Magical Botanica House: Spectacular Green Home in Singapore Embraces the Elements

This lodge is a 120m2 house located in a rural scene in a southern region of Chile. The brief was to design a house with two bedrooms and two bathrooms with a main shared space, interpreting an old small traditional southern Chilean dwelling. The challenge of the proposal was to get that traditional southern look, which implies very opaque facades, but with a full translucent side where the landscape and light can get inside the building, creating its own private world. The house is placed between a forest of native trees, giving its back to the main street. So, the house is oriented to the north and west to get the most of sunlight, which this south down is much appreciated. The concept of the design is organized based on 3 contrast between old and new:
1- Removing non-structural walls and floors: the main structural shape and volume are maintained the same as the old traditional house, but the interior is liberated from any non-structural dividing element, which helped to create a clean and continuous space.
2- Concentrating the apertures: The main source of light is the north façade, keeping the other free opaque as a traditional southern house would have, so the proportion of void and mass was not lost.
3- Material contrast: Big floor to ceiling windows in contrast to recycled traditional timber shingles, an evident contrast between old and new. The distribution of the house is developed in an almost square plan, divided into three volumes:
The main one has the public areas of the house: kitchen, dining room, sitting room and mezzanine.
The east one, the widest, has sleeping rooms and bathrooms with the main access of the house.
And the west one is 1.5m wide acting as a corridor and informal dining room adjacent to the public areas of the main volume. The mezzanine is an opportunity to use the roof space, with a lot of light and natural heating, having control over the main space.

Willard Hall Francis, Architect The Francis Residence, 1952. Located on 3/5 of an acre in the highly-desirable Crestwood Hills neighborhood of Brentwood, this vintage mid-century modern home is preserved in time, cherished in its original condition and ready for the next steward to be brought lovingly into the new millennium. The open plan is organized around a central atrium, with floor-to-ceiling glass and clerestory windows bringing natural light into every room. A wood-burning fireplace warms the public spaces, and each room is articulated with old-growth redwood siding, authentic cabinetry and custom built-ins. Down to the last detail, the classic tile, antique hardware and rare light fixtures remain intact. While the large site with more than half an acre appears to provide ample room for additions, remodeling, a second story and even larger development opportunities, the existing home most likely qualifies for historic landmark registration and attendant property tax benefits. ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF SUZY POLING

If you are accustomed to a whole lot of space, then 1200 square feet does not feel like much. But in most cities across the world, this is ample space for a lovely little apartment. In heart of New York City, it can be even termed as a luxury! Nestled in Greenwich Village, this revamped […]

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Situated on Bowen Island’s West Coast, the Collingwood Residence is located on a private 10 acre lot surrounded by forest. The home is divided into three buildings, connected by the glass breezeways, as an intentional separation of public and private spaces. The breezeways which separate the buildings afford views to the ocean as you approach the house. Social experiences are centered around the open kitchen, dining, and living space located in the central building, while the master and guest suites are located in the buildings to either side. Floor to ceiling sliding glass doors in the kitchen and dining spaces can be opened to extend the living space outdoors to the covered patio with views to the ocean. The local material selection is reflective of the home’s west coast setting: cedar shingles clad the exterior, while the natural stone grounds the home firmly on its site. The large cantilevered dual-pitch roofs with cedar soffits and exposed structure, reflect the traditional forms of the remote cabin, while they are given a contemporary feel with crisply detailed zinc fascias. The building is highly insulated and airtight to limit the need for energy usage throughout the year. Appliances were carefully selected for energy efficiency and low water consumption. Large low-e coated windows and overhangs are sited to maximize solar gain in the winter months whilst preventing overheating in the summer.