Robust and raw, concrete has been a rudimentary building material for centuries, but it is only relatively recently that architects have begun exploring its softer, tactile side in the design of houses. Concrete is durable, recyclable, and thermally efficient, and it goes up quickly compared to wood or metal framing. The appeal for architects, though, is its plasticity and potential for magic, making poetry out of the mundane.

Though exquisite color photography and architectural plans, witness concrete's endless form-making possibilities in this collection of contemporary homes by A-list architects in diverse locations across Japan, Australia, Spain, Brazil, South Africa, the US, and more. Architects share their design approach to projects ranging from 10,000 square feet on spectacular sites, to compact urban gems.

This close-up of 20 striking houses celebrates the texture and physics of a material that has long been taken for granted.

Australia-based Steve Huyton is a blogger at Total Design Reviews and writes about architecture, horology, and luxury design for international magazines. His previous books include Modern Masters, Luxury Design for Living, and Australia Modern. Cheryl Weber is a book editor at Schiffer Publishing and a former magazine editor and journalist covering architecture, landscape architecture, and interior design for national consumer and trade publications.