Here’s a home that will sit in a particularly delightful location in Devon, where the shores of the Cornish seaside town Bude are a few miles drive to the west and Dartmoor National Park to the east. Designed to make the most of views across green pastures and pretty fruit orchards, the expansive house, which will unfold over 3,000sq ft, is perfect for those in pursuit of the pastoral. But quaint countryside cottage this is not: the sleek, striking building might reference traditional longhouses, but inside, it’s all lateral living spaces, soaring ceilings and minimalist interiors. A floating terrace – yes, really – that overlooks the trees scores top marks.

This project – comprising a pair of new homes – aims to breathe new life into a late Victorian warehouse in Margate. The existing structure was originally built for the Isle of Thanet Gazette as the printworks for its paper, and we love the features that nod to its heritage – note the letters that spell out the name of the publication on the building. Now, however, it’s in the hands of husband-and-wife architect duo Liddicoat and Goldhill, who promise to create one three- and one four-bed with upside-down layouts (the open-plan kitchen and living areas will be on the first floor; the bedrooms below) and generous proportions that call to mind loft living.

Is there anything as lovely as waking up to a sea view? Perhaps one that involves 360-degree vistas of rolling grassland too. Yes, this plot, located in an Area of Outstanding National Beauty of the wonderfully wild Isle of Wight, is both nestled in the countryside and close to the water. The three-bedroom home that will sit on this enviable site has been proposed by architect Neil Evensen, who has pitched a forward-thinking design that will stand out among its surroundings – for all the right reasons. With its bold and blocky form, sunken forecourt and monolithic living spaces, it has a brilliantly brutalist feel that we’re giving a thumbs up.

Having visited a house designed by Mary Arnold-Forster for Issue No.4 of our magazine, we’re well-acquainted with the architect’s work and can attest that she has a particular flair for conceiving homes that draw on their location – and this project is no different. Mary has secured permission to build a beautiful home in a remarkable and remote part of the western Scottish Highlands. Like many of Mary’s homes, the build is inspired by traditional blackhouses, while the interiors draw upon a clean Scandinavian aesthetic, with large windows that will frame far-reaching views of wonderfully rugged countryside and calm waters. It’s a yes from us.

Fancy yourself a brand-new home in the city? This plot offers the rare opportunity to build a three-bedroom house on a peaceful private road in Clapham, south-west London. There are lots of things we love about this striking design by architect Mina Shafik – especially how tucked away it is from the street and the way it’s surrounded by allotments and neighbouring gardens rather than buildings. The two-storey sculptural home has a striking pavilion at ground level, while the living spaces lie on the lower-ground floor and will be configured in a C shape around a sunken courtyard. Here, soaring double-height rooms and floor-to-ceiling glazing will provide a sense of grandeur. We also admire how the two bedrooms will open to the courtyard, feeling beautifully connected to the outdoors.

This curious curved home takes its cues from the blueprint of a Mosquito areoplane and aims to pay homage to the former RAF Castle Camps that once sat next to its site. With a long slender shape, six storeys, and split-level living spaces, which include a watch tower, it’s safe to say this is concept is one-of-a-kind. The brains behind it are Hawkes Architecture, whose founder, Richard Hawkes, designed the very first Passivhaus in England. Unsurprisingly, then, this project also promises to be highly sustainable and energy efficient: its position capitalises on passive solar gain, meaning light will pour into the living spaces and it will come with a heat-recovery system, as well as being well insulated and airtight.

Conceived by Kirkland Fraser Moor, we think this concept for a courtyard house is a cut above. The plot is located on the northern edge of an Area of Outstanding National Beauty in Hertfordshire – less than 10 miles to both St Albans and Harpenden – and comes with Paragraph 80 planning (which allows the construction of new builds in rural locations). The five-bedroom house will nod to the surrounding vernacular, with a palette defined by local materials such as red brick and flint. And forget art on the walls – this home will feature a beautiful picture-perfect tree at its heart. Its orientation has been designed to make the most of the sunlight, creating bright and airy living spaces. A landscape scheme for the surrounding garden also comes with this project and aims to make the natural biodiversity of the area flourish.