A House that Uncompromisingly Engages with the Elements of Nature | House by the Lake

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Foraging is a rapidly growing design trend, especially when quarantining at home during a global pandemic. Taking a pair of clippers to your yard or garden has never been more popular. There’s something about the large-scale possibilities of foraged centerpieces that creates beautiful and unexpected results. Even on a small scale, foraging can be a […]

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One of the most remarkable Puglia villa rentals available, this restored 16th-century masseria (fortified farmhouse) stands proudly on the ancient Appian Way. If you are looking for a luxurious holiday retreat brimming with character and history, this stunning property is for you. Deep in the countryside and surrounded by olive groves, Villa Pizzorusso is the ideal place to get away from it all. The secluded gardens, filled with orange trees and aromatic herbs, are wonderfully private, and you’ll love the magnificent 80 ft (25 m) swimming pool. Enjoy a morning coffee or early evening aperitif on the extensive first-floor terrace and take in the views across the peaceful landscape. The character of the grand old masseria is still in evidence throughout. Enter the interior through the arched portal and step into a world of barrel-vaulted ceilings, stone arches and a wealth of period details that wouldn’t look out of place on a film set. Different parts of the building date from different eras: the main wing, complete with five cupolas and frescoed ceilings, was added in the 18th century, while the main living area – including an open-plan kitchen – is located within the 17th-century stables. There’s plenty of space to accommodate up to twelve guests. Each bedroom is air-conditioned and simply furnished with neutral tones and traditional wood furniture, while the bathrooms feature striking contemporary fixtures. Four of the bedrooms are located in the main villa with the two upstairs bedrooms having private entrances and secluded access from the ground floor, while two more are located in a smaller stone building in the courtyard. There is much to see and do in the area – from the beaches of the Ionian and Adriatic coasts, to the whimsical conical architecture of the local trulli dwellings. Gourmet travelers should stop at the charming local market town of Mesagne, with its bakeries, wine co-ops and cheese shops (the fresh mozzarella and ricotta are made daily). Puglia is also rich in picturesque medieval cities, such as Ostuni and Otranto, their atmospheric narrow streets lined with an abundance of restaurants specializing in the delectable local cuisine.

With their plans to add an additional floor thwarted, BVDS Architects fit a new loft bedroom into a half-height space that feels surprisingly open.

The clients of The Sanctuary, recent empty-nesters planning ahead to retirement, hoped to downsize and simplify in the design of their new Palo Alto home. When the clients purchased the property, an old wooden fence across the front yard and original house closed off the site from the street. Behind this rough and aged presentation however was an urban refuge of lush vegetation throughout the deep lot. This sense of discovery served as the original inspiration for the design of the house and directed both architect and client to its culmination. The proximity of the downtown Palo Alto area by foot and bike was fundamental to the clients’ decision to purchase this lot, and their belief in building to a higher density in an urban setting lead to the inclusion of a second story apartment. The couple fell in love with the overgrown garden and its obvious potential, approaching Ground Studio Landscape to help them enhance the landscape; retaining scenes of serenity and surprise while creating more of a cohesive and modern feel. Through their collaboration with Ground Studio Landscape, the clients connected with our firm, bringing with them a desire to design a long-lasting modern house that fit comfortably into the surrounding neighborhood while featuring its unique and charming landscape. The house is sited quietly behind the large heritage oak tree with its canopy stretching across the generously sized front yard. After passing under its branches, guests are lead through a series of courtyards and view gardens that weave through the undulating footprint of the building. Each interior space is paired with its own landscape moment, allowing the architecture and landscape to flow into each other. The structure floats on piers, allowing the building to participate in dialogue with the trees on site while protecting the root areas. The floor plate projects beyond the building envelope and dissolves into balconies to blur the sense of indoor/outdoor while at the same time lifting the building up from the ground. Even the driveway is constructed out of floating concrete structural slabs supported on piers to minimize the impact on the heritage oak tree. By expanding the living area to spill into the outdoor spaces, our teams provided ample room for the clients to entertain their ever expanding family. Three pavilions span the depth of the lot. The thoughtfully placed second story apartment is designed for rentals. Below, board-formed concrete walls serve as organizing elements in the main residence which separate private from public areas. Diffused natural light streams into the space throughout the day, working gently with the clean material palette of concrete and Alaskan yellow cedar. The Sanctuary was constructed as a modern house that allows the landscape to speak first. The design features its many hidden courtyards, inviting guests to experience the same sense of wonder that first drew our clients to this urban oasis.