Zusammenfassung: Islands--real, artificial, and metaphoric--have always fascinated people. Buildings near, or even in, water transcend boundaries and merge familiar concrete structures with visions to create symphonies of water, light, and stone. Examples of the mastery of this interplay of elements are provided by Abu Dhabi's Saadiyat museum island, artificial city suburbs such as Crystal Island in Moscow, and even entirely new cities such as Island City in Japan. Apart from such dynamic urban centers, Dubai's luxury islands or the world's most expensive hotel, the Burj Al-Arab, are also architectural highlights. Visions of the future by renowned architects such as Jean Nouvel, Frank O. Gehry, Zaha Hadid, and Foster + Partners are also presented. This illustrated work is a fascinating journey through the island worlds of today, tomorrow, and the day after./n/n