architecture

dictated by the sun

The story of the J House originates from its surroundings. The contrasting lines of the ascending roof and descending land foreshadow the inner scheme of the home. For example the iron white lattice whose hollow spaces allow the light to pour in from the diagonal roof - shadowy shapes appear amidst reflections of light.

An iron white staircase lends itself to the general atmosphere of the...

Californian Cool

I cannot deny that I am a lover of tone and tone for interiors (I can’t quite admit to it being a love of beige on beige!). I am a strong believer in the interest and excitement that can be created through the use of different materials and proportions, so this project by LA-based designer, Jamie Bush, has...

artist studio

Located in Sonoma County, California, United States the 2500sf artist studio is clad in barn wood. The inverted pitch roof creates sweeping double height spaces for art production and storage while providing natural ventilation, natural light, and views out toward the property. Designed by Mork Ulnes, a concrete kitchen and dining space grows out from the studio, nicknamed the...

rivers of knowledge

Shanghai studio XL-Muse recently completed Yangzhou Zhongshuge’, a library located in Zhen Yuan, China. Walking into the lobby the designer extends inspiration taken through local bridges rivers. Rivers on the floor and a midnight sky which flow forward leading readers to go deeper into the vast ocean of knowledge. Bookshelves on either side extend the shape of the skyline with graceful arcs, just like...

light, air and stone

This is a country house located in the Catalan Empordà Spain. Although it’s surrounded by fruit trees and fields, it isn’t completely alone, as it shares a wall with another house of smaller size. The house is the result of a series of extensions that happened over time giving answer to both residential and agricultural needs. The main intervention by

Tree house

Located in Nha Trang, a city in central Vietnam surrounded by the ocean and mountains, the client wanted a large house with a large garden. In response to this request, a Vo Trong Nghia Architects + ICADA designed the roof as a garden planting numerous trees on it. The local building code required almost 50% of the roof area...

The Moody Blues

Faye Toogood creates environments, lamenting every detail right down to the flatware housed in the furniture she designs. Recently an American couple with an apartment is London’s Mayfair engaged her to do just that – to create a living work of art! In the small home, Faye Toogood reinvented the idea of Englishness with a palette of inky slates...

The New Milan

When making the decision to move out of the their central Milanese home that the family had lived in for over one hundred years and turn it into a boutique hotel, the Ranza family knew that the end result should be an honest reflection of the history of the building, while being a fresh and luxurious addition to the Milan design landscape. For the Ranza...

farmhouse dreaming

Masseria Moroseta is a white stone farmhouse standing proudly on the ridge with views across the olive trees to the sea in Ostuni, Province of Brindisi Italy. Built using traditional techniques and local materials, the modern architecture is influenced by masserie (farmhouses) of the past. Designed by Andrew Trotter architects, the farmhouse is set on five hectares of...

guided by the elements

The clients approached SAOTA to design a family holiday home that responded to the site, especially the views. They wanted a relaxing, yet elegant home that would be comfortable when entertaining many guests whilst also feeling intimate and cosy when it’s only one or two of them in the house. Other factors that drove the conceptual organisation of the building were the views,...