Deepstone House by Simon Winstanley Architects
Built atop a stacked stone base embedded into a hillside, the Deepstone House is the latest project from Simon Winstanley Architects. Overlooking the Solway Firth in southwest Scotland, the Deepston House foregoes the traditional architectural style of neighboring structures, instead choosing a dramatic juxtaposition of a glazed pavilion perched on a solid base. The stone utilized on the base is recycled from the quarry that previously occupied the site. Evidence of the quarry can still be seen in the rocky face of the hillside.
The lower level of the home contains a garage and bedrooms, while the upper pavilion houses living, dining, and kitchen spaces. Energy efficiency was a top priority for the homeowners, and the home incorporates a number of technologies to meet their demands. They include triple glazed windows filled with inert glass and termally-broken frames, roof-mounted photovoltaic panels, a whole-house heat recovery ventilation system, and geothermal heating.
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Interior Photography by Hotze Eisma
Netherlands-based photographer Hotze Eisma has been working for nearly two decades to “chronicle inspirational one-of-a-kind homes, people, and places for the world`s finest lifestyle magazines.” Eisma’s portfolio has been developed through professional commissions and his own personal travels. They include a variety of different styles, locales, and subject matter. Carefully considered lighting and a candid tendency allow Eisma to truly capture the mood of his subjects, whether live or inanimate.
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Breitling Limited Edition Releases – The Chrono-Matic QP & 1461
In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the launch of the self-winding chronograph movement, Breitling is releasing two limited edition Chrono-Matic timepieces, dubbed the QP and 1461. The QP, which will be limited to just 125 models produced, is a meticulously assembled piece that displays the date, day, week, season, and moon phase in addition to time. 2000 examples of the 1461 will be produced, and its most notable feature is a chronograph complication that requires adjustment once every four years, resulting in a memory of 1461 days.
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Riverhouse Niagara by ZERAFA STUDIO
ZERAFA STUDIO designed the Riverhouse Niagra, a striking modern home located on the banks of the river bearing the same name in Niagra Falls, Ontario. Two stacked rectangular volumes comprise 4700 square feet of interior living space and 1200 square feet of outdoor terrace space.
Thoughtfully designed exterior lighting highlights the varied textures of the materials adorning the home. These include rough-cut limestone, metal panels, and cedar cladding. A lap pool lies adjacent to the rear deck and a covered patio created by a cantilevered upper volume.
Floor to ceiling glass runs the length of the home, creating an open, transparent atmosphere inside. Sprawling, uncluttered public living spaces occupy the lower floors while bedrooms reside upstairs.
Photos by Tom Arban
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Luna2 Hotel by David Wahl and Melanie Hall
In Bali, Indonesia, American architect David Wahl designed Luna2, a private beachfront resort. He teamed up with the resort’s owner Melanie Hall, an interior decorator, to create the Neutra-inspired abode. The five bedroom structure is rented to only one group at a time, and is a contemporary getaway that offers the intimacy of a private home paired with the services of a luxury hotel.
Ocean views, sun decks, sprawling patios, and a massive pool occupy the space behind the house, creating an opulent and picturesque atmosphere. Both levels of the home open onto the yard through sliding glass doors that can be left open to create a seamless indoor to outdoor transition.
Bright colors set against black and white backgrounds characterize the style of most spaces inside. Design themes vary from room to room, but bold patterns and modern furnishings and fixtures unite the entire dwelling.
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Audemars Piguet Millenary Carbon One Tourbillon Chronograph
An oval, forged carbon case is the defining characteristic of Audemars Piguet’s new Millenary Carbon One Tourbillon Chronograph, a limited edition timepiece released early this month. The matte finish of the lightweight case is complemented by a bezel, crown, and pushers finished in glossy black ceramic. A blackened steel clasp and black crocodile leather strap complete the subtle, dark palette. Red and white accents on the face and dials stand out dramatically against the black backdrop.
The open construction of the face reveals an AP Calibre 2884 hand wound column-wheel chronograph tourbillon movement with twin barrels, which serve to store mechanical energy, ensuring the watch will only need to be wound once. Just 120 examples of the Millenary Carbon One will be produced.
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Beukenburg House by Sluijmer & Van Leeuwen Architects
A 185 hectare plot of forest and agricultural land owned by the Utrecht Landscape Foundation is home to the Beukenburg House, designed by Sluijmer & Van Leeuwen Architects. The house is characterized by a utilitarian metal-panel façade that curves up to envelope the home and serve as a roof, creating a structure that remains modern while still referencing an agricultural vernacular. Beneath the metal skin, living spaces are enclosed by glass walls and wood slats that shade the interior and lend residents some privacy.
In keeping with the exterior theme of modern simplicity, the interior employs an open ground level that opens directly into the landscape, taking full advantage of the expansive site and consequent views.
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Award-winning House Equanimity by Joseph N. Biondo
In Northampton, Pennsylvania, the AIA recently bestowed the top award for architectural excellence to Joseph N. Biondo for the House Equanimity he designed. Located in a nondescript subdivision, Biondo hoped to tie the home to its surroundings and forego the abundant architectural clichés he saw elsewhere in the area. He explains, “The primary building materials, site poured concrete and various concrete products, pay respect to the history of Northampton – the birthplace of American Portland Cement.”
The heavy base of the rectilinear structure is partially embedded into the site, and living spaces clad in varying shades of blue are cantilevered to create covered outdoor areas. Biondo reveals his design methodology, saying, “Deliberately crude in its execution, the concrete monolith is treated as an existing condition, or ruin, whose subsequent wood-framed, cementitious clad boxes are carefully inserted.”
Locally quarried limestone covers several surfaces inside, where an open plan, neutral colors, and minimal furnishings mimic the exterior aesthetic. A concrete wall borders a large private courtyard which provides a quiet reprieve from the surrounding suburb.
Images: Steven Wolfe Photography
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Koenigsegg Trevita CCXR
The Trevita CCXR is the latest limited edition of Koenigsegg’s CCXR supercar. Trevita, in Swedish, means “three whites,” a reference to the number of cars planned for production. The limited production is due to the method and material employed in the manufacturing of the car’s bodywork. In-house Koenigsegg engineers developed a special type of carbon fiber whose fibers have been coated with a diamond finish, creating a metallic white (as opposed to traditional black) color. Dubbed the Koenigsegg Proprietary Diamond Weave, the material retains the typical, interwoven carbon fiber pattern, but with a unique, sparkling finish. Other upgrades over the standard CCXR include a double carbon wing, paddle shifters, an upgraded exhaust system, carbon ceramic brakes, and an infotainment system. The 1018 horsepower 4.7 liter engine is carried over from the standard car. Pricing has not been announced, but expect a considerable premium over the CCXR’s $1.2 million price tag.
Glass House by Nico Van Der Meulen Architects
In Johannesburg, South Africa, Nico Van Der Meulen Architects designed this spectacular 26,000 square foot home. The owner’s only criteria were an open, light filled plan, and views of the garden from all rooms. The architects devised a massive complex of living spaces, arranged in a semi-circular pattern to envelope the garden. Monolithic concrete framework is arranged in a radial pattern, emanating from the center of the home. The framework complements outdoor living spaces, including decks, patios, pools, and fountains.
Extravagant touches abound throughout the home, including a 12 car underground garage, indoor pool, naturally ventilated atrium, art gallery, and an elegant entry staircase hovering above an indoor pond. These features are tied together with a rich, cohesive palette of rare stone and wood paired with extensive integrated lighting.
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