Inspiring

Front façade showing hardie plank siding and cedar soffits

This warehouse conversion by Ian Moore Architects also features an equine genetics laboratory and an enormous garage filled with classic cars.

Unpainted plywood wraps all around the living areas to give the interior "a warmth and texture that interacts beautifully with the external Blackbutt timber," says Jackson. "It has a robust , durable, and tactile quality that sits well with the internal concrete floors."

Completed in 10 months on a flat meadow atop a wooded bluff near the Cousins River estuary, the energy-efficient residence emphasizes indoor/outdoor living for a pair of nature lovers.

Barbara Hill's Dancehall/House in Marfa, Texas September 14, 2010 Misty Keasle

The Ilo Playhouse features a footprint of roughly 42 square feet, and it’s approximately 6.5 feet tall at its highest point.

Adding built-in plywood bookshelves to the living room side of the kitchen island was a logical way to add storage and display space. Anderson also built a coffee table to match, using a remnant piece of blackened steel from his office, building a plywood box, and adding caster wheels.

“A guiding principle was experimentation—we wanted to try things with the house, to explore different materials and ideas,” says Richard. “The house is open, yet it isn’t. Nature is part of it, but it’s still very private, because it’s sunken and tucked away,” adds Daniela.

Set next to protected wetlands and close to the beach, House for Hermes is located about 90 minutes south of Melbourne.

Tanya, Chris, Jackson, and Zeke spend much of their day outside.