Dwell Magazine has released its highly anticipated 25th anniversary issue, marking a quarter-century of showcasing innovative residential design and architecture. The September/October 2025 commemorative edition features a comprehensive list of the 25 most important houses from the past 25 years, alongside the magazine's annual survey of emerging designers who are shaping the future of home design.
Editor-in-Chief William Hanley reflects on the magazine's journey since its October 2000 launch, noting how featured architects and designers have consistently predicted future trends in residential architecture. From reviving 20th-century modernism during the McMansion-dominated 1990s to championing contemporary prefabrication and proposing innovative floor plans and materials for evolving household configurations, Dwell has consistently presented possibilities for what homes can and should be.
The anniversary issue explores the concept of a definitive "Dwell Home," acknowledging that while there's no single architectural orthodoxy the magazine follows, readers have identified common themes in their coverage over the years. To celebrate this milestone, former editors and homeowners inspired by the magazine shared their interpretations of what constitutes a Dwell Home, revealing that the definition truly lies in the eye of the beholder.
A centerpiece feature titled "The 25 Most Important Homes of the Past 25 Years" examines how residential architecture has intersected with contemporary culture. The editorial team collaborated to nominate homes they believe changed the course of home design, though they acknowledge the list isn't definitive and hope it will spark meaningful debate about influential residential architecture.
The issue prominently features "The Dwell 24," the magazine's annual survey of the best emerging designers worldwide. This year's selection includes diverse talents such as Wknd Lab from Seoul, whose copper-and-enamel Beomjong sconce is described as "the most humbly striking fixture" in recent memory, and Shed from Surat, India, whose baroque tabletop "carousels" demonstrate an engaging blend of narrative, craft, and playfulness. Also highlighted is New Yorker Kevin Quale's ceramics work and James Cherry's sculptural lighting designs created from upcycled and found elements.
In homage to Dwell's inaugural issue, the anniversary edition features an "aggressively simple home" on its cover—a straightforward black box that stars its resident and their dog, mirroring the aesthetic approach of the magazine's very first cover. Both houses embody what Hanley calls "remarkable homes for real people," representing the core philosophy that has guided the publication for 25 years.
Hanley outlines three fundamental principles that inform every house the magazine covers. First, a Dwell Home is inherently human, placing residents at the center of the design process and making them the protagonists of the stories. Second, it's progressive, exploring new building methods while aiming to improve both the ecological and social context of its location. Finally, it's optimistic, demonstrating that thoughtful design can genuinely improve people's lives.
As Dwell looks toward the future, Hanley expresses excitement about seeing how the people and projects they cover will continue to push boundaries and improve lives over the next 25 years, maintaining the magazine's commitment to showcasing innovative residential design that serves real people and real needs.
