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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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)
Russell Hill Road House by GH3 Architects
Originally built in the 1970’s, the Russell Hill Road House was recently renovated by Toronto-based GH3 Architects. Initially conceived as an open-plan, brutalist style structure, the home underwent several remodels that divided its large central spaces into small, dark rooms. GH3 returned the home to its conceptual roots, reopening the entire ground floor, creating a loft-like space with no interruption from front to back. A fully glazed wall at the rear of the house affords residents views of the bordering ravine. Stark white walls contrast an ebony stained wood floor throughout the uncluttered interior. A dramatic, sweeping staircase defines circulation between floors and allows light to travel from one level to another.
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Wood Block Residence by Chadbourne + Doss Architects
http://www.contemporist.com/2009/12/07/the-wood-block-residence-by-chadbourne-doss-architects/
Southeast of Seattle, on Mercer Island, Chadbourne + Doss architects recently completed a reconstruction of an early Fred Bassetti-designed home, dubbed the Wood Block Residence. Bassetti, an iconic Seattle architect, originally designed the home in 1962, but over the ensuing decades, it had fallen into disrepair.
Lisa Chadbourne and Darren Doss worked to comprehensively update the home, while simultaneously referring to 92 year old Bassetti for advice regarding historical accuracy. The result is a rectangular, monolithic structure embedded into a hillside on the island’s west side. The street façade employs imposing site-formed concrete, seamed metal panels, and aluminum screens, but once inside, the plan opens to the heavily wooded site. Cedar-lined ceilings and walls reflect the natural surroundings, which are readily visible through floor to ceiling windows and sliding doors that open onto exterior patios. A black and white color scheme and minimalist furnishings complete the interior décor.
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Google Offices – A Look Inside
Google prides itself on giving its engineers independent freedom over their projects. They’re known for having a unique management structure that allows anyone to implement immediate change if the idea is popular. Google also empowers employees to work on whatever they deem important. With a work atmosphere steep in being so innovative, it wouldn’t be a stretch to imagine an office equally creative.
The Google offices are a big part of what inspires those lucky enough to work there. The design is as offbeat & colorful as the company’s logo. Massage lounges, arcade machines, sliding boards, & hut meeting rooms are a few examples of the interior decor. Employees can dine on gourmet food & even relax in dark rooms all while at work. Artistically, it’s a complement of modern design & engineering.
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Home in Avila, Spain by A-cero Architects
In Avila, Spain, A-cero Architects designed this expansive modern abode to take advantage of the surrounding natural landscape and reinterpret local vernacular and layout. To incorporate traditional architectural cues, A-cero kept the all living spaces on a single level, arranging them in a lengthened u-shape around a central courtyard. Traditional masonry and wood construction techniques were implemented in the home’s construction, further engaging it with local craftsmen and culture.
Though tradition played an important role, the overall impression of the home is thoroughly modern. A massive, cantilevered awning is the most prominent exterior feature, enhancing the elongated, low-slung nature of the design. Generous exterior glazing and sliding doors were placed specifically to take advantage of natural lighting conditions, creating a glowing interior ambiance while protecting inhabitants from the harsh seasonal conditions.
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Sommarhus by Lindstrand Palme Arkitektkontor
Lindstrand Palme Arkitektkontor was the creative force behind this vacation home in Sweden, which was recently awarded the Architecture Debut Prize 2009. The home takes cues from the local vernacular, utilizing a simple rectangular plan and shed roof. The material palette further reinforces the local influence, with corrugated metal roofing and naturally weathered wood siding. Modern flourishes are plentiful, though, with sliding glass doors lining both sides of the structure, skylights, and an upper level terrace cut into the roof.
The home’s interior reflects its simple conceptual roots and features bright, open living spaces. Naturally finished wood was used to construct built in shelves and an open-tread stairway. The same wood adorns the floors throughout the home.
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