Wednesday, May 13, 2009

House on Swain’s Lane in London, Overlooks a Cemetery






I always knew those Brits are wicked, but not like that. Apparently on Swain’s Lane in London, there’s a glass looking house designed by London-based architects Eldridge Smerin, which has a great view, (prepare!!!) over a cemetery. Other than the fact that there are dead people in the area the four-storey house is extremely modern with large windows and doors made of glass to enhance space. Built on the footprint of the original 1970 house, it has two facadase. One is overlooking the cemetery and is mostly glazed while the other one is made of black granite, translucent glass and black steel panels, and overlooks the street. Looks extremely fancy but I’m not sure if I’d be able to live there. Would you? - via Dezeen

Los Heroes Building Gets Modern Transformation




In Santiago, Chile, the 38 years old Los Heroes Building has been renovated into a very modern office building that will turn heads when walking by. Murtinho Y Asociados Arquitectos have been in charge with the change and I must say they did a great job. They installed some fancy colorful panels that won’t only highlight the concept but also act as solar panels to trap sunlight. To prevent interior heating, the building also features some sort of UV ray filters. Overall it looks very classy and I’d be glad to have an office in that building. Would you? - via StyleCrave

Modern Woodland Villa 1 in Netherlands







Living in the woods or close to a forest may actually be a solution nowadays when air pollution levels are so high. Check out this woodland Villa 1 in the Veluwe Zoom area near Arnhem in the Netherlands, which recently won the ’best private interior’ at the Dutch Design Awards. Designed by Powerhouse Company, the house uses large glass doors and windows to allow more sunlight inside and with direct view to the original scenery also mind blowing, the large space interior is clean and simple, with modern furnishings. One other thing worth mentioning is that the designers had to meet local regulations and that’s why half of the house has been built underground. - via DailyIcon

Geddes Residence Shines in West Vancouver







We’ve been covering wooden houses before, but we have something new for you today. Designed by Nigel Parish from the Canadian Architectural Design Studio Splyce, the Geddes Residence is a beautiful shining home with an irregular shape and view to the ocean, built in West Vancouver and surrounded by a very carefully planned scenery. The Geddes Residence is special on the upper level where an outdoor room and a sundeck exist but also on the lower floor where open space is the main characteristic, with lovely large windows and doors. Looks very modern and comfortable, one of the best place for a family to move in.

Whistler Cay Residence in British Columbia







For all those that love skiing and usually do it during the winter season, the Whistler Cay Residence in British Columbia, Canada, is a great inspiration for you. Though it has a contemporary look on the outside, the guys at a|k|a architecture designed a stunning interior, modern and simple at the same time, promoting open space (it’s a trend these days). A lovely fireplace, a stylish kitchen, large windows that offer awesome views over the nearby mountain/forest, massive beautiful stairs and a very comfortable bathtub, are just a few things that will charm you at the Whistler Cay Residence. - via

The Walking House : Stupid or or Not ?



Designers from N55 in Copenhagen, Denmark come up with this idea that I think is quite stupid. The idea is called the Walking House, and they say it provides a solution to the problem of rising water levels as the house can simply walk away from floods. Now when I’ve saw that the six legs attached to the frame of this house enable it to move at a maximum speed of 60 meters per hour, I was convinced that this is a really stupid idea, and a caravan is 100 times better than the Walking House. What do you think ?

Here are a few words about this project from the designers : “WALKING HOUSE is a modular dwelling system that enables persons to live a peaceful nomadic life, moving slowly through the landscape or cityscape with minimal impact on the environment. It collects energy from its surroundings using solar cells and small windmills. There is a system for collecting rain water and a system for solar heated hot water. A small greenhouse unit can be added to the basic living module, to provide a substantial part of the food needed by the Inhabitants. A composting toilet system allows sewage produced by the inhabitants to be disposed of. A small wood burning stove could be added to provide CO2 neutral heating. WALKING HOUSE forms various sizes of communities or WALKING VILLAGES when more units are added together. WALKING HOUSE is not dependent on existing infrastructure like roads, but moves on all sorts of terrain.” - Via - Dailymail

Organic Wooden House : The Dang Residence



If the classy won’t seduce you, the modern will obviously do. I’m talking about the Dang Residence in Seattle, a two storey wooden house covered in naturally beautiful cedar, that was designed by the guys at Pb Elemental Architecture. With a 3,600 sq. ft surface, there are three bedrooms, a media room, a study room, an open space living-room and three bathrooms. Also interesting is the way they used skylights and windows to light up the whole house, the corners, the crannies or other details like art niches. Makes everything look warm and cozy, don’t you think?

Norman Residence - Another Wooden House in Seattle







First I saw the Dang Residence, and now I’m looking at the Norman Residence pictures. Both are gorgeous, both have been designed by Pb Elemental Architecture and both are in Seattle. However, Norman Residence is an exotic-looking wooden house covered not only in refined cedar but also in glass and hardipanel. Large windows that allow sunlight inside, beautiful parquet, modern furnished bathrooms and an open space living room are key elements for those that live there. However, I’m not really impressed with the kitchen. Guess it’s the wooden furnishing that’s too strong for me. All in all, the home is beautiful.

Awesome Sculptural Home in Somosaguas : Spain








Most of us, really appreciate when seeing a new design, but this awesome sculptural home in Somosaguas, Spain, is more than just a modern design and managed to get me drooling. Designed by A-cero Architects on the water’s edge, it’s a stratified building with texturized dark concrete facades, that promotes open space and will sure get you a wow when looking at the pictures. The most amazing things are the rooftop swimming pool that will get all the neighbors to die of envy and the fact that it has some breathtaking lights at night. Now that’s a place I’d love to live for the rest of my life, if I were to choose.

Corsica Street Apartment, For Rent in London







For those who’d like to visit London but don’t to be tied up with a hotel, the solution is simple. The Corsica Street Apartment, is a 1,400 sq ft recently refurbished apartment located in the Highbury area in the London Borough of Islington. Three bedrooms, modern furniture and warm colors are all part of an incredible interior that was designed by the Paxton Locher Architects, and is up for rent for £1,000 per week. Not a bargain but a beautiful home in a pretty good location in London. Would you?

The Union: Old Wreck Renovated into Modern Solar-powered Lofts



The old Union Hall of San Diego’s Textile Manufacturing Business got a new lease of life thanks to the innovative design of architect and developer Jonathan Segal. The architect decided to revamp and reuse the old structure in tatters, instead of demolishing and building a new one, which not only saved time, but also building material. His sustainable design now includes a total of 13 new residential lofts. Some of these are available at the market rate while others are affordable despite the array of ergonomic features they incorporate. The innovative homes are powered by solar power for 50% of their energy needs and also are lit up by great natural ventilation. - via JetsonGreen