In Shiga, Japan there’s a residence that has something animalistic about it…I’m talking about its anthropomorphic volume and shape, an enclosed spiral movement that reminds a sleeping cat. In fact, Japanese culture has numerous examples of carving wooden cats that appeared lifelike in various shapes. House in Nagahama is positioned in a residential area resembling one of these sculptures, only on a larger scale with a total floor area of 133sqm distributed in two levels. Continue reading →

When a house extension project and a prefab system come together the result can only be outstanding. Backyard Room testifies the power of mixing these two factors by revealing the innumerable benefits that come with prefabricated buildings. The concept is simple and crystal clear: The Backyard Room project is a series of small structures, of scales varying from 2.3 meters by 2.4 meters to a two-story outdoor pavilion with a five to six-meter roof height, that can be realized from design to completion in just four weeks. Continue reading →

La Malbaie is a municipality in the province of Quebec, Canada, situated on the north shore of the Saint Lawrence River, at the mouth of the Malbaie River. Malbaie V Residence is a two-story weekend home located on a hill slope facing an astonishing view over the river and the surrounding mountains. A total floor area of 223sqm makes the best of a steep site, distributed in a composition of two volumes that clearly separates social from private areas. Nevertheless, each one of them takes advantage of the magnificent context by extending the interior outside via large terraces. Continue reading →

Standing 1300m above sea level, among pine trees and snow, Alpine Cabin is a camouflaged building located in an extreme natural context in Port Hardy, Canada. Its main purpose is to serve as snowboarders refuge, a place where the most adventurous can freely experience living in the snowy wilderness. Continue reading →

Living in a landscape of lava and volcanoes… can you imagine such an enigmatic location for a contemporary house? Lavaflow 7 is a single-story building constructed on the big island of Hawaii. This unusual designation for a home is based on the following concept: a lava flow is created during a non-explosive effusive eruption. At a certain point it solidifies to form igneous rock. The concept of this modern Hawaiian house is based on a similar, yet artificial process that leads to a different kind of rock: concrete. Continue reading →

Corten is a steel material that eliminates the need for exterior maintenance while achieving that rusty look. Corten House is a contemporary Brazilian home that explores this outstanding material in a very profound way. Located in Sao Paulo, Brazil a two-story building with a project area of 360sqm gives a proper answer to a long and narrow site by exploring a vertical expansion of the interior program. A blind facade totally covered in Corten steel welcomes visitors and inhabitants, creating an unexpected sense of curiosity, as if it was an inhabitable rusty safe deposit box… Continue reading →

The perfect getaway retreat in South America is located on a 200m-high and 10km-long cliff of the Chilean coastline. It takes 5km to get to the nearest village from Casa Till, a remarkable prefab building made exclusively by local materials and techniques. A structural grid was conceived in order to obtain the maximum standard solutions in the constructive process: a single-story volume is entirely built in pinewood for its resistance and also for its local abundance turning it into a cheaper choice. Continue reading →

Tower House, a weekend retreat in New York, was built on the concept of a common observatory. Located in the middle of a dense forest, this four-story building with a total floor area of 236sqm offers complete views over the natural surroundings while providing the perfect spot to quietly watch the stars…its enigmatic shape invites us to a marvelous domestic tour. Continue reading →

When it comes to carefully blending architecture with nature, can a building reflect the human art of miming? An clear example of such a challenging task lies in Michigan: Yingst Retreat. Located between a dense beech forest and a lake shore, this residence has a total floor area of 372sqm constructed as a true ode to its natural surrounding environment. Continue reading →

A loft space usually refers to an upper story or attic positioned directly under the roof. Alternatively, a loft apartment is associated with a large open space, often converted from industrial to residential use. In Valparaiso, Chile, Yungay Lofts II demonstrates the flexibility behind such a fresh architectonic concept and its positive integration within a strong historical surroundings. The result: a bright combination of small colorful houses dispersed throughout a steep hillside. Continue reading →