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When architect Nick Martin was hired to rework an art curator’s Hamptons property into a Zen-like getaway from the big city, he took an appropriately holistic view. It’s the beach house that’s got it all: green technology; passive solar design; rich materials; an expansive feeling, despite a petite half-acre corner lot; and a design concept that references its humble beginnings as an off-the-rack kit house.
When architect Nick Martin was hired to rework an art curator’s Hamptons property into a Zen-like getaway from the big city, he took an appropriately holistic view. It’s the beach house that’s got it all: green technology; passive solar design; rich materials; an expansive feeling, despite a petite half-acre corner lot; and a design concept that references its humble beginnings as an off-the-rack kit house.
Entry Approach
Entry Approach
Here's a view of the island, snapped from Sticotti's ferry on approach.
Here's a view of the island, snapped from Sticotti's ferry on approach.
The outside steps of the Zulaikha–Laurence house in Sydney’s suburb of Balmain Point present an effective transition from the solid rock underfoot to the delicate structure of the house beyond. This approach helps to define the singular space of the residence.
The outside steps of the Zulaikha–Laurence house in Sydney’s suburb of Balmain Point present an effective transition from the solid rock underfoot to the delicate structure of the house beyond. This approach helps to define the singular space of the residence.
Approaching the Design Museum one see's Frank Gehry's 1989 building in all its deconstructivist splendor.
Approaching the Design Museum one see's Frank Gehry's 1989 building in all its deconstructivist splendor.
Bil’ak takes a meticulous approach to Arabic type design, although he is unaware of the words’ meaning.
Bil’ak takes a meticulous approach to Arabic type design, although he is unaware of the words’ meaning.
The minimalist design approach allows the materials to take center stage.
The minimalist design approach allows the materials to take center stage.
Throughout, Gachot Studios aimed for a homey, simple approach to design.
Throughout, Gachot Studios aimed for a homey, simple approach to design.
The home is approached from the south with views of Hood Canal below.
The home is approached from the south with views of Hood Canal below.
The approach to the home is defined by a concrete wall and a gravel path.
The approach to the home is defined by a concrete wall and a gravel path.
Featured in Dwell's Young Guns lineup for 2013 were the duo behind 45 Kilo. The pair had recently relocated fulltime to Berlin after a stint at the Bauhaus school in Weimar, where they learned a rational, unfussy approach to furniture design.
Featured in Dwell's Young Guns lineup for 2013 were the duo behind 45 Kilo. The pair had recently relocated fulltime to Berlin after a stint at the Bauhaus school in Weimar, where they learned a rational, unfussy approach to furniture design.
The frontal approach alludes to a deeply linear layout, while the structural steel beams
The frontal approach alludes to a deeply linear layout, while the structural steel beams
Upon approach, the home appears as a simple horizontal massing, accented by the textural play of crafted brickwork.
Upon approach, the home appears as a simple horizontal massing, accented by the textural play of crafted brickwork.
The legs of the sculptural TAB table are five, each unique, challenging the rationality and stability of their function.
The legs of the sculptural TAB table are five, each unique, challenging the rationality and stability of their function.
The legs of the sculptural TAB table are five, each unique, challenging the rationality and stability of their function.
The legs of the sculptural TAB table are five, each unique, challenging the rationality and stability of their function.
The legs of the sculptural TAB table are five, each unique, challenging the rationality and stability of their function.
The legs of the sculptural TAB table are five, each unique, challenging the rationality and stability of their function.
On approach to the guesthouse, the family keeps an edible garden in concrete planters by the property’s landscape designer, Cielo Sichi of Landfour.
On approach to the guesthouse, the family keeps an edible garden in concrete planters by the property’s landscape designer, Cielo Sichi of Landfour.
The limited space means that every purchase has to be a rational one. So each sock, shirt, and shoe has to have a place, otherwise something else has to make way for it. Not ideal for those who enjoy Sunday-morning flea markets, but it certainly enforces a high degree of tidiness.
The limited space means that every purchase has to be a rational one. So each sock, shirt, and shoe has to have a place, otherwise something else has to make way for it. Not ideal for those who enjoy Sunday-morning flea markets, but it certainly enforces a high degree of tidiness.
Repetitive patterns create a soothing sensation, with staircases, rails, and wall panels mimicking elements of the courtyard. This architectural approach is also echoed in the furniture pieces.
Repetitive patterns create a soothing sensation, with staircases, rails, and wall panels mimicking elements of the courtyard. This architectural approach is also echoed in the furniture pieces.
The open living/dining area gives a good impression of Tas’s catholic approach to decorating, which includes mixing Panton chairs with antiques and homemade pieces.
The open living/dining area gives a good impression of Tas’s catholic approach to decorating, which includes mixing Panton chairs with antiques and homemade pieces.
As you approach the Hilltop House from the covered breezeway that adjoins the garage, it is possible to see through the carefully placed windows to the greenery on the home’s other side.
As you approach the Hilltop House from the covered breezeway that adjoins the garage, it is possible to see through the carefully placed windows to the greenery on the home’s other side.
Hatchet Design Build took a contemporary approach with this kitchen while still drawing from the a traditional palette. The grain-matched walnut cabinets echo the walnut pocket doors elsewhere.
Hatchet Design Build took a contemporary approach with this kitchen while still drawing from the a traditional palette. The grain-matched walnut cabinets echo the walnut pocket doors elsewhere.
The house sits on a steep site and was positioned below a sandstone crop so as to be concealed from the street. The approach to the house is via a suspended concrete staircase.
The house sits on a steep site and was positioned below a sandstone crop so as to be concealed from the street. The approach to the house is via a suspended concrete staircase.
Philip Johnson's Glass House is in fact one building out of 14 that sit on the 49-acre property, each with their own approach to structure, geometry, siting, and proportion.
Philip Johnson's Glass House is in fact one building out of 14 that sit on the 49-acre property, each with their own approach to structure, geometry, siting, and proportion.
The lattice-like bookcase separating the living room and family room is part of a design approach that Cristián says “blurs the line between building and furniture.” The walls and floors are concrete in all of the units.
The lattice-like bookcase separating the living room and family room is part of a design approach that Cristián says “blurs the line between building and furniture.” The walls and floors are concrete in all of the units.
Approached from the driveway, the home is accessed along a stone path that turns into a series of wide, wooden steps. The home's angular roofline is a dramatic form against the natural backdrop, but the wood cladding connects it to the site.
Approached from the driveway, the home is accessed along a stone path that turns into a series of wide, wooden steps. The home's angular roofline is a dramatic form against the natural backdrop, but the wood cladding connects it to the site.
The sod roof is angled to create a sweeping elevation on approach and is planted with grass tussocks cut from the hillside during construction. “The tussocks camouflage the house, melting it into the landscape,” explains architect Kate Brown.
The sod roof is angled to create a sweeping elevation on approach and is planted with grass tussocks cut from the hillside during construction. “The tussocks camouflage the house, melting it into the landscape,” explains architect Kate Brown.
"Each project is unique and requires a customized design, communication, and implementation strategy with an integrated design process and approach by a team tailor, the necessary specialists are recruited internally or externally," says sculp(it) of Antwerp, Belgium.
"Each project is unique and requires a customized design, communication, and implementation strategy with an integrated design process and approach by a team tailor, the necessary specialists are recruited internally or externally," says sculp(it) of Antwerp, Belgium.
Lauren and Brittan Ellingson, the owners of Notice Snowboards, a custom snowboard and wakesurf company in Whitefish, Montana, approached Workaday Design and builder Mindful Designs to concoct a new lake home for their family. The brief was, perhaps unsurprisingly, focused on getting the family outdoors as much as possible.
Lauren and Brittan Ellingson, the owners of Notice Snowboards, a custom snowboard and wakesurf company in Whitefish, Montana, approached Workaday Design and builder Mindful Designs to concoct a new lake home for their family. The brief was, perhaps unsurprisingly, focused on getting the family outdoors as much as possible.
Every store—–even for the same brand—–requires a unique approach. The Los Angeles Bape store has been designed to be spotted from the car.
Every store—–even for the same brand—–requires a unique approach. The Los Angeles Bape store has been designed to be spotted from the car.
“Genius loci is one of our approaches to sustainability,” says architect Benjamin Iborra Wicksteed. As a result of this approach, materials were sourced hyper locally—such as stones from the River Ter.
“Genius loci is one of our approaches to sustainability,” says architect Benjamin Iborra Wicksteed. As a result of this approach, materials were sourced hyper locally—such as stones from the River Ter.
From the street the house looks like a black monolith, minimal and rational
From the street the house looks like a black monolith, minimal and rational
The kitchen cabinets where the Scommegnas store their dishes are open, creating what Vetter calls a “nonfussy, more direct approach to the storage of your daily items.” Scommegna allows that a pair of doors easily could have been added without much trouble. “But then you’ve got to open it every time you need something,” he says. “It’s just dumb. What are you hiding? They’re just plates.”
The kitchen cabinets where the Scommegnas store their dishes are open, creating what Vetter calls a “nonfussy, more direct approach to the storage of your daily items.” Scommegna allows that a pair of doors easily could have been added without much trouble. “But then you’ve got to open it every time you need something,” he says. “It’s just dumb. What are you hiding? They’re just plates.”
Entry Driveway Approach
Entry Driveway Approach
P.224-225
P.224-225
North approach to house
North approach to house

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