Collection by Olivia Martin

How to: Designing for Warm Weather

A layout, strategic window placement, and bright colors can help keep things cool and connected to the outdoors.

The bach’s beachfront site is nestled behind sand dunes with views toward Kapiti Island, a nature sanctuary.
The bach’s beachfront site is nestled behind sand dunes with views toward Kapiti Island, a nature sanctuary.
The clients cite Frank Lloyd Wright’s Mrs. Clinton Walker House in Carmel, California, as a very loose inspiration for the design of their house. From the deck off the kitchen and living area, Miha, nine years old, takes in an uninterrupted view of the Pacific Ocean.
The clients cite Frank Lloyd Wright’s Mrs. Clinton Walker House in Carmel, California, as a very loose inspiration for the design of their house. From the deck off the kitchen and living area, Miha, nine years old, takes in an uninterrupted view of the Pacific Ocean.
A 200-year-old factory in Umbria is transformed into an inviting home by designer Paola Navone. In the seating area, a trolley found at a flea market functions as the coffee table alongside an expansive Navone-designed sofa for Linteloo. Custom pendants by photographer Mark Eden Schooley hang above the dining table. Photo by Wichmann + Bendtsen.
A 200-year-old factory in Umbria is transformed into an inviting home by designer Paola Navone. In the seating area, a trolley found at a flea market functions as the coffee table alongside an expansive Navone-designed sofa for Linteloo. Custom pendants by photographer Mark Eden Schooley hang above the dining table. Photo by Wichmann + Bendtsen.
Passive ProgressiveStunning bamboo covers this house in Bessancourt, France, on all four sides, its lattice making up a striking set of adjustable screens that allow the residents to modify the facade to suit the weather. Photo by: Nicholas Calcott
Passive ProgressiveStunning bamboo covers this house in Bessancourt, France, on all four sides, its lattice making up a striking set of adjustable screens that allow the residents to modify the facade to suit the weather. Photo by: Nicholas Calcott
With the roof angled at 43 degrees, the architects lined the southern slant of the house with solar panels to collect as many rays as possible. Karanesheva and Witzmann started with four, but then added 23 more, all by Systaïc; the company gave them a deal since theirs was its first installation in France. The panels now collect far more energy than the home actually needs, a precious resource that the pair sells back to the power company. Photo by: Nicholas Calcott
With the roof angled at 43 degrees, the architects lined the southern slant of the house with solar panels to collect as many rays as possible. Karanesheva and Witzmann started with four, but then added 23 more, all by Systaïc; the company gave them a deal since theirs was its first installation in France. The panels now collect far more energy than the home actually needs, a precious resource that the pair sells back to the power company. Photo by: Nicholas Calcott
The original washing house connected to the main house was in such bad shape that it had to be demolished. LASC "reincarnated" it as a spacious bathhouse, complete with a tub‐with-a-view and a heated concrete window bench. Photo by Laura Stamer.
The original washing house connected to the main house was in such bad shape that it had to be demolished. LASC "reincarnated" it as a spacious bathhouse, complete with a tub‐with-a-view and a heated concrete window bench. Photo by Laura Stamer.
The Design Files Open House 2013 features furniture by Jardan, like the Nook sofa in the living room. Shown here are pillows by Bonnie and Neil and L.O.T.S, and a coffee table by Dinosaur Designs and The Forty Nine Studio. Mondrian Blue wall paint by is applied to the rear wall. Photo by Phu Tang.
The Design Files Open House 2013 features furniture by Jardan, like the Nook sofa in the living room. Shown here are pillows by Bonnie and Neil and L.O.T.S, and a coffee table by Dinosaur Designs and The Forty Nine Studio. Mondrian Blue wall paint by is applied to the rear wall. Photo by Phu Tang.