Inspired by Star Wars: 7 Otherworldly Homes

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Episode IX of the epic space-opera, debuts December 20. The galaxy-spanning adventures of Luke Skywalker’s clan are its heart, but it is the films’ settings that are its soul: From the deserts of Tatooine and the verdurous forests of Endor to the skyscraping penthouses of the urban planet Coruscant, each world, with its distinct architecture and landscape, is as unique and diverse as the creatures that inhabit it. Inspired by these phantasmal planetary realms, Luxury Defined spotlights a collection of otherworldly homes, futuristic and fantastic. Consider the Bubble Palace, an orb-like kingdom on the French Riviera. Or look to St Ann’s Court in the English countryside, with its modernist Round House, a place of curves and light built in the style of a geomantic compass; or the Rock, a contemporary eco villa in a lunar-like landscape in the Greek Islands. Step across the threshold and let the Force be with you, always.

The Bubble Palace in Théoule-sur-Mer, France

The Bubble Palace is the iconic French Riviera estate of legendary French fashion designer Pierre Cardin. Celebrated Hungarian architect Antti Lovag designed the unique and otherworldly palais in perfect harmony with the sea and the surrounding landscape. Set on two acres of the rocky cliffs of the Massif de l’Esterel, the 12,900-square-foot structure is composed of interconnecting terracotta spheres. The design embodies Lovag’s unconventional architectural philosophy, which considers straight lines “an aggression against nature.” Everything, from the porthole windows and sinuous walkways to the luxurious beds, is round, spherical, or curved. Light-filled and vast, the living spaces include a panoramic lounge and 10 bedroom suites decorated by contemporary artists, including Patrice Breteau and Jérôme Tisserand. There’s also an elevator, 20-car garage, and caretaker’s apartment. The grounds are an earthly paradise of flower gardens, water ponds, an infinity pool, and an extraordinary 500-seat amphitheater facing the Bay of Cannes.

Related: Take a Look Inside the Iconic Bubble Palace

The Rock in Milos, Greece

On the west coast of the Cycladic island of Milos, The Rock comprises nearly 50 acres of land with a permit to build a 6,296-square-foot “eco-villa” with a swimming pool. This spectacular property embraces the earth. Tucked into a coastal hillside, its cool, modernist interior spaces evoke the ambiance of Luke Skywalker’s subterranean boyhood home on Tatooine. No desert here, though: Instead, easy access to three of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean. “The Rock” is a magnificent understatement, using a folded plane of planted earth to conceal the building mass while opening its façade to embrace the exterior space and reveal panoramic vistas of sea and sky. From above, the subtle statement of the roof is punctuated with atriums and skylights that bring in light and air through luxuriously sculpted spaces and frame sublime sunset views.

Longview on Duxbury Harbor, Massachusetts

Longview’s contemporary rotunda, with its floor-to-ceiling windows, offers 270-degree sunrise views of Duxbury Harbor—and space large enough for a light-saber duel, a tea dance, or expansive, everyday family living. A custom-built luxury home on 9.64 waterfront acres, Longview’s main house has five spacious bedrooms on the upper level, while the main floor is flanked by two screened porches with oversized windows. The entrance hall opens to the family and dining room, which flow to the wide deck fronting the harbor. The gently domed rotunda, nestled on the spacious garage, connects to the main house via a windowed walkway. Thoughtful landscaping and mature plantings line the property’s border, providing a secluded enclave on the point, minutes from town and with easy access to Boston. There is also potential for a second buildable lot.

St Ann’s Court in Surrey, England

St. Ann’s Court is an iconic modern country estate in Surrey, just 30 minutes west of Central London. The property has its origins in the 18th century but is a 1930s modernist masterpiece at heart, with just under 12,000 square feet of interior space across 34 rooms. The residence comprises two substantial yet contrasting buildings: The primary home is the Grade II*-listed, circular, three-story Round House, designed by renowned architect Sir Raymond McGrath—a devotee of the modernist pioneer Le Corbusier. Arranged over three floors, the white circular structure has been featured in countless publications and media productions because of its legendary curves and light. The accommodations include a serene living room, dining room, Mondrian-inspired kitchen and library. The adjoining Coach House was once part of the estate’s original 18th-century manor home. In the 1980s, former owner Phil Manzanera, Roxy Music’s lead guitarist, converted it into a world-class music studio. Today, the interiors are thoroughly contemporary, making it an ideal entertainment and work space. The grounds of St Ann’s Court mix contemporary and traditional landscapes, with seven distinct gardens, woodland, and five ponds. It is also well suited for equestrian pursuits with ample room for stable blocks and horse riding.

Desert Contemporary in Scottsdale, Arizona

Come back to Tatooine, Luke. This desert oasis is a rambling, exuberantly contemporary home on 5.16 acres of the Desert Highlands golf community, abounding with views of Pinnacle Peak, McDowell Mountain, and distant city lights. Designed by architect Barry Berkus. the home’s 6,726-square-foot living area is all on one level, with an adjoining 517-square-foot guest house. The main house, executed in a cool palette of cream, tan, and russet, includes a contemporary chef’s kitchen with high-end stainless steel appliances with adjoining family room and kitchen office, a great room, formal dining room, an office with circular library, and a wet bar. There are three bedrooms and five bathrooms. The master suite offers sunset views of Pinnacle Peak, as well as dual bathrooms and closets. The open staircase to the 2,103-square-foot basement level is alongside a full glass-wall view of the outdoor water feature and contains a recreation and media room, fitness area, and art studio.

Related: Inspired by Frozen—6 Homes in Winter Wonderlands

Contemporary Marvel in Crystal Bay, Nevada

Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada are the backdrop for this International-style contemporary home in Crystal Lake, Nevada. Soaring above the lakeshore with operatic grandeur, this elegantly designed residence is one of the most spectacular waterfront properties in North America. The 9,000-square-foot multi-faceted, cantilevered structure is wrapped by walls of glass and steel. Inside, glass opens up the warm, intimate living spaces. In addition to the monumental glass walls, there are glass fireplaces, glass doors, a stunning six-story glass staircase, and a futuristic glass elevator, which are works of art in themselves. Outside, the undulating landscaped grounds slope down to 98 feet of lake frontage with a steel pier, boat hoist, and two mooring buoys to provide the ultimate in luxury lakefront living.

Shining Hand Ranch in Ashland, Oregon

Here’s the place to feel the Force: The foothills of the Siskiyou and Cascade mountain ranges in southern Oregon, where this 700-acre ranch was inspired by its enchanting woodland setting. Completed in 2016, the 8,880-square-foot sanctuary was handcrafted with accents of exotic wood and river rock to echo the organic flow of nature. Flanked by copper tree sculptures, the dramatic arched front doors are made of Brazilian mahogany, sculpted by local artist Russell Beebe. Inside, the dazzling foyer is adorned with a hardwood floor that seems to flow like a river. Overlooking the valley from a wall of windows, the upstairs master suite is a treehouse-like retreat with a beautiful, domed cedar ceiling. Like a Jedi master, the home’s architecture and amenities not only honor nature but function in concert with it: the floors are heated geothermally and the endless pool, housed in an adjacent glass building, is solar heated.