There’s something utterly delightful about this mid-century apartment in Blackheath, southeast London. Perhaps it’s the blue brickwork, which makes a pleasing contrast to the lush greenery that grows up its side and the beautiful red flowers potted in each windowsill. The tall and slender build is equally appealing, as is the contemporary curtain glazing, which reveals exquisite views of the local area to its owner on the fourth floor. The rectangular structure may echo the form of the neighbouring Georgian townhouses, but this apartment block is truly one of a kind.

The client’s brief for this project stated that it should be, “an outstanding example of modern architectural design, to the highest standard and with the best quality materials”. Its architects – the building was a collaboration between Mark Dziewulski and Robert Barnes Architects – more than delivered. The floor-to-ceiling windows that make up the façade provide the desired contemporary feel, while also ensuring the interior is filled with plenty of natural light. The white, square design calls to mind villas you might come across in Ibiza or Cape Town – so even if you can’t get away right now, here, you can at least pretend.

“If I could go back to 1964, when this was completed, I would not alter a thing”, said John S. Bonnington, the architect behind the Grade II-listed Ferrum House in Harpenden, Hertfordshire. And we can see why: inspired by the work of Bauhaus architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, it’s free of superfluous details and is one of the earliest examples of a steel-framed house in England. Other noteworthy touches include the repetitive modularity and large expanses of glass. While the rectangular shape leans towards minimal, Ferrum House was given maximum thought: the fair-coloured bricks, for example, were chosen to juxtapose with the darkness of the surrounding towering Californian redwood trees.

This striking three-bedroom home in Bermondsey, southeast London, is likely to cause anyone walking past to stop in their tracks and revel in its contemporary design. It was conceived by Satish Jassal Architects, whose namesake founder is known for his exploration of brickwork – this project is no exception: spot the vertically placed dark red bricks on the façade. And while said material was carefully selected to appear worn, don’t be fooled – this house was only completed earlier this year. Upping the curb appeal is the use of golden oak to frame the floor-to-ceiling windows, which also highlights the playful geometric structure.

Calling all superfans of modernism: this two-bedroom apartment located on the renowned Alexander & Ainsworth Estate is sure to excite. Designed by the revered architect Neave Brown in the 1960s, it’s a glorious example of brutalism at its finest – so much so that the building was granted an incredibly rare Grade II* listing. The concrete exterior may divide opinion, but we have to agree with former heritage secretary, Peter Brooke, who at the time of its build described the Alexander Road Estate (as it’s more commonly known) as “one of the more distinguished groups of buildings since the Second World War”.