New Ideas

Oversized sliding doors open to the bunk room with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the serene lake.

The den, located above the living room, connects to an at-grade fire pit terrace to the south, as well as an elevated deck with views of the lake to the north.

Generous overhangs and period lighting speak to the house's era while sliding glass doors create outdoor access.

In the family room, "short ribbon windows were replaced with a wall of glass" for indoor/outdoor flow.

While the window openings in this cozy corner are the same as before, the architects tweaked the frames. They said: "The layout of the windows was flipped so that the horizontal division was rail height rather than obstructing sightlines when standing."

By removing walls, inserting new windows, and utilizing a lighter color palette, this historic home has been treated to a modern new look.

Guest room sliders open up 2 walls to the outside with glass louvers

The outdoor space includes a fire pit.

Outdoor dining area

A patio that is accessible via the living room.

The entry to a corridor that leads to the bedroom wing.

The house is sited on wooded plateau overlooking a wetland and lake beyond.

Board-formed concrete walls create the core of the house and establish its organic feel. “There’s really no other cast-in-place concrete on the street,” says Sarah, “but you don’t even see it until you’ve made it through the front courtyard.” There, beneath a deep overhang, the couple designed a jagged pathway cantilevered over a water feature—bringing the sounds of water inside and reflections of light into the sitting area.

Inspired by the surrounding landscape of chestnut trees, rocky hillside, and bubbling stream, Portuguese architecture firm 3r Ernesto Pereira chose to blend into, and take advantage of, the local geography rather than fight against it at this sleek, modern home near the coastal city of Porto. At a cost of €100,000 (approximately $125,000) and measuring about 140 square meters, this stunning, wood-and-glass retreat took about four months to construct.

Creekside Residence

"Selection of materiality was critical in creating the illusion of more space than the actual footprint of the houseboat," Harry said.

Ridge House

Ridge House