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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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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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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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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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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