Author: Dan Carr

The Villa Dali, in Vroondaal, The Netherlands, was designed by 123DV Architecture, whose intention was to capture the character of Dali, Jugendstill forms, and nautical life. These broad inspirations were the prerogative of the client, who wanted a home that reflected his varied hobbies and lifestyle.

A cylindrical, two story main volume includes a nautilus spiral staircase in the main entry and soaring six meter exterior wood panels with Jugendstill patterns cut into them. All of the home’s furniture was custom-designed, and it makes reference to Dali’s fluid watch art.

Two rectilinear volumes extend from the main cylinder, and contain a garage, utility room, kitchen, and dining area.

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Source: Plus Mood

Assembly line style manufacturing techniques paired with prefabricated, panelized building elements is the key to producing both the HABODE and ihouz by IHS. The manufacturing method guarantees that specifications are exact and unvarying from unit to unit.

An equally important feature of HABODE and ihouz is their ease of transportation; in shipping mode, they are compliant with international shipping standards regarding dimension and structural characteristics. This translates to a modern dwelling that can acclimate to virtually any locale or site.

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Source: Blue Ant Studio

On the rocky shore of Stony Lake, in Lakefield, Ontario, the Williams Studio by gh3 stands as a contemporary reinterpretation of an archetypal boat hose. Instead of just housing boats, the glass-enclosed structure, perched atop a granite base, also acts as a photography studio and private residence.

The double-height main floor houses primary living functions while simultaneously functioning as the main studio. The north facing wall uses translucent glass to provide the space with constant, diffused natural light. Several surfaces are clad in white lacquered panels which serve to further reflect natural light throughout the interior. On the other hand, an extensive blind system and complex ceiling-mounted lighting can completely close off the interior from any natural influence.

Private residential spaces are neatly contained in a suspended mezzanine level above the main living space.

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Source: Blue and Studio

A central circulation spine splits private and public spaces in the Kyneton House, designed by Marcus O’Reilly Architects. Located on a private, heavily vegetated lot in Kyneton, Victoria, Australia, the home devotes equal attention to both interior and exterior living areas while reinterpreting local architectural styles.

The public half of the home features a linear, open floor plan with kitchen, dining, and living areas incorporated into one large space. A slanted roof with clerestory windows and sliding glass doors takes full advantage of the home’s northern solar exposure. The sliding glass doors open onto an expansive outdoor deck conducive to entertaining guests.

Furthermore, the Kyneton House is ecologically sensible, incorporating thermal mass, double glazed windows, roof overhangs, and a tank in the front of the property, which harvests rainwater from the roofs and provides water for the toilets, laundry and garden.

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On the outskirts of downtown Atlanta, within the bounds of an historic neighborhood, a traditional façade conceals the true modern nature of the Ansley Park Glass House. Architects Brian Bell and David Yocum recently completed a renovation of the home, which was originally built in 1910. From the rear, the dramatic nature of the added living space is immediately apparent. Rectilinear, double-height living spaces with floor to ceiling windows contrast the traditional forms at the front of the home.

A dark, smoky color palette both inside and out is countered by the extensive use of glass. The glass also provides the home’s residents with unobstructed views of the nearby Atlanta skyline. The most notable interior feature is a visually-lightweight central staircase, supported by stringers from above, which appears to float between living spaces.

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Source: Digs Digs

This stark, geometric weekend villa designed by Mount Fuji Architects Studio overlooks the Pacific Ocean from a heavily vegetated mountainside in Izu-san, Japan. The simple form is composed of two long, narrow rectangles set perpendicular to one another with cantilevers at their respective ends. The architects explain that the architecture is, “perfectly autonomous itself, but at the same time seems to emerge as an underlying shape that the natural environment has been hiding. It’s abstraction of nature.”

Both the interior and exterior liberally utilize water-polished white marble. The reflective nature of the material lets the blue and green hues from the ocean and forest illuminate the interior and blend seamlessly. Furnishings are kept to a minimum in order to provide a meditative atmosphere where the architecture and views take center stage.

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Source: Daily Tonic

Netherlands-based photographer Alexander van Berge boasts an impressive portfolio composed of architectural interiors, food, still life, and travel. His architectural interior photos manage to convey a sense of depth in the spaces he shoots. Shots that include inhabitants are further enlivened. The architectural styles encompassed in van Berge’s portfolio vary widely, and include traditional, modern, and eclectic.

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Source: Plastolux

CGI artist Alex Roman recently released a video highlighting the extensive technical work underlying his video The Third & The Seventh. The Third & The Seventh serves as Roman’s showcase for his extensive digital modeling and rendering work. Instead of creating a standard video reel or gallery of images, he created a digital environment in which the viewer “walks through” every project, experiencing them spatially and tangibly. Roman’s work is truly impressive, and The Third & The Seventh is nearly impossible to distinguish from reality upon initial viewing. The latest video shows wireframe models of the environments, and demonstrates the material application and lighting effects that make the original video so convincing.

Continue reading to see how the Third and the Seventh was composed and the original video.

Composition Video:

Compositing Breakdown (T&S) from Alex Roman on Vimeo.

Original Video:

The Third & The Seventh from Alex Roman on Vimeo.

Source: DoobyBrain

Melbourne, Australia based Omiros One Architecture was the creative team behind the Ala Moana Residence, located on Hamilton Island, in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. The home’s name is derived from a Hawaiian term that translates to “ocean pathways,” a reference to the winding path that circumnavigates the house before arriving at the entry.

The residence employs a multi-tiered design, which was spurred by the steep, environmentally sensitive site. The architects aimed to “diffuse the perimeter and help to integrate the building form with the natural character of the site.” Furthermore, the design minimizes impact on the land, takes advantage of prevailing summer winds, and maximizes views.

The multi-tiered approach also breaks up the visual mass of the home. Natural materials and large operable windows combine to lend the home a sense of transparency. Inside, each level and the accompanying glazing frame views of the impressive terrain, and a reflecting pool flows from interior to exterior, where it functions as a swimming pool.

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Source: +Mood

Belgian architecture firm dmvA Architecten created this modern extension of an existing row house in Mechelen, Belgium. Due to strict local building codes, the architects were bound to height restrictions and the use of a traditional saddle roof. However, that didn’t stop them from designing an innovative addition for the inhabitants.

The front façade of the row house is a dark, screened surface that ensures privacy in an urban environment. The rear façade, on the other hand, is a rectilinear white volume with sliding glass doors and substantial windows that look out onto the narrow backyard.

To ensure natural light would be allowed into all interior spaces, a central void was cut through all three floors. In order to maximize space, the void was filled with a transparent glass floor. In addition to the transmission of light, the architect explains that “By means of the glass floors, a spatial transparency is created through which all spaces are connected.”

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Source: Trendir

At the crest of a hilltop in Escondido, California, the Rancho McMillen House, designed by Architects Magnus, enjoys expansive views of the golf course below and dazzling sunsets every evening. More importantly, though, the home’s elevated perch allows it to take advantage of the steady breeze from the Pacific Ocean, which acts as a passive cooling system. Also aiding the cooling effect of the ocean breeze is a roof whose carefully calculated overhangs shade the floor to ceiling windows throughout the course of the day.

The interior of the home merges rustic, natural elements with modern style; flexible living spaces, an open staircase, and contemporary lighting are complemented by wood ceilings and cabinetry, stone-clad accent walls, a wood burning stove, and dark stained concrete floors. Outside, natural landscape, heavy timber structural elements, and fire-resistant cladding echo the interior theme.

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Source: Trendir

Atop a rocky outcrop in Carmel, California, the Otter Cove House appears as a lavish, natural extension of the landscape. Designed by Sagan Piechota Architecture, the 10,000 square foot home employs a winding, s-shaped plan to take advantage of the stunning ocean views from all rooms, while creating exterior courtyards. Curved glass walls and thin structural pillars offer maximum exposure, and ensure that the home enjoys plenty of natural light, while creating a sense of transparency between living spaces.

To counter the extensive use of glass, the home is anchored with heavy, textural stone walls that recall the nearby cliffs. Wooden slats also adorn select interior walls, adding warmth to the space.

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Source: Twisted Sifter

The Vine Hotel is a sleek, modernist retreat conceived by renowned Portuguese designer Nini Andrade Silva. Located at the center of Funchal, Madeira Island’s capital city, the hotel features avant-garde design touches at every glance. Dramatic color schemes vary from room to room, but the overall aesthetic remains consistent throughout, exuding chic luxury. Suites include free standing baths, glass dividing walls, and floor to ceiling windows. An expansive infinity pool lined by cabanas is the most prominent feature of the hotel’s exterior and enjoys impressive views of the town below.

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Source: We Heart Stuff

Among the natural flora and fauna, in an otherwise uninhabited field in Gunskirchen, Austria, the Raumstation house sits conspicuously on a low hillside, in unabashed contrast to its surroundings. Designed by x architekten, the structure is composed of a cantilevered, geometric upper volume anchored to a concrete base. “Raumstation” translates to “space station,” and the home certainly fulfills its designation in the given context.

An open, linear floor plan creates fluid living spaces defined by changes in floor height. Generous glazing and white surfaces combine to reflect light throughout the interior. Exposed concrete and select floors clad in wood vary the otherwise homogenous texture and color palette.

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Source: Daily Tonic

Jim Zack and Lise de Vito, owners of Zack de Vito Architecture, were the creative force behind the Laidley House, located in San Francisco. Their companion company, BuiltForm Construction, was charged with building the home, which occupies a narrow lot with views of the city, the bay, and the Bay Bridge.

The house was built with sustainability in mind, and includes reclaimed, rapid renewable, low toxicity materials, photovoltaic electric and solar hydronic systems. A notable feature is the use of a panelized framing system, where 90% of the framing was constructed off-site.

A modern, open floor plan is paired with copious glazing to take advantage of the views. A stairway spans three levels and allows light to fill interior spaces. The stairway is indicative of the attention to detail present throughout the house, and is custom fabricated from water jet cut steel stringers, acrylic treads and steel and glass guardrails.

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Source: Contemporist

Words by: Dan Carr (Design/Architecture Editor)
(Click on image for full review)

Dan Carr (Design/Architecture Editor)

2009 proved to be a challenging year in architecture, albeit one that yielded revolutions in methodology, style, and attitude. Given the economic climate, the scale and quantity of architectural projects was curtailed dramatically. However, new constraints led to advances in the implementation of green technology, reuse and renovation of existing structures, creative reconciliation of budget and content, local material sourcing, and integration of modern and historic styles.

Sustainability was truly one of the most relevant issues facing the architectural community over the course of the last year. 2009 saw the thoughtful integration of environmentally-conscious technology into projects at their outset. Instead of post-construction additions, architects and builders paired passive design with technology. Solar orientation, wind patterns, and existing site conditions arose as increasingly pertinent considerations.

Part of the movement toward increased sustainability was the renovation of existing structures in lieu of new construction. Projects such as New York’s High Line (a public park built atop an abandoned, elevated rail line) proved that neglected areas could be effectively repurposed without demolishing existing structures and rebuilding from the ground up.

Locality also became an important issue for many architects, in terms of both project location and material sourcing. Shorter material transport distance, site familiarity, and support of local businesses were among the top benefits of architects working locally.

2010 promises to continue many of the trends initiated in 2009. Local, small-scale projects will likely continue to take precedence and provide economic sustainability for architects as the profession stabilizes on a national level. Environmentally conscious design and building methods will become progressively more important at all stages of the architectural process. Overall, the challenges faced in 2009 will ultimately give rise to an improved, conscientious, and more sustainable design community.

Just outside of the Joshua Tree National Park, among the barren desert hills of southeastern California, an ominous, black structure protrudes from the sand. Designed by Los Angeles based architect Robert Stone, Rosa Muerta is an open-air structure available for vacation rentals. The all black abode includes a living room with fireplace and spa, kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom.

Stone calls the experience at Rosa Muerta “glamping,” his term for glamorous camping. He drew his inspiration for the structure from the modernist architecture in his home town of Palm Springs combined with modernist art and minimalism. The dark palette allows the residents to enliven the space. Stone asserts that “people are the color-they’re what bring it to life.” A retreat to Rosa Muerta is sure to be unlike any other vacation experience.

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Source: Twisted Sifter

Robin Grasby, a furniture designer and recent graduate of Northubria University, is the creative mind behind the Homework Desk, a versatile workstation that accommodates a range of different uses. Grasby extensively researched the habits and needs of several designers, architects, illustrators, teachers, and students in order to arrive at his final design for the desk. He concluded that the requirements for each user were wholly unique, and consequently, no single design could satisfy them all. Consequently, Grasby designed a modular desk system that allows the user to customize the layout to his or her needs. Interchangeable elements include stationery pots, picture slots, a vase, filing buckets and a cable manager. Exposed connections and unfinished wood lend the desk a straightforward, functional visual presence.

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Source: We Heart Stuff