Rancho McMillen House by Architects Maguns
At the crest of a hilltop in Escondido, California, the Rancho McMillen House, designed by Architects Magnus, enjoys expansive views of the golf course below and dazzling sunsets every evening. More importantly, though, the home’s elevated perch allows it to take advantage of the steady breeze from the Pacific Ocean, which acts as a passive cooling system. Also aiding the cooling effect of the ocean breeze is a roof whose carefully calculated overhangs shade the floor to ceiling windows throughout the course of the day.
The interior of the home merges rustic, natural elements with modern style; flexible living spaces, an open staircase, and contemporary lighting are complemented by wood ceilings and cabinetry, stone-clad accent walls, a wood burning stove, and dark stained concrete floors. Outside, natural landscape, heavy timber structural elements, and fire-resistant cladding echo the interior theme.
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Otter Cove Residence by Sagan Piechota Architecture
Atop a rocky outcrop in Carmel, California, the Otter Cove House appears as a lavish, natural extension of the landscape. Designed by Sagan Piechota Architecture, the 10,000 square foot home employs a winding, s-shaped plan to take advantage of the stunning ocean views from all rooms, while creating exterior courtyards. Curved glass walls and thin structural pillars offer maximum exposure, and ensure that the home enjoys plenty of natural light, while creating a sense of transparency between living spaces.
To counter the extensive use of glass, the home is anchored with heavy, textural stone walls that recall the nearby cliffs. Wooden slats also adorn select interior walls, adding warmth to the space.
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The Vine Hotel & Spa – Madeira, Portugal
The Vine Hotel is a sleek, modernist retreat conceived by renowned Portuguese designer Nini Andrade Silva. Located at the center of Funchal, Madeira Island’s capital city, the hotel features avant-garde design touches at every glance. Dramatic color schemes vary from room to room, but the overall aesthetic remains consistent throughout, exuding chic luxury. Suites include free standing baths, glass dividing walls, and floor to ceiling windows. An expansive infinity pool lined by cabanas is the most prominent feature of the hotel’s exterior and enjoys impressive views of the town below.
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Raumstation House by x architekten
Among the natural flora and fauna, in an otherwise uninhabited field in Gunskirchen, Austria, the Raumstation house sits conspicuously on a low hillside, in unabashed contrast to its surroundings. Designed by x architekten, the structure is composed of a cantilevered, geometric upper volume anchored to a concrete base. “Raumstation” translates to “space station,” and the home certainly fulfills its designation in the given context.
An open, linear floor plan creates fluid living spaces defined by changes in floor height. Generous glazing and white surfaces combine to reflect light throughout the interior. Exposed concrete and select floors clad in wood vary the otherwise homogenous texture and color palette.
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The Laidley House by Zac / de Vito Architecture
Jim Zack and Lise de Vito, owners of Zack de Vito Architecture, were the creative force behind the Laidley House, located in San Francisco. Their companion company, BuiltForm Construction, was charged with building the home, which occupies a narrow lot with views of the city, the bay, and the Bay Bridge.
The house was built with sustainability in mind, and includes reclaimed, rapid renewable, low toxicity materials, photovoltaic electric and solar hydronic systems. A notable feature is the use of a panelized framing system, where 90% of the framing was constructed off-site.
A modern, open floor plan is paired with copious glazing to take advantage of the views. A stairway spans three levels and allows light to fill interior spaces. The stairway is indicative of the attention to detail present throughout the house, and is custom fabricated from water jet cut steel stringers, acrylic treads and steel and glass guardrails.
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Design/Architecture: 2009 Year End Review
Words by: Dan Carr (Design/Architecture Editor)
(Click on image for full review)
Rosa Muerta by Robert Stone
Just outside of the Joshua Tree National Park, among the barren desert hills of southeastern California, an ominous, black structure protrudes from the sand. Designed by Los Angeles based architect Robert Stone, Rosa Muerta is an open-air structure available for vacation rentals. The all black abode includes a living room with fireplace and spa, kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom.
Stone calls the experience at Rosa Muerta “glamping,” his term for glamorous camping. He drew his inspiration for the structure from the modernist architecture in his home town of Palm Springs combined with modernist art and minimalism. The dark palette allows the residents to enliven the space. Stone asserts that “people are the color-they’re what bring it to life.” A retreat to Rosa Muerta is sure to be unlike any other vacation experience.
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Homework Desk by Robin Grasby
Robin Grasby, a furniture designer and recent graduate of Northubria University, is the creative mind behind the Homework Desk, a versatile workstation that accommodates a range of different uses. Grasby extensively researched the habits and needs of several designers, architects, illustrators, teachers, and students in order to arrive at his final design for the desk. He concluded that the requirements for each user were wholly unique, and consequently, no single design could satisfy them all. Consequently, Grasby designed a modular desk system that allows the user to customize the layout to his or her needs. Interchangeable elements include stationery pots, picture slots, a vase, filing buckets and a cable manager. Exposed connections and unfinished wood lend the desk a straightforward, functional visual presence.
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Bell & Ross Commando BR-01 96
As a tribute to Special Forces, Bell & Ross have designed the Commando BR-01 96. Though not actually specified as equipment for troops, the Commando embodies the qualities necessary for use in combat. The honest ergonomics and light, rugged construction make the watch suitable for nearly any circumstances, and the subdued grey palette avoids undue attention. Large, easily legible numerals are coated with Bell & Ross’ signature black, photo-luminescent paint which emits a vibrant green glow. A blackened, square stainless case with exposed hardware and a matching rubber strap complete the military aesthetic.
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Villa Vals by SeARCH & CMA Architects
From afar, Villa Vals, a home designed by SeARCH & CMA Architects, appears as a crater sunken into a rural hillside. The unusual construction method was, in fact, purposely utilized to maintain the famous mountain views from the nearby thermal baths in Vals, Switzerland. By embedding the home into the hill, the owners were able to avoid many of the strict local building codes while appeasing local residents. The architects describe the project as “an example of pragmatic unobtrusive development in a sensitive location.”
Accessed via an old Graubünder barn and an underground tunnel, the home enjoys breathtaking views of the surrounding Alpine slopes from both the front patio and interior spaces. The structure, and consequently, most of the interior, is composed primarily of concrete, accented by stacked stone that mimics the material found on the barn and other local structures. Surprisingly bright interior spaces implement a utilitarian design scheme that includes exposed structural elements and integrated shelving and furniture.
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