East Quogue, a town located on the far end of Long Island, is littered with beach houses thanks to its picturesque oceanfront location. It’s the perfect escape for New York City families to leave behind the hustle and bustle of Big Apple living and swap their tiny apartments for sprawling vacation homes. Because of its location on a barrier island, that doesn’t hold true for this dune retreat, which meant the team at Resolution: 4 Architecture has to be as efficient with space as possible.

See how the architects overcome their dilemma

Like the author Elizabeth Gilbert of Eat. Pray. Love. fame, I’ve embarked on an international excursion that includes an extended stay in Rome. Unlike Ms. Gilbert, I’m not on a three continent journey in search of pleasure, enlightenment and emotional connections, nor will I be visiting any other lands beyond the peninsular confines of Italy. I’m here for five weeks to teach a creative writing class at John Cabot University, but I share a sense of her aspirations, if only in a somewhat adjusted manner, so I feel entitled to appropriate parts of her narrative into my CityLiving column while I’m here. This first dispatch will be about food.

Follow Andrew as he eats his way through Rome

Filling up the ole’ gas tank is not a glamorous job, and usually not a task that leaves one marveling at the surrounding architecture.  But in 1927, Prairie-style extraordinaire Frank Lloyd Wright put together plans for a fuel filling station in Buffalo, New York that would leave even the most seasoned driver awe struck.

Now, almost 90 years later, the Buffalo Transportation Pierce-Arrow Museum has realized Wright’s vision and constructed the station as a one-of-a-kind installation housed in a 40,000-square-foot glass and steel atrium, made possible by a $6.3 million state grant. The arts-and-crafts gas station, the third Wright recreation in Buffalo, makes a nod to Native American design and thoughtfully mixes practicality with visual appeal.

Take a virtual tour of the architectural masterpiece

Even looking at this wood-clad retreat designed by workshop/apd brings us into a more peaceful state of mind. Everything about the freestanding studio — from the neat wood frame to cozy interiors — is a reminder of how modern-day architecture and Mother Nature can get along after all.

Click to see the interiors

It’s not often a guest house gets as much attention as the main one, but this mini-me of an upstate New York home designed by Archi-Tectonics is hard to miss. Built as an alter-ego to a larger structure, the 1,500-square-feet building stands out without upstaging the estate’s true star.

Check out more photos straight ahead

Upstate New York has no shortage of interesting homes — just take a look at this enchanting stone beauty — and we’ve found another picturesque stunner located to our north. Tucked away in picturesque Garrison, NY is a modernist home that blends right in with its natural surroundings, thanks to the work of Victoria Meyers and hanrahanMeyers Architects.

See more pictures straight ahead

James Biber’s portfolio features plenty of famous and easy-to-recognize works. In New York, the acclaimed architect has made his mark with designs like the Fashion Center kiosk and CUNY’s Macaulay Honors College. Outside of the city, he’s been on board projects that include the Harley-Davidson Museum and Arizona Cardinals Stadium.

These big-name clients are the result of nearly 25 years in the industry, but often it’s the smaller ones that leave the strongest impression. Case in point: Biber calls these three houses in Long Island “a seminal course in building.”

Details on the three buildings here

What happens when two of New York City’s most creative minds — interior designer Jonathan Adler and fashion guru Simon Doonan — deck out a summer home? You get a colorful Shelter Island beach house that screams seaside chic. The couple’s busy schedules take them all around the world, which is good news for New Yorkers still looking for a Hamptons rental — the playful pad is available for the month of July.

Situated in a secluded area on Crab Creek, the airy 1,300-square-foot beach house is far more stylish than your average summer rental and probably a lot pricier, too — it’s currently listed for $11,000 a month.

Peek inside the vibrant Hamptons home

China’s most provocative artist can add architect to his already extensive resume. Known around the world for his contemporary artwork and political activism, Ai Weiwei has also had a hand in designing this sprawling compound in upstate New York.

Located in bucolic Ancram — just a two-hour drive from New York City — the Tsai Residence was originally commissioned by a pair of Upper East Side art collectors. The 2,800-square-foot structure was completed in 2006 and put back on the market a few years later in 2013 for a whopping $4.25 million. But the hefty price tag comes with a unique distinction — it’s the only house in the United States that Ai has ever designed.

Take a tour of the pricey, one-of-a-kind property here