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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

In the middle of the wild landscape of Licancheu, Chile there’s a surprising inhabitable cube specially designed for pure delight and amusement. Guest House is a two-story building with an astonishingly tiny floor area of 26sqm. The reason for its existence stands undoubtedly in the project name: a small cabin for visitors. Continue reading →

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 →

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 →

Structural solutions always play a decisive role when it comes to defining a space in architecture. Both aesthetic and functional values of any kind of building are deeply connected to such a challenging task…In Chiba, Japan House H proves how powerful a structural design can be when presenting an enigmatic character: Y-shaped wooden columns sustain rooms and lofts at diverse levels in a two-story volume with 64sqm of built area. The internal atmosphere of this tiny family house irradiates an unlimited sense of serenity provided by the relation established between structure, program and inhabitants. Continue reading →

A discrete silhouette placed on an infinite rural horizon… That’s House on Limekiln Line. The special ingredient for this artificial chameleon relies on its dialogue with the local culture and landscape, engaging a rich relation with the larger ecological and environmental processes of the enormous agricultural landscape in which the house sits. Continue reading →

In North Holland there’s a triangular brick house that’s been extended into a new spatial order… A delicate border was conceived between two different bodies: a modern, single-story concrete extension is now connected to the rear of a 1930s residence offering a total floor area of 210sqm. The ancient brickwork is now reinforced by the presence of a silent new material: exposed concrete. In order to fit harmoniously within the pitched roof of the existing volume, this exquisite house extension presents a special facade design that is slightly more tapered on one side to attain an asymmetric shape. Continue reading →