The curved blue kitchen larder has a projecting “nose” that illuminates the worktop and a mirrored eye that “winks” each time the door is opened.
The floor-to-ceiling sliding doors and windows were the most expensive line item in the renovation. “The house would simply not be the same without them,” says architect Miguel Rivera. “When you are in the living area with the doors open, it creates one large indoor/outdoor space that is simply stunning.” Just beyond the kitchen, a bookcase in the hallway is painted to appear red from one side and gray from the other.
These projects cleverly address issues ranging from affordable housing to building sustainably in the face of climate change.
To turn a home into a permanent residence for a family of four, Rama Estudio attached a prefab glass-and-steel box that extends into the surrounding wilderness.
Dwellings
Winner: Casa Ter by Mesura
Mesura designed a retreat for a family of five in the Catalonian countryside, utilizing regional and artisanal building techniques and local materials for a sustainable home that blends with the landscape.
“During summer there is so much greenery, and it grows and changes every day. It’s very different in the autumn and winter—even the acoustics are different,
When the coffee table is retracted, the living room can be used as a play area for the couple's young son.
The floor plan of Smart Zendo before the renovation. The apartment featured two bedrooms, a living space, a kitchen, and a bathroom.
Diagram of intelligent features in the Smart Zendo apartment.
Floor plan of Smart Zendo after the renovation. The apartment now features three bedrooms, with an optional fourth bedroom in the living room and an open plan kitchen.
Looking from the storage hall into the maid's bedroom, which takes the place of the original kitchen.
The TV cabinet in the living room wall features spotlit storage nooks in which precious objects can be displayed.
The open-plan kitchen is adjacent to the living space and features clever storage solutions throughout, including in the bespoke timber bench seats.
The TV cabinet in the living room features a small timber shelf and has been designed according to principles of Feng Shui.
The master bedroom features smart bespoke storage solutions, including a wardrobe, bedside table, shelving, drawers and a make-up table.
The son's bedroom, like the rest of the apartment, features clever storage solutions. All the furniture is built-in to make the most of the small space.
The son's bedroom features a timber platform that is used both as storage and a seat for the desk. The bed sits on the back of this platform and has views over the surrounding landscape.
The bathroom cabinets are crafted from melamine ecological waterproof board, reflecting the use of timber throughout the rest of the interior.
The inbuilt storage in the master bedroom includes a hidden make-up table. When it is set up, the edge of the bed can be used as a seat.
The timber bay window in the master bedroom frames the view of the surrounding hills and offers a space for contemplation.
The original living room was converted into an open-plan kitchen and dining area with a living room that can be reconfigured into a bedroom. The use of natural materials and the large windows that flood the space with natural light and frame the views make the small space feel bright and airy.
When the coffee table is recessed, the living room is an open space with cushions for seating. The large television is balanced by the glass wall, which frames views of the surrounding countryside.
The view from the open plan kitchen into the living room when the coffee table is raised from the floor and set up for a tea ceremony.
A folding partition can be used to separate part of the living room to create a fourth bedroom.
The coffee table in the living room can be elevated when in use and sits flush with the floor when not in use. The owners often use the table for tea ceremonies.
The living room can be completely separated from the open-plan kitchen by closing the timber-and-glass partition. All high-tech features—including the air conditioning unit—are concealed behind timber panels to create a minimal, uncluttered fit-out.
The living room and kitchen can be separated with a sliding partition to either create a fourth bedroom or simply divide the spaces if they are both in use.
The bathroom features terrazzo floor tiles—which have a similar pattern to the material used to construct the fireplace in the living room.
The garden is by landscape designer Tom Massey. The paving is similar to the bricks used in the extension.
The entrance hallway is visible from the living room.
The front facade of the townhouse was restored to its original appearance. The new front door has been painted the same color as the walls in the master bedroom and the cabinetry in the kitchen.
The unique, handcrafted fireplace was installed where the original had long since been removed.
The ground floor features Douglas fir flooring. The living room at the front of the house is separated from the entrance hallway by a black steel-framed glazed partition.
The Ground Floor plan before the renovation
The Ground Floor plan after the renovation
70 more saves