China’s Hakka Houses
In the Fujian Province on the southeast coast of China, photographer Ryan Pyle documents the traditional “apartments” inhabited by groups of Hakka throughout the region. Referred to as Tulou, they are typically round, multi-story structures, and were originally designed to act as both large fortresses and multi-family building complexes. To protect residents from attack, the Tulou have only one exterior entrance and no windows at ground level. Inside, living spaces look out onto an open central courtyard. The ground level usually serves utilitarian purposes (food storage, well, livestock, etc.) while upper levels contain actual family dwellings. Up to 80 families can live in a single Tulou.
Last year, UNESCO bestowed World Heritage Status upon the Tulou, describing the structures as “exceptional examples of a building tradition and function exemplifying a particular type of communal living and defensive organization.”
Conitnue reading for more images.
El Uro House in Mexico by 7XA Taller de Arquitectura
Designers at 7XA Taller Arquitectura carefully considered the final site of this modern home in El Uro, Mexico. They ensured that the two-story glazing that adorns the rear of the home had a breath taking view of the nearby Sierra Madre Mountains. The home’s impressive presence relies heavily upon a dramatically cantilevered upper level and a white roof plane that visually detaches itself from the lower mass of the house. A large concrete patio lies beneath the upper volume, sheltered from the sun, and a pool directly abuts a wall of windows, creating the impression that it continues vertically. Inside, marble flooring throughout, clean white walls, and soaring two-story volumes create a palatial atmosphere for inhabitants
See more images of the El Uro House after the jump.
Cassilhaus by Ellen Cassilly and Frank Konhaus
NY Times did a piece on Frank Konhaus who collaborated with his wife, architect Ellen Cassilly, to design and build their home atop a bluff in Durham, North Carolina. Oddly enough, in an effort to express his design ideas to his wife, he constructed a model of the rectilinear home from Play-Doh. However, he claims that the final product is exactly as he envisioned it. Dubbed “Cassilhaus,” the home is composed of two multi-level structures connected by a bridge in which a 900 square foot art gallery is housed. The gallery was an integral element during the three year design process, and Konhaus says that the space links their lives and art “in a very overt way.” Elsewhere in the 4100 square foot home, double height living areas, strict geometric linearity, and thoughtfully placed windows continue the gallery atmosphere.
Read the whole article at NY Times.
See more images of the Cassilhaus after the jump.
BF House by Humberto Hermeto
Brazilian architect Humberto Hermeto designed the BF House in 2005, and it remains a real estate commodity on the Vila Castela market. Its presence from the street is imposing, soaring several stories above its garage entrance. Elevator towers take residents up to the glass encased living room, which sits dramatically atop two columns, endowing the home with impressive views of the valley below. Adjacent to the living areas is an infinity pool, which appears to cascade past the structure and down the hillside. The interior liberally utilizes polished marble flooring and a few choice pieces of minimalist furniture.
See more of the BF House after the jump.
Modern Glass Home by PCKO and MOFO
The Jodlowa House, located on the outskirts of Krakow, Poland was a collaborative effort between UK-based PCKO and local MOFO Architects. The modern structure is framed in steel and is elevated above its site in order to minimize environmental impact. Also contributing to its environmentally friendly nature is a large, mature tree that was incorporated as part of the exterior terrace design instead of being cut down. The exterior walls of the home are composed almost entirely of glass, allowing unrestricted views the landscape. In contrast to the prevalence of glass in the rest of the structure, there is a 5 story tower at the center of the home and an indoor pool that utilize stone walls. The rustic, textured stone, covered in ivy, is a dramatic contrast to the transparent nature of the rest of the house. The tower houses guest accommodations and affords residents unprecedented views of the Tatra Mountains.
See the rest of the house after the jump
Tsun-miya House by Taira Nishizawa Architects
The Tsun-miya House by Taira Nishizawa Architects is designed with minimalism in mind, both exterior and interior. What you’ll see with the Tsun-miya House is how it is able to connect to the outside world. Privacy is controlled through the walls, giving the home owner the option of letting others see inside. The roof is translucent as to let natural light in, and to experience the motions of the day in real time. The interior however is small, but very comfortable. There is even a small square foot backyard area that leads to the laundry room.
Source: Kenchiku
E7-2 House by Montage DESIGNBUILD
Designed by Montage DESIGNBUILD Architects, the E7-2 House is a Pakistani home that is a mixture of historical influences and contemporary construction. Located in Islamabad, this 2,100 square-foot home features very linear geometric spaces both inside and outside. Outside, the concrete house almost seems like a private upscale shelter, as windows seem to not exist. Inside, the ceilings are fourteen feet high, while different areas of the house interconnect smoothly. As to reflect the outside appearance, the inside also takes cues from the linear and geometrical designs of the home’s facade.
Source: AD
Casa NovaLima by Danilo Matoso
Architect Danilo Matoso’s design, Casa Nova Lima, is located in the valleys of Minas Gerias, Brazil. Matoso intertwined the beautiful landscape within the design by creating stunning views throughout and a fluid distribution of the interior space. A true modern oasis surrounded by rolling hills and lush greenery. More images of the house after the jump.
Source: PA
Frank Lloyd Wright’s La Miniatura For Sale
Frank Lloyd Wright’s newly restored Millard House, aka La Miniatura is now on the market. The Pasadena, California home was commissioned by Alice Millard in 1923 and was the first to feature Wright’s textile block patterns. It is currently priced at $7.7 million. Check out these flickr images of the home or visit the house’s website for more info.
Source: Dwell
Private House in Lake Hollywood
This dazzling house with a direct view on Lake Hollywood, CA blends glass and stone in an elegant fashion. The stunning floating living room has retractable windows which give you breathtaking views of the carefully designed terrace. The metal details on the wooden walls add a rough touch, completely unexpected when first looking at the interior. Open spaces and rectangular shapes throughout the house give it a very trendy but sophisticated look. More images of the house after the jump.
Source: Deco Journal
