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1. Contrast House

Architect: DUBBELDAM Architecture + Design, Location: Toronto, Canada

From the architect: "Employing the use of contrast in a historic neighborhood and as a means to amplify natural light, the design juxtaposes opposing elements to explore the relationship between light and dark, old and new. The primary design challenge was to increase natural light in the space, accomplished through both physical and perceptual means. Contrasting elements are placed in proximity to visually intensify the natural light spilling down from the large openings above. The monochromatic palette highlights the house’s architectural forms, and is animated by the family’s collection of colorful objects, furniture, art, books, and toys, as well as the original stained glass window and views to the outdoors."

2. Pole Pass Retreat

Architect: Olson Kundig, Location: Orcas Island, Washington

From the architect: "Nestled into a dense, wooded shoreline site, this intimate retreat serves as a gathering space for friends and family throughout the year, but takes particular advantage of the temperate Pacific Northwest summers. Located near the main house on a site accessed by boat, Pole Pass is situated to hug the dense woods while directing views out over the meadow and nearby harbor to the Salish Sea."

3. Sterling Ridge

Architect: MNA Architecture, Location: Harrison, New York

From the architect: "Dark, formal spaces, and quirky additions combined to make this 1920’s stone house feel much smaller than its footprint would appear. The new owners, a young couple with two young children, were making the move from a TriBeCa loft and wanted to maintain the sense of openness and abundant natural light they were used to. Their challenge to us for this whole-house renovation and addition was to rethink the interior in a way that would be a refreshing surprise; to make it function for a modern family and provide an edgy contrast to the more formal exterior."

4. Chelsea Pied-à-Terre

Architect: STADT Architecture, Location: New York, New York

From the architect: "The Chelsea Pied-à-Terre Apartment is an East Coast home for a professional couple who permanently reside in Vancouver, British Columbia. Prior to the renovation, the post-war layout had a cramped enclosed kitchen isolated from the windowed living area. To address our client’s desire to have a robust working kitchen, we enlarged, opened, and reoriented the kitchen’s footprint to take advantage of the living room’s daylight. New pale oak herringbone and terrazzo large format tile floors define the living and kitchen/bathroom areas respectively."

5. Portage Bay

Architect: Heliotrope Architects, Location: Seattle, Washington

From the architect: "Tucked into a small city lot along the water’s edge, the house was designed to live like a studio loft for a bachelor who values privacy, a central location to reside in the city, and a convenient spot to park the float plane. Hidden from the street, the building is a protective shell of zinc and aluminum—a refined version of the maritime industrial sheds found throughout the waterfronts of Seattle. Living, cooking, and sleeping all occur in one volume distributed over two-floor levels, sized and shaped to envelope the occupant in a protective refuge."

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Portage Bay Residence