Favorites

Designed for an artist and entrepreneur client, this guest house features lots of light, access to the outdoors, and an industrial vibe.

The 301-square-foot cabin is situated on 99 acres on Bruny Island, an island off the coast of Tasmania. For the exterior, the architects have chosen materials that "comply with the Bushfire Attack Level of 19," they explain, including bushfire resistant wood and zincalume metal. The cabin collects its own rainwater—storage tanks are underground for an uncluttered look—and the roof sports solar panels.

Architect Jesse Garlick’s rural Washington vacation home references its rugged surroundings. The steel cladding has developed a patina similar to the ochre-red color of bedrock found in the area.

Perched quietly on the dunes of New Zealand’s Coromandel Peninsula, Hut on Sleds serves as a small, sustainable beach retreat for a family of five.

The interiors are lined with OSB Poplar wood, and insulated with 12cm of recycled cotton.

Madison points out that the pod concept would make it easy to add an extension if necessary. “We see it as a house that can grow with us—and that we can pay for as we go along.”

The exterior’s concrete walls pick up on the tones of the rocks that emerge from the surrounding hillside.

Throughout Thornbury House, Olaver Architecture was deliberate about applying "minor alterations to simple forms," to make the so-called "box" addition feel more special. Starting at the entry, a timber-clad, curved corner creates flow.

Classic sunken living room

The sunken living room allows for delineation of space while keeping an open-plan environment

Custom millwork of oak and walnut were developed throughout the spaces.

“We decided it was a fun moment to have no white in the space and use the fireplace as a kind of accent,” says Paula.

The couple sourced midcentury furniture and dishware from Toronto dealers like Mid Century Modern Toronto and Inabstracto. They also loved Etsy sellers Mimi La Rouleuse, Mid Age Vintage DE, Happy Moose Vintage, Mrs. Marvellous, and The Art of Object.

The rock outcropping in the backyard of this house in Victoria, British Columbia, influenced the design of the home’s addition.

RJ and Frances took down the wall to connect the kitchen with the living area, improving the home’s circulation.