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Collection by Gretchen W

hunter

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Floral wallpaper adds extra flair to the home's small powder room.
Floral wallpaper adds extra flair to the home's small powder room.
The laundry area is also housed on the lowest level.
The laundry area is also housed on the lowest level.
A peek inside the light-filled guest room.
A peek inside the light-filled guest room.
"The narrowness of the house required the design to make effective yet frugal uses of space," explains the firm. "Precise positioning of walls, doors, and windows were crucial as each floor was planned to serve a purpose."
"The narrowness of the house required the design to make effective yet frugal uses of space," explains the firm. "Precise positioning of walls, doors, and windows were crucial as each floor was planned to serve a purpose."
To maximize functionality in the original two-story home, Office of Architecture treated the residence to a complete gut renovation, which allowed for the new four-level layout.
To maximize functionality in the original two-story home, Office of Architecture treated the residence to a complete gut renovation, which allowed for the new four-level layout.
The bathroom is characterized by the bold use of yellow tiles. The curved base tiles in the shower were one of the most expensive elements of the fit-out, costing $1,520. “It makes the shower easier to clean and means it will look good for longer,” explains architect Iana Vicq.
The bathroom is characterized by the bold use of yellow tiles. The curved base tiles in the shower were one of the most expensive elements of the fit-out, costing $1,520. “It makes the shower easier to clean and means it will look good for longer,” explains architect Iana Vicq.
The mirrored wall and pivoting door also reflect abundant light into the previously dark entranceway.
The mirrored wall and pivoting door also reflect abundant light into the previously dark entranceway.
The bike storage and utility room by the entrance is hidden behind a mirrored wall with a 1.8-metre-long pivoting door integrated. The pivoting door cost $2,200 but allows the couple to easily manipulate their bikes into the storage room. “It had to be practical as it’s used daily,” says architect Iana Vicq.
The bike storage and utility room by the entrance is hidden behind a mirrored wall with a 1.8-metre-long pivoting door integrated. The pivoting door cost $2,200 but allows the couple to easily manipulate their bikes into the storage room. “It had to be practical as it’s used daily,” says architect Iana Vicq.
“The glass facade and expansive windows create a sense of spaciousness and depth, surpassing the actual living area,” the couple shares. “Privacy is fully maintained, granting us the freedom to revel in a newfound sense of space.”
“The glass facade and expansive windows create a sense of spaciousness and depth, surpassing the actual living area,” the couple shares. “Privacy is fully maintained, granting us the freedom to revel in a newfound sense of space.”
“Niche spaces, such as the sofa bench on the staircase landing, allow for a calm feeling of being holed up in a cave, even within the large air volume space,” Hatori explains.
“Niche spaces, such as the sofa bench on the staircase landing, allow for a calm feeling of being holed up in a cave, even within the large air volume space,” Hatori explains.
“The warmth of the plants and trees is felt in the home,” the homeowners share. The garden includes a tall Iroha maple tree (left), an evergreen Horutonoki tree (right), along with moss and ferns at the base.
“The warmth of the plants and trees is felt in the home,” the homeowners share. The garden includes a tall Iroha maple tree (left), an evergreen Horutonoki tree (right), along with moss and ferns at the base.
87 pieces of optical glass—each measuring 13.1 feet tall and 3.3 inches square in cross section—are aligned vertically at the front facade. The high specific gravity of the glass ensures sufficient sound insulation against the noise of the city.
87 pieces of optical glass—each measuring 13.1 feet tall and 3.3 inches square in cross section—are aligned vertically at the front facade. The high specific gravity of the glass ensures sufficient sound insulation against the noise of the city.
Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP used 87 translucent bricks to reframe a family’s connection to nature and the city.
Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP used 87 translucent bricks to reframe a family’s connection to nature and the city.
Carlos and Whitney went with a Roman Clay from Portola paints for the kitchen backsplash. Compared with the lime wash used throughout the house, roman clay is easier to clean.
Carlos and Whitney went with a Roman Clay from Portola paints for the kitchen backsplash. Compared with the lime wash used throughout the house, roman clay is easier to clean.
The couple were looking for a second-hand Quilton sofa by Doshi Levian for HAY in grey. When they came across this blue version, however, they realised the color would work perfectly in the apartment. "We are now really in love with it,
The couple were looking for a second-hand Quilton sofa by Doshi Levian for HAY in grey. When they came across this blue version, however, they realised the color would work perfectly in the apartment. "We are now really in love with it,
The yellow upholstery of the banquette seating in the dining nook was inspired by the couple’s recent visit to Neutra VDL Studio and Residences in Los Angeles.
The yellow upholstery of the banquette seating in the dining nook was inspired by the couple’s recent visit to Neutra VDL Studio and Residences in Los Angeles.
The original layout was very much of the time: a perfect midcentury modern flow, with a closed-off kitchen and a fire put in the floor. “They were cool but impractical spaces,” says Schaer.
The original layout was very much of the time: a perfect midcentury modern flow, with a closed-off kitchen and a fire put in the floor. “They were cool but impractical spaces,” says Schaer.

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