A look inside the world's superhouses – in pictures

A new book and exhibition looks at some of the world’s most extraordinary houses, including a transformed cement factory outside Barcelona, a prefabricated house in the Netherlands, a restored 12th-century castle in England, and a futuristic seaside escape on the coast of Victoria.

• McCartney’s exhibition, Superhouses: architecture and interiors beyond the everyday, is on at the Museum of Sydney from 29 August

  • Goulding Summerhouse, Ireland

    Scott Tallon Walker Architects restored the Goulding Summerhouse in Enniskerry, County Wicklow, Ireland over 1971 to 1973.
    The Goulding Summerhouse, Ireland

  • An interior view of Goulding Summerhouse.
    The Goulding Summerhouse, Ireland

  • Croft House, Victoria

    Located in Inverloch, in seaside-country Victoria, Croft House was designed by architect James Stockwell to fall in line with its surrounding landscape.
    Croft House, Victoria

  • The exterior of Croft House is entirely clad in zinc, which amplifies its futuristic aesthetic.
    Croft House, Victoria

  • Almere House, The Netherlands

    This prefabricated structure was initially meant for impermanent housing, but the architect Jan Bentham (Bentham Crouwel Architeken 1982-1984) and his family transformed it into their permanent residence.
    Almere House, The Netherlands

  • An interior view of Jan Betham’s Almere House.
    Almere House, The Netherlands

  • Concrete House, Switzerland

    A rooftop view of Wespi de Meuron Romeo architects’ Concrete House (2012) in Sant’Abbondio, Switzerland.
    Concrete House, Switzerland

  • Inside the Concrete House in Switzerland.
    Concrete House, Switzerland

  • Astley Castle, England

    The 12th-century Astley Castle in Warwickshire, England, was transformed by Witherford Watson and Mann architects in 2013.
    Astley Castle, England

  • The red dining suite of Astley Castle. The architects reimagined the castle to maintain its history, without entirely mimicking its original form.
    Astley Castle, England

  • The dining room of Astley Castle.
    Astley Castle, England

  • La Fabrica, Spain

    Spanish architect Ricardo Bofill transformed a former cement factory on the outskirts of Barcelona into a home.
    La Fabrica, Spain

  • Bofill’s house had eight remaining concrete silos, which were transformed into an office (pictured), a library, a projection room and a models lab.
    La Fabrica, Spain

  • Bofill’s living room retains a concrete element.
    La Fabrica, Spain
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