Star Wars Inspired House In South Korea

May 4, 2015

Star Wars fans are a dedicated bunch, as this unusual home in Korea demonstrates. Built by architecture firm Moon Hoon, this inspired home takes a detour from its neighbors, bringing a spaceship-like design into the mix. The exterior draws its geometric inspiration from the Sandcrawler, which appears in the beginning of A New Hope, and a touch of gray from the Death Star.

Inside however, the theme is much more subdued, with its bright and open layout that’s decidedly modern, showing off a minimalist approach to decor and furnishings. The couple who built this home wanted to upgrade from their apartment to a small countryside home where they could raise a family, and spent about $200k to complete the build.

“Polygon” Sculpture Studio Takes Shape In Upstate New York

May 1, 2015

This artist studio in Hague, New York rests on a steep hill on the crest of Lake George, a mere 140 steps above the waters edge. The owners of the studio wished to create a modest space with which they could live, practice sculpture, and entertain guests. The building itself embodies a literal sculptural aesthetic that is a reflection of the art that is produced within its walls.

Views out towards the lake are central to the interior layout. A large sliding door exposes the living room to the tree canopy and the serene body of water beyond. Red cedar is used inside and out, creating a cohesive transition upon entering the space. The interior wood creates a warm harmony that is cleverly juxtapose to the cold concrete floors.

The ‘Polygon’ Studio was designed by Jeffery S. Poss Architects and received the 2014 Merit Award For Architectural Design by the American Institute of Architects Central Illinois Chapter.

Diamond Shaped Dune House Appears Sunken Into The Earth

May 1, 2015

The Dune house looks half-buried in the earth, a striking sight on the island of Terschelling in the Netherlands. The unusual design comes courtesy of Marc Koehler Architects, and its diamond shape delivers a most unsual perspective of the surrounding plains and the distant North Sea.

Inside the home you’ll find a layout that mimicks the name, creating a sense of wandering a dune as you traverse the various levels. Regardless of where you are, plenty of windows illuminate the shapes and angles inside with a dazzling light. A variety of sustainable elements went into the build, including prefab wood, solar panels, and a biomass fireplace.

Photography: Marc Koehler Architects

An Old Ruin Is Reimagined Into A Modern Music Studio

May 1, 2015

New meets old in this adaptive re-use studio that retains an existing brick ruin, effectively celebrating the structure it now replaces. London based firm Haworth Tomplin’s Studio designed the lofted space that fits neatly into what’s left of the eroded masonry shell. The use of stark exterior matches the brick in color, but otherwise creates a harsh contrast to the ruin in a move that celebrates the site’s history.

Take a step through the front door and that contrast is further highlighted by the fact that everything on the interior is fresh and new. Nothing existing remains; a reminder that the once proud two story structure was no match for the grasp of father time.

The building resides on the grounds of Dovecote Studio campus, an internationally recognized music campus at Snape Maltings. The updated space is used as a practice space for multiple instruments, and even acts as sleeping quarters for a live-in student.

The gabled form pays homage to the original structure’s shape, but with a modern twist, or course. Section drawings show how little of the existing building was able to be salvaged. It’s enough, however, to make an impact that will last another century.

Miracle “Algae Canopy” Makes The Oxygen Equivalent Of 10 Forest Acres In One Day

May 1, 2015

That thick green film that collects on rocks at the floor of a body of water may just be the solution to the excess CO2 in our atmosphere. In the past two decades researchers have been searching for ways to apply the positive atmospheric attributes of algae to design technology. EcoLogic Studio has done just that with the Urban Algae Canopy.

The structure is currently in the prototype stage of development and will be the first of its kind on display at the Expo Milano 2015. The canopies are completely reactive, and can produce and move energy and oxygen based on a number of inputs, including weather patterns and user movement. EcoLogic Studio claims that the canopies have the capability of producing the oxygen equivalent of four hectares of woodland area.

The ambitious project presents an innovative intersection between technology and biology, and fits in with the ever-growing movement of integrating natural processes into man-made structures.

Raw Concrete Home Wedged Between Rocks And Earth

Apr 30, 2015

A bit of imagination and a crate of dynamite was all it took for Olsen Kundig Architects to turn this giant bolder into a luxurious, modern dream home. Raw materials such as exposed concrete were used to compliment the natural feel of the rocky backdrop which flanks the home on two sides. There are even areas where the remnants of the existing stone pokes though on the interior, creating a grotto like feel that offsets the stark finishes that accompany the new space.

The home was outfitted with rustic antique furniture and artwork, which matches the rugged design.

Leftover rock from the construction was crushed into a work of art and mounted on the wall.

The bathroom includes a sink basin carved into stone, with three separate bowls where the water cascades through before draining.

Photography is by Benjamin Benschneider and Dwight Eschliman

These 10 Buildings Are The Greenest Of Them All

Apr 26, 2015

The American Institute of Architects has announced its 10 Best Green Buildings of 2015. The following structures make a point to champion sustainability and energy conservation without sacrificing cutting-edge design or functionality.

1. The Bullitt Center. Seattle, Washington

This office building, opened on earth day in 2013, is the largest certified Living Building in the United States. Designed by The Miller Hull Partnership, the Bullitt Center features 100% renewable energy, water, and waste-management. The entire shed roof canopy is composed of one large solar panel array.

2. The CANMET Materials Technology Laboratory. Hamilton, Ontario

This LEED Platinum certified laboratory contains 174,300 square feet of research, office and lab space focusing on innovations in material technology. Green features include sun shading on the south facade, green roofs, and renewable energy systems integrated into the building’s exterior shell.

3. Collaborative Life Sciences Building. Portland, Oregon.

ERA Architects and CO Architects collaborated on this LEED Platinum office and research building. The stark grey exterior gives the building a feeling of cleanliness and sterility, something that the integrated building systems exhibit themselves. Stormwater management, green roofs, atrium heat recovery, and low ventilation fume hoods are features that scream sustainability.

photo courtesy Jeremy Bitterman

4. E+ Townhouses. Boston, Massachusetts

The E+ Townhouses were built as prototypes for energy efficient living in affordable housing. The replicable model homes were the brain child of a collaboration between Interface Studio Architects (ISA) and Urbanica Design, and were built under Boston’s Energy Plus (E+) Green Building Program. In the prototype, versatility is shown in how the structures march down the slope of the natural terrain.

photo courtesy Sam Oberter

5. Hughes Warehouse Adaptive Reuse. San Antonio, Texas

Adaptive reuse projects have a prominent role in transitioning into the green era. Overland Partners face-lifted this early 1900’s warehouse was into contemporary studios with state of the art sustainability features. The project features flexible interior spaces and a public courtyard to promote user health and public engagement.

Photo courtesy Dror Baldinger

6. San Antonio Military Medical Center. San Antonio, Texas

“Doing it Bigger” in Texas appears to apply to sustainability as well! RTKL designed this massive complex that focuses on medical research and care for our nation’s military. A enveloping screen traces around the southern facade, protecting the interiors from heat gain while providing ample natural light.

photo Charles Davis Smith

7.New Orleans BioInnovation Center. New Orleans, Louisiana

This 65,000 square foot biotech lab achieved a LEED Gold certification, making it the first of it’s kind in New Orleans. The building features a 3,000 square foot central courtyard is prominently visible from famed Canal Street through the building’s transparent, yet UV protected facade. Designed by Eskew+Dumez+Ripple.

photo courtesy Will Crocker

8. Homes For Adults With Autism. Sonoma, California

LEDDY MAYTUM STACY Architects built four homes in a complex that champions sustainability and energy conservation. Each of the homes is fit with a powerful rooftop solar array, making good use of the persistent California sun. In addition to the homes, the complex boasts a community center, therapy pools, and even an urban garden.

photo courtesy Tim Griffith

9. Sustainable Housing Development. Oakland, California

Why build one sustainable building when you can construct an entire neighborhood? That’s exactly what David Baker Architects had in mind when they designed this complex that contains 60 affordable apartments, 77 attached townhouses and 20 additional apartments. The homes are well insulated and promote passive cooling techniques such as natural ventilation.

photo courtesy Brian Rose

10. University Center – The New School. New York, New York

Famous architecture firm Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM) designed this university that was conceptualized on the platform of combined heat and power systems that were specifically designed for water management. It was enough to afford the building a LEED Gold certification. The facade seen here seamlessly shades glazed openings, providing UV protection and reducing energy consumption.

photo courtesy James Ewing

Stroke Of Genius Allows Artist & Family To Live Comfortably In A Tiny Apartment

Apr 26, 2015

Sometimes a splash of orange and a squiggle of purple is all you need to make a small, otherwise mundane space shine. This tiny apartment in France was taken over by artist/architect Cyril Rheims along with his wife and daughter, and he brought a creative approach to the layout that allows them to live comfortably in the tiny 485 square foot apartment. The space was transformed into a functional puzzle box that bursts with vibrant accents of color via furniture, linens and various wall and floor treatments.

The loft apartment encompasses 485sf of floor space, needing every bit of it to have enough space for a growing family. The bed is set up on a raised platform that contains storage drawers underneath. The ‘bedroom’ is sectioned off by a framed opening that defines the separate spaces, but remains one open space.

Accents of color give the otherwise clean space a personal charm, and prove appropriate for an artistic family with a small child.

A multi-colored tiled patch of floor defines the kitchen and dining areas. It’s a clever trick, and breaks the space up to make it feel larger and more functional.

The structure has been painted dark to contrast the lightness of the walls and cabinetry, giving them a prominent role in the space’s hierarchy.

In case you’ve been wondering about the exposed bathroom, which looks great for exhibitionists, but not so much for normal folk who value privacy, it uses blind screens when necessary.

If you’d like to learn more about Cyril, his artwork, and interior designs, check out his website at http://www.cyrilrheims.com/

A Family Of Four Fits Comfortably In This Tiny Cabin

Apr 26, 2015

Emerging from a snow covered mountainside in Trollheimen Meldal, Norway is 118 SF of one Norwegian families home away from home. This ski cabin may be small in stature, but it is big in function, nostolgia and old-world charm. The goal was simple: built a low-maintenance structure that used only the modest footprint it needed to provide areas for sleeping, cooking, eating and grooming.

The cabin features sleeping areas for Bendik Manum and Annelise Bjerkanand and their two kids, has no electricity or running water. Low-maintenance is right!

The use of local materials such as low-travel pine for the interior and exterior finishes add to the cabin’s sense of place, and fit in with the family’s vision of crafting a design that embraces its place.

Inside the cabin you’ll find all the comforts of a traditional ski cabin, featuring exposed wood beams, insulated windows and a wood fire stove for low-energy heating. Overhead lofts double as hanging space for clothing and tools. In a space of this size, double duty functionality is essential. Storage madness! This family doesn’t need much, but they have ample space for that which they do. This wood fire stove is about as old-school as it gets. The space is simple, yet charming and elegant. The use of a single finish material gives the space a desired uniformity.photos c/o: Pasi Aalto

This Crooked House Warps The Mind With Its Crazy Facade

Apr 24, 2015

Like the twisted beauty of the Polish language, the Krzywy Domek or “Crooked House” by Szotyńscy & Zaleski elegantly distorts familiar architectural convention. The street-facing facade presents an unusual collage of undulating forms that looks like it was tailor-made for the setting of Disney’s next animated film.

The building is a popular destination on Sopot, Poland’s famed Monte Cassino Street, and contains shops, restaurants and cafés. A central gazed section is bookended by two stucco masses that would resemble traditional vernacular if they weren’t pinched and bulbed to appear more fantastical. The architects were inspired by the illustrations of Jan Marcin Szancer and Per Dahlberg in addition to legendary Spanish architect Antonio Gaudi.

At night, the structure glows like a warped jack-o-lantern. The deep-set window openings cast dramatic shadows adding to the dream-like appearance of the facade.

The inside follows suit, imitating the the same playful forms and details, seamlessly blending the conceptual force behind the design’s iconic exterior.