Home & House Design Ideas | Interior

Contemporary Fractured Residence by Studio H:T

House Design — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 03:09:01 +0000

The Fractured Residence designed by AIA Colorado’s 2010 Young Architect of the Year awarded Studio H:T in Boulder Colorado. The project creates spatial experience from the fracture implied by splayed property lines. The resulting volumetric fissure of the building mass organizes the horizontal circulation and creates the space of the stair cavern. The fracture also serves as a connector between the two entries of the long narrow dwelling, thus remediating the challenging circulation issues of building from street to street with a sectional shift of almost 40?. The unique spatial experience is punctuated by, and allows for, highly varied apprehension of form, light, and shadow. Photos by Raul Garcia [Studio H:T]

Luxury Kona Residence in Hawaii by Belzberg Architects

House Design — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 01:53:51 +0000

This spectacular Kona Residence sited between cooled lava flows in Hawaii, designed by Belzberg Architects. Within the dichotomy of natural elements and geometric hardscape the residence attempts to integrate both the surrounding views of volcanic mountain ranges to the east and ocean horizons westward. The program is arranged as a series of pods distributed throughout the property, each having its own unique features and view opportunities. The pods are programmatically assigned as two sleeping pods with common areas, media, master suite and main living space.

A central axis becomes the organizational and focal feature for the entire house, connecting each of the pods through an exterior gallery corridor. To help maintain the environmental sensitivity of the house, 2 separate arrays of roof mounted photovoltaic panels offset the residence energy usage while the choice of darker lava stone help heat the pool water via solar radiation. Rain water collection and redirection to 3 drywells that replenish the aquifer are implemented throughout the property. Reclaimed teak timber from older barns and train tracks are recycled for the exterior of the home. Together with stacked and cut lava rock, the two materials form a historically driven medium embedded in Hawaiian tradition. 3-D modeling and digital fabrication through CNC machinery was incorporated to further enhance traditional elements in a contemporary arrangement. Local basket weaving culture was the inspiration for the entry pavilion which reenacts the traditional gift upon arrival ceremony. CNC milled ceilings and screens throughout the house continue the abstract approach to traditional Hawaiian wood carving. – Photos by Benny Chan [Belzberg Architects]

‘O’ de Squisito Boat House in Dubai by X Architects

House Design — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 17:29:57 +0000

The ‘O’ de Squisito Boat House project was commissioned by Leen Vandaele, a prominent Belgian interior designer based in Dubai as a live work space to reflect her character. The house boat is an attempt to introduce architectural sensibilities into a nautical theme to create a sea-faring home. With its clean bold lines, this simple and streamlined structure of 20 x 6.7m includes an upper deck containing a concealed kitchen, living room and an entertainment room housing a grand piano.

The fundamental structure of the floating home is created from two catamaran beams with stainless steel and glass as enclosures. Developing a minimalist design for a boat is a complex task involving clever detailing to accommodate the expansion and movement unique to marine vessels. Delivering such a difficult design involved close collaboration with the fabrication team and a constant feedback to inform the design team about real time constraints. The interiors with large unobstructed windows offer a panoramic view of the exterior, and are minimally decorated to reflect the lifestyle of the client. The generously sized external decks on the house boat allows for the interior to flow out and vice versa. The lower deck incorporates the bedrooms, bathroom and steering cabin. The two levels are connected through a spiral staircase which becomes an iconic feature of the exterior. – [X Architects]

Luxurious Monk’s Shadow Residence by Kendle Design Collaborative

House Design — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 13:27:45 +0000

The Monk’s Shadow Residence created with luxurious taste in desert land in Paradise Valley Arizona by Kendle Design Collaborative. The design of this home is a pragmatic response to an amazing yet challenging site. A narrow lot with 60’ of vertical elevation combined with a restrictive Hillside Zoning Ordinance made designing a conventional home impossible. The home is approached via a somewhat formal car court, devoid of views into or through the home. Upon passage through an oversized frosted glass pivot door guests are greeted by a linear gallery space with a completely transparent facade facing the Secret Garden, a lush oasis in the desert made up of colorful desert appropriate plantings of a softer nature along with a judicious use of turf. The turf, kept to a minimum, acts as a soft extension of the interior floor area – a turf terrace so to speak. The roof is celebrated and articulated to form a pavilion, sheltering the interior and exterior spaces below and providing those spaces the freedom to take on what ever shape their function dictates with out interruption from columns and supporting walls. The butterfly shape also acts to direct precious rain water to supplement the watering of the surrounding xeriscape landscaping.

The roof of the lowest level forms the deck of the main public/family level. This deck is divided in to a kitchen and dining side that bridges to the main living area deck. All materials are chosen to be in harmony with the natural surrounding. Hardscape, including the concrete pavers on the deck, resemble the finish and color of the natural desert floor. Copper accents weather to a natural patina complimenting the iron rich strata found in the surrounding rock formations. Integral colored hard troweled synthetic plaster is colored to compliment the indigenous creosote, Palo Verde, mesquite and ironwood found on site. Sustainable features include low-e glazing throughout, zoned high efficiency climate control systems, ample daylighting reducing need for electric light, expanded cell foam insulation providing extraordinary r-values and reduced air infiltration and acoustic benefits, cross air ventilation reducing need for mechanical conditioning, mechanized window shading and deep overhangs to shade and protect openings, exposed concrete floors reducing floor coverings and adhesives, and xeriscape landscaping designed to assist with interior cooling.

“…The name “Monk’s Shadow” is an affectionate reference to possibly the most influential member of the design team; an iconic geologic formation known to those in the Valley of the Sun as the Praying Monk. You see the Owner’s and the Monk developed a special relationship over the 10-12 years they lived on the property prior to deciding to design their new home. During the first program discussion with the Owners they stated their desire to wake up each morning and see the monk without leaving their bed. Many more decisions would be based on views to the Praying Monk including slot windows above the art gallery allowing the 6’-6” inhabitants to see the Monk as they traversed past their art collection, views to the Monk as they stretched out in the pool or flipped burgers at the BBQ just to name a few. They also wanted every guest to have the Monk be their last view before departing the property” – [Photos by Rick Brazil, Prescott Arizona]

Minimalist La Brea Avenue Residence by Jayna Cooper

House Design — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 06:47:10 +0000

Jayna Cooper designing and built house for herself on busy La Brea Avenue in Los Angeles. The 1,600-square-foot house satisfies all the zoning and site challenges (noise, privacy, security) to a T. Because the house is on such a high-traffic street, the city requires complete turnaround space for a car. With such a small property that means that almost the entire ground floor is dedicated to the driveway, carport, and turnaround space. she designed a structural steel system to cantilever a portion of the house and separate the stair tower into its own massing component.

In the second floor, there are two bedrooms and baths. The third floor designed like a large open loft with living, dining, kitchen, and a small office. The third floor boasts 360-degree views of Los Angeles, lots of natural light, and a large balcony off the dining area. Having outside space in California is a must and Cooper maximized Los Angeles’s agreeable climate with the fourth-floor roof deck that takes up the entire 600-square-foot footprint, and a small backyard garden with a patio and fire pit.

For security, Cooper limited ground floor access and secured it by doubling up on security systems and, using leftover materials, designing a front fence and gate with a solid top half for privacy and a transparent bottom half to keep any fence-jumpers from having a place to hide. For the inescapable noise, Cooper buffered the sound by placing bathrooms, cabinetry, and insulated windows against the street-side wall. [Jayna Cooper]

Luxury JE House in Brazil by Humberto Hermeto

House Design — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 06:07:14 +0000

Brazilian Architects Humberto Hermeto presents beautiful house design sited at irregular terrain in Nova Lima, Brazil. This building incorporate in two uses first as a big residence with five suites, generous living and leisure spaces; and second as a large gallery for the owner. The main entrance is marked by a void at the beginning of the portico. From there, different occupations under the cover create the enclosed areas such sauna, kitchen and bedrooms. These opened spaces are extended over the gallery coverage through a large deck, a pool and garden areas. Communication between the various levels of the residence is made by a central core that contains an elevator. It connects directly the first level of the gallery to the residence level. In an intermediate level, it connects the service, garage floor and the mezzanine of the gallery.

In the lower level, the gallery, the stereotomic volume. With the need for an air-conditioned closed space, the volume arises from the ground like a big rock, a big platform. At the top level, the residence, the tectonic volume. And the second action: to get the most of the existing views, the residence is distributed under a continuous roof, constituted by a reinforced concrete portico. This portico sets the residence´s built volume. And the residence is distributed under the roof, according the needs of each space: access , recreation area, kitchen, living room, bedrooms. The existing views guide the various openings: from every room one sees the mountains. – Photos by Jomar Bragança

Modern Mosman House Design by Corben Architects

House Design — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 03:04:50 +0000

The Mosman House was built in 588 sqm site area in Sidney, sited on a battle axe block was designed to take maximum advantage of outstanding water views and maintain absolute privacy to the adjacent neighbours. This house replaced a small older style single level house and had to be skilfully designed to adhere to local approving authority’s view sharing policy and ensure minimal view loss to the neighbours behind.

The three storey house is concealed behind a timber battened garage door and entry gate to the street but then reveals itself as one enters the site and moves through the landscaped garden from the front gate to the front door. Only glimpses of the panoramic water view that lies beyond are revealed along this journey. It is only upon entering the house and moving into the large open plan Living/Dining/Kitchen that the full impact of the stunning view is felt. The substantial living space with its large sliding windows and high ceilings flows out and becomes one with the outside encouraging the indoor/outdoor lifestyle.

The main entry, two living areas and guest wing are located on the middle level with three bedrooms on the upper level, the main one designed as a luxury suite. The lower level incorporates a large rumpus / media room and store areas. The building is a simple rectilinear form of concrete and masonry construction, carefully layered with timber battening and sandstone cladding to present a modern home with a focus on natural materials and clear design principles. Energy saving options were adopted including an operable skylight over the central core allowing natural light and ventilation, timber slated screens provide sun control, concrete floors and roof to provide thermal mass and Energy Efficient glazing to the external windows and doors. The house also consists of a rainwater harvesting system comprising of 30,000L rainwater tank which is used for garden irrigation and flushing of toilets. The finished house is a fine example of an understated but luxurious house that takes maximum advantage of a difficult site. – Photos by Alina Gozina [Corben Architects]

Modern Wall System Living Room with TV by Diotti

House Design — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 03:22:04 +0000

Living room is a very special area of our home. It is the front line in our effort to impress any and all guests. Choosing the right TV furniture for a modern living room is one of the most important aspects of contemporary interior design. As the media area is where our main focus is concentrated, having stylish furniture is worth a great deal of consideration when planning the whole living room design. Here we look at Modular sideboards and wall-hung cabinets by Diotti A & F, fifteen totally modern furniture configurations, all with the TV as the focal point of the designs. As with a lot of contemporary living room designs, the furniture lines are sharp and simple, with bold colors and highly functional features. With lacquered finish and ribbed glass these sideboards and media centers give the room a bright and sleek appeal. [Diotti A & F]

Sustainable Syncline House in Colorado by Arch11

House Design — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 03:10:23 +0000

The Syncline House project was conceived as a threshold between the city and the mountain park in Colorado. The house is designed by Arch11 to be self sustained utilizing a ground loop heat exchange system that taps into the very bedrock seen at the distant ridge. Structural steel frame is used in place of traditional stick framing throughout the home. The western facade was challenged by height and wind exposure. The thickened wall is a steel brace frame that incorporates vertical vierendeel trusses to resist the 120 mile per hour winds coming down out of the mountains. Additionally, it accommodates the primary vertical mechanical chases.

The western wall phenomenally erodes, revealing the landscape with varying degrees of openness. At the entry, framed apertures provide controlled vignettes of the landscape from foreground meadow to high ground cliffs. As the entry opens to the living spaces the apertures transform in scale to reveal the expansive landscape in its entirety. At the southwest corner thirty feet of glass retracts into the walls, dissolving the boundary between the domestic and the wild; the living spaces are then bounded only by the uplifted cliffs beyond. A simple stair cantilevers from the stone wall. Climbing the stairs, the foreground, mid range, and ridge views are sequentially revealed. Experientially scissoring into the landscape and back into the house the stairs connect the mountain park with the house. The west wall of glazing extends the western room boundaries to the wall of rock and meadows beyond. The east wall remains closed, allowing only privileged, controlled views and light from the clerestory above. [Arch11]

Luxurious Grand Hotel Domine Bilbao Interior by Javier Mariscal

House Design — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 07:08:46 +0000

Situated near the Guggenheim Museum, The Grand Hotel Domine Bilbao have warm atmosphere with luxurious interior design. The first five-star hotel of the Silken Hotel chain and it surely is their pride. This hotel expresses a contemporary and cutting edge concept that avoids ostentation and promotes lot of fun and frolic activities. The project is infected by its neighbor, the Guggenheim’s, activity and offers a space that contains a selection of furniture that represents the most beautiful and aspiring designs from the 20th century. Its singularity consists in the application of a concept of integral design, of great, formal coherence, carried out by Javier Mariscal and Fernando Salas with their respective teams. – [Javier Mariscal]