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Surrounding a volcano in Colima, México, Di Frenna Arquitectos designed a home that plays off the natural setting with a variety of textures from the facade to the vegetation.
Surrounding a volcano in Colima, México, Di Frenna Arquitectos designed a home that plays off the natural setting with a variety of textures from the facade to the vegetation.
One North Face tent sits atop a deck; another caps the main building, which contains a kitchen and dining area.
One North Face tent sits atop a deck; another caps the main building, which contains a kitchen and dining area.
This São Paulo jungle oasis by Studio MK27 was chosen for the completed residential category.
This São Paulo jungle oasis by Studio MK27 was chosen for the completed residential category.
TEN Arquitectos's Mercedes House development in midtown Manhattan is a luxurious rental complex that towers above the Hudson River.
TEN Arquitectos's Mercedes House development in midtown Manhattan is a luxurious rental complex that towers above the Hudson River.
Buckminster Fuller Dymaxion House
Buckminster Fuller Dymaxion House
Buckminster Fuller, Fly Eye Dome
Buckminster Fuller, Fly Eye Dome
Atelier Areti's sculptural grid-like Squares floor/wall lamp is designed to lean against the wall, but can also be attached to the wall or suspended from the ceiling.
Atelier Areti's sculptural grid-like Squares floor/wall lamp is designed to lean against the wall, but can also be attached to the wall or suspended from the ceiling.
House of Marley’s new Get Up Stand Up audio system is made from FSC-certified birch wood and recycled plastic; it is iPhone and iPad compatible with an auxiliary input to connect other devices. $349
House of Marley’s new Get Up Stand Up audio system is made from FSC-certified birch wood and recycled plastic; it is iPhone and iPad compatible with an auxiliary input to connect other devices. $349
A defining green feature is the on-site stormwater infiltration system. The architect explains, “To comply with local regulations protecting the creek and beach, the house has an infiltration system that collects all the water from the roofs in the two large concrete rain-gardens, the stormwater is then filtered before soaking into the sandy soil.” The gutters channel rainwater from the roof down to an underground system.
A defining green feature is the on-site stormwater infiltration system. The architect explains, “To comply with local regulations protecting the creek and beach, the house has an infiltration system that collects all the water from the roofs in the two large concrete rain-gardens, the stormwater is then filtered before soaking into the sandy soil.” The gutters channel rainwater from the roof down to an underground system.
Morrison was awarded a contract to redesign the tram system for Hannover, a half-billion Deutschemark project, and not only did he succeed, but the industrial designer won awards for his new transport system.
Morrison was awarded a contract to redesign the tram system for Hannover, a half-billion Deutschemark project, and not only did he succeed, but the industrial designer won awards for his new transport system.
A polychrome facade made of salvaged, 100-year-old barnwood gives this small, lofted cottage space its unique character. Its copper roof is also reclaimed, a lucky Craigslist find from a local remodel. Though the structure has a footprint of just 11' x 14', it provides a useful space to entertain, catch up on work, or relax.
A polychrome facade made of salvaged, 100-year-old barnwood gives this small, lofted cottage space its unique character. Its copper roof is also reclaimed, a lucky Craigslist find from a local remodel. Though the structure has a footprint of just 11' x 14', it provides a useful space to entertain, catch up on work, or relax.
The original home measured in at 1,040 square feet. "It was a teeny tiny house," Willmer says. Perhaps not "teeny tiny" for a pair of adults but Katie and John had just had their second child when they first met Willmer. "The renovation was about starting a family, deciding to stay in the city, and needing to make a real nest and commitment to being there," Willmer says.
The original home measured in at 1,040 square feet. "It was a teeny tiny house," Willmer says. Perhaps not "teeny tiny" for a pair of adults but Katie and John had just had their second child when they first met Willmer. "The renovation was about starting a family, deciding to stay in the city, and needing to make a real nest and commitment to being there," Willmer says.
Masahiro and Mao Harada of Mount Fuji Architects Studio wanted to break with the traditional definition of a house when they designed this small Tokyo home. They achieved their goal by using the same material for the ceiling, the walls, and the floor, creating a space that flows beautifully. Photo by Ryota Atarashi.
Masahiro and Mao Harada of Mount Fuji Architects Studio wanted to break with the traditional definition of a house when they designed this small Tokyo home. They achieved their goal by using the same material for the ceiling, the walls, and the floor, creating a space that flows beautifully. Photo by Ryota Atarashi.
“I think [containers] are great building components, if like all building components, they are used in a manner that uses their inherent efficiencies and attributes,” Alexander said.
“I think [containers] are great building components, if like all building components, they are used in a manner that uses their inherent efficiencies and attributes,” Alexander said.
The home was built by two construction workers and the couple themselves, who were familiarized with the construction process and had backgrounds in industrial engineering. “We did not have blueprints for this design, and created only a 3-D model to guile them along the way,” Saxe says.
The home was built by two construction workers and the couple themselves, who were familiarized with the construction process and had backgrounds in industrial engineering. “We did not have blueprints for this design, and created only a 3-D model to guile them along the way,” Saxe says.
The galley kitchen, which includes a washer/dryer combo, separates the living room and bedroom.
The galley kitchen, which includes a washer/dryer combo, separates the living room and bedroom.
Jack A. Weil, who, at 105 years old, has manned the counter at Rockmount Ranch Wear since opening the business in 1946.
Jack A. Weil, who, at 105 years old, has manned the counter at Rockmount Ranch Wear since opening the business in 1946.
A double bowl sink is also quite self-explanatory, created either out of one large sink with a divider or from two distinct bowls framed into a single sink.
A double bowl sink is also quite self-explanatory, created either out of one large sink with a divider or from two distinct bowls framed into a single sink.
This is John Lautner's Sheats House from 1963.
This is John Lautner's Sheats House from 1963.
Owner Stacey Hill was instantly drawn to this shipping container’s existing blue color and chose to leave it unchanged. Architect Jim Poteet added floor-to-ceiling sliding doors to allow light in, as well as a cantilevered overhang to shade a window on the left side, which houses a small garden storage area.
Owner Stacey Hill was instantly drawn to this shipping container’s existing blue color and chose to leave it unchanged. Architect Jim Poteet added floor-to-ceiling sliding doors to allow light in, as well as a cantilevered overhang to shade a window on the left side, which houses a small garden storage area.
Color Me Rad To give the exterior of your home a chic, contemporary veneer without splurging on expensive cladding, use a bold accent color.
Color Me Rad To give the exterior of your home a chic, contemporary veneer without splurging on expensive cladding, use a bold accent color.
Just adjacent to the house is Whitlock's small shed which houses many of the tools that he used to build the home.
Just adjacent to the house is Whitlock's small shed which houses many of the tools that he used to build the home.
The home’s lower level serves as a garage, allowing direct access to the house.
The home’s lower level serves as a garage, allowing direct access to the house.
The German Pavilion at the Barcelona Expo 1929 by Mies Van der Rohe is one of the most important buildings in the flowering of modernism.
The German Pavilion at the Barcelona Expo 1929 by Mies Van der Rohe is one of the most important buildings in the flowering of modernism.
This might be my favorite of the circular belt buckles. My isn't that craft yar!
This might be my favorite of the circular belt buckles. My isn't that craft yar!
The home’s living room can be kept open to the elements, or sectioned off with sliding glass walls. A natural concrete slab acts as an exterior barrier, and freijó wood and track lighting define the interior space. C10 sofa by Marcus Ferreira and vintage Poltrona Molé chair by Sergio Rodrigues provide casual seating. Across the partition wall, a Jader Almeida table anchors the dining room.
The home’s living room can be kept open to the elements, or sectioned off with sliding glass walls. A natural concrete slab acts as an exterior barrier, and freijó wood and track lighting define the interior space. C10 sofa by Marcus Ferreira and vintage Poltrona Molé chair by Sergio Rodrigues provide casual seating. Across the partition wall, a Jader Almeida table anchors the dining room.
Because of its semi-opaque envelope, the building takes on a life of its own: It glows in the evenings and its framing casts shadows that dance throughout the interior during the day.
Because of its semi-opaque envelope, the building takes on a life of its own: It glows in the evenings and its framing casts shadows that dance throughout the interior during the day.
Hollis designed the custom outdoor bed, which is suspended by ropes. "We hope that visitors come away relaxed and refreshed and have the feeling they had the one-of-kind experience of the valley," she says.
Hollis designed the custom outdoor bed, which is suspended by ropes. "We hope that visitors come away relaxed and refreshed and have the feeling they had the one-of-kind experience of the valley," she says.
Mikulionis custom designed the white steel staircase that leads from the living area up to the bedroom platform.
Mikulionis custom designed the white steel staircase that leads from the living area up to the bedroom platform.
A rear view of the garage and the deck off the master bedroom.
A rear view of the garage and the deck off the master bedroom.
To allude to the nearby ocean, the architects designed a seaweed patterned for the interior of the garage door (seen here raised). It successfully reads like a leather padded wall and makes “the cube” feel that much more customized.
To allude to the nearby ocean, the architects designed a seaweed patterned for the interior of the garage door (seen here raised). It successfully reads like a leather padded wall and makes “the cube” feel that much more customized.

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