When architect Olivier Lekien redesigned a Paris apartment in the 11th arrondissement, he discovered a system of wood columns and beams that separated the kitchen-and-dining area from the living room.
The one element the couple wanted to emulate from their time living in California was the ability to add in more opportunities for indoor/outdoor living. “Living in Manhattan Beach, we would be obsessed about some of the houses on the strand near the beach that would just have these massive rooftop decks,” says Derek. “Since this lot offers beautiful mountain views, the rooftop deck is a great way to be outside and maximize those views.”
In order to achieve ample daylighting, artful windows were imperative—but all that light can also come with lots of heat. Thick glass and overhanging arches were key to the design scheme so that the home was insulated from the harsh Arizona climate. The main living area also features a 20-foot tongue-and-groove ceiling that extends to both patios.
The tiles that can be glimpsed in the hallway are by Patricia Urquiola for Mutina, and have been used to clad the bathroom. They extend out into the hallway to mark the entrance.
The custom dining table—which was made by a local artisan—is located in front of west-facing windows that frame the sunset in the evenings. The table can be easily moved inside or out depending on the weather.
The rough-hewn stone stairs that lead to the cottage were made by a local stone worker.
A wooden entrance opens to the lush lot filled with native vegetation and soaring trees.
When the bathroom light is on, a circle of light is reflected on the apartment ceiling through an oculus in the bathroom ceiling.
In the remote mountains of Palmichal de Acosta, Costa Rica, local architect María de la Paz Alice, founder of Mazpazz Arquitectura, designed a 100 percent autonomous and self-sustaining home that frames its lush surroundings with a series of geometric openings. The home’s entrance, which the architect refers to as “the vortex,” takes the form of a poured-concrete cube with two prominent circular cutouts. Crystals encrusted in the floor capture and reflect light that passes from the sun and moon through the overhead oculus.
Located on the outskirts of Morelia, Mexico, the 5,920-square-foot UC House by architectural designer Daniela Bucio Sistos is grounded by a foyer with a raised, circular ceiling, which houses a tree that grows out from a hole in the floor at the center.
The bathroom, adjacent to the kitchen, features a pale blue exterior wall that ties it to the kitchen area. A mirrored panel on the inside of the door reflects space and light, creating a feeling of spaciousness.
A red Womb chair from Knoll adds a bright touch to the otherwise neutral palette.
The side patio doubles as a parking spot for a custom-built 1970 Honda CB750.
Inspired by Donald Judd’s minimalist works, the three volumes feature board-formed concrete walls accented with charred wood. Shown here, the tallest contains four double-height bedrooms, each with a “tapanco,” or loft, for sleeping or reading.
The wood-wrapped tiny home features a deck pierced by a tree trunk.
Tasked with renovating a 1950s ranch in Northern California, Ogawa Fisher Architects revived an existing Japanese garden at the center of the home as a central organizing element. Low-slung, wide decks (inspired by the Japanese “engawa,” or elevated walkway) and deep roof soffits expand the living spaces, frame views, and blur the boundaries between inside and outside. The garden is the second of three courtyards that orients the various wings of the home from front to back, creating a vast sense of openness while also maintaining privacy from other areas of the house and the street.
Planned Living Architects designed this seaside residence in Blairgowrie for a young couple to accommodate their growing family and future use as a holiday home. The warmth of the extensive timber balances the strength and raw tactile character of the in-situ concrete walls. Glazing along the north end of the home introduces the sun-filled, secluded backyard and encourages engagement with the coastal landscape, where indigenous vegetation is making its return after bushfire.
Stainless steel—such as this mesh ceiling—gives residential interiors a utilitarian edge, says Michael Fohring of Odami, and it's a material choice he hopes to use in one of the studio's own projects soon.
131 more saves