inc Designs the Unfinished House
Bamboo Luxe Pool Houses
Baldó Arquitectura Designs the Godai Pavilion with a Hanging Roof
Nestled Courtyard Homes
Mamout Designs the Dailly House Between Buildings in Belgium
Social Network-Encouraging Homes
Ignacio G Galán and OF Architects Design a Madrid Home
Subterranean Courtyard Galleries
Buzz Designs the Hermit Space Yards in Beijing Park
Minimal Philosophy Toronto Homes
Burdifilek Designs the Sleek Forest Hill Residence
Nature-Surrounded Miniature Homes
STUDIOFEM Designs The Mini Located in the Village of Cavusin
Hidden Urban Oasis Cottages
Winwood McKenzie Adds an Extension to the Quarry House
Elevated Timber-Clad Homes
Habitable Form Designs the Victory Bay House on Kiawah Island
Slopped-Base Green Tiled Homes
Bak Gordon Arquitectos Integrates a Home with Surrounding Buildings
Balanced Grass-Topped Homes
RO_AR Designs a Beautiful Dwelling in the Czech Republic
Wooden Screen Stacked Houses
DB Arquitectors Designs the Casa VJC Iporanga In Brazil
Relaxing Wooden Holiday Homes
Norm Architects Designs the Heatherhill Beach House
Self-Sustaining Houses
Archiopteryx Designs the People Tree House in Noida, India
Bright Balcony-Defined Apartments
Austin Maynard Architects Designs the Nightingale Village
Conservation Area Monumental Townhomes
The DHaus Company Complete the Arches Row of Townhouses
Meadow-Overlooking Sleek Homes
StudioAC Designs a Holiday Home iwth a Cedar-Clad Build
Luxe Car-Focused Residence Designs
Erin Sander Design Creates the Greenway Parks Home
Reconfigured Spacious Brooklyn Homes
Light & Air Design the Z House with an Open and Bright Look
Bamboo-Clad Residential Homes
i29 Designs the Open Park Villa to Connect with Nature
Indian Design Principal-Based Homes
Matra Designs the New Prism House with Four Concrete Volumes
Curved Garden-Surrounding Linear Homes
Denis Joelsons designs the Casa dos Terraços Circulares
Avian-Inspired Luxury Residences
This Hill-Top Costa Rican Home is Inspired By Bird Plumage
Environmentally Blending Residences
A Threshold Studio Designs the Ineffable Light Home
Multifunctional Vietnamese Homes
H-H Studio Designs the House for Young Families in Da Nang
Mirrored-Detailed Garden Cafes
IDIN Architects Designs Structures for Nana Coffee Roasters
Neighborhood-Like Communal Courtyard
Sergison Bates Architects Designs the Lavender Hill Courtyard
Memory-Reminiscent Idyllic Homes
Tsuyoshi Tane and Vitra Design the Tane Garden House
Greenery-Sheathed Libraries
This Library Building Features Generous Plantings Of Native Species
Welcoming Prefabricated Student Housing
Ignacio Prego Architectures Designs New Student Housing
Local Craft-Shown Bamboo Pavilions
AtArchitecture Designs the Northeast Pavilion for an Art Fair
Log Cabin-Inspired Minimal Homes
Gartnerfuglen Arkitkter Designs the Årestua Home in Telemark
Rattan Sculptural Art Installations
Enter Projects Asia Completes a Private Thai Art Gallery
Cement Block-Decorated Homes
Bloom Architecture Designs the Small Houses Collection
Metal-Wrapped Exhibition Spaces
Trace Architecture Office Creates a Structural Steel Wrap
Tranquil Functional Home Designs
Atelier Varun Goyal Designs the Modern Courtyard House
Monolithic Sleek Summer Homes
Jan Henrik Jansen Arkitekter Creates the Vollerup Atrium Home
Curvaceous Brick Forest Homes
Blurring Boundaries Designs the Asmalay Home in a Forest
Brick Timber Garden Homes
John Pardey Architects Designs the Chestnut Plantation in Hampshire
Climbing Plant-Wrapped Homes
Anarchlab Designs the Nevogilde House in Porto with Unique Screen
Live-In Art Gallery Homes
Casa Galeria is a Home That Doubles as an Art Gallery
Sculptural Canteliver Concrete Houses
Espacio 18 Arquitectura Designs the Casa del Alma
Compact Calming Homes
Batay-Csorba Architects Masterfully Designed a Modern Brick Home in Toronto
Perforated Brickwork Office Buildings
Tropical Space Designs the Premier Office in Vietnam
Glass Bridge-Connected Small Homes
PJCArchitecture Finishes a Micro-Home Design in Ecuador
Artfully Inspired Home Renovations
Reflect Architecture Designs the North Drive House in Toronto
Barn-Like Private Art Galleries
Boano Prišmontas Creates a Small Gallery Located in Hertfordshire
Juxtaposing Contemporary Homes
Bates Masi Designs the Stony Hill Project with Various Volumes
Light Reflective Modern Villas
PPAA Completes the Concrete Villa with a 'Water Mirror'
Elevated Garden-Filled Buildings
Snøhetta Designs the New Cloud 11 Building in Bangkok
Traditional Garden-Inspired Cultural Centers
Open Architecture Designs the Shanfeng Academy
Light-Filled City Center Gardens
ROOM + Design & Build Designs the Secret Garden in Vietnam
Geometric African Homes
Gregory Katz Architecture Designs the Great Primary Shapes Home
Forested Residential Buildings
GAAGA Designs the Forest Bath Building Framed by Tree Trunks
Hidden Garden Timber Pavilions
Tikari Works Designs A Room Around a Tree in London
Cutout Roof Cement-Clad Homes
Edition Office Designs a Home with a Focus on Tree Views
Sensory-Enhanced Workspace Designs
Design ni Dukaan Elevates Workspace Design in Various Senses
Halo-Like Skylight Homes
Tamara Wibowo Architects Designs the Halo House in Indonesia
Sustainable Cubic Homes
Appels Architekten Designs a New Wooden Home in Germany
Perforated Facade Urban Home
Paperfarm Designs the Contemporary Veil House in Taiwan
Garden-Focused Timeless Homes
Ludwig Godefrey Designs the Soothing Casa Sanje in Mexico
Natural Landscape-Surrounding Homes
All(zone) Designs the Under the Rain Trees Holiday Home
Minimal Urban City Apartments
GRT Architects Designs the East Village Apartment in NY
Oversized Roof Vietnamese Homes
The House in Quang Yen by Local Studios has Walled Gardens
Pale Yellow Minimal Townhomes
i.B. Archstudio Designs the VVV Townhouse with Pastel Hues
Mirrored Panel Tropical Gardens
Research Artistic Design + Architecture Designs the Frame Garden
Peaceful Sophisticated Minimal Residences
OZA Design Presents the Cranleigh Lodge in London
Planted Balcony Home Designs
4site Architects Designs the House of Greens in Bangalore
Unconventional Chinese Housing Estates
Atelier GOM Designs the Longnan Garden Estate
Blocky Stone Perimeter Homes
Pema Studio Designs the Dense Enclosed Forte House in Portugal
Tree-Surrounding Contemporary Homes
Devin Keyes Designs the Live Oak Ride Residence
Clear Glazing Compact Residences
IGArchitects Designs the Check Patterned House in Japan
Climate-Friendly Waterfront Homes
From 4 to 1 Creates Three Pavilions in Copenhagen
Wooden Blind-Enclosed Spanish Homes
Company Studio Designs the Na Mime House in Mallorca
Blackened Wooden Facade Homes
Annie Barrett and Hye-Young Chung Design the Centered Home
Lantern-Like Tea House Pavilions
Grau Architects Designs the Tea House Pavilion by the Lake
Blocky Structural Coastal Homes
Åsa Hjort Architects Completes a Home Design in Sweden
Industrial Warehouse-Inspired Offices
Carr Designs a New Office Block with Industrial Themes
Wooden Pavilion Seaside Homes
LAND Arquitectos Designs the House of Circumstances in Chile
Plaza-Surrounding Housing Complexes
Tariq Khayyat Design Partners Designs the H Residence
Lantern-Topped Sleek Workshops
Cabinet Designs the Gardeners House in a Park in Geneva
Immersive Artful Apartments
Tereza Porybná and Objektor Architekti Design the Ovenecká 33
Geometric Red-Brick Suburban Homes
OFIS Arhitekti Designs the Frame House in Ljubljana
Terraced Naturally Lit Homes
Unknown Works Designs the Bright Oasis Home in London
Renovated Cottage Garden Extensions
John Ellway Renovates a Cottage with New Extensions