Prefab Addition: a house with butterfly wings

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A house extension with butterfly wings…Isn’t this something truly innovative and fresh? In Berkeley, California there’s a prefab building that captures the essence of two related worlds: an existing 1950’s house and its unique surrounding environment. In order to preserve the existing atmosphere designed by a popular landscape architect some cautions were taken as guidelines for the new house extension: two new structures and a recast landscape, all balanced with the original residence. Continue reading →

Book Tower extension: a staircase for words

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Can a book play a vital part in the design of a modern house extension? The answer is positively yes! and to demonstrate such a remarkable capacity there’s an undeniable tiny statement called Book Tower House Extension in London, UK. The client’s need for storing a large book collection determined the conceptual approach given to this special home extension. In a very pragmatic and poetic solution, walls of books fold around a wooden staircase where a small study area allows a comfortable use of this unique domestic library. A little pearl is now available for all inhabitants to enjoy… Continue reading →

Cluny Road Residence: 1 house 3 generations

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One house for four families across three generations…What a challenging program for an architect, don’t you agree? Well, there’s a real architectonic answer for this numeric equation in Singapore: Cluny Road Residence. This three-story volume is organized in a two-L-shaped halves composition that folds around a courtyard garden and two pools of water. As you can imagine, the total floor area of this multi-family house is something completely taken out of the ordinary…We are talking about 2.800sqm of constructed area! Continue reading →

Brotherson Barn: assembling old and new pieces of architecture

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When architects are challenged by any kind of building restoration, one might say that the assembly of old and new becomes a challenge, while a story will be written and constantly whispered to every inhabitant or visitor. That’s the case of Brotherson Barn located in Oxfordshire, UK. A contemporary design was developed in order to accommodate a family program within the ancient stone walls of this restored barn house: this new approach acquires form by using its substance to incorporate, complement and unify the remaining of the existing structure. Continue reading →

Converted Stables: adaptability

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Charles Darwin once said: “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.” I firmly believe that it’s the same in architecture… In Portugal, there’s a fine example of a converted survival construction: Converted Stales in Sitio da Leziria. An ancient row of stables has been restored in order to create a summer retreat for a family presenting a total area of 212sqm. Continue reading →

Dutch Mountain: architecture / nature fusion

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A very significant example of fusing architecture with nature is brilliantly conquered in the following project: Dutch Mountain is a house that stands partially buried in a mound of earth at a Dutch Nature Reserve. Its peculiar name reveals the concept behind the making of such a fine architectural statement: an artificial hill camouflages the entire building on its northern facade and creates an organic layer of insulation around the perimeter walls during the coldest season. Once again, an ecological footprint sets the premise for a sensitive use of Mother Nature resources. Continue reading →

Guerrero House: a contemporary fortress

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A contemporary fortress was born in Cadiz, Spain. Guerrero House is its name. But what’s the reason behind its fortress appearance? Well, a profound desire of intimacy and seclusion from the outside world conducted such a unique concept. Perimeter walls are 8 meters high; any kind of invasion is automatically turned into something obsolete… Continue reading →

Beach Refuge: recycled containers with ocean views

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Refuge is – by common definition – a place or state of safety. In Huentelauquen, Chile it’s called paradise…Beach Refuge represents a small project for a holiday home based upon a restricted number of premises: low budget and a conscious sense of Eco-friendly values. How can all these different principles determinate the development of such a challenging architectonic exercise? Only 24sqm of constructed area were necessary to create a tiny beach shelter: a recycled container is lifted from the sand along with a wooden deck terrace. Continue reading →

Container Home Box: all around the world

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Imagine a house capable of being erected in any part of the world. Home Box is the answer for such an incredible task. To turn it even more perfect, this tiny building can also serve as temporary housing or even hotel programs. What’s the secret behind the apparent universality of Home Box? A simple key element: by respecting the internationally standardized freight container, this small building can be transported around the world and assembled with standard lifting and transport systems for containers. Continue reading →

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