Elwood House | Preston Lane

Description by Preston Lane:

Elwood House features the adaptive reuse and transformation of a cold, dark and inefficient 1915 Edwardian house into a warm and light filled family home that has direct connections to the outside.

The new material palette of concrete block, brick, timber and polished concrete complement the original red brick and stucco house. Full height north-facing steel framed doors and windows allow natural light into the new living area extension opening up the new living spaces to the rear garden.  Black glazed bricks were selected for the dividing fireplace element between the living and dining areas accentuating the drama between textures and materials.

Design Office: Preston Lane

Location: Victoria, Australia

Photographs: Derek Swalwell

Magliocco House | savioz fabrizzi architectes

Description by savioz fabrizzi architectes:

surrounded by vines, the site enjoys a superb view of the mountains and the valley. the building is set into the slope of the site and tries to blend into the landscape through its proportions, the materials used, and the way in which it is rooted into the ground.

the building has a cellar level which is partially underground and a level above ground containing the living space. the slab on the ground floor joins the house to the ground to the north. between this slab and the roof slab, boxes enclose the rooms used at night and the service areas. the resultant empty spaces between these boxes are the daytime-use spaces, which are full of light thanks to the wide floor-to-ceiling windows. an outdoor terrace is sited close to the dining room, with a shady tree growing in an opening in the slab.

a platform of sanded white concrete set on a grey base forms the support for the boxes, whose rendered brown walls echo the colours of the vines in autumn. the roof slab, also in white concrete, covers the upper floor and supports a 4-sided sloping roof.

large canvas awnings are incorporated into the roof slab all around the building, providing protection from heat and glare. insulated glazing, good thermal insulation and a geothermal heat pump ensure optimum energy performance.

Design Office: savioz fabrizzi architectes

Location: Chamoson, Valais, Switzerland

Photographs: Thomas Jantscher

HS Residence | Cubyc Architects

Design Office: Cubyc Architects

Location: Bruges, Belgium

Photographs: Koen Van Damme, Bart Musschoot

Derby House | Daniel Lomma Design

Design Office: Daniel Lomma Design  

Location: Derby, Western Australia

JKC2 | ONG&ONG

Description by ONG&ONG:

This house comprises of three volumes positioned around a central courtyard such that they interact, whilst each wing remains distinct enough to be viewed as an independent entity. The home’s interiors and outdoor areas are configured with flexibility of space in mind so that the house can be adapted to suit a broad spectrum of homeowners.

A balance is struck between the man-made spaces and the natural ones, with the building formed from basic elemental shapes with raw-finished materials, such as fair-faced concrete, stone, mild steel, tropical wood and clear glass. The dialogue between the components of this palette reflects a sense of warmth and immediacy with nature.

Design Office: ONG&ONG  

Location: Singapore

Photographs: Aaron Pocock

Residence in Syros Island, Greece | Block722

Description by Block722:

Situated in the island of Syros, this summer house hosts a couple and their guests. The design process was defined by the clients’ desire to maximize the view of the Plagia bay. The main intention was to unify the various spaces of the house under one roof facing the Aegean, without creating a massive volume, thus resulting in a deconstructed rectangle with massive openings from all sides.

The entrance is situated in the back, following a gentle descent through continuous miniature courtyards, planted with local aromatic herbs. The main volume houses the common areas, whereas the slightly higher volume, covered in local masonry houses the couple’s private area. The volumes are set next to each other, under a united roof slab, facing the magnificent view of the bay.

The design of the guesthouses varied significantly, as the clients’ desire was the creation of spaces that could be both private and with constant access to the pool and outdoor space. The four guesthouses are situated in opposing parts of the site, gaining distinct characteristics: the ones closer to the house are intended for close friends and visitors whereas the ones under the master bedroom enjoy a private entrance and can easily be rented.

The outdoor area follows the topography of the landscape through a series of steps that define the outdoor areas and offer vast relaxation spaces, either sheltered from the sun or open. The house and guestroom inbetween space under the roof slab is designed as the heart of a summer house : a place near the hearth where all residents will relax and enjoy the Aegean.

Design Office: Block722

Location: Syros Island, Greece

Photographs: Erieta Attali

Villa GFR | Steven De Jaeghere Architectuuratelier

Design Office: Steven De Jaeghere Architectuuratelier

Location: Roeselare, Belgium

Photographs: Hendrik Biegs, Steven De Jaeghere

House in Neo Hrakleio, Athens | Valsamaki Katerina Architects

Design Office: Valsamaki Katerina Architects

Location: Neo Hrakleio, Athens, Greece

Photographs: Konstantinos Thomopoulos

V4 House | Studio MK27 – Marcio Kogan

Video

PEEP_ film exercise #1_ La Biennale di Venezia from studio mk27 on Vimeo.

Design Office: Studio MK27 – Marcio Kogan

Location: São Paulo, Brazil

Photographs: Nelson Kon

Casa Cambrils | Abaton Architects

Description by Abaton Architects:

The shape of the land which hosts this project -two rectangles joined by a long, narrow corridor- was a challenge to us from the beginning: we needed to build a house that, despite being boxed in, would provide a sense of space therefore, the long corridor conditioned the planning of the house. We stressed the land’s peculiarity from the entrance hall, linking the indoor areas with the site increasing the perception of space.

From the hall -located on the middle of the floor plan- a stair takes off and vertically contours the space; it also gives access to all the rooms creating an interesting and entertaining game of floor levels that eliminates the need of corridors.

We designed a big central living room and kitchen with high ceilings, bright and fully linked to the site which surprisingly constrasts from the dark acess door. The playroom on the second floor was given an outdoor terrace and the swimming pool was located at the back of the terrain.

Design Office: Abaton Architects

Location: Madrid, Spain

Huize Looveld | Studio Puisto Architects + Bas van Bolderen Architectuur

Video

Descriprtion by Studio Puisto Architects:

After the centuries old farm house, located in the east of the Netherlands, burned down due to a vigorous fire, a new house had to be constructed as quick as possible.

As a reaction to this grim experience the clients didn’t want a replica of the original farmstead. Instead they aspired for a contemporary, square pipe like, house where all the functions would be organised along a linear sequence. The pipe developed in to a knot which takes better use of the surrounding landscape. The shape also offers similar spatial qualities as the old house like double height ceilings, movement in different directions and diverse views on the landscape.

To speed up the construction process the house was designed in tight cooperation with the main contractor. The wooden wall elements were CNC cut and prefabricated in Germany. From there they were transported to the Netherlands and erected in less than a week. The wooden structure allowed for big cantilevers and openings which frame the views of the vast fields around the property.
The local building regulations required the house to fit in to environment, which indirectly means that the structure should be similar to the white plastered vernacular architecture of the neighbouring houses. Rather than blending the house with the built environment it fits in to the surrounding nature. The dark stained vertical boards of larix make the building disappear against the backdrop of trees.

The house is designed to conserve as much energy as possible and has high levels of insulation combined with a heat recovery system. Solar thermal collectors and a heat accumulating wood stove serve as additional energy sources. Only during the coldest winter days the house will need an external heat source.

All together it took about one and a half year from the start of the design process until completion. After the fire and an aberrant time in a temporary accommodation the clients were recently able to move in and feel at home again.

Design Office: Studio Puisto Architects, Bas van Bolderen Architectuur

Location: Duiven, Netherlands

Photographs: Marc Goodwin

Villa Estebania | ARCH-D

Design Office: ARCH-D

Location: Tallinn, Estonia

Stone House in Anavissos, Greece | Whitebox Architects

Description by Whitebox Architects:

The concept was the creation of a residence for a family of four – the parents with two children – and the possibility of having a guest room with relative autonomy -separate bathroom. The basic demands were: the view of the sea from all four bedrooms, an office space on the ground floor for the professional needs of the couple but mostly of the mother who wanted to work and supervise the ground floor where the children would play. Another request for the design was the economy in energy consumption of the house and the possibility of enjoying the outdoor spaces throughout the year, for dining, swimming, games.

Theplotis located in Lakka, looking over the gulf of Anavissos. Undergrowth, rocky terrain with a gentle slope to the bay located southeast of the plot and strong northerly and easterly winds -localthermal effects, are the main features of the inhospitable natural environment.

Morphology

The building is L-shaped thus protects the space of the main courtyard from the strong local winds while connecting the indoors spaces to the external functions of the residence. The ground floor is divided into two levels following the smooth slope to the sea. On the northwest side, while the indoor facilities are disrupted, the structural elements of the building are released from the main volume and continue their way until they form a protected from the north wind -with stone walls-, and the sun- with fixed wooden blinds – space.

This area is the “secret” access of the family directly to the kitchen, the summer dining and rest area with shade and coolness. The secret garden of the children with a sculpture hidden behind the stone columns that barely leave the sun-rays penetrate and reveal their secret. Pergolas on the south side of the house protect the inner space from the direct sunlight through the corner windows that are facing the sea.Inside the building there is an atrium with a mobile roof that slopes to the North to allow the northern light to enter and contributes to the hot air relief during the summer. It also contributes to the visual and audio communication of the residents on both floors.

The semi-open space between the two children’s bedrooms that is in contact with the atriumgives children the opportunity to see inside the house from above while they are on their verandah. The northern side of the building creates a front to the north as there are only a few small openings, except one above the main entrance that even allows the view through the house to the buildings that lie behind. The wooden “sachnisi”is a historical reference to the Greek refugees who migrated to the area from Asia Minor in 1922 and worked in the local salt marshes.

Construction

The exterior walls of the building are made of 70cm (28in) bearing stone masonry, visible on the ground floor and plastered with colored plaster on the 1rst floor. The concrete used for slabs and columns remained visible inside and out. Great attention was given to the connection of the rough materials like stone and concrete with the other materials, wood, metal, glass, painted plaster.

Design Office: Whitebox Architects

Location: Anavissos, Athens, Greece

Photographs: George Fakaros

Loft Kelle | AABE – Atelier d’Architecture

Design Office: AABE – Atelier d’Architecture

Location: Belgium

Photographs: Jean Luc LALOUX

House in Thiva, Greece | Takis Exarchopoulos & Associated Architects

Design Office: Takis Exarchopoulos & Associated Architects

Location: Thiva, Greece

Photographs: Dimitris Kalapodas, Panos Gerakakis

Casa Jabuticaba | Raffo Arquitetura

Description by Raffo Arquitetura:

The main concept of the architectural project was to house a tree in a building that integrates environmental energies and creates a clear dialog between the natural elements and the building.

The building develops in the surrounds of a jabuticaba tree that has an emotional value to the owners. The three belonged to the house where the owner lived her childhood, and the architectural project became a childhood dream realization; to create a conceptual house in the surroundings of that beloved tree.

The primary conceptual goal of the project was to house the natural illumination and ventilation throughout the building, minimizing the environmental impact of the construction and maximizing its interaction with the surroundings energies. A water drain system was projected to use the height of the house to harvest rainwater on the roof and distribute it throughout the house by gravity.

The spaces composition surrounding the Jabuticabeira allows for morning sunlight to reach the social area and part of the intimate area of the house. Large openings to the east permit mild sunlight throughout the day, while allowing ample access of the dominant breeze that comes from the east in this geographic location. On the northern façade, a linear garden was created to follow in lines with the superior floor rooms. During the day, this garden works as a reflector of diffuse light into these rooms, while, at night, its internal illumination is projected to the outside of the house, acquiring the irregular shapes of the large wall openings.

On the dormitories facing north, a horizontal brise controls the sunlight access into the rooms, providing them with a more private environment.

The internal flow is well defined and separates the intimate area from the social and service areas. The superposed volumes also emphasize these marked differences in forms in the facade.

Design Office: Raffo Arquitetura

Location: Londrina, Brazil

Photographs: Fabio Pitrez

STV House | Arstudio – Arnon Nir Architecture

Description by Arstudio – Arnon Nir Architecture:

The house is a row-house nested within the dense urban fabric of the city. The proportions of the plots and strict restrictions on neighborhood planning defined the positioning and proportions of the house.

Typologically speaking the house is a concrete box with a wood clad country house positioned on top, slightly shifted and cantilevered to the north façade. The shift enlarges the space of the northern bedrooms and provides shading for the ground floor. The vertical circulation is positioned at the core of the house, which divides the programs of the house.

The staircase, the houses core, is nested between two exposed-concrete walls, while the circulation wraps around the center of the house. The spaces on all floors are defined by the stairs; there is a glass gap at the landings which offers a view from the public to private spaces on the ground floor, therefore the rear garden is visible from the kitchen and family room. On the first floor the stairs divide between the childrens bedrooms and the master bedroom, providing privacy for all users of the house. The childrens rooms have double height ceilings and galleries which make use of the pitched roof.

The house incorporates three materials – wood, slate, and exposed-concrete. These materials repeat themselves throughout the house.

Design Office: Arstudio – Arnon Nir Architecture

Location: Tel Aviv, Israel

Photographs: Amit Geron

Residence in Athens | Bougadellis Harry & Partners – Aeter

Description by Bougadellis Harry & Partners – Aeter:

The form of the building was dictated by the shape of the plot and its orientation. However, it remains simple by giving the impression of a “box”. The interior has large unified spaces, which allow autonomous movement and space organization.

A large opening on the rectangular volume allows access from the main spaces to a swimming pool connected to the building. The building was placed on the 640 m² landsite and it covers a total area of 384 m².

The large main openings for lighting and aeration of the main spaces are placed on the recessed side. For this reason, there is a vertical shading element protruding from the building line. The residence is deployed on the ground floor and two over ground storeys, while the basement accommodates M/E installations and car parking space. The ground floor hosts a unified living room, dining room and kitchen. The mezzanine floor accommodates a guest WC, the wardrobe and an office space. The first floor hosts the children’s bedroom with a bathroom and a living room. Finally, the owner’s bedroom, bathroom and wardrobe occupy the second floor.

The facades are cladded with travertine slabs, and the balcony parapets are cladded with wooden panels.

Design Office: Bougadellis Harry & Partners – Aeter

Location: Filothei, Athens, Greece

Rammed Earth House | Brent Kendle

Description by Brent Kendle:

A modest single story hillside home designed for a family wishing to downsize and simplify. The feel of this home is evocative of the mid-century modern homes which once dominated the surrounding area before the McMansion craze of the last decade. Humble, natural materials such as rammed earth walls, limestone floors and Douglass Fir wood ceilings are woven inside and out in a sophisticated play of interlocking interior and exterior living spaces. The scale of the home is decidedly “cozy” and visually calm with a minimalist approach to materials and detailing, allowing the focus to be on art and nature, meeting the owners goal of creating a home of simple sophisticated elegance without being boastful.

Design Office: Brent Kendle

Location: Arizona, Usa

Mehr House | Krishnan+Parvez+Architects

Description by  Krishnan+Parvez+Architects:

Part of a gated community, in proximity to Kalote Lake, in serene village surroundings, the house called for a contemporary rural weekend retreat feel.

Conceptually, the layout and the materials fulfilled these conditions. Large volumes, natural stones, breezy ventilated indoors, graphic openable screens, vistas to the scenic surroundings, maintenance-free finishes, and art-sensitive interiors enveloped the design of the house. On a tight plot, the house was laid out to use every open space as verandas and service courts. The lower level housed the living, dining, kitchen, staff quarters, and two guest bedrooms. The private bedrooms in the upper level could overlook the central living volume. Large pivoted screen panels allow play of light in the bedrooms.

Commissioned art in the master bedroom essays the story of the client’s family. Firebricks, lime plaster, in-situ cement mosaic, and the brown stone echo hues of the natural context.

Design Office: Krishnan+Parvez+Architects

Location: Raigad, India