Friday, January 22, 2010

Cool Pool House Idea That You Dream About?



It may be a pool house, but this cool 364m2 suburban Connecticut home could easily be the abode of choice. Designed by forward-thinking New York-based Hariri & Hariri Architecture, the Wilton Pool House idea is based on the principles of modern minimalism and a strong connection to nature. The pool house architecture is characterized by a long, angular archway of rich, Brazilian walnut wood that runs the length of the pool and folds over an outdoor seating area. The archway provides protection from the sun when lounging, swimming, or enjoying an al fresco meal. Glass walls enclose the main living areas, which contains a kitchen, bar, bathroom and a small terrace. Enjoy the pictures!










Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Wooden Home Design - wrap around deck house in Chile is literally wrapped ... in deck


This fun wooden home design in Alto Rungue, Chile is all about its wrap around deck ... Carefully thought out by Felipe Assadi and Francisca Pulido of Assadi & Pulido Architects, it is the perfect setting from which to enjoy the view and the outdoors. But one might argue that the view of the horizon is matched by a view of the house itself. Aptly named the Deck House, this modern yet rustic wooden design boasts 150m2 of house and 370m2 of deck. Keeping in mind that this is a summer vacation home, the architect based this design with two main components, beginning with a wooden deck, over which the house would eventually take shape. The interior floor plan was kept simple – an open-concept main living area housing a kitchen, a dining room, a master bedroom and a shared sleeping area – in order to keep thoughts and resources focused on the deck. The deck encircles the home, featuring a swimming pool built into the lower portion, an inclined area that matched the natural lay of the land, and extending up to the roof. The result is an almost entirely wood-clad home, where the wood is only interrupted by glass walls that open onto the dominating deck.












Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Organic Wooden House on Seattle’s Skyline by Pb Elemental Architecture


Seattle’s Pb Elemental Architecture is putting an organic notch on the city’s concrete skyline. The Dang Residence is a two-storey private wooden house of 3,600 sq. ft., clad in naturally beautiful cedar. Interiors are divided into a series of modern loft-style living spaces, including three bedrooms, 3.5 baths, a media room and a study. The upper and lower levels are connected by a sky-lit staircase that allows the spill of natural light into the whole of the home. Throughout the house, thoughtfully placed skylights and windows light up corners and crannies, and unique architectural details like art niches. Two balconies and an intimate courtyard at the center of this design embrace outdoor living.










Saturday, January 16, 2010

Mountain Home Ideas – Hillside Home in Barcelona








Casa 205 in Barcelona is an unusual mountain home idea by Spanish architecture firm H Arquitectes, created to minimize environmental impact while maximizing the striking surrounding nature views. The site’s steep incline sets the tone for this slope house, which hangs precariously off the hillside edge overlooking the forest and the mountains on the horizon. In keeping with the region’s rustic countryside flair, this timber house is clad in wood both inside and out. An airy softwood facade features pine woodwork and shutters covering large and many windows. Inside this minimalist home, prefabricated plywood panels finish the floors, walls and ceilings, resulting in a lightweight structure easily supported by the seemingly unsteady site. This thoughtful wood home design also serves as an eco sustainable feature by reducing materials, energy and emissions associated with home building. And once the home has served its purpose, the plywood is removable, recyclable and reusable elsewhere.



Friday, January 8, 2010

Timber House in the most graceful way and the views to die for!


Guided by a helical path winding its way up the mountain, this amazing 2008 home renovation by architects Jose Ulloa Davet and Delphine Ding is as breathtaking as its awe-inspiring view! Aptly dubbed “Metamorfosis,” this modern timber house in Tunquen, Casablanca, Chile was transformed from standard to stunning through the extension of an existing deck, the addition of a new room, and a new, raw timber skin that unifies the home’s various elements while blending it with the gorgeous rocky landscape. From below, the path makes its way up the hillside, and connects to a walkway leading from the house main entrance, around the house exterior, and up to the spacious rooftop patio. Inside, timber too is a major player, bringing the same “raw” element from the outdoors, but with an added sense of sophistication. A vast picture window frames the stunning scenery.