Steven Holl Architects is one of the world’s leading design firms, and for good reason. He has been responsible for some of the most iconic Houses of the Deco design movement. His works aim to create spaces that evoke emotion, evoke stories, and create a powerful sense of light. In this article, we will discuss Steven Holl’s top 10 Art Deco house designs, each one exemplifying the “house as sculpture” idea.Steven Holl House Designs: A Narrative of Emotion, Light, and Structure
Steven Holl House Designs: A Narrative of Emotion, Light, and Structure
The Steven Holl–designed Residence for Jane and Arthur Steel was a labour of love that took eight years to complete. Completed in 2007, this divisive house gives off an art deco appeal, with its curved arcs and sculptural forms of undulating brick. The house was designed to encapsulate the feel of the American wilderness, as well as to reflect the personalities of the clients.Steven Holl – Residence for Jane and Arthur Steel, Dallas, Texas, USA
Steven Holl - Residence for Jane and Arthur Steel, Dallas, Texas, USA
McMurtry College was completed in 2010, for the Rice University in Houston, Texas. This building feels like a glassy piece of sculpture, with its curved shapes and glass walls that allow for an abundance of natural light. Its design is a testament to the influence of Art Deco style, with its strong geometric shapes. The building is known for its incredible use of daylight and its ability to create a sense of movement and energy.Steven Holl – McMurtry College, Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA
Steven Holl - McMurtry College, Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA
The Alfred E. Brauer house, completed in 2011, is the daughter of the legendary German avant-garde architect, Ernst Brauer. This house was designed to pay homage to Ernst’s modernist sensibilities and his use of light and geometry. The façade of the house captures this approach perfectly, expressing strong curves and geometric shapes that represent the rigorous, exacting use of Form and Geometry.Steven Holl – Alfred E. Brauer House, Wrightstown, Pennsylvania, USA
Steven Holl - Alfred E. Brauer House, Wrightstown, Pennsylvania, USA
The K2 Condominiums, completed in 2012, was designed by Steven Holl for a group of investors in Seattle. This building has the classic Art Deco look and feel of a timeless sculpture. The façade of the building is made up of curved glass, metal panels, and textured concrete, capturing the elements of the Deco style. Its design is stark and beautiful, with geometric shapes. The building is highlighted by its sweeping curves and its soft, diffuse lighting.Steven Holl – K2 Condominiums, Seattle, Washington, USA
Steven Holl – K2 Condominiums, Seattle, Washington, USA
The Linked Hybrid, completed in 2009, is the grandest of Steven Holl’s art deco house designs. This vertical city in Beijing has a modern Art Deco feel, with its curved glass walls, its huge archways, and its dramatic geometric forms. The building includes 858 units of housing, and its design captures the grand scale of a vertical city. Its use of light and its bold geometric shapes emphasize the sophisticated spirit of Deco design.Steven Holl – Linked Hybrid, Beijing, China
Steven Holl - Linked Hybrid, Beijing, China
Simmons Hall, completed in 2004, is a classic example of art deco design. This building has a stunningly modern feel, with its curved glass walls and its shimmering metal panels. The building has a powerful sense of geometric structure, with its sleek lines and its bold geometric forms. Steven Holl’s use of light and shadow throughout the structure give it a dramatic, expressive quality.Steven Holl – Simmons Hall, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
Steven Holl - Simmons Hall, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
The Horned House, completed in 2010, is one of the most unique and expressive of Steven Holl’s art deco house designs. This house, located on Mount Desert Island, Maine, is made up of a series of curved walls and arches, creating a dramatic effect. The house is a celebration of Deco style, with its geometric forms and its bold use of light. This house pays tribute to the celebration of form and function that is a hallmark of true art deco.Steven Holl – Horned House, Mount Desert Island, Maine, USA
Steven Holl - Horned House, Mount Desert Island, Maine, USA
The Hybrid Institute, completed in 2006, is a sleek and modern art deco building. This building has an unmistakable Deco look, with its geometric shapes, its steel-plated balconies, and its curved glass windows. The building is full of motion, with its curving shapes and its use of lines and shadows. This Deco-inspired building is a testament to a timeless style.Steven Holl – Hybrid Institute, Nanjing, China
Steven Holl – Hybrid Insitute, Nanjing, China
The Nelson House, completed in 2004, is a classic example of art deco design. This house is made up of a series of arches, curved walls, and sculptural elements. The building has a strong sense of motion, and its use of light gives it an elegant, timeless quality. The design reflects the modern sensibilities of the Deco style, with its elegant geometric shapes, its use of texture, and its strong use of geometry.Steven Holl – Nelson House, Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, USA
Steven Holl – Nelson House, Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, USA
Steven Holl's House Plan: Reimagining the Traditional Aesthetic
Architectural icon Steven Holl has long been redefining the traditional aesthetic through his unique designs for modern homes. His unique approach to residential design—developing "meridians of movement"—has garnered him much praise and attention from homeowners and the wider industry. In each of his projects, he works to lessen environmental impact as much as possible, a trait often echoed in his residential plans.
Holl's house plan is renowned for its creative and experimental approach to living space. Drawing from both his natural surroundings and the inner-workings of modern life, he creates abstract, modular designs that give the homeowner space to truly think outside of the box. A wide window here, an open concept floor plan there—the look is like a dream, often incorporating angular, geometric components that invite the viewer to reexamine their notions of the everyday.
The Steven Holl Approach to Design and Delivery
What makes the Steven Holl house plan so special is its ability to balance traditional elements with modern influences. Anchoring his projects in a style that takes inspiration from classical models, he then adds in bold, innovative elements, often alongside contemporary materials and patterns. In many cases, these results are visually stunning and can transform any existing interior into a cohesive living space—a look that stands the test of time.
How Steven Holl Utilizes Sustainable Materials
As an avid environmentalist, Steven Holl consistently uses recyclable and sustainable materials in his house plans. He has a special talent for creating decorative elements out of materials such as wood, fiberglass, and fabric, ensuring that both the structure of the house and its interior design are as eco-friendly as possible. Holl is never afraid to experiment and often creates unique patterns from materials found on site, such as wood veneer, painted elements, and even brass.
Steven Holl's Legacy of Creative Solutions
In the end, it is Steven Holl's approach to residential design that sets him apart—a mix of traditional techniques crafted with a touch of modern innovation. His projects honor traditional living spaces with personalized touches that fit the homeowner and the property. Ultimately, it is his desire to push the boundaries of the house plan that continues to wow, as he continues to redefine the traditional aesthetic.
