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This wooden deck at the back of the house, facing the Pacific Ocean, is a perfect spot for sunset aperitifs.
This wooden deck at the back of the house, facing the Pacific Ocean, is a perfect spot for sunset aperitifs.
The open kitchen is the home’s heart—and its literal center, designed so the couple can host casual gatherings with friends and family. Iragüen Viñuela chose light gray granite countertops, and matching engineered wood cabinets.
The open kitchen is the home’s heart—and its literal center, designed so the couple can host casual gatherings with friends and family. Iragüen Viñuela chose light gray granite countertops, and matching engineered wood cabinets.
The central nave of the house is flanked by floor-to-ceiling windows, with ocean views to the west, and forest views to the east.
The central nave of the house is flanked by floor-to-ceiling windows, with ocean views to the west, and forest views to the east.
To avoid interfering too much with the sloping site, the architects raised the 2,000-square-foot home on low stilts placed in diagonal patterns. All of the timber was prefabricated to the architects’ specification by a specialized vendor and shipped ready for assembly.
To avoid interfering too much with the sloping site, the architects raised the 2,000-square-foot home on low stilts placed in diagonal patterns. All of the timber was prefabricated to the architects’ specification by a specialized vendor and shipped ready for assembly.
The apartment in the heart of São Paulo, Brazil, that FJ55 Arquitetos renovated for Carolina Quevedo and Marcus Watari was once a podcast studio. The space’s wide-open kitchen, dining, and living area is outfitted with tauari wood floors and features raw concrete ceilings, beams, and pillars.
The apartment in the heart of São Paulo, Brazil, that FJ55 Arquitetos renovated for Carolina Quevedo and Marcus Watari was once a podcast studio. The space’s wide-open kitchen, dining, and living area is outfitted with tauari wood floors and features raw concrete ceilings, beams, and pillars.
Raise the Roof Using a commercial roof in a residential project was a first for architect Michael Epstein. While similar systems are often covered, Epstein chose this long-span roof deck from Epic Metals for its beam-like interior face, which hides fastenings in its deep grooves, creating a flat-panel appearance.
Raise the Roof Using a commercial roof in a residential project was a first for architect Michael Epstein. While similar systems are often covered, Epstein chose this long-span roof deck from Epic Metals for its beam-like interior face, which hides fastenings in its deep grooves, creating a flat-panel appearance.
Benjamin Moore’s Tomato Red provides “punctuation” to the exterior. “That was the cheapest way to have that hot spark of color,” Pirman explains.
Benjamin Moore’s Tomato Red provides “punctuation” to the exterior. “That was the cheapest way to have that hot spark of color,” Pirman explains.
Florida couple John Pirman and Steve Tetreault built a new house inspired by the Sarasota School. Today’s FEMA codes required a plinth to lift the house five-and-a-half feet above grade and a roof that can withstand hurricane wind loads, making it a challenge to re-create the lightness of midcentury design, Pirman says.
Florida couple John Pirman and Steve Tetreault built a new house inspired by the Sarasota School. Today’s FEMA codes required a plinth to lift the house five-and-a-half feet above grade and a roof that can withstand hurricane wind loads, making it a challenge to re-create the lightness of midcentury design, Pirman says.
Shigeru Ban, Cardboard Cathedral A testament to the strength, skill, and poignancy of the Pritzker winner’s “emergency architecture,” this A-frame marvel of cardboard tubing and shipping containers served as a potent symbol for Christchurch’s recovery after an earthquake. In another symbolic touch, the stained glass triangle at the front of the church incorporates imagery from the former cathedral’s famous rose window.
Shigeru Ban, Cardboard Cathedral A testament to the strength, skill, and poignancy of the Pritzker winner’s “emergency architecture,” this A-frame marvel of cardboard tubing and shipping containers served as a potent symbol for Christchurch’s recovery after an earthquake. In another symbolic touch, the stained glass triangle at the front of the church incorporates imagery from the former cathedral’s famous rose window.
Italian design firm Archisbang transformed an unfinished family villa—acquired through a bankruptcy auction—into additional office space for a company called Chemsafe. The volume is wrapped in a metal mesh and the walls are clad in exposed wood fiber and concrete insulating panels and galvanized metal sheets, creating a striking contrast between precise detailing and raw materiality.
Italian design firm Archisbang transformed an unfinished family villa—acquired through a bankruptcy auction—into additional office space for a company called Chemsafe. The volume is wrapped in a metal mesh and the walls are clad in exposed wood fiber and concrete insulating panels and galvanized metal sheets, creating a striking contrast between precise detailing and raw materiality.
Giovanna de Uzin Fontecha relaxes in the master bedroom on a Leaf chaise by Claesson-Koivisto-Rune for Living Divani.
Giovanna de Uzin Fontecha relaxes in the master bedroom on a Leaf chaise by Claesson-Koivisto-Rune for Living Divani.
On the living room ceiling a Sivra fixture by iGuzzini modulates its output based on the amount of available daylight. The sofa is Wall by Piero Lissoni for Living Divani.
On the living room ceiling a Sivra fixture by iGuzzini modulates its output based on the amount of available daylight. The sofa is Wall by Piero Lissoni for Living Divani.
Joan’s main request, aside from a single-level residence, was that she would feel like she was “outside in and inside out” at all times. A sliding glass wall system along the back of the house lets her and Ken open their dining room up to the surrounding forest.
Joan’s main request, aside from a single-level residence, was that she would feel like she was “outside in and inside out” at all times. A sliding glass wall system along the back of the house lets her and Ken open their dining room up to the surrounding forest.
Isaza-Smith suggested painting the pressed metal detail in the rafters in order to better showcase the century-old hoop pine beams. The pendant light is a custom design by Lana Launay, while the shelving is a simple IKEA bookcase hack.
Isaza-Smith suggested painting the pressed metal detail in the rafters in order to better showcase the century-old hoop pine beams. The pendant light is a custom design by Lana Launay, while the shelving is a simple IKEA bookcase hack.
A freestanding tub is now the star of the bathroom. The shower curtain rail above was custom made for the room.
A freestanding tub is now the star of the bathroom. The shower curtain rail above was custom made for the room.
The couple removed a nib wall to open up the kitchen and dining area and improve the home's sense of flow.
The couple removed a nib wall to open up the kitchen and dining area and improve the home's sense of flow.
In the kitchen, recycled PET cabinetry from IKEA and Corian countertops play to the upcycling element of LOT-EK's ethos. A Swell Wide pendant by Pablo Pardo illuminates a custom dining table by From the Source and the surrounding Redsmith dining chairs from Anthropologie.
In the kitchen, recycled PET cabinetry from IKEA and Corian countertops play to the upcycling element of LOT-EK's ethos. A Swell Wide pendant by Pablo Pardo illuminates a custom dining table by From the Source and the surrounding Redsmith dining chairs from Anthropologie.
Although the width of the stairway walls didn't change, new wood treads and a wider extension at the bottom of the space help make it feel both brighter and less confining.
Although the width of the stairway walls didn't change, new wood treads and a wider extension at the bottom of the space help make it feel both brighter and less confining.
Architect Allison Bryan and her firm, Open Studio Collective, took inspiration from a curved bathroom vanity to create a curved counter extension in the kitchen.
Architect Allison Bryan and her firm, Open Studio Collective, took inspiration from a curved bathroom vanity to create a curved counter extension in the kitchen.
“I splurged on the deck in the back, but that made the biggest difference and is seen from all parts of the home,” says Leah. The deck running from the living room to the pool “creates the most amazing outdoor hosting space,” she shares.
“I splurged on the deck in the back, but that made the biggest difference and is seen from all parts of the home,” says Leah. The deck running from the living room to the pool “creates the most amazing outdoor hosting space,” she shares.
The primary bedroom features a built-in walnut bed handcrafted by Kyle (Stille Home).
The primary bedroom features a built-in walnut bed handcrafted by Kyle (Stille Home).
The guest bathroom—one of Leah’s favorite rooms—features a custom walnut vanity, and cement “Bateau Everglade” tile from Zia Tile. “I was a little nervous to go with such a bold patterned tile, but I couldn't be more obsessed with how it turned out,” she says.
The guest bathroom—one of Leah’s favorite rooms—features a custom walnut vanity, and cement “Bateau Everglade” tile from Zia Tile. “I was a little nervous to go with such a bold patterned tile, but I couldn't be more obsessed with how it turned out,” she says.
“We tried to make the indoor space feel so much a part of that beautiful yard, so every room has beautiful picture windows highlighting the landscape and views,” says Leah.
“We tried to make the indoor space feel so much a part of that beautiful yard, so every room has beautiful picture windows highlighting the landscape and views,” says Leah.

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