Shoffice

Platform 5 Architects have designed the Shoffice for a house in London, England.

"Shoffice (shed + office) is a garden pavilion containing a small office alongside garden storage space located to the rear of a 1950’s terraced house in St John’s Wood with the brief requiring the shoffice to be conceived of as a sculptural object that flowed into the garden space".

"The glazed office space nestles into an extruded timber elliptical shell, reminiscent of a wood shaving, and forms a small terrace in the lawn". The interior is oak lined, including oak flooring, and fitted out with a cantilevered desk and storage. "Two rooflights - one glazed above the desk with another open to the sky outside the office bring light into the work space".

Special thanks to Contemporist for the above information and images.

The Yacht

The French interior designer Frédéric Flanquart recently completed the interior of this 915 square-foot apartment atop a building on the Parisian "Grands Boulevards".

"Following the creation of the Lodt des Innocents, Frédéric Flanquart Interior Architecture and Design have set themselves a new challenge, with the renovation of the Yacht: an 85m2 apartment located on the last floor of a building on the Parisian Grand Boulevards, opened up onto a large passageway, reminiscent of a ship".

"The Yacht features a large entrance, providing access to all bedrooms and the living room. This communal area also opens out onto a passageway, in which the kitchen and dining room are located, both benefiting from a fantastic panoramic view. Both the master bedroom and the guest room boast private bathrooms. Positioned on an angle, the entirety of the Yacht bathes in natural light, creating a wide variation of lighting tones throughout the day". The warmth of the Perigord Walnut furniture is therefore enhanced, working in elegant harmony with oak flooring.

"Noble and refined materials such as Baccarat Crystal, full-grain leather and Macassar Ebony were used during the renovation of the apartment, creating an elegant and contemporary environment. Chrome steel and Burgundy Stone add a hint of masculinity, whilst the play of soft lighting brings a final touch of calm and serenity to this unique location".

Special thanks to HomeDSGN for the above images and information.

Seaside Residence

Stelle Lomont Rouhani architects have completed this seaside residence, located in Southampton, New York.

"An existing non-descript structure, perched above the crest of the dune between the ocean and bay, was thoroughly transformed". Clearly defines volumes, simple, durable, yet elegant materials and details were utilized, instilling a strong connection between the indoors and out.

"An infinity edge pool was placed between the house and bay, bridging the two bodies of water and screening the street. The public spaces were located on the upper floor, extending out onto a series of decks. A wooden cantilevered trellis extends through the house from ocean to bay. The lower floor is separated into guest and owner spaces. The master bath extends out onto a private, louvered deck, allowing ocean and bay breezes while maintaining privacy".

"Highly efficient mechanical and lighting systems, an extensive insulation package, high performance glass and sun shading reduce the structure’s overall footprint. Assemblies, materials and finishes were chosen for their simplicity, sustainability, and low maintenance, coexisting with the sea, sand and vegetation of the site. They include aluminum doors and windows, weathered cedar rain screen siding, matte plaster interior walls and plain sawn oak floors".

Special thanks to Contemporist for the above images and information.

Block House

The Australian studio Taylor + Reynolds has recently completed the Block House project. This two story contemporary home is located in Kew, a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

This family home is a homage to the many houses built in the leafy inner eastern suburb of Kew during the 60’s and 70’s. The selection of natural, unadorned materials - particularly concrete blockwork - set the building modestly into the site and street.

"Through contrast in colour and texture, the facade is horizontal by nature, reading as two interconnected bands. The first floor, rectilinear in form and clad in dark stained Western Red Cedar is set upon a secondary form consisting of concrete blocks and render to match".

"A simple rectilinear form is transformed into a dynamic and exciting living space through the interplay of materiality and detail, light and shadow, solid and void. Texture within the block laying pattern is a significant element in the whole; a typically flat and utilitarian material is transformed, becoming a sculptural element delineating the homes’ spaces. Light dances across the blockwork accentuating the depth of pattern through the movement of shadow, creating a feature wall. Timber oak flooring is juxtaposed against the concrete blocks, establishing a sense of warmth and lightness within the home".

"The design is open plan and the living spaces flow freely from one to another. Function is defines through changes in level and materiality. Upon entry, the tiles surface steps down to the kitchen and living room which are delineated through the use of joinery. A full height unit has dual functionality; as an element of the kitchen. Behind smoked mirrored glass the pantry, fridge and bar are concealed. Meanwhile, from the living room, the unit is clad in dark timber veneer and again screening the TV wall unit. The house is orientated to the north with the living area opening out onto the pool and garden creating a wonderful entertaining zone".

Special thanks to HomeDSGN for the above images and information.

Casa G

The Oslo based studio Gudmundur Jonsson Arkitektontor completed the Casa G project in 2009, and is located in Iceland.

"The concept of Casa G is based on reading and feedback to the landscape it exists on. The characteristic landscape situation and view differences distinctively in each direction. Towards south the view to the sea and islands, towards north the characteristic triangular mountain, towards east the glacier and towards west the river and canyon".

"Those elements are the creator of the project, the transitions between the landscape views giving the entrance from the north and the curved plan giving a vitalized focus towards the seaside in south. When turning back the north view towards the mountain is as well enhanced with the widening view due to the fan-shape of the tilting wooden wall. being a mediator between the northern and southern landscape characteristic".

"The guest-wing of the building stretches to the canyon and the river towards west. Thus the building concept is a composition and dialog of views and experiences of the various nature at site".

"The ground floor and basement is covered with the Icelandic  “Blágryti” (bluestone) which is dark greyish-blue with minimal pattern and structure. When mounted without gaps in variety in lengths and depths it gives a homogenic and neutral exclusive floor".

The first floor is covered with broad pre-treated solid oak flooring.

Special thanks to HomeDSGN for the above images and information.

Twisted Cabin

The Norwegian architectural firm JVA has created the Twisted Cabin. This 3,875 square foot contemporary home is located in Kvitfjell, Norway and was completed in 2011.

"High in the mountain, 1000m above the ocean and close to the ski slopes, the cabin reflects the contours in the terrain to make room for a large family on holiday. The cabin has seven floor levels connected differently to the surrounding terrain. These levels give various internal and external views".

"The facades and roof is cladded in larch wood, and the whole interior is mainly in oak wood to give a warm feeling in the wintertime".

Special thanks to HomeDSGN for the above images and information.

New Edinburgh House

The Ottawa based studio Christopher Simmonds Architect has recently completed the New Edinburgh House project. This two-story contemporary home is located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

"The linear composition of this house and site is interrupted by the volumes of lightwells, stairs and courtyard. The resulting interpenetration of views and space along the home result in strong indoor / outdoor connections".

"Heated exposed concrete floors ensure comfort in the presence of large glazed areas. Cabinetry in matte white lacquer and stained ash veneer flow through the interconnected kitchen and dining spaces. Reclaimed white oak boards clad the exterior volumes".

Special thanks to HomeDSGN for the above images and information.