7 Homes That Make Great Use of Concrete

Often considered cold and minimal, concrete pairs well with natural landscapes and can be a surprisingly inviting interior treatment. Click through the slideshow to see some of our favorite examples. View Slideshow Slideshow

The concrete exterior of this home, situated on a lava flow in Hawaii, was inspired by the surrounding landscape. “Like the ohia, the gray concrete house would blend into the existing landscape of lava and trees, while splashes of color in the house would mimic the lehua,” says architect Craig Steely of his idea to use the material.

Photo by Ian Allen. View Slideshow