And For My Next Trick, I’ll Make This House Disappear!

Mar 15, 2015

You may remember seeing magicians like David Copperfield staging wild magic tricks that included making huge buildings and objects disappear. As it turns out, certain architects also use optical illusions to perform similar feats.

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In a feat of architectural wizardry, Reform Architekt has designed a home that appears to be floating, unsupported, over the forest floor. At a glance, one would think that the house consists of a minimal white box perched in the trees themselves. Take a trip around the perimeter, however, and discover that the structure has a large base that utilizes highly polished mirrors to mask itself in the surrounding vegetation. It’s a playful optical illusion that speaks in a very literal way to architecture’s place in nature, as if to say that we should build, but we should build in a way to appear as if we haven’t built at all.

A See-Through Church That Suspends Disbelief

Mar 23, 2015

Spaces of prayer and worship have traditionally been designed create suspension of disbelief in order to give the users a grander sense of a higher being. This church, designed by Belgian architects Pieterjan Gijs and Arnout Van Vaerenbergh, does just that by appearing to be completely see-through.

Layers of rusted steel ribs are stacked upon each other with spacers that create gaps between each piece. The result is a structure that is more translucent than it is opaque, allowing light, air and views to flow into one exterior wall and out the other.

The ephemeral church blends majestically into the surrounding Belgian hillside, especially when backlit by the rising or setting sun. It won’t protect you from rain, wind, floods or snow, but it will provide a serene setting to appreciate the things greater than yourself.

He Built A Romantic Forest Getaway For His New Wife In Just 6 Weeks For $4,000

Jun 8, 2015

$4,000, 6 weeks, and a whole lot of love was all it took for long-time carpenter Dave Herrle to design and build this tiny forest cabin. It’s a feat that is nothing short of astounding and one that invites skeptical curiosity as we ask ourselves: “How the heck did he do that?” For the price of a 12 year old Honda Civic Mr. Herrle has utilized found materials, salvaged parts, and a heaping spoonful of creativity to craft a little piece of heaven to call his own.

It was far from easy, but just what Dave and his fiancée needed.

“For the longest time I had a hard time not being “normal.” I graduated from a small liberal arts college, got a desk job, and hated every minute of it. In 2007 my life changed dramatically after hiking the entirety of the Appalachian Trail. It was a gut check in life and I’m lucky it happened when I was 27 and not 67. My time in the woods gave me a perspective on the benefits of simplicity. It was in the woods that I promised myself that I wouldn’t spend a lifetime doing a job I didn’t enjoy.”

It’s a romantic sentiment, and one I’m sure we’ve all had when dreaming about when sitting in our cars on the freeway or staring blankly at a sprawling Excel spreadsheet. Dave took what he had and applied what he knew to make that dream a reality.

The structure uses large trees as the anchors of the foundation, eliminating the need for a costly concrete base. The footprint is small (only 10×14 feet), but highly functional. The couple added plenty of personal flair to make it their home. Like many tiny homes, going vertical is important for saving space. A lofted bed area sits over the ample kitchen. Dave continues to run his carpentry business, and has recently moved on to building inexpensive tiny homes for others, as well. Find out more about his work at Herrle Custom Carpentry.

This ‘Stealth’ Getaway Isn’t Your Grampa’s Log Cabin

Mar 20, 2015

Through the use of aerodynamic lines and application of native materials, the Stealth Cabin by Superkül inc flies under the radar of imposing visual impact in an attempt to recede into the natural environment it inhabits.

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The sleek 4-season cabin is a contemporary take on the storied log cabin vernacular, and is meant to champion the generous wealth of resources the forest provides for shelter, warmth and protection. While not as small or as modest in stature as many other secluded vacation spots, the Stealth Cabin never feels overwhelming in its form and makes a point to embrace the aspects of the site that make it unique.

The 1500 square foot structure takes every opportunity to expose itself to the spectacular forest scenery. Large windows and massive sliding doors let the trees pour into the conditioned spaces creating a symbiotic indoor/outdoor experience.

A Wartime Bunker Is A Good Place For A Home, Right? Right!

Jun 5, 2015

Netherlands based architecture firm B-ILD have transformed this decrepit, ancient war-time bunker into a cool, rustic-chic getaway. I’d be the first to keep my arm down in a show of hands of people who thought a dank old bomb shelter would make a good place to reside, but seeing this project might have just changed my mind. It’s an unorthodox adaptive re-use project that, at first glance, doesn’t have a lot going for it. Upon closer look, that’s exactly what the architect used to craft a majestic underground dwelling.

The ironic thing is that B-UILD’s additions are minimal and strategic, allowing the weathered board-formed concrete walls to define the aesthetic of the space. It’s a move that pays off in the end, turning the very thing that made the space desolate into what makes it shine. The bunker is small, occupying only 118 square feet of floor area. As a space saver, the sleeping area deploys barracks-style bunk beds; an appropriate nod to a common war-time building type.

A $300 Chill Cabin For Sexing And Reading. You Decide.

Mar 7, 2015

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Deek of Relaxshacks.com is like a tiny house renaissance man, with a talent for building tiny dwellings in the wild, sometimes constructing one in a matter of hours. This one could be for reading as he claims, but I think I know what the real reason is, a sweet love shack. Just throw a little day bed in there, and replace the books with a few bottles of whiskey and maybe box with some adult smoking materials. Or leave the books. That’s great too.

The “Black Shed” Sets Fire To The Scottish Isle Of Skye

May 12, 2015

On a secluded plot of farm land on the Scottish Isle of Skye rests a charred little structure that architect Rural Design Architects have named the ‘Black Shed.” The pre-burnt wood siding creates a stark contrast between the shed, the rolling green hills and the pale blue sky. The building’s rural surroundings offer unobstructed views of the enveloping valley and a towering flat-top mountain called McLeod’s Table. The shed was built as a rental opportunity and accommodates two people with a full kitchen, bath and sleeping area.

An industrial aesthetic has been achieved through use of simple, modern, yet familiar forms and the subtle use of raw materials. It is a fresh take on traditional farm house architecture with exposed wood siding and an understated gable roof. A covered entry porch pulls back the roof line and exposes the finishes with a more contemporary flair. Upon entry, visitors are greeted with little more than a finished concrete floor and uniform sawn timber wall and ceiling treatment. The subdued material palette allows the surrounding views to take center stage.

This Is What Happens When Architects Design Shelters For Cats

Oct 21, 2016

As if cats doing adorable things in weird contexts need any explanation. Feast your eyes on these creative design experiments that focus on the space occupied by everybody’s favorite felines.

Yarn? YARN! Stop. Just stop. Everyone can see you hiding there, pal. A saucer of scotch with my mahogany, please.
I should not have had so much catnip. Make house for cat. Cat sits underneath house.

Should’ve dibsed top bunk.

The structures were built and put on display as part of an awareness project called “Giving Shelter” put on by Architects for Animals. The shelters were designed by various architects in the Las Angeles area and presented at a local Herman Miller showroom in Culver City, CA.

You Won’t Believe What This Awesome Brewery Used To Be

Jun 9, 2015

As part of a massive neighborhood revitalization project in the Güemes district in the city of Córdoba, Argentina, this funky, open concept brewery was crafted from the shell of an old, broken down police station. What was once home to handcuffed criminals, on-duty patrolmen and stale donuts now serves locals cold, crisp lagers and plenty of interesting sights. The rennovation was led by Guillermo Cacciavillani, cofounder and creative director of Bar Makers.

In the architect’s words: “To transform the neighborhood, making it an engaging place, a living history, is the spirit that is revitalizing an area that for many years was marginalized in the urban scene of the city.” What better what to inject life and vigor into a neglected area than to provide a vibrant social gathering space as functionally appropriate and majestically pulled off as the Capitan Central Brewery?

The beauty in the juxtaposition of old against new is immediately noticeable, giving new life to an old shell. Concrete benches and planters are used to reinforce the starkness of new material that plays on what was once there. Flashes of bright red punctuate interior circulation, both of people and the brewery equipment systems. A wall of delicately detailed windows open the space to an outdoor court, providing the interior with ample natural light.

The courtyard sits adjacent to the massive concrete entry. The grand industrial procession pays homage to the police station that once stood here.

Humanitarian Pop-Up School Built With Up-Cycled Shipping Container

Jun 10, 2015

In a small rural province outside of Cape Town, South Africa sits this up-cycled shipping container; fitted and fashioned as part of a humanitarian design competition aimed at providing underprivileged farm children a safe place to learn, study and, of course, play. Woolworths, Safmarine and AfriSam are the three South African companies that sponsored the competition resulting in the Vissershok Container Classroom, which was won by 15 year old student Marshaarn Brink.

Marshaarn’s concept of an outdoor jungle gym space was then handed over to Tsai Design Studio and manifested in the recycled shipping container building. A curvilinear canopy structure is perched on top of the container, providing shaded exterior spaces for kids to recharge their high-velocity motors. The 12 meter (40 foot) container boasts instant shelter and a cool place for kids to focus and learn.

The concept image shows the design intent of the shipping container classroom, which was fully realized in the final product.
The adjacent ‘play’ area has swings, a small play set, and a ton of interesting spaces for kids to expand their imaginations.As seen in this diagram, the project is broken up into four distinct functions: play, learn, gather and grow.
Inside the container is narrow and intimate, promoting collaboration among students who share the learning space. The form of the canopy structure is a nod to the rolling hills that surround the school.