8 amazing homes designed by esteemed architects

Buying a property created by a well-known architect not only guarantees great design and brilliant use of space, but will earn you extensive bragging rights.

We’ve rounded up some of the best historic and contemporary homes on the market conceived by leading names.

1. Wellington, New Zealand, NZ$1.895m (£894,000)

A sense of fun pervades this whimsical but sophisticated house, built by renowned New Zealand architect Roger Walter as his own residence in 1989. At the time, new homes were permitted to fully cover plots under 300 square metres, but size restrictions are now in place.

Spanning four levels, the house includes three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a glass-roofed dining room with city and harbour views and a turret with a cozy lounge area, loft bed, and bathroom.

The versatile lower floor could be kitted out as a playroom, office, gym or another bedroom. Via Tommy’s Real Estate/LeadingRE.

2. Highgate, London N6, £899,950

This well-maintained two-bedroom apartment is on the first floor of Grade I listed Highpoint, and features eight-foot high ceilings and Crittall-style windows.

The building, designed by Berthold Lubetkin — who was behind the penguin pool and gorilla house at London Zoo and many private dwellings — is widely considered to be one of the city’s finest examples of domestic Modernist architecture.

Its excellent amenities foster a sense of community — residents have use of communal gardens with play equipment, tennis courts and a heated outdoor swimming pool, plus a porter. Through The Modern House.

Read more: 10 fantastic family homes close to top state secondary schools

3. Burnham, Buckinghamshire, offers over £1m

Grade II* listed Nashdom Abbey was built in 1908 by Sir Edwin Lutyens as a country retreat for the Russian aristocrats Prince and Princess Dolgorouki, famed for their love of entertaining.

Later it became a Benedictine Monastery and in 1997 was converted into luxury homes, including this very spacious ground and first floor duplex.

It comprises a grand entrance hall, two double bedrooms with dressing areas and ensuite bathrooms, a kitchen, three reception rooms and a round conservatory, so there’s plenty of room for partying.

The mansion sits in 17 acres of grounds and has an onsite gym, a heated outdoor pool and tennis court. Contact Fine & Country.

4. Sevenoaks, Kent, £3.25m

Located on the private Wildernesse Estate, this Arts and Crafts-style house is by Mackay Hugh Baillie Scott, who designed nearly 300 buildings in a variety of styles.

Accommodation is arranged over three floors and includes seven bedrooms, four bathrooms, three reception room and a conservatory where French doors lead out to the beautiful three-acre garden.

Here you’ll find extensive lawns interspersed with well-stocked borders, flowering shrubs and topiary and a swimming pool discreetly enclosed by manicured hedges. Find out more from John D Wood.

5. Port Andratx, Mallorca, €13.9m (£11.723m)

The Seagull House, perched on a hilltop looking across the town and Mediterranean Sea, is the brainchild of Uruguayan architect Alberto Rubio.

He set out to create a home that resembles a bird in flight with undulating lines, sweeping curves and beamed, vaulted ceilings that represent the underside of its wings.

Inside and outside spaces blend seamlessly — there are three ensuite bedrooms, vast open-plan living spaces, multi-level terraces and a one-bedroom guest apartment, all bright white so that every part is drenched in light. Available from Engel & Völkers.

Read more: 8 Regency homes for Bridgerton buffs

6. Hampstead, London NW3, £15m

Multi-award winning architect Claudio Silvestrin was behind this sustainably-minded minimalist house in the heart of Hampstead Village.

Set over five storeys, it incorporates five bedrooms, five bathrooms, formal and informal reception rooms, a kitchen/breakfast room, several terraces, and leisure facilities such as a cinema, gym, indoor pool, sauna and steam room.

The mature gardens at ground floor level were designed by Chris Beardshaw, a RHS Chelsea Flower Show gold prize winner. Get the lowdown from Beauchamp Estates.

7. Kirkliston, West Lothian, offers over £15m

Just 10 miles from Edinburgh city centre, A-listed Newliston House is believed to be the last country house planned by British neoclassical architect Robert Adam.

Five beautifully proportioned grand reception rooms grace the ground floor, 13 bedrooms are spread over the upper two floors, and a three-bedroom flat is integrated into the basement.

The elegant neoclassical mansion is at the centre of a 746 acre estate encompassing arable and pasture land, woodlands and a portfolio of income-generating residential and commercial properties. Through Savills.

Read more: 10 branded residences for effortless luxury living

8. Regent’s Park, London NW1, £18.95m

Uninterrupted views across Regent's Park and its boating lake are among the numerous highlights of this palatial Grade I-listed house.

Designed by John Nash, who was responsible for much of Regency London, it has recently been restored and boasts 6,100 square feet of living space.

It has seven bedrooms, four reception rooms, a gym, sauna, a self-contained mews house and a south-west facing garden. For further information contact Knight Frank.

Watch: How much money do I need to buy a house?

Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android.