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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.
In the main bedroom, the beds are built in, the walls are concrete, the ceiling fan is by Westinghouse, and the pendant light was fashioned from an extension cord.
In the main bedroom, the beds are built in, the walls are concrete, the ceiling fan is by Westinghouse, and the pendant light was fashioned from an extension cord.
When Barbara Hill purchased a 1960s Houston condo she completely stripped its interior, seeking a minimal restart. When the apartment was down to its original mottled concrete walls and floors Hill decided to keep everything exactly the way it was. “Once I saw the exposed space, I couldn’t bear to put anything back," she says.
When Barbara Hill purchased a 1960s Houston condo she completely stripped its interior, seeking a minimal restart. When the apartment was down to its original mottled concrete walls and floors Hill decided to keep everything exactly the way it was. “Once I saw the exposed space, I couldn’t bear to put anything back," she says.
The office includes the Living Tower designed by Verner Panton for Vitra.
The office includes the Living Tower designed by Verner Panton for Vitra.
Cho relaxes in the first-floor living room, where paintings by up-and-coming Germany-based Chinese artist Ruo Bing Chen play off a sofa and coffee table designed by the architect himself.
Cho relaxes in the first-floor living room, where paintings by up-and-coming Germany-based Chinese artist Ruo Bing Chen play off a sofa and coffee table designed by the architect himself.
The exposed concrete in the living room of a Sea Ranch, California home brings out the warmth of the plywood ceilings and Douglas fir built-ins.
The exposed concrete in the living room of a Sea Ranch, California home brings out the warmth of the plywood ceilings and Douglas fir built-ins.
Shibata made the 10-person dining table using $130 sawhorse legs from Maruki Wood Products Company topped with a sheet of birch plywood. A hole in the sliding wall fits over the table, enabling it to be used in both the library and the meeting room. malki.jp A movable wall clad in wainscoting on one side slides along tracks in the dining-room ceiling, dividing the room into a meeting space and a library. The Shiro Simple Modern Pendant lights can be easily removed and reattached after moving the wall. vanilladesign.jp
Shibata made the 10-person dining table using $130 sawhorse legs from Maruki Wood Products Company topped with a sheet of birch plywood. A hole in the sliding wall fits over the table, enabling it to be used in both the library and the meeting room. malki.jp A movable wall clad in wainscoting on one side slides along tracks in the dining-room ceiling, dividing the room into a meeting space and a library. The Shiro Simple Modern Pendant lights can be easily removed and reattached after moving the wall. vanilladesign.jp
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.
The ceilings of the two houses were at slightly different heights, an incongruity Nakasi played up for visual punch. He exposed the beams in the higher ceiling and painted them white to match the smooth finish of the lower one. The desk beneath the window is from Muji.
The ceilings of the two houses were at slightly different heights, an incongruity Nakasi played up for visual punch. He exposed the beams in the higher ceiling and painted them white to match the smooth finish of the lower one. The desk beneath the window is from Muji.
The compound at dusk.
The compound at dusk.
Three-year-old Ran Sugiura peers out the front door of her Tokyo home, a concept-driven yet surprisingly livable piece of architecture that her parents describe as uniquely well suited to the family’s flexible “futon lifestyle."
Three-year-old Ran Sugiura peers out the front door of her Tokyo home, a concept-driven yet surprisingly livable piece of architecture that her parents describe as uniquely well suited to the family’s flexible “futon lifestyle."
Tamotsu Nakada enlisted his friend, architect Koji Tsutsui to design his 793-square-foot home on an equally tiny lot. By chopping the downslope of the roof diagonally, Tsutsui made the interior of the so-called Bent House feel more expansive, and allowed sunlight to stream inside.
Tamotsu Nakada enlisted his friend, architect Koji Tsutsui to design his 793-square-foot home on an equally tiny lot. By chopping the downslope of the roof diagonally, Tsutsui made the interior of the so-called Bent House feel more expansive, and allowed sunlight to stream inside.
The space was extended on the garden side to create a summer dining room. The cement-tile floor extends out to the garden terrace, so with the doors pulled back, the room becomes part of the garden. An inherited Murano chandelier, Murano glass wall lights, and colored, patterned glass panels salvaged from a church soften the otherwise stark modern space.
The space was extended on the garden side to create a summer dining room. The cement-tile floor extends out to the garden terrace, so with the doors pulled back, the room becomes part of the garden. An inherited Murano chandelier, Murano glass wall lights, and colored, patterned glass panels salvaged from a church soften the otherwise stark modern space.
A glowing home in Japan has milky-white, one-and-a-half-inch plastic sheets wrapped around the exterior to let in light and provide insulation.
A glowing home in Japan has milky-white, one-and-a-half-inch plastic sheets wrapped around the exterior to let in light and provide insulation.
The cork stairs with a rope railing lead down to the kids’ level.
The cork stairs with a rope railing lead down to the kids’ level.
"We design mostly in black and white," Philippe Rossetti says of his work with Simon Pillard for Munchausen. But the duo are clearly unafraid to use color within their own home, outfitting their kitchen island—a simple wooden block—with 20,000 Lego pieces. Photo ©Céline Clanet.
"We design mostly in black and white," Philippe Rossetti says of his work with Simon Pillard for Munchausen. But the duo are clearly unafraid to use color within their own home, outfitting their kitchen island—a simple wooden block—with 20,000 Lego pieces. Photo ©Céline Clanet.
With temperatures exceeding 100 degrees in the summer, energy-efficient climate control was central to the design.
With temperatures exceeding 100 degrees in the summer, energy-efficient climate control was central to the design.
The original leather sofa introduces an additional texture to the living room, and loud wallpaper brings a splash of visual interest. JAC also incorporated a new loft railing and ladder to climb to the next level.
The original leather sofa introduces an additional texture to the living room, and loud wallpaper brings a splash of visual interest. JAC also incorporated a new loft railing and ladder to climb to the next level.
What types of small, easy, or even invisible updates to cities can support our environment in the long term? @thisisheatherc: Design should work with, not against, its location. Local, sustainable materials, native plants, etc., make a difference @OlyTsav: Water retention, solar panels, and wind harvesting. Just basic energy renewal. @Adrian_Benepe: No spot in a city is too small to capture storm water & help reduce flooding and water pollution
What types of small, easy, or even invisible updates to cities can support our environment in the long term? @thisisheatherc: Design should work with, not against, its location. Local, sustainable materials, native plants, etc., make a difference @OlyTsav: Water retention, solar panels, and wind harvesting. Just basic energy renewal. @Adrian_Benepe: No spot in a city is too small to capture storm water & help reduce flooding and water pollution
"I think an architect’s job is to celebrate what people really care about and simplify and streamline the rest.” —Page Goolrick
"I think an architect’s job is to celebrate what people really care about and simplify and streamline the rest.” —Page Goolrick
It was the surf and the artsy vibe that attracted Eric Grunbaum to Venice Beach, California, 18 years ago. An avid surfer and creative director for an advertising agency, he thrives on lively environs. So it’s no surprise that he turned to the Los Angeles–based architect Barbara Bestor to design a house for him near the Pacific. Bestor, the chair of graduate studies at Woodbury University School of Architecture, has a formidable reputation in Southern California for her bohemian modernism, and for Grunbaum, she created a 2,000–square-foot, three-bedroom, three-bath home that harbors a traditional sensibility with a contemporary heart. From the deck off the master bedroom, Grunbaum looks across his front yard. Bestor designed the second story to float over the ground “like a cloud.” Grunbaum guides us on a tour of his modern surf shack.
It was the surf and the artsy vibe that attracted Eric Grunbaum to Venice Beach, California, 18 years ago. An avid surfer and creative director for an advertising agency, he thrives on lively environs. So it’s no surprise that he turned to the Los Angeles–based architect Barbara Bestor to design a house for him near the Pacific. Bestor, the chair of graduate studies at Woodbury University School of Architecture, has a formidable reputation in Southern California for her bohemian modernism, and for Grunbaum, she created a 2,000–square-foot, three-bedroom, three-bath home that harbors a traditional sensibility with a contemporary heart. From the deck off the master bedroom, Grunbaum looks across his front yard. Bestor designed the second story to float over the ground “like a cloud.” Grunbaum guides us on a tour of his modern surf shack.
Fed up with flashy, environmentally insensitive beach homes, architect Gerald Parsonson and his wife, Kate, designed a humble hideaway nestled behind sand dunes along the New Zealand coastline. Crafted in the image of a modest Kiwi bach, their 1,670-square-foot retreat consists of a group of small buildings clad in black-stained pine weatherboards and fiber-cement sheets.
Fed up with flashy, environmentally insensitive beach homes, architect Gerald Parsonson and his wife, Kate, designed a humble hideaway nestled behind sand dunes along the New Zealand coastline. Crafted in the image of a modest Kiwi bach, their 1,670-square-foot retreat consists of a group of small buildings clad in black-stained pine weatherboards and fiber-cement sheets.
Even Sweden has its beaches: this vacation home is a five hour drive from Stockholm. The clients, an active outdoor family, live in the 2,500 square foot residence for several weeks each summer.
Even Sweden has its beaches: this vacation home is a five hour drive from Stockholm. The clients, an active outdoor family, live in the 2,500 square foot residence for several weeks each summer.
The slatted wall that divides the sleeping and living quarters has maple-ply boxed shelves that can be rearranged.
The slatted wall that divides the sleeping and living quarters has maple-ply boxed shelves that can be rearranged.
Nearly 200 anodized aluminum fins—each one uniquely shaped—serve as a screen that shields the concrete walls from the wind and snow. The roof extends beyond the house at its southern end, shading the living room and a terrace. At night, a cutaway frames views of the star-filled sky.
Nearly 200 anodized aluminum fins—each one uniquely shaped—serve as a screen that shields the concrete walls from the wind and snow. The roof extends beyond the house at its southern end, shading the living room and a terrace. At night, a cutaway frames views of the star-filled sky.
The Weber residence sits comfortably in the rich, green Wisconsin valley.
The Weber residence sits comfortably in the rich, green Wisconsin valley.
Though its exterior nods towards local barns, the Field House in Ellington, Wisconsin, features an interior that is cutting-edge. Owner Robert Geller is a longtime collector of furniture and art, and here he sits on a Barcelona chair designed by Mies van der Rohe for Knoll. To the left is an Arco floor lamp by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Flos and a BeoLab 5 speaker from Bang & Olufsen.
Though its exterior nods towards local barns, the Field House in Ellington, Wisconsin, features an interior that is cutting-edge. Owner Robert Geller is a longtime collector of furniture and art, and here he sits on a Barcelona chair designed by Mies van der Rohe for Knoll. To the left is an Arco floor lamp by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Flos and a BeoLab 5 speaker from Bang & Olufsen.
Though the fire pit was “kind of an after-thought,” says Hannah, the family uses it year-round. “In the spring and fall, it warms you up on cool nights, and in the summer, it just adds ambience.”
Though the fire pit was “kind of an after-thought,” says Hannah, the family uses it year-round. “In the spring and fall, it warms you up on cool nights, and in the summer, it just adds ambience.”
A room designed by installation artist Robert Irwin.
A room designed by installation artist Robert Irwin.
The Frey II House in Palm Springs, designed by architect Albert Frey.
The Frey II House in Palm Springs, designed by architect Albert Frey.
An Alexander Calder sculpture at the Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum.
An Alexander Calder sculpture at the Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum.
One of Aldana's Eames wire chairs.
One of Aldana's Eames wire chairs.
A pair of chairs designed by architect Cliff May.
A pair of chairs designed by architect Cliff May.
A vintage midcentury chair from Harold Cohen and Davis Pratt.
A vintage midcentury chair from Harold Cohen and Davis Pratt.
Weinfeld’s cinematic streak is also evident in the home’s interiors: he designed the entertainment center in the media room. The rug is from Clatt Carpete & Cia. Throughout the house, the Strozenbergs use floor-to-ceiling curtains for privacy.
Weinfeld’s cinematic streak is also evident in the home’s interiors: he designed the entertainment center in the media room. The rug is from Clatt Carpete & Cia. Throughout the house, the Strozenbergs use floor-to-ceiling curtains for privacy.
Exterior of Lina Bo and P. M. Bardi house in Morumbi, São Paulo, Brazil (1949–52). Photo by Nelson Kon.
Exterior of Lina Bo and P. M. Bardi house in Morumbi, São Paulo, Brazil (1949–52). Photo by Nelson Kon.

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