The Delta House, by Danish architecture firm CEBRA, takes a fresh look at maximizing the beauty of a sloped site. Upon arrival the upper floor entrance carves out in a welcoming gesture. The notch reveals an inner roof top terrace with a garden view to the side. Visual connection through the house and to the site beyond is made immediately through glass doors and windows. From the entrance it appears to be a ground hugging structure. Yet the modern home’s size only revealed once inside. Continue reading →

Situated in an apple orchard in Gothenburg, Sweden, Appeltradgarden is an enticing proposal for a suburban life imbued with nature and community. Clear forms, sustainable materials, simple variated details, and a clear connection to landscape were just some of the elements which convinced jurors to award this 75 unit residential townhouse development the WAN and Property Awards in 2011. Continue reading →

Taking its cues from Native American pit houses, this home, by Bercy Chen Studio LP, embraces and burrows in to the earth. On a former brown field site, adjacent to the Colorado River, the house captures nature’s resources in time tested and modern ways. Continue reading →

Avid cyclists have a unique perspective on their weekend retreat’s site on the Niagara Escarpment that overlooks Georgian Bay. Their proximity to the 100 acre site through biking and observing the paths of horses and snowmobiles convinced them to straddle the landscape. Continue reading →

Thanks to Tuttle Publishing I had the pleasure of uncovering some of Thailand’s most beautiful houses. The wonderful book “The Modern THAI House” by Robert Powell aroused my curiosity to explore how today’s young architects deal with various challenges such as sustainability, natural cooling, cultural tradition, and the unique climate of Southeast Asia.

This book is a large hardcover (224 pages) depicting 25 amazing projects in the vicinity of Bangkok, Phuket and Chiangmai, featuring detailed plans and photos of amazing houses surrounded by lush tropical vegetation, water features, and magnificent sea views. Continue reading →

When you think of waterfront apartments, you may imagine high rises that steal the show from every one behind them. Or perhaps images of quaint cottages come to mind. In this former container port of Aarhus, Denmark, the Iceberg apartment complex is neither of those. Yet it gives views to every resident of its 208 apartments without compromising future buildings and views. Continue reading →

I guess we’ll just have to wait for INSIDE World Festival of Interiors design awards ceremony in October at Singapore’s most spectacular Marina Bay Sands Hotel. This year’s awards consist of 60 nominations from 21 countries across nine categories; from Creative Re-use, Hotels and Residential, to Offices, Retail, Bars & Restaurants, and more – Check out our favorite nominees.

* Pictured above is Harrods Escalator Hall in London, designed by Make Architects. The stunning centrepiece glass chandelier was designed by sculptor Dale Chihuly. Continue reading →

The Interchange house in Portland, Oregon, demonstrates the give and take of traditional and contemporary residential design. Instead of creating the ever so familiar front yard and back yard, the home revolves around a central courtyard. You won’t find the predictable front porch and attention grabbing front door. The two-story house is grounded by a stark white first floor. A vertical window pierces one side, opposite the metal covered entrance and door. The street facade of the second level is virtually all floor-to-ceiling glass, framed in a wide band of aluminum. Horizontal timbers wrap the corner near the entrance door. Continue reading →

In the Finnish countryside at the intersection of a forest and a cultivated orchard, a family with three children built a generous home of 220 sq. m. It’s an honest and straightforward two story structure with a gently pitched gable roof. Resting at the top of a rolling hill, this holiday home takes great advantage of the view. Continue reading →

This transformation of a former warehouse in to a photography studio and offices is large in size and creativity. At 450 sq.m. the space accommodates large scale photography studios, offices, and post-production. Support for the business is given in the make-up and dressing rooms, lounges, and a café. The brief was to craft all of these areas with flair and within a limited budget. Continue reading →