Since the origin of the villa culture in ancient times, the term villa has been invested with a special magic. Seen formerly as a genteel country estate and companion piece to city palace, today this type of dwelling is represented more as a refined, noble, free standing house. The villa is the gleaming diamond of housing construction, the expression of distinguished living style and elevated standard of living. For an architect, the planning or reconstruction of a villa represents the exciting challenge of a new interpretation of a classical building task, guided by their own, special ideas. This volume portrays famous architects as well as exciting works by younger architecture firms. The international selection shows the manifold and intriguing spectrum of contemporary architecture.