Cold climates and a fireplace… There’s a very special experimental house in Hokkaido, Japan conceived to test the limits of domestic architecture in extreme cold conditions. Meme Meadows is a single story translucent cabin with 79sqm of constructed area developed from a traditional example of the indigenous Ainu, whose buildings were clad with bamboo grass in order to hold in the heat of a central fireplace that was never allowed to burn out. A contemporary approach turns an ancient concept into a modern residence capable of resisting the most defying context: snow, ice and negative temperatures. Let’s unravel the mystery behind this particular experimental house. Continue reading →

When architecture follows nature’s example in a successful way the outcome is always surprisingly efficient and discrete. A perfect example of such delicate operation stands erected in Matsumoto, Japan. It’s called MYZ Nest and the name clearly reveals what kind of Nature’s source is behind this small, unique project. A mysterious bright building contrast with the green rice fields that surround it: a single plan conceals the whole domestic program distributed in a total floor area of 97sqm. In order to take advantage from the natural topography, the house is partially sunken into the ground with excavated soil built up around one facade for a better insulation, similar to a rabbit’s warren. Continue reading →

MO House testifies one of those cases when the rule becomes the exception… In Madrid, Spain a single family house spreads all its energy through a dense green forest. An exquisite desire has lead to an astonishing volumetric result. All trees had to be preserved in their original position…

Although the conventional domestic program, the site’s morphology demanded a compound geometry for the positioning of the house. The prevailing presence of trees and the deep wish to achieve an inhabitable space fully integrated with the woods resulted in a unique solution. The program was transformed in a very direct way to a number of simple rectangular volumes, each one with its own function. Continue reading →

Located in the former stable access between two properties, the Slim House Extension is the cure for the inhabitants of a narrow and deep house in London – only 2.3 meters wide! The presence of natural light was almost zero due a lack of outward-facing walls. In order to resolve this basic problem a special extension was designed: a sloping roof punctuated with skylights to let natural light enter rooms on each story. This new house addition allows space for a new ground floor dining area, an extra bedroom on the first floor and a study on the second floor. Suddenly, all seems to be fresh and new… free from the darkness and tightness of the previous house configuration. Continue reading →

Architecture conquers a special dimension when benefiting from the aging of natural materials. In Vietnam, Stone House exemplifies how such noble task contributes for a splendid interaction between inhabitants and domesticated nature. Instead of using the traditional concrete and plaster, this two-story building with a total area of 360sqm is constructed from locally quarried stone blocks that are piled up in an alternating grid to create a dynamic brickwork pattern to the walls. Continue reading →

Are you familiar with the expression “X marks the spot”? In Barcelona there’s a fine example of turning such a common sentence into a concrete reality… in this particular case a building for a Catalan family. X House proudly hangs over the edge of a hillside facing the unique cityscape of Barcelona. And what a delightful sight it is… Continue reading →

Controversy often comes with new perspectives over some conventional ideas…Kobayashi Residence is a pure controversial project because of its unpredictable mix of inhabitable concepts: a hybrid construction that joins rustic camping with wood cabin architecture. Can you believe that?

In Chichibu Mountain, Japan lies an unbelievable example of turning a weekend retreat into something fresh and original without failing the basic purpose of sheltering a family in the middle of a deep forest. Continue reading →

A nest is a place of refuge conceived to raise offsprings. They are usually made of organic material such as twigs, grass and leaves or may simply be a hole in the ground, a tree, rock or building.

Sometimes, architecture seems to imitate this concept: a thatched visitor center sits next to the low waters of Sweden’s Lake Takern, the annual nesting habitat of over a hundred bird species. The Takern visitor center has an asymmetric form that folds around an entrance courtyard. The most impressive detail of this public building relies on the pursuit of a shape and volume capable of blending peacefully in such a sensible environment. Continue reading →

In Maastrich, The Netherlands an unusual approach was given to the conventional concept of a house: H House seems to defy the notion of opacity in domestic architecture. A glazed skin enfolds the entire volume promoting different tones and shades, turning this residence into a livable urban diamond. That’s right: a pearl in the heart of a residential area… a two-story building that is constantly reflecting its surroundings in a rare altruistic attitude. Continue reading →

To preserve the secret intimacy of a Victorian house garden – This was the main purpose behind the project that I’m about to show you. In London, UK a discrete house extension was developed in order to create a sense of unity between the exterior garden and the original house. Continue reading →