Home Architecture Dark And Modern Waterfront Villa Ypenburg III:

Located in The Hague, Netherlands, this next residence stands out from across the scenery in a successful attempt to enhance its natural surroundings and offer passers-by an incredible display of contemporary architecture. Flaunting its dark facade, Villa Ypenburg III rises three storeys up and shelters large, bright spaces that contrast with its exterior. Designed by Rotterdam-based BBVH Architecture, the modern house sits at the edge of one of the canals. The large waterfront villa is located in the Ypenburg district of the city – hence the name. Photographed by by Luuk Kramer, the exceptional villa in the Netherlands seems to not only offer modern architecture details, but also gathers unobstructed views of the surroundings. The horizontal appeal of this magnificent urban villa is given by large cantilevering terraces on all three floors. Fascinating, isn’t it?

Masculine 36 Square Meter Studio Apartment in Vasaparken:

Another Stockholm apartment caught our attention today. This one has a special masculine feel to it and we would love to see how many of our readers are interested in this kind of interior design. This small but classy and elegant 36 square meter studio apartment is located in the vicinity of Vasaparken, a beautiful Stockholm park. High ceilings ensure that the bright natural light coming from the two opposing windows caress the entire floor plan and offer the possibility of designing the place using dark colors. The 1880s apartment still has the original oak flooring, but the furniture and furnishings give the charming one-room apartment a modern feel. From the hallway, the inhabitants can access the living room/bedroom, the bathroom and the kitchen, so no space was left unused. You can rent it from here. Like it?

Horse Ranch Turned Into Contemporary Home : Bates Masi Architects

Bates Masi Architects completed the Genius Loci Residence, a home especially envisioned to capture the spirit of Montauk, New York, a place with important recent historic events, where the line between fact and fiction is blurred. How did the project developers manage to depict the feel of a place and convert it into this home? According to the official description, “architectural details throughout the house occur at unexpected moments. A wood screen covered bridge unifies the two shingle clad volumes, allowing light into the grass paver courtyard below. The stone appears weightless as alternating stones are removed from the pattern to let light into the guest area. These unexpected details reinforce the larger idea of capturing the unexpected. There is no prescribed path of circulation, encouraging different encounters much like the social experiences of Montauk. One can enter beneath the bridge and up terraced planter steps revealing the rolling hills and ocean in the distance. One can also climb the exterior entry stair that mirrors the interior stair, separated by a wall of glass. One can choose to enter into the house or continue to the outdoor fireplace, dining area, and out to the pool. The exploration resulting from unique circulation yields a different memorable experience for everyone.”

Curl Curl Beach House in Australia:Delightful Timber Residence

Curl Curl Beach House was designed by Australian studio CplusC Architects and is located in a suburb of northern Sydney. According to the architects, the house “exploits the structural and aesthetic benefits of timber with stunning results. The longitudinal division of the home is expressed externally with the metal clad butterfly roof which collects rainwater that is stored in an extensive sub floor bladder tank system. Externally, stud frame walls are clad with Western Red Cedar shiplap boards, stained black and orientated vertically. This creates a bold, modest aesthetic which contrasts with the clear oiled Western Red Cedar doors and windows, used specifically in this application due to its light weight and durability. A defining element in the interior is the sinuous skylight that runs the length of the building and washes light down the eastern external wall. The shadow cast from the exposed LVL beams provide rhythm and interest”. The residence occupies an area of 2,790 square feet and took 24 weeks to build, on a budget of 500,000 Australian dollars. But the outcome is quite stunning.

The Jewel Box :Chiseled Commercial Architecture in Bangalore

 Occupying a tight site measuring 60’ x 40’, the commercial complex named Jewel Box delivers a fascinating architecture. “The idea was to conceive an envelope that rose above the glass box while it established a new identity and visual experience.” Understanding the importance of high visibility for commercial purposes, the architects designed a commercial building that encompasses all necessary things for its modern functioning: a fascinating and imposing facade, transparency for commercial purposes and a smart parking place around the building, allowing its structure to appear to be floating. The Jewel Box in Bangalore, India, was designed by Cadence Architects, who explain their work on this project: “We set out on a process of distorting the glass box with a solid edge around it, we further conceived the transparent edge as a void in a solid as opposed to a two dimensional transparent edge. The object was further articulated as a chiseled object which is multi-faceted. A staircase connecting ground to the first level was further fused with the faceted object. The crystalline form was realized using Ferro concrete whose end result was an animated box, frozen while evolving.”

Cosy Apartment With just Enough Space for Everything

Small, comfortable and bright, this next Stockholm apartment will leave you refreshed and maybe give you some inspiration on how to decorate a small apartment. Found here, the 38 square meter apartment features beautiful light-colored rustic flooring throughout and a full-size kitchen with plenty of storage space. Two windows convey all the necessary light to caress the interiors: on in the bedroom and the other in the kitchen. High ceiling and white stucco ensure that the rooms are well lit and offer a sense of grandeur in this confined space. The bedroom features a small mezzanine that can be used as a relaxation spot or a second bed. Located in a quiet location facing the courtyard, the apartment also features a walk-in closet in the living room. The small apartment has access to a courtyard with barbecue and an outdoor dining area, allowing the inhabitants to enjoy their free time close to home, in a relaxed atmosphere.

Versatile Furniture: Dual Cut by Kitmen Keung

What can you get by slicing a cube into two separate asymmetrical parts? Designer Kitmen Keung did this simple experiment and the result couldn’t be more practical. Dual Cut is an interesting furniture piece consisting of a lounge chair and ottoman which can be merged together to form a third furniture piece (a desk or a table). Here is more from the official designer’s description: “Splitting a raw rectangular foam block with only two L-shaped cut lines, the Dual Cut Chair and ottoman employs the simplest production processes true to the materials in use with minimal wastage. It features two ergonomically comfortable seat back angle options of 6° and 23°, and the multi-formation ability to form a one seater with a side table, a chaise lounge or a corner table.It also easily forms a neat, compact parcel for convenient storage and transportation“. Find it practical? [Photography by S.Zine]

Best IKEA Children’s Room Design Ideas for 2012

Not too long ago, we presented a preview of the IKEA Catalog for 2012. Right now, the catalog is launched and is full of fresh ideas. In this post we picked out the best IKEA children’s room designs, as well as cool products that appealed to our playful, but also practical nature. IKEA promised low prices and quality furniture pieces for this catalog and as you will see from the photos below and the prices in the catalog, the company delivered. From ingenious storage units for toys, to small children’s beds, chairs and various toy products, the IKEA kids ideas for 2012 are characterized by creativity and as usual, practicability. Have a look at the photos below and tell us if there are any designs that you find suited for your home. We would also like to know your opinion on the overall kids collection presented below. For more details, check out the IKEA Online Catalog here.

Shorter Residence by PB Elemental:Original Mix of Traditional and Modern

Shorter Residence was designed by Pb Elemental Architecture and is located in Wenatchee Valley, Washington. The project consisted in an extension of a 1906 apple orchard farm house which currently houses a master suite, family room and dining area. A remodel of the existing garage was also included in the clients’ brief. Here are more details from  the architects: “The house is more than just a residence, the clients also run a ski team and house many of the team in the home at one time or another during the season. The design was created to maximize views of the valley and surrounding hills, while providing the owners refuge from the daily activities of working from home. The former master bedroom was converted into a new bath and closets, a corten steel structure was built to house the bedroom and sitting area. The spaces share a fireplace and roof deck over the new dining area. The former outdoor deck was removed and replaced by the new living spaces on the second floor. Exterior materials include corten standing seam, polycarbonate, cement fiber panels and cedar rain screen siding.”How do you appreciate this project’s mix of old and new?

An Open Invite to Socializing: Taiwan Noodle House Restaurant in Beijing

Taiwan Noodle House restaurant was designed by Golucci International Design and is located in Beijing, China. The place has an original interior and consists of a single large dining room, where people are not separated in any way. The table arrangements inspire openness and seem to be an invite to socializing. This is the type of restaurant where you go have a peaceful meal and a quality laugh with your friends, rather than a romantic dinner with your loved one. Thousands of plates were used as decorating items, creating an atmosphere that is partially traditional. The modern touch is added by the ceiling lamps and decorations. Large windows provide unobstructed views of the city and plenty of natural light during daytime. How would you feel about dining in a place like this? In your opinion, does its design make up for the lack of privacy?  [Photography by Sun Xiangyu]

Rural Comfort Meets Modern Lifestyle:Strekov House

 Designed by 3 +1 Architekti, the Strekov House borrowed its location’s name: Strekov, Czech Republic. The 173 square meter home is located on the border between a highly populated area and the countryside, neighboring residential buildings and vacation homes. The outside space delights the homeowners with a lovely orchard of apple trees, plum trees and cherry trees and fascinates with a panoramic view of the valley below. The main construction material was wood, making the connection to the outside rural area, the orchard and the vast 3,000 square foot property. The long garden resting on a steep terrain is a dream home for its inhabitants – perfect combination of modern lifestyle and comfortable surroundings. The three volume house is located on the lower part of the property for privacy and easy road access. Some beautiful hand-drawn architectural drawings of this house can be enjoyed below

The Hotchkiss Residence:Simple, Practical and Contemporary

The Hotchkiss Residence was designed by Portland-based studio Scott Edwards Architecture and is located on the banks of the Columbia river in Vancouver, Washington. The 1,988 square foot residence was especially redefined for a couple in their 70′s who needed a make-over of the building they inhabited. According to the architects, “the 1.5 bedroom home responds to amazing views of the river and Mt. Hood beyond. The home, designed by Rick Berry, utilizes the Northwest vernacular, which emphasizes the wood structural system, shields the home from 9 months of rain, and captures winter sunlight. The single slope roof originates over the bedroom and rises to its zenith above the living room. With a budget of $550k, the design is restrained by simplicity, emphases its structural system, compact for an aging client, and built to respond to the quick changing Northwest weather. The home linked by bridges to the owners daughters and sons homes, which sit adjacent, completes the family compound.” Have a look at the photos below and don’t forget to tell us what details you find interesting.

CG House Displaying Contemporary Architecture and Fascinating Interiors

The contemporary CG House in the Garza Garcia neighborhood of Monterrey, Mexico, can pride itself on displaying a 10,650 square foot floor plan of exceptionally designed living spaces. As described by the architects, the residence features the best architectural solutions for this particular site: “From the street, two massive oak tress rise to provide privacy and welcome shade to the swimming pool terrace above. Due to the sloping nature of the site, a massive, exposed concrete wall defines and encloses the swimming pool and garden areas of the house and sets the tone for the design of the house itself, which is clad in brown/black volcanic stone, IPE wood, white stucco and steel. A wide exterior granite staircase lead to an intimate garden of palm trees. Directly ahead is a 12 feet-high dark oak door whose grand scale offers a hint of the dramatic scale of this 10,650 sq. ft. home that lies beyond, beginning with an entry foyer whose 15 feet-high walls are adorned with silver leaf. A massive sculptural piece of coconut roots, steel and rocks was designed specifically for this space.” Designed by Monterrey-based architectural studio GLR Arquitectos, the residence rises on a sloping terrain that offered the architects with the opportunity of enjoying beautiful panoramas of Monterrey City below.