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Axis Architects’ created the H-House — a modern, Salt Lake City residence designed to capture the expansive views of the valley. “The volumes of the house follow the slope of the terrain and reinforce the integration of the house into its environment,” the architects write on their website. The end result is a subtle succession of H-shaped lines, emphasizing the home’s unique character.

Alphabet-style architecture has been around for centuries, originally created to minimize the distance to the structure’s exterior walls, and maximize natural light and ventilation. Since then, architects have found new and creative ways to incorporate the ABCs in all they do, and we’ve explored the design trend of syllabary structures after the break.

Image credit: Darrell Godliman

Taking up two residential blocks, the VM Houses are appropriately named since they form the letters V and M from above. The V is mirrored in the spiky, triangular balconies, which — along with the building volume — provides optimal air, natural light, and panoramic views to the south. The architects describe the central corridors, which function as a public social meeting place, as “bullet holes” penetrating the building.