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
Continue reading for more images.
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.
Continue reading for more images.
Modern Barn Home by Specht Harpman
After this barn in Wilton, Connecticut was damaged by a fire, its owners contacted Specht Harpman architects to redesign and rebuild the structure to serve as a residence. During the rebuilding process, the architects were particularly careful to leave the exterior of the barn mostly unaltered to remain contextually relevant to its surroundings. Consequently, traditional double-hung windows were added and kept small in scale to avoid detracting from the rural vernacular.
Inside, however, the space was dramatically transformed into a bright and airy modern home. Exposed maple framing, polished concrete floors, and triple height ceilings characterize the home’s interior. Aside from a handful of private spaces in a small lofted space and behind the kitchen, the floor plan is devoid of barriers. The result is a prime example of how a once utilitarian space can be transformed into a viable and attractive home.
Continue reading for more images.
Modern Interiors by Eugeni Pons
Hailing from Lloret de Mar, Spain, internationally renowned architectural photographer Eugeni Pons has been featured in books and magazines across the globe. Publications include Wallpaper, Architectural Record, Architectural Review, Baumeister, and De architect.
Pons’ body of work features primarily interiors from a wide range of building types, including modern homes, offices, hotels, and retail stores. He uses both natural and artificial lighting to great effect, creating dramatic, textural images that immerse the viewer.
Continue reading for more images.
Cottesloe House by Paul Burnham
A beachside suburb in Perth, Australia is home to this airy modern home by Paul Burnham. The pavilion-style home uses floor to ceiling glass that opens onto expansive terraces on both upper levels, allowing ocean breezes to move through the living spaces. A series of industrial fans mounted along the walls further facilitates interior air movement. Exposed concrete is prevalent throughout the home, most notably on interior ceilings, the kitchen island, and select exterior walls. The industrial exterior aesthetic is further enhanced by naturally weathered metal panels at ground level.
Continue reading for more images.
White House in Norway by Jarmund/Vigsnaes
In the densely populated suburb of Strand, Norway, this angular white home stands as a bold modern monument, striking a balance between interior intimacy and fluid movement between inside and outside. On the upper level in the main living space, the structure is open at both ends, where eastern and western exposure provide plentiful natural light. At the west end, a cantilevered deck affords residents a view of the nearby Oslo fjord. At the east end, a modest patio provides a more private outdoor area. Inside, wood adorns both the ceiling and floor, providing a warm contrast to the otherwise white décor.
Continue reading for more images.
Casa Q by asensio_mah and J.M. Aguirre Aldaz
Casa Q sits perched on a hillside on Spain’s north coast, a dark, angular abode overlooking the town below. The dramatic modernist home, composed of several skewed rectangular volumes, is clad with black metal panels punctuated by large, sunken windows. A walkway bordered by concrete retaining walls rises gradually from the street to reach the main entry and a sizeable deck with an integrated pool. Adjacent to the walkway, a driveway is carved into the hillside to provide access to a ground level garage. Concrete retaining walls are used across the property to create an overall terraced effect.
Inside the home, neutral materials and colors await the personal touch of future residents. Naturally finished wood floors and clean white surfaces abound. Skylights in the main living spaces accompany the windows to provide ample natural light.
Continue reading for more images.
Interiors & Exteriors by Leder+Ragnarsdottir+OEI
In Lörrach, Germany, architecture firm Lederer+Ragnarsdottir+OEI completed a project at the University of Education that included a renovation of existing campus buildings, exterior space planning, and construction of new educational facilities. Originally built in the 1960’s, the school was designed around a central courtyard using modern theory and ideals. Transparency, views of the landscape, and social hubs were all important determining factors in the original design. To modernize the campus while still honoring the existing structures and ideology, LRO created a layout “based on the conviction that a considerable part of studying happens outside of classrooms.” Consequently, a second, larger courtyard was created to act as a hub for the new construction. A series of lecture pavilions extend out from the courtyard and an outdoor auditorium lies at the junction of the old and new structures.
LRO is committed to “learn from the long tradition of building without falling into historicism,” and the project in Lörrach is a perfect example. The essence of the original campus remains, but in a thoroughly modernized form.
Continue reading for more images.
Minimalist Home by Takao Akiyama
A stark, minimalist carport radiates out from the main living space of this home by Takao Akiyama, drastically differentiating it from neighbors. The carport includes an integrated covered walkway that leads to the rectilinear, glass-walled volumes of the home, creating an exterior courtyard. The interior spaces reflect the aesthetic style of the exterior, with minimally furnished rooms and bright white surfaces. A few select furnishings in bright primary colors provide occasional divergence from the white. Spaces progress from public functions near the street to private functions with opaque glass at the rear of the property
Continue reading for more images.
Audi Car Configurator on Microsoft Surface
While Audi’s R8 electric turned heads at this year’s IAA, the tech-happy German brand also debuted its A4 Configurator. Using Microsoft Surface, the Configurator allows multiple users to create the A4 of their dreams in an immersive 3D environment. Simple hand gestures or motions allow the user to alter virtually anything on the A4, with instant results. Paint finish, wheel and tire packages, and interior color scheme are just some of the options that will be available for the user to manipulate. Whether or not Audi plans to take their tech partnership to local dealers remains unknown, but this will surely be a welcome change from the tired 100-page option booklets that luxury car manufacturers cling so fondly to.
Continue reading to see the Video.
