Home Architecture Dark And Modern Waterfront Villa Ypenburg III:

Wednesday, October 19, 2011



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?

The Mishima House: Minimalist Japanese Architecture


The Mishima House was designed by Keiji Ashizawa Design and is an example of beautiful minimalist Japanese architecture. This abode in Tokyo seems to be the result of its surrounding urban environment. Its asymmetrical shape makes it stand out, but at the same time requires an ingenious layout. The architects had no trouble meeting the demands of the clients, by creating a home that is well connected with the outdoors. Moreover, the Mishima House offers a large degree of privacy and comfort. The interior design seems to mirror the exterior landscape and features intriguing steel supports which are intentionally left uncovered, for an original visual effect. The rooms are spacious and have interesting inclined walls, as a result of the crib’s overall form. Enjoy the design ideas this unique Japanese home offers and tell us what you find particularly inspiring.

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?

Sustainable Home Renovation Overlooking The Vineyards of Sonoma, California:

Saturday, October 15, 2011


Sonoma Residence was designed by New-York-based Cooper Joseph Studio and is a beautiful hillside building overlooking the vineyards of Sonoma, California. The project is a two-level renovation of a house an agricultural property and occupies an area of 2,200 square feet.According to the architects, “the Owners requested an efficient renovation that would maximize hillside views and connect the two levels to allow for more open living. They asked that wood be used extensively for the renovation.Since the 25-acre site had no infrastructure, we buried utilities, improved grading to eliminate erosion, and built a solar array able to power the entire property and equipment.Our sustainability strategy involved reusing all the wood from the existing redwood porch structure in an agricultural shed elsewhere on the property. This shed is fitted out with the original kitchen cabinetry, appliances and sliding doors.In addition to the adaptive reuse of elements of the house, we used sustainably harvested Ipe for the structural porch, and decks on both sides of the house.” Be sure to have a look at the two “before photos” at the end of the post for a better understanding of the transformation.

A Refreshing Contemporary Home Design in London:



We ran across this intriguing modern home in London which inspires freshness, but in the same time, opulence. However, these characteristics blend in very tastefully, creating a space that is welcoming and inspiring. The focal point of the residence is a generous pool, surrounded by lush vegetation, a water fountain and modern patio furniture. We can not imagine a more versatile location. The pool are is perfect for a stylish evening gathering, for a crazy party and even for a week-end barbecue. Large glass doors connect the terrace with the open plan living room. Once inside, a potential visitor is greeted by state-of-the-art modern decors and inspiring decorating elements. A comfortable glass swing, contemporary art pieces and flower arrangements animate the interiors. We are looking forward to seeing your opinions regarding the design approach on this residence. Do you find its layout practical?

Villa Snow White in Finland:Workshop and Family Home in One Charming Building



Villa Snow White was designed by Helin & Co Architects in Espoo, Finland and is a building accommodating a family home, as well as a showroom. According to the architects, “an obsolete old villa was cleared out off the property before the construction of the new building. The neighbors of the property are a ten year old flat roof detached house and a villa from the 50s. The old trees of the property played a big role in the designing process. The openings of the interiors were set by their location. The concrete structure of the building was casted on the location over steel pillars and cladded with snow white plastered tiles. The surfaces of the interiors are light and the floors are mostly solid oak and limestoneThe main entrance locates through a closed outdoor atrium, facing the West towards the evening sun. The atrium can also be entered from the kitchen and via a bridge and a staircase from the sauna. The spaces live with the Northern light and adapt the white surfaces to the scenery in which it locates all the way to the distant horizon of the sea.

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.”

The Millbrae Residence :Diverse Contemporary Home in London


The Millbrae Residence is a contemporary home located in north-western London. A courtyard with rich vegetation and an generous pool lead the way towards the main entrance. The interior design of this place is highly modern and diverse. Structured on two levels, this residence seems to be a haven for both children and adults. The core of the house is an open-plan living room, with a large sofa, dining room and floor to ceiling windows. This is the perfect place for socializing, while having unobstructed views of the pool outside. For a family with children, closely monitoring the pool from the living room is easy and pleasant. The children’s room are colorful and alive, featuring quite a few inspiring details. A home theater large enough for the whole family answers the inhabitants’ need for entertainment. See any details you enjoy?

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.”

Clever Small Home Architecture Derived From Site Restrictions in Tokyo:

Wednesday, October 12, 2011



The River Side House is an impressive project designed by Mizuishi Architect Atelier and located in Tokyo, Japan. The small home was constructed on a triangle site and occupies a building area of 29.07 square meters. According to the architects, the structure of the residence includes functionally separate areas, as follows. The first is the dining & kitchen area, situated up the stairs and having high ceilings with a feeling of rise towards the roof top. The living space is low ceilinged and has full-opening windows on both sides of the bay, ensuring a feeling of floating. There is also a generous spare room to the east, for having guests over. The interior arrangements of this residence are minimalist and tasteful. The walls are painted entirely in white, inspiring openness and tidiness. Wooden accents and splashes of color here and there add a happy tone to the design. Do you find this project as intriguing as we do?

Modern Home for Barbie That Seems IKEA-Inspired by Miniio:



For most people, modern design arrangements are a must. Which is why this newcontemporary Barbie doll-house should not really come as a surprise. This miniature eco project was developed by Miniio and impresses due to a tasteful approach. The house is structured on two floors and seems inspired from an IKEA catalog. As you can see, Barbie couldn’t be happier with her pendant lamps, low bed and open plan living room. And did you notice the outdoor terrace? We found this idea interesting, which is why we wanted to find out more about the people behind it. Miniio is in fact a project started by boys’ mums who still “dream about little pink dresses, silk ribbons, dressing up in ball gowns and playing with doll houses”. According to their official website, all the creations they develop are made by hand, using wood, stone, metal and other various safe materials. We are truly impressed with this miniature home and encourage the passion that made it possible
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Impressive Contemporary Home: LA Built Around a Spectacular Central Pool



Blue Jay Way Residence comes from McClean Design and is located  in Los Angeles, California, USA. According to the architects, the clients wanted a home built around a central pool, which was the starting point when planning this home: “Upon ascending to the main level of the house, the water element becomes an ornamental pool before dropping into the spa below, and then extends to a 75-foot-long lap pool cantilevered over the slope into the view. The entry to the house is a glass bridge over the pool below. The house is divided in half by the water feature and a pool to minimize the structure’s perceived size and to separate the private spaces (master bedroom, study) from the public (living, dining, kitchen). The living room and master bedroom are cantilevered over outdoor spaces below and appear to hover against the background of the city beyond. The lower level includes several guestrooms, a media room, and a four-car garage. The palette of materials is soft contemporary with extensive use of concrete, wood, and stone.” The project occupies an area of 6800 square feet and has panoramic views of LA, Santa Monica, the Pacific, and Catalina Island. Have a look at the photos for a better understanding and tell us if you are impressed by this home’s architecture or consider it too extravagant.

Delightful Mix of Traditional and Modern in a Moroccan Country Home:

Friday, October 7, 2011



In case you were wondering how a Moroccan country home looked like, but didn’t have the chance to see one, here is a project that will raise your interest even more. Found on JJ Locations, this beautiful crib combines traditional elements with modern design approaches, creating a space that is beautiful, inviting and highly original. The large living room features a concrete fireplace that makes a great contrast with the home arrangements surrounding it. A generous  sofa , paintings and various colorful decorating items contribute to a vivid and dynamic atmosphere. The kitchen is highly original, featuring utilities that are skillfully camouflaged. Exposed beams and wood accents provide a great visual effect. This country residence has a total of two floors, each of them displaying a charming design. Have a look!

Glamorous Fashion Bar in Germany by Berlin Rodeo


Berlin-based architecture & interior design firm Berlin Rodeo designed a fantastic 140 square meter bar in Berlin, Germany. What makes it obviously different is the glamour feeling comprised in a space that filters light and design elements to offer the best entertaining experience possible. Located in Berlin’s Schöneberg neighborhood, the Fashion Bar exploits ever inch of the space in order to leave clients with a personal and astounding feeling of relaxation and fun in the company of friends and acquaintances. A glamorous color palette was used to induce the feeling of luxury and the designers outdid themselves with this project: red, white and gold. White sofas and chairs, wooden tables and glam textured wallpaper in red adorn the entrance part, while modern white bar stools and dark red sofas continue the design to the back of the long and narrow floor plan, in the bar section. Large red pendant lights hang over the tables, creating a soothing atmosphere. Don’t you just love how a narrow space can become a fascinating Fashion Bar?

Fresh “Jump for My Love” Project in Wiesbaden by Ich Bin Kong

Wednesday, October 5, 2011


Awesome gestures deserve to be known and admired. This is why the “Jump for my love” project in Wiesbaden, Germany, caught our attention when we saw it on Wooster Collective. It is part of a diploma project by German artist Ich Bin Kong. Here are the words describing the project straight from the artist: “The Main Issue of my Diploma is Irritation. To bring Messages to places, you wouldn´t expect them, I painted the bottom of a Jump-Pool in Wiesbaden. The Message is encouraging and provocative and also an homage to that awesome song by the pointer sisters.” This connection between the artist’s vision and the third single of the Pointer Sisters’ 1983 album, Break Out, made the project special on a personal level and brings joy to each visitor, reminding us to remember the things that influenced out lives.

An Ingenious Idea: Distorted Aquarium by Psalt Design



You just gotta love a design idea so simple and fresh! This aquarium is the creation of Psalt Design, a collaborative studio composed of three English friends who graduated together at Sheffield Hallam University: Richard Bell, Thomas McKeown and David Powell. The piece is self-explanatory: simple, beautiful and stylish. The “Bubble Tank” provides a unique touch to any type of contemporary environment. No need for wide custom made aquarium supports, a small table is enough, as this crazy design has stability just by occupying half the surface it is placed on. And the fun thing about it is that this is one of the few aquariums out there that allows your fish to swim upstream and downstream. We are eager to find out your personal opinions regarding this unusual aquarium design.

Modern Villa Displaying an Original Geometry in Brazil:

Tuesday, October 4, 2011



Vila Castela was designed by Anastasia Architects and is an original looking modern home located in Nova Lima, Brazil. The cantilevered volumes are a result of the site characteristics: “We have chosen this concept not only for aesthetic reasons, but above all to reduce the interference of the building mass in the topography, keeping the site as natural as possible. As we placed the ground level of the residence 7 meters below the street , we were able to preserve the pedestrian view of the forest, at the same time that keeping the privacy of the owners, because the main apertures and the glass walls are oriented to the east, on the opposite side of the street. The urban impact of the residence is minimized, in benefit of the beautiful view of the woods“. According to the architects, the total constructed area is 650 sq meters and the residence has three floors: the basement with sauna, Jacuzzi, and an wine cellar, the ground floor (living area and the kitchen and external terrace) and the first floor, where the bedrooms are located. We have to know: do you find the geometry of this residence appealing?