MODERN HOUSE DESIGNS

Passive Solar Home Design Conserves Energy, Exudes Style

Carol Richard of the Atlanta-based architecture firm Richard Wittschiebe Hand designed a passive solar home design in Madison, Wisconsin, which she calls her castle. Also known as Ross Street House, this modern sustainable architecture project was a collaborative effort with her mechanical engineer husband, Fred Berg, and was recognized as Wisconsin’s first LEED for Homes Platinum-rated residence in July 2009. Set in a neighborhood of post-war Cape-Cod-style homes peppered with some “modern” 1960s homes, this residence was actually designed to fit into its environment. Thus, the unobtrusive square shape (modeled on a box camera) and two-toned cedar siding and roof to make the house appear smaller than its 2,700 sq. ft. The wood-clad house is positioned to take in as much winter sun and summer shade as possible for passive cooling. The windows also naturally illuminate the open-concept living area, which is a bright and airy space of double-height proportions. Light and local maple and a white palette further create the illusion of more space. Three floors are connected by the open, industrial-style staircase. Additional eco-sustainable features include water conserving dual-flush toilets, low-flow faucets, a tankless water heater and a rain-water recycling system. VOC-free paint and adhesives limit chemical off-gassing. Topping off this cool eco house, the garage is topped with photovoltaic panels that cover more than half of the home’s energy requirements each year. Richard Wittschiebe Hand
via Contemporist
photo credit: Zane Williams

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19 Mar 2010 | Sustainable Homes | Comments (0)

Mountain Cabin Home Plan for breathtaking views

Perched on a mountainside with Kanagawa unfolding at its feet, this modern mountain cabin home has two things in its favor – a breathtaking view outside, and even more so inside. Designed by Japanese architecture firm Shun Hirayama Architecture, this wood clad slope cabin takes its place on a hillside – a fine vantage point for the endless view of city and country. On first setting foot on site, architect likens the experience to walking in a forest, and he wanted to maintain that sense of country in this design. Hirayama took on the design task by planning four main living areas and how they relate to the slope – a kitchen and dining area were placed near the main entrance for easy public access; a living room that frames the best views; bedrooms overlooking the hill; and a bathroom that enjoys privacy and a bright, airy feel. These four volumes, although separate, were overlapped to form a single, connected home. While the wood clad exterior is certainly a country-chic style, the “forest” feel also prevails indoors, where straight sightlines evoke the sense of walking between trees. “The interior of the building was shaped to fit the landform; walls set in diverse angles, various ceiling heights and 10 different floor levels exist and in the each space dissimilar shades live. The wind that enters inside the one-room interior space feels like they came between trees, and it feels like sitting on a natural stump, when sitting on a slight level difference,” describes the architect. Shun Hirayama Architecture.
Photos by Daici Ano, Katsuhisa Kida and Naoomi Kurozumi

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17 Mar 2010 | Mountain Homes | Comments (0)

Amazing Travertine House by A-Cero Architecture Firm with water features

Spanish architecture firm A-Cero sent us some snapshots of their latest modern custom house design near Madrid, Spain – an amazing travertine house that’s about as grand as they come. Set on a hillside slope, this three storey house has a modern, minimalist exterior featuring alternating layers of marble and glass walls. Wide windows blur the boundary between indoors and out, illuminating interiors with natural light and providing a direct connection to nature. Inside, the high ceiling of the open-to-above living room introduces a modern edge with real livability. A sophisticated interior design black-and-white palette matches the home’s clean, straight lines and bold architectural details. Virtually every room offers immediate access to a landscaped terrace or ground-floor courtyard, where even a water feature lined with smooth grey river rocks matches the home’s soothing sense of calm. And just as peaceful but on a large scale, an 80m2 geometric pool winds its way through the outdoor Travertine deck. A-Cero Architecture.

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15 Mar 2010 | Custom Houses | Comments (0)

Laminated Pinewood House by Nordicasa Design & Construction. We love it!

Architect Jaak Kangro of Nordicasa Design & Construction sent us some amazing photos of his latest architectural endeavor – a gorgeous timber home design located in the Valdelineares ski resort in Spain. Built almost entirely from 165 mm laminated pinewood, this wood clad house boasts a rustic mountain cottage feel both inside and out. But this mountain house isn't without its modern touches, like the tiny peek-a-boo window slots peppering the front facade, and a stone-finished front entrance flanked by windows that offers a small view of what’s inside. The rear face of the home features glass walls that open to the outdoors. Interiors are as wonderfully woody as the exterior, giving each room a country-chic feel. The open-concept main floor is conducive to socializing; you can sit in any area and still have a view of what’s cooking in the kitchen and the living room fireplace and the dining nook. Interestingly, the kitchen features a much-more modern aesthetic, temporarily straying from natural wood to be replaced by contemporary white cabinets, countertops and a horizontal window backsplash. Nordicasa Design & Construction.

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13 Mar 2010 | Wood Homes | Comments (0)

Raised Home Design – Renovated Guest Homes at Russian Resort

As part of a total resort reconstruction, which invited some of Russia’s top architects to flex their muscles, so to speak, most of the buildings here are designed by architect Totan Kuzembaev – including Red Guest Houses. Located in Moskovskaya Oblast, Russia, this unusual raised home design took center stage and even picked up a number of awards along the way. Distinctive for their vibrant red color and beach home exteriors, these guest houses are compact, lightweight homes of wood, raised to adapt to the hillside. Minimalist interiors lead out to a simple but stunning semi-circular balcony – the home’s hotspot, according to Kuzembaev, “A man always wants to climb higher; after he has climbed, he wants to sit there; and when he has sat down, he would like to have a roof over his head.” These sheltered patios provide an unmatched vantage point for the unfolding view. Totan Kuzembaev
via Arch Daily

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10 Mar 2010 | Wood Homes | Comments (0)

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