Architecture and Home Design

Portage Bay, Seattle, is famous for its dense urban shoreline site and their population issues. That is what Chadbourne + Doss Architects had to deal with when they refurbishing this waterfront property into a 2380 square foot condominium. At a place where the community bond means everything, a condominium with 4 detached residences and 2 houseboats that share a waterfront access, parking utilities and a vegetable garden sounds a lot more rational. To preserve the Lobster Boat Residence’s economical value, the designer had to choose low costs and environmental friendly materials to be combined with the existing original boat structure leaving no unnecessary wasted space.

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Designed by TsAO & McKOWN Architects. This beautiful rural retreat is located in Wainscot, New York, United States. The primary challenge was to design for the needs of a yet-to-be-determined client. Another significant question was how to root the house to the earth; the nearly flat site in a young growth forest offered no footing. We responded by reshaping the topography, establishing the first level slightly below grade and sculpting the surrounding terrain into a gentle rise. In addition to anchoring the house, this also allowed the visible volume to be reduced, and enabled the creation of indoor/outdoor spaces that are at once secluded, yet very open to their surroundings.

The house functions (physically and psychologically) on multiple levels – as much an intimate retreat for two (or one) as an accommodating host to an extended family (or numerous guests) – thus promoting multiple, overlapping narratives. Above, the public face; contained, controlled, consistent. Below, the private sphere; free-wheeling and spontaneous. We chose to embrace, rather than deny, this inherent ambivalence – a duality that is universal to the human condition.

It may be a pool house, but this cool 364m2 suburban Connecticut home could easily be the abode of choice. Designed by forward-thinking New York-based Hariri & Hariri Architecture, the Wilton Pool House idea is based on the principles of modern minimalism and a strong connection to nature. The pool house architecture is characterized by a long, angular archway of rich, Brazilian walnut wood that runs the length of the pool and folds over an outdoor seating area. The archway provides protection from the sun when lounging, swimming, or enjoying an al fresco meal. Glass walls enclose the main living areas, which contains a kitchen, bar, bathroom and a small terrace.

Using natural materials in modern building isn’t the most popular style nowadays. Although Syntax Architecture build family house in a village near Vienna using such materials. Untreated timber has been used for walls and ceilings, but also for windows and cladding. Recycled paper serves as insulation material. This family home with a writer’s studio and a wine cellar has been planned on one of the steep slopes of a south-facing hillside. Great views, surrounding vineyards, natural materials like stone and wood make this house a very desirable place to live for small family who doesn’t like fast life in the city.

This is garden house located in Ostrova, Czech Republic. Designed by A1 Architects. Called Hat Tea House, just 1,80 square meters; the house stands in a peaceful garden. made of oak, clothed in larch under a shingle roof. The exterior is really amazing thanks to the unusual design and the material chosen. The roof reminds of a cap and I really like it inside, it’s very comfortable and peaceful.

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