The increasing popularity of residences in alpine and semi-alpine areas makes this publication a timely reminder that traditional housing is constantly evolving. This book shows that from Santiago in Chile to Hakone in Japan, mountain architecture primarily concerns the accompanying view and setting; it is an architecture that intimately relates to its site and allows the residents to be perched between heaven and earth. For urban dwellers in particular, the mountain retreat offers an opportunity to commune with nature, to feel the power of the earth again. Ranging from the theoretical to the very real and luxurious, these mountain houses can be a source of inspiration, or simply a series of places to dreamabout. This book looks at residential mountain architecture which has been built to respond to not only the mountain environment, but also semi-alpine and urban environments, many even providing multi-family accommodation in superb locations across Europe, North America and New Zealand. Includes outstanding colour photographyand detailed plans.