In Nasu, Japan, an area well regarded as a summer resort, a married couple built a home whose form harkens back to ancient Japanese, African, and Mongolian structures. The clients and their architect, Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP Co., Ltd., made all decisions to mitigate the negative effects of building on the wooded site. This resulted in a unique assemblage of teepee like rooms that act independently and as a cohesive home. Continue reading →

Farm houses have a charm that’s admired and desired. This modern version designed by Plan Bureau delivers the vibe of a restored barn without all of the surprises. Conceived as a nearly 900 sq.m. two story home, the brick and wood clad volume is classic in form. In fact, both buildings are classic rectangles with gabled roofs. Continue reading →

An ancient Polish home type was the inspiration for this modern family home in mid-north-eastern Poland. SDA Architekti used historic forms and materials and manipulated them to enhance contemporary life. Continue reading →

The G-Pod, designed by architect Dan Sparks, is not your average shipping container home. This transformative building comes fully equipped. The re-purposed container shells are smartly outfitted to fulfill every need for compact living off the grid. This makes them useful in many situations from urban to remote. Of course their ability to ship easily, rapidly, and globally makes them a fast housing solution. Continue reading →

Corner lots carry loads of responsibility. NAF Architect and Design created a home whose halves share that role in distinctly different manners. Human nature compels us to always take the shortest route and on a vacant corner property, we’d take that diagonal short cut. That bypass is used here to create the intersection of a flat roof home with a gable roof house. The home sensitively addresses the nature of the corner lot. Continue reading →

This library is a truly religious experience. It is housed in the former St. Denys-du-Plateau Church, an elegant soaring creation of the late architect Jean-Marie Roy, erected in 1964. And it honors a local award-winning and prolific author of children’s books, Monique Corriveau. Continue reading →

Geometry with a few well-executed twists creates elevated spaces. SDA Architekti enhanced the quality of life for this Warsaw family with carefully considered fluctuation of typically rigid forms. In the suburban setting, privacy was a high priority. An L-shaped plan revealed itself as the solution to provide privacy at the public street side and take secluded advantage of the backyard. Continue reading →

This cabin is sustainable in style and systems. Midland Architecture designed a 900 sq.ft. getaway located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Nearly touching the seven-acre lake, it rests at the base of never ending rolling hills and woodlands. Continue reading →

I’m fascinated by the multitude of ways that a simple country home can be executed so that it is unique. Naturehumaine architects conceived this mountain house in eastern Quebec, at the pinnacle of a dramatically sloped site. The natural plateau presented itself as the perfect location to settle in. Continue reading →

Restoring an ancient Italian home must be high on every architect’s list. Massimo Galleoti has transferred his good fortune and his design to the owners of this home in Treviso, Italy. All signs of the building’s neglect are gone and a modern home resides within the ancient walls. Continue reading →