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Living by the waterside is a dream for many of us, and where there is water, there is also a great opportunity for bold, adventurous design. Yet whether it’s in an Arctic or tropical location, water can be a challenge for any architect. The relationship between land, water and home is the focus of a new book, Living on Water: Contemporary Houses Framed by Water (Phaidon). From an ocean-side timber cabin perched on a rock in northern Norway, to a Monterrey modernist dream home with a pool at its centre, here are some of the most beautifully designed waterside homes from around the globe.

The Domus Aurea (House of Gold), pictured, is a residence in a clean, modernist style. Situated in Monterrey, Mexico, the light-filled home was created by Alberto Campo Baeza and GLR Arquitectos. In the courtyard, the swimming pool is enclosed by a wall, with an aperture that affords views of the surrounding urban scene. (Credit: Javier Callejas/ javiercallejas.com)

The aim of the Beach House is to make the most of the beautiful lakeside view at Victoria Beach, Canada, and it has been created by Cibinel Architecture to echo the area’s traditional stone-and-wood-frame cottages. The house has been clad in cedar, and is designed to transform in colour with time into a bright, silvery white. Positioned above the lake, the long deck offers stunning views of both the water and the sky. (Credit: Jerry Grajewski/ Grajewski Fotograph Inc)

Tulia House is situated between a mangrove and a coral cliff, and faces the Indian Ocean. The building, designed by Alberto Morrell, is located in Kilifi, Kenya, and has been created in concrete, coral stones and stucco. Because of its close proximity to the sea, the house remains well ventilated despite the humid climate. (Credit: Javier Callejas/ javiercallejas.com)

The central feature of Tulia House is a platform that leads to a 30ft (9m) wide staircase, descending to a secluded plunge pool. The sweeping, white steps create a sense of airiness and space, and the interior rooms are mostly situated on the upper floor, allowing ocean views. (Credit: Javier Callejas/ javiercallejas.com)

Set high up on an escarpment and surrounded by a coconut plantation, the Cliff House is positioned to make the most of the views of the Arabian Sea. Located in Kerala, India, the home was designed by Khosla Associates and built using slate, Kota stone and timber. The infinity pool appears to pour over the edge of the cliff and has been created to reflect the building’s clean lines and angles. (Credit: Bharath Ramamrutham/ Khosla Associates)

A small-but-perfectly-formed floating residence, the Exbury Egg is an unorthodox design, and was inspired by how seabirds nest on the banks of the river. It offers a new way to live in a place of great natural beauty, and is situated on the Beaulieu River in the New Forest in the UK. Built by a local boat builder, it was created partly with reclaimed cedar, and features an oval-shaped skylight for the resident to look at the sky while lounging in the hammock. The designers are PAD Studio, SPUD Group and Stephen Turner. (Credit: Nigel Ridgen)

Built in pale timber and with huge windows facing the ocean, the Manshausen Island Resort is made up of four separate residences on the Steigen archipelago in northern Norway. Perched on a rock, each cabin is located to allow privacy while also maximising the stunning sea view. The design by Stinessen Arkitektur is clean and minimalist, and the interior is light and pared-back. (Credit: Siggen Stinessen)

The Pole House is positioned on top of a 42ft (13m) column that protrudes from a hillside facing the beach, and is located in Fairhaven, Australia. Designed by F2 Architecture, the building has virtually no footprint, and so has hardly any impact on its surrounding environment. From its raised position, the house enjoys a panoramic view of the sea and coastline. (Credit: Tanja Milbourne)

Watershed Lodge is located in Big Timber, Montana, and the whole house is positioned on top of a raised plinth. The surrounding water flows from the nearby Yellowstone River, and the outdoor wooden decks lead down to the waterside that surrounds it. (Credit: Gibeon Photography)

A shallow pool on the roof of White Cave House mirrors the sky and creates a cool space for lounging. The house, located in Kanazawa, Japan, is all white, both inside and out, and the design by Takuro Yamamoto Architects is created in order to make the most of the refracted light that falls into the courtyard. Living on Water is published by Phaidon, £29.95. (Credit: Ken’ichi Suzuki)