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Architect Steven Ehrlich reflects on his experiences in Africa and Japan to build a sustainable, ever-changing home in Los Angeles.

The Light Shed is wrapped in corrugated bituminous fiberglass backed by a UV open cladding membrane.

Lush greenery sits perched along the metal frames above the kitchen and dining area, adding both color and life to the expansive space.

Set atop a historic 1900s foundry, this open-air penthouse flat is located on a quiet street in Paris' Roquette district. The three-level loft offers over 2,400 square feet of living space.

J Geiger’s patented floating pocket cover minimizes visual discrepancies between the shade pocket and ceiling by embracing gaps as a design element. Pockets can accommodate multiple shade rolls—one sheer and one blackout. Here, a UV-blocking solar fabric minimizes glare.

“The lot is in a unique position along Irvine Terrace, an elevated tract community that overlooks the waterfront,” says Mike. An expansive wall of sliding glass doors offer unobstructed views.

The fixed-gear bicycle hanging above the couch serves as an art piece; Chen no longer rides the bike. Le Corbusier Projecteur 165 pendant lights hang in the corner.

The master bedroom sits in a loft overlooking the living area and offers a wood stove.

While illuminating the interior space with natural light, the two-story wall of windows also overlook a private, 1,250-square-foot courtyard. Raised sections separate the living and dining area from a library space in the back.

The second level has a loft-like sitting room that is awash in natural light.

Two sculptural wooden chairs face a wood-burning stove.

Clarissa and Peter live in one of the units and plan to rent the second unit, which is almost a mirror image of the first.

“The ceiling plane starts with giant beams as you step up on the front porch, and they run at the same level throughout the axis of the house,” says Lamaster. “As you step down into the home, they accentuate the feeling of moving down the hill. We wanted to create that intimate, low feeling when you walk in.”

An enclosed courtyard, bordred by ipe, is arguably the most distinctive feature of the house that the Phil Kean Design Group created for Adriana De Azevedo, Daniel Coelho, and their two daughters in Winter Park, Florida.

In Kansas City, Missouri, a family sought to construct a new home using prefabricated structural insulated panels (SIPS) instead of traditional frame construction. The entire kit house is composed of 4' x 8' sections, and the shell was constructed in about a week. The project’s relatively low cost, quick build time, and highly insulated envelope were positives, but the panels also have their limitations. “Most SIP projects look pretty stupid,” Jamie says. “They haven’t been manipulated by someone who’s thinking creatively.” In this case, Jamie augmented the simple panel system with a dynamic cantilever.

Entry with artwork by Ellen Gallagher