In Australia, a manufacturer and an architecture firm create an off-grid home that can be broken down and shipped across the world.
New pine and spruce wood from the Pyrenees (both recyclable and PEFC certified) were selected for the façade of the 1,000-square-foot prefab. Smart blinds cover the windows, rigged to open and close depending on the weather forecast.
Bellomo Architects’ modular House Arc, which was just a prototype before, is now being fabricated. The House Arc can be ordered online and shipped to any location, where it can be assembled by the user or community.
A knotted curtain bisects the sleeping area from the kitchen. The compact studio includes a wardrobe rack, modular walls, and a storage-filled bed.
Budapest design studio POSITION Collective employs clever storage solutions, including a wardrobe rack, modular walls, and a storage-filled bed, in order to maximize functional space.
Though the 323-square-foot studio is now being leased out on a long-term basis, the clients had originally wanted to turn the small apartment into a stylish and memorable space for design-loving travelers visiting Budapest.
The Uphill Utilitarian sits at the back of a sloping site, which the owners left as natural as possible, while adding a small seating area.
Singita
Stained hardwood floors compliment the stained beech wood cabinets.
Modern and durable open shelves.
The team replaced all the cabinetry and fixtures, and located the kitchen sink directly in front of a large window.
"It’s not uncommon for sellers to throw some new black plastic under the house to conceal any potential water problems,” says Burkholder. “Old leaky pipes are one problem, but a high water level that leaves the crawlspace musty can be an expensive fix as well.”
The dining room before the renovation.
The home's overhangs provide shade. “We wanted to make sure the house was comfortable,” says Ikegami. “You have cross-ventilation, and the interior is filled with light from the clerestory.”
“From anywhere in the house, you have a sense of the outdoors,” says Melonie, “and yet it’s very private.” Ikegami agrees. “The building was really about the landscape—it can dissolve into the background,” he says. In the master bedroom, Japanese Tansu chests from the couple’s previous home flank a Duxiana bed. The full-height windows and swing door are from Western Window Systems.
The glazing in the kitchen area facilitates views of the lush gardens that surround the home.
A closer look at the living area and original brick fireplace. Floor-to-ceiling windows enclose the room on two sides, with French doors opening to the patio.
Merrill replaced the previous carpet with a similar shag variety.
Husband-and-wife team Elaine and Stanley Yang of real estate and development firm Mini Inno discovered this 2,000-square-foot ranch home, and set about transforming it into an idyllic weekend retreat. Built in 1966, the home sits on 3.6 acres and, while the bones were good, it was a bit outdated in terms of style. The revitalized, Moroccan-inspired retreat is a sanctuary worthy of its soothing surroundings.
Floor-to-ceiling windows allow the interior to glow at night, highlighting the home's architectural features and landscaping.
Outside, the post-and-beam construction extends out over the partially covered patio.
Once Ed's photography studio, a bonus area could become a home office.
The master bathroom features a terrazzo, Roman-style tub and original marble countertops.
In the private wing of the home, the master bedroom features sliding glass doors that lead to the backyard.
Floor-to-ceiling windows in the entryway provide views of the centrally placed Japanese Maple.
In the entryway, patterned amber-colored glass flanks both sides of the double walnut door.
The dining area features an original glass chandelier, as well as a corner bar with Venetian tile and more built-in Nutone appliances.
An opposite view of the kitchen looking toward the dining area.
Built-in Nutone appliances and backsplash tile from Heath Ceramics are more period details.
"The wood ceilings and beams, as well as the copper fireplace were not touched during the renovation—proof that, if you build correctly, it lasts," says Marc. The beam design was made famous by A. Quincy Jones, whom Avedisian studied under at USC.
Inside, the home is full of original details—all of which was recently restored for a new generation of owners. Such details shown here include terrazzo floors, kiln-dried posts and beams, locally made walnut bookshelves, copper fireplace surround, and level-5 plaster walls.
The renovated bathroom includes marble countertops.
Here is one of the home's two bedrooms.
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