Inspiration

Located on New Zealand’s North Island along the Coromandel Peninsula, this timber-clad shipping container house by Crosson Clarke Carnachan Architects captures the simplicity of living with nature. An open-plan layout extends the interior toward the surrounding landscape and ocean, while a built-in mechanism reveals a drop-down deck on one side of the unique holiday home.

From his home in New Westminster, the commute to Randy's new office takes just 30 seconds.

Full-height sliding glass doors bring a sense of the outdoors into the home.

Triangles are a central theme in this peaceful, light-filled home. The geometric shape is reflected in a tastefully placed pendant lamp.

Working with a sumptuous material palette, Ehrlich Yanai Rhee Chaney Architects designed a sprawling new residence in Palo Alto for Mark and Laura Pine. The teak wood and handmade Danish bricks that define the exterior are used inside as well; distressed stainless steel panels by Chris French Metal sheathe one side of the upper volume. Blasen Landscape Architecture chose Peruvian feather grass to flank the entrance walkway.

The two, season-specific wings of the L-shaped plan are separated by a covered breezeway.

Stacked sliding doors achieve an open corner in the dining room for a seamless connection with the outdoors.

Set on a slope, the property faces the forest to the north and sweeping views of the landscape to the south.

Exterior view

The home’s geometric silhouette echoes the classic typology of the region’s gable roof barns. “We took our inspiration from this vernacular architecture and re-interpreted it with a contemporary twist,” Dworkind says.

The kitchen features exposed Vic Ash Glulam beams sourced from Australian Sustainable Hardwoods.