Following Phaidon's hugely popular Modern House (1993), Modern House 2 is a survey of the world's most innovative contemporary houses. Organized thematically, it examines over 30 houses, considering contemporary issues such as ecological concerns, changing patterns of living, building with sensitivity in increasingly populated cities, and respecting the environment when building in isolated rural areas.

It also discusses concept houses for the future, focusing on international competition designs or commissions for 'model houses' and offers an insight into future possibilities for domestic architecture. Architects featured include Glenn Murcutt, Office for Metropolitan Architecture, Foster and Partners, Williams and Tsien, Gunter Behnisch, Patkau Architects, SANAA, Herzog & de Meuron, Marcos Acayaba and Gabriel Poole.

Modern House 2 responds to an increasing level of knowledge and sophistication about design and environmental issues to illustrate that striking and innovative design can be achieved within the framework of concerns about everyday living patterns that affect us all.