Dream Home Inspo

A light-filled spiral stair leads from the dining room to the upstairs lounge.

Glazed walkways link the two volumes over the ponds.

"The simple shape was extruded lengthwise along the site and sliced down the middle with a pond to form a central axis," say the architects. "Slender, cathedral-like spaces were formed around this central thoroughfare with ponds running parallel to walkways to link the spaces."

The home’s undulating roof, composed of exposed wood beams and plywood sheathing, references the rolling terrain. A Cor-Ten steel–clad outdoor fireplace was built by BRD Construction; the same material was used for the interior fireplace, as surround on some windows, as cladding for the garage door, and on the chimney. The lounge chairs are from the Finn Collection from Design Within Reach. Tim Kirby of Surface Design Inc. tackled the site’s landscape architecture. - Leelanau County, Michigan Dwell Magazine : September / October 2017

Designed by award-winning Sant Architects, this four-bedroom vacation rental near Topanga elevates the concept of a mountain retreat to new heights—from its raw, concrete facade and hillside pool, to the Bauhaus-inspired interiors that feature expansive glass walls that overlook the Pacific Ocean. The clean, architectural lines are expressed using iron beams, concrete slabs, timber-panelled walls, and glass, and the sprawling, open-plan living area features a slide-away fireplace and enormous windows that seamlessly transition the property from cosy winter retreat to breezy summer getaway.

Meticulous detailing was required to create the curved forms. The deck is built of Grey Gumand and the roof is topped with Colorbond Trimdeck Sheeting in Night Sky Finish.

The netted, hammock-like balustrades are an innovative solution that provides safety and a place for relaxation, while keeping views as unobstructed as possible.

Some pavilions overlook the water, while others are nestled further into the coastal bushland.

The bathroom features a spacious walk-in shower lined in charcoal porcelain tiles.

Solid Tasmanian Oak hardwood with a Whittle Waxes stain finish was applied in varying lengths and thicknesses for the wall cladding. Tasmanian Oak Delegatensis plywood with the same stain finish line the floors and ceilings.

Site placement was a lengthy process as the architects searched to optimize seclusion and spectacular views. Specialists, including ecologist Mark Wapstra, were brought on board to survey the site and ensure minimal landscape impact.

The landscape-inspired interior features a simple color palette of grays, oranges, and blues.

Positioned for optimal views, minimal impact, and privacy, the bespoke suites offer a luxurious and immersive experience in nature.

"The underside of the canopy inside and outside is a black theatrical fabric scrim that creates a continuous feeling of deep, soft shade, while subtly screening the conventional, gang-nail, wood-truss roof structure and black-fabric-faced R-38 sound/thermal batt insulation above," notes the firm.

The master bedroom terrace includes an outdoor shower to the north and a koi pond to the south.