Located near the city center of Warsaw, Poland, an unexpected haven lies within the gardens of a family allotment of land. Designed by NOKE Architects, the electric House of Color reflects the bold personalities of its owners, who sought tranquility away from the city’s chaos without sacrificing its accessibility.

A small, mobile wooden cabin with open sides is situated in a forest. Two people are seated inside at a table, engaged in conversation.

In a world where sustainability and mobility are becoming increasingly important, the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC) has shared a groundbreaking project – MO.CA (MOBILE CATALYST). This modern mobile home, crafted from zero-kilometer natural materials and employing cutting-edge digital construction techniques, marks a new option for eco-friendly living.

Read another article:Design Trends for Creating a Vacation Vibe at Home

Modern house with large windows and wood accents, surrounded by trees and landscaped garden, viewed from behind a wooden fence.

In the picturesque foothills of Boulder, Colorado, the Hi-Hat House stands as an example of adaptive architecture and design ingenuity. Designed by architecture firm FLOWER, this cozy home for empty nesters is a blend of modular design principles and traditional building techniques.

Modern house with glass walls and wooden accents, surrounded by desert landscape, featuring a small circular pool in the foreground.

Read another article:Hot Trends: 20 Best Farmhouse Style Kitchens in White and Wood

Industry of All Nations (IOAN) designed The Landing House, a modern wood pavilion that was seamlessly integrated into the rugged Mojave Desert landscape, near California’s Joshua Tree National Park. In the vast expanse of the desert, where the landscape is both harsh and delicate, the home is an example of eco-sensitive design that not only respects but enhances the surrounding environment.

Cozy corner with a skylight, featuring a built-in wooden bench with cushions and colorful pillows, surrounded by books and wicker stools. Lush greenery visible through the window.

Nestled on Guemes Island looking out to the Bellingham Channel in Washington State, the Guemes Island Bunkhouse is two-story retreat with a nod to the past. Designed by SHED Architecture & Design, the rustic yet modern bunkhouse is set to be a family heirloom for future generations to enjoy on family vacations.

Read another article:Revamped Small Barcelona Apartment Combines Multiple Styles and Finishes

Modern house with large windows, surrounded by trees, features a long rectangular pool and manicured lawn.

The Bay Area Home, designed by the Olson Kundig with interiors by Nicole Hollis of NICOLEHOLLIS, was carefully crafted to promote the family’s active and art-filled life. Situated in an established San Francisco Bay Area neighborhood, the house is a relaxing haven amid city life, blending indoor and outdoor living with the help of mature oak trees, reflective water features, and expansive views of curated gardens.

Textured building facade with a combination of red and white tiles and large windows reflects modern architectural design.

Rotterdam-based design firm Studio RAP designed a bespoke facade in Amsterdam called the Ceramic House. This project showcases the seamless integration of tradition and innovation through the use 3D-printed ceramic technology. By utilizing custom algorithms and 3D-printed ceramic tiles, Studio RAP transformed a boutique facade into a mesmerizing display of texture, form, and craftsmanship.

Modern house with angled roof, stone and wood facade, large windows, illuminated exterior, and landscaped front yard at dusk.

Inspired by mid-century Eichler homes, Wagoya House pays homage to the iconic architectural style while incorporating contemporary design elements. The residence, located in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Westchester, began as a indistinctive, outdated ranch before undergoing a major transformation at the hands of Alloi. Built with a Japanese post and beam construction method called ‘wagoya,’ the house harmoniously blends natural materials, sustainability, and functionality.

A modern dining area with large windows overlooks a serene lake. A wooden table and wire chairs are centered under unique hanging lights. Lush greenery is visible outside.

In West Seattle, Washington, perched atop a cliff with views of Vashon Island, the Olympic Mountains, and the Puget Sound, stands the Lark House. Originally designed in 1958, this mid-century gem has undergone a transformative renovation, reimagining its space to better align with its present owners while honoring its legacy. The project, led by SHED Architecture & Design, breathes new life into the home by delicately balancing innovation with preservation.

And the top architecture post of 2024 is…

A wooden house surrounded by lush greenery and colorful flowers, with a walkway leading to the entrance, amidst tall trees.

Nestled in a serene, forested enclave of Portland, Oregon, the Mori House merges mid-century modern architecture with contemporary minimalist sensibilities. Originally designed in 1963 by Saul Zaik, this home has been thoughtfully reimagined by SHED Architecture & Design to meet the aesthetic and functional needs of its new owners: a young family with a passion for design.

Check out the rest of Design Milk’s end of the year coverage here!

Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.

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Olympia Prairie Home

The designer’s task was to build a modern, budget-minded home that was livable and respected its rural environment. The Yelm residence is a contemporary take on a country home: using a combination of simple, cost-effective methods to create a warm, comfortable space through clean lines and precise design. A minimal exterior material palette of wood and stucco siding with metal panel accents helps to highlight the beauty of the 10 acres of land on which the house rests. Concrete masonry unit (CMU) walls frame the entry and a flat roof plane hovers overhead to ground the project into the prairie style landscape. The home reflects the clients’ informal lifestyle and relationship to the environment. He is a graphic designer who works from home; her hobbies include sewing, craft projects, and gardening.
The home is 2,200 square feet and L-shaped in plan, which allows for the master suite and office to be separated from the guest rooms, craft room and garage. Centrally placed are the open plan living room, kitchen, and dining room. These rooms create a core space with expansive glass walls that connect the owners visually and physically to the landscape. Private views of foothills and tree-covered wetlands are offered through the transparent core, along with sightings of deer and elk near the back patio. Designed with radiant floor heating, heat-recovery technology, and natural ventilation, the simplicity of the floor plan’s organization creates an intimate and warm interior environment. A concrete masonry fireplace paired with the copper-toned, stained birch ceiling also adds material warmth. Circulation through the space is enlivened by built-in storage benches, acting as visual breaks and adding pops of color. Efficient planning and the repetition of elements throughout the house helped to keep costs down, resulting in an economically priced, modern home that compliments its natural environment.