Iconic Houses

✨ Can architecture change the way we live—and even the way we think?

On the outskirts of Tokyo stands one of the most radical residential buildings of the 21st century: Reversible Destiny Lofts—Mitaka (In Memory of Helen Keller), designed by artists Shusaku Arakawa and Madeline Gins.

Completed in 2005, this extraordinary housing complex is far more than a place to live. Conceived as a "house to not to die" it challenges residents to engage their bodies and senses every day. Uneven floors, vibrant colours, vertical poles, and unconventional spaces encourage movement, exploration, and constant awareness instead of habitual routines. The building is a living experiment, demonstrating how architecture can actively shape human experience.

At Iconic Houses we are fascinated by projects that push the boundaries of residential architecture. While many iconic homes are celebrated for their aesthetic or historical significance, "Reversible Destiny Lofts" asks a more profound question: Can architecture help unlock human potential? Inspired by the life of Helen Keller, who found remarkable ways to perceive and interact with the world despite being deaf and blind, the project invites visitors to rethink the relationship between the body, the senses, and the built environment.

🏠 Join a 60-minute guided tour to experience this remarkable architectural landmark firsthand and discover why it continues to inspire architects, artists, designers, and researchers from around the world.

📍 Book your tour here https://www.rdloftsmitaka.com/

Or watch a short English video tour in the below link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EBTCoa4CMw

Yannis Moralis' House, Reopens Its Doors on Aegina, Greece
A rare opportunity to step inside an artist's world.

This August, the iconic Yannis Moralis House & Studio on the Greek island of Aegina opens its doors to the public for just two days. For lovers of artists' houses, architecture and modern art, this is a unique opportunity not to be missed.

Designed in the 1970s by renowned architect Aris Konstantinidis, the house is considered a masterpiece of modern Greek architecture. More than a home, it was the creative sanctuary of Yannis Moralis, one of Greece's most celebrated 20th-century artists. Here, architecture, landscape and artistic practice come together in an extraordinary way.

Visitors will have the exceptional chance to explore Moralis' studio and living spaces, offering a rare glimpse into the environment where many of his works were conceived.

Alongside guided tours, the programme includes two special evening concerts, making this an unforgettable cultural experience.

📍 Yannis Moralis House, Plakakia, Aegina
📅 28–29 August 2026
🎟 Participation is by reservation and subject to availability.

Practical Information
Dates: Friday 28 & Saturday 29 August 2026
Curators: Christina Morali, Niki Dafni, and Katerina Glyka
Venue: Yannis Moralis House, Plakakia area, Aegina
Information & Reservations: +30 694 444 0829 (Christina Morali)

Participation is subject to availability and will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Welcome at Iconic Houses: Palais de la F***e Chanson in Brussels!

The Palais de la F***e Chanson (1928) is architect Antoine Courtens’ Art Deco masterpiece, distinguished by its dramatic semicircular corner rotunda, star-shaped campanile, reinforced-concrete structure, luxurious materials, and elegant geometric composition, making it one of Brussels’ finest and best-preserved interwar apartment buildings.

Explore Palais de la F***e Chanson here >>
https://www.iconichouses.org/houses/palais-de-la-folle-chanson

Welcome at Iconic Houses: Palais de la F***e Chanson in Brussels!

The Palais de la F***e Chanson (1928) is architect Antoine Courtens' Art Deco masterpiece, distinguished by its dramatic semicircular corner rotunda, star-shaped campanile, reinforced-concrete structure, luxurious materials, and elegant geometric composition, making it one of Brussels' finest and best-preserved interwar apartment buildings.

Explore Palais de la F***e Chanson here >>
https://www.iconichouses.org/houses/palais-de-la-folle-chanson

Palais de la F***e Chanson Antoine Courtens 1928, Belgium

ICONIC READS – NEW: Robert Mallet-Stevens: La Villa Cavrois

A masterpiece of modernist architecture, Villa Cavrois embodies the ideal of the "modern château" envisioned by Robert Mallet-Stevens in the early 1930s. Conceived as a total work of art, it combines geometric rigor, understated luxury, and technical innovation, offering a radically new vision of modern living.

This monograph provides an in-depth exploration of the villa, from its conception for the Cavrois family to its spectacular restoration in the twenty-first century. Enhanced by thematic features and interviews, it includes a conversation with Michel Goutal, Chief Architect for Historic Monuments, who oversaw the restoration of both the villa and its surrounding park.

Both a definitive reference work and an engaging introduction, this volume invites readers to rediscover an iconic landmark where architecture, design, and landscape exist in perfect harmony, demonstrating the enduring modernity of Mallet-Stevens's vision.

Find more books on Iconic Houses in our books section here >> https://www.iconichouses.org/books

New at Iconic Houses: Maison Spruyt!

Maison Spruyt (1954) in Vilvoorde, Belgium (just 30 minutes from Brussels), is a refined post-war modernist townhouse by architects Lucien Engels and Roger De Winter, distinguished by its monumental geometric façade, recessed entrance, steel-framed windows, glass-block detailing, and elevated cornice.

Explore Maison Spruyt here >> https://www.iconichouses.org/houses/maison-spruyt

Maison Spruyt Roger De Winter and Lucien Engels 1954, Belgium

AALTO WORKS SERIES INSCRIBED ON THE UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE LIST

Congratulations to the Alvar Aalto Foundation, whose dedication and hard work made this remarkable achievement possible.

The Aalto Works series, comprising thirteen sites designed by Alvar, Aino and Elissa Aalto across Finland, has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Five of the newly inscribed sites are house museums that are also members of the Iconic Houses network.

You can explore them here:
• Stay overnight at the Paimio Sanatorium >> https://www.iconichouses.org/specials/paimio-sanatorium
• Villa Mairea >> https://www.iconichouses.org/houses/villa-mairea
• The Aalto House, Studio Aalto and Muuatsalo Experimental House >> https://www.iconichouses.org/specials/alvar-aalto

Aalto Works series inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List - Alvar Aalto Foundation | Alvar Aalto -säätiö The Aalto Works series, comprising thirteen architectural sites, has been added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List. The set of sites reveals the key role played by Alvar, Aino and Elissa Aalto’s modern architecture, which is characterised by a humane approach to design. The decision to approve it f...

Art Nouveau versus Art Deco?
1850–1950: One Century, 31 Chairs

Can a single chair tell the story of an era?

This thought-provoking exhibition brings together 31 exceptional chairs to explore a century of artistic innovation. Moving beyond the familiar distinction between Art Nouveau and Art Deco, it reveals the dialogue, evolution and enduring connections between five generations of architects and designers.

More than a history of furniture, the exhibition offers a fresh perspective on design, the decorative arts, and the changing ways we live, create and inhabit space.

25 June 2026 – 10 January 2027
Horta Museum
27 Rue Américaine, Saint-Gilles, Brussels

Presented in collaboration with the Municipality of Saint-Gilles, urban.brussels and the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, with the support of the National Lottery and its players.

Admission to the exhibition is free during the museum’s opening hours. Please note that admission to the Horta House Museum is separate and requires advance booking.

A must-see for anyone interested in architecture, design and the rich dialogue between two defining artistic movements.

Art nouveau versus Art déco ?
1850 / 1950 : 1 siècle, 31 sièges

Et si un siège pouvait raconter un siècle de création ?

À travers 31 pièces, l’exposition invite à dépasser les catégories familières de l’Art nouveau et de l’Art déco pour explorer les liens, les ruptures et les continuités entre cinq générations d’architectes, de créatrices et de créateurs.

Une traversée du design, des arts décoratifs et de nos manières d’habiter le monde.

En collaboration avec la Commune de Saint-Gilles, urban.brussels et la Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, avec le soutien de et de ses joueurs.

25 juin 2026 - 10 janvier 2027
Musée Horta, 27 rue Américaine, Saint-Gilles
Accès gratuit à l’exposition pendant les heures d’ouverture du musée.
Cet accès ne comprend pas la visite de la maison-musée, qui reste soumise à réservation et à billetterie.

-

Art nouveau versus art deco?
1850 / 1950: 1 eeuw, 31 zetels

Wat als een zetel een hele eeuw creatie kon vertellen?

Aan de hand van 31 stukken nodigt de tentoonstelling uit om verder te kijken dan de vertrouwde categorieën van art nouveau en art deco, en de verbanden, breuklijnen en continuïteiten tussen vijf generaties architecten, ontwerpsters en ontwerpers te ontdekken.

Een reis door design, toegepaste kunsten en onze manieren van wonen.

In samenwerking met Commune de Saint-Gilles, urban.brussels en Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, met de steun van en haar spelers.

25 juni 2026 - 10 januari 2027
Horta Museum, Amerikaansestraat 27, Sint-Gillis
Gratis toegang tot de tentoonstelling tijdens de openingsuren van het museum.
Deze toegang omvat geen bezoek aan het huis-museum. Hiervoor blijven reservatie en ticket verplicht.

A series of 13 Finnish Aalto sites has been nominated for the UNESCO World Heritage List!

This remarkable nomination recognises sites that played a pivotal role in shaping the Finnish welfare state between the 1920s and 1970s, while also making a lasting impact on the development of modern architecture around the world. It is the first collection of modern architecture from Finland ever proposed for inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

At Iconic Houses, we are especially proud that five of these exceptional sites are part of our international network of house museums. Their inclusion in this nomination highlights not only Alvar and Aino Aalto's extraordinary legacy, but also the importance of preserving these houses as places where architecture, history, and culture come alive.

Over the coming weeks, we'll be taking a closer look at each of these five houses, exploring what makes them so special and why they possess such outstanding universal value.

We wish the Aalto Foundation every success as the nomination process continues. We know how much dedication, expertise, and hard work has gone into this achievement, and we sincerely hope these exceptional sites receive the well-deserved recognition of inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

🍀 A decision is expected in July 2026, when the UNESCO World Heritage Committee convenes in Busan, South Korea.