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Living Room
Living Room
Exterior
Exterior
The boldly cantilevered home rises to a prow-like peak, prompting some neighbors to nickname it “the ship.” The 3,875-square-foot house sits on 3.7 newly tamed acres. “When we first saw the place, there were mounds of earth and wild vegetation everywhere,” says Fabian. “We needed a tractor to clear it away. Now we enjoy walking around outside, and our dog, Lina, loves it.” The landscaping, like many of the less technical aspects of the restoration, was done by the couple.
The boldly cantilevered home rises to a prow-like peak, prompting some neighbors to nickname it “the ship.” The 3,875-square-foot house sits on 3.7 newly tamed acres. “When we first saw the place, there were mounds of earth and wild vegetation everywhere,” says Fabian. “We needed a tractor to clear it away. Now we enjoy walking around outside, and our dog, Lina, loves it.” The landscaping, like many of the less technical aspects of the restoration, was done by the couple.
"Radical sustainability
"Radical sustainability
The wings of this cruciform residence jut out over the landscape on stilts to capture panoramic views.
The wings of this cruciform residence jut out over the landscape on stilts to capture panoramic views.
"It's not close to highways,
"It's not close to highways,
Generous storage is key to an uncluttered look. Drawers for shoes tuck away under the raised mezzanine floor.
Generous storage is key to an uncluttered look. Drawers for shoes tuck away under the raised mezzanine floor.
Floor Plan of Casa Cero by Estudio Sur Arquitectos
Floor Plan of Casa Cero by Estudio Sur Arquitectos
Architects Camilo Fuentealba and Eduardo Díaz created a split-level layout for their vertically aligned home near the Chilean resort town of Puerto Varas. Rooms branch off from a central atrium as you climb up stairs and ladders. “The idea was to replicate the way trees grow to look for light,” says Camilo.
Architects Camilo Fuentealba and Eduardo Díaz created a split-level layout for their vertically aligned home near the Chilean resort town of Puerto Varas. Rooms branch off from a central atrium as you climb up stairs and ladders. “The idea was to replicate the way trees grow to look for light,” says Camilo.
The LED lighting is encased in translucent poly-carbonate panels on top and bottom. Daylight streams through from the roof when the lights aren't on.
The LED lighting is encased in translucent poly-carbonate panels on top and bottom. Daylight streams through from the roof when the lights aren't on.
Floor Plan of Apricot Studio by Trouthouse
Floor Plan of Apricot Studio by Trouthouse
One of the biggest expenses was the Corten shrouds used around the windows. "It was the one splurge," explains Troup. "It was a necessary juxtaposition of a new material that seems old next to an old material that feels new."
One of the biggest expenses was the Corten shrouds used around the windows. "It was the one splurge," explains Troup. "It was a necessary juxtaposition of a new material that seems old next to an old material that feels new."
Venetian curtains were a Facebook Marketplace purchase for $13 USD each.
Venetian curtains were a Facebook Marketplace purchase for $13 USD each.
A small kitchenette comes complete with a cook top and oven. White oak wood flooring is used throughout, as a standard feature.
A small kitchenette comes complete with a cook top and oven. White oak wood flooring is used throughout, as a standard feature.
An expansive picture window frames views of the natural landscape in the bedroom area, where the headboard doubles as a bar for the dining space.
An expansive picture window frames views of the natural landscape in the bedroom area, where the headboard doubles as a bar for the dining space.
The main house consists of two “branches” stacked at a right angle.
The main house consists of two “branches” stacked at a right angle.
The designers affixed small reading lights on each side of the headboard in the bedroom area to facilitate nighttime reading.
The designers affixed small reading lights on each side of the headboard in the bedroom area to facilitate nighttime reading.
They essentially pulled nature over the top of the structure like a blanket. The inside curve of the structure became a round, planted patio, with the front door tucked to the side. And the landscaping extended up and over the sloping southern side of the structure to turn the whole home into a kind of hill. There’s a walkway up the side of the house, to a patio on the roof of the house, with expansive views out across the flat Pampas grasslands.
They essentially pulled nature over the top of the structure like a blanket. The inside curve of the structure became a round, planted patio, with the front door tucked to the side. And the landscaping extended up and over the sloping southern side of the structure to turn the whole home into a kind of hill. There’s a walkway up the side of the house, to a patio on the roof of the house, with expansive views out across the flat Pampas grasslands.
Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP used 87 translucent bricks to reframe a family’s connection to nature and the city.
Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP used 87 translucent bricks to reframe a family’s connection to nature and the city.
"The effect of the plantings on the terrace is enormous,” reflects the couple. “Not only do the branches and formations give a sense of the four seasons, but the way it looks from the living room contributes to a sense of calmness. It gives the illusion that we are viewing art."
"The effect of the plantings on the terrace is enormous,” reflects the couple. “Not only do the branches and formations give a sense of the four seasons, but the way it looks from the living room contributes to a sense of calmness. It gives the illusion that we are viewing art."
Almo Troup repurposed nearly all of the materials from a tumbledown shack to create a dreamy, minimalist workspace in his backyard.
Almo Troup repurposed nearly all of the materials from a tumbledown shack to create a dreamy, minimalist workspace in his backyard.
A 100-year-old oak shades the front of the house, which is clad in weathering yellow cedar.
A 100-year-old oak shades the front of the house, which is clad in weathering yellow cedar.
Walnut and Formica cabinetry, Neolith basalt counters, and concrete floors make up the kitchen’s minimal palette; a large clerestory ushers in natural light.
Walnut and Formica cabinetry, Neolith basalt counters, and concrete floors make up the kitchen’s minimal palette; a large clerestory ushers in natural light.
Recently retired and ready to downsize, Paul and Melonie Brophy found a lot in Palo Alto that gave them the chance to start fresh. Their glass, concrete, and wood house, designed by Feldman Architecture, seems to float above a landscape by Bernard Trainor. Of the board-formed concrete wall, architect Taisuke Ikegami says, "It connects the building to the ground plane while allowing the house to be a landscape element."
Recently retired and ready to downsize, Paul and Melonie Brophy found a lot in Palo Alto that gave them the chance to start fresh. Their glass, concrete, and wood house, designed by Feldman Architecture, seems to float above a landscape by Bernard Trainor. Of the board-formed concrete wall, architect Taisuke Ikegami says, "It connects the building to the ground plane while allowing the house to be a landscape element."
The neutral-toned kitchen is cleanly designed and has a light visual impact.
The neutral-toned kitchen is cleanly designed and has a light visual impact.
Architect Paul R. Williams sitting across the table from a client in 1952. Photo by Julius Shulman, courtesy of © J. Paul Getty Trust, Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles.
Architect Paul R. Williams sitting across the table from a client in 1952. Photo by Julius Shulman, courtesy of © J. Paul Getty Trust, Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles.
A bench seat in the hallway overlooks the central courtyard, emphasising the indoor/outdoor connection.
A bench seat in the hallway overlooks the central courtyard, emphasising the indoor/outdoor connection.
In the La Astróloga suite, black accents reference the natural beauty of Lanzarote’s volcanic region.
In the La Astróloga suite, black accents reference the natural beauty of Lanzarote’s volcanic region.
While restoring Hektor, the couple realized how important shade from the sun and protection from the wind would be for daily life on Lanzarote.
While restoring Hektor, the couple realized how important shade from the sun and protection from the wind would be for daily life on Lanzarote.
Plaster and wood give the loft texture at every turn.
Plaster and wood give the loft texture at every turn.
Linden found the 4x4’ Italian-designed dining table on First Dibs. “It’s slightly too small to be a proper family dining table, it’s too big for a desk, but it works perfectly here… it’s the right ambiguity for an ambiguous space,” says Galán.
Linden found the 4x4’ Italian-designed dining table on First Dibs. “It’s slightly too small to be a proper family dining table, it’s too big for a desk, but it works perfectly here… it’s the right ambiguity for an ambiguous space,” says Galán.

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