Archinect - News

Atelier Bow-Wow’s first U.S. home features a large ‘umbrella’ roof in the Sierra Nevadas

2023-10-05T16:40:00-04:00

The acclaimed Japanese firm Atelier Bow-Wow has completed its first and only home built in the United States. Located at the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas in California, the Mountain House sits as a “meticulously designed and thoughtfully crafted residential structure” in sixty acres of forest, according to the property’s realtors, Sotheby's.

Image credit: Nick Swartzendruber for Sotheby’s International Realty

The home sits on the site of a 19th-century gold mine which features wagon roads, trails, and seasonal streams. For the building’s design, Atelier Bow-Wow pursued a philosophy that “honors the environment, manifesting in a structure that treads lightly on the land and resources while maximizing its connection to a breathtaking landscape.”

Image credit: Kat Alves for Sotheby's International Realty

The entrance-facing facade is designed to be unassuming a...

Aaron Neubert Architects completes Los Angeles hillside residence defined by vertical ‘T’ window

2023-08-14T11:14:00-04:00

Aaron Neubert Architects has completed the ‘t House,’ a residence for a young family located in Los Angeles’ Hollywood Hills, overlooking the San Fernando Valley and Griffith Park. Described by the design team as an “innovative model for Southern California hillside developments,” the residence blends an adherence to strict hillside regulations with an incorporation of the site’s natural surroundings.

Photo credit: Paul Vu / HANA

Visitors approach the main entrance through terraced gardens, leading to a glass-enclosed foyer. On the opposite side of the house, addressing a steep slope, a vertical window spans three levels aligning perfectly with Barham Boulevard while giving the scheme its 't' moniker.

Photo credit: Paul Vu / HANA

Inside, the residence contains three levels. The middle level houses the living space, including the kitchen, dining area, and office. The lower level features a guest suite and an entertainment zone ope...

This double-curved roof house by Mecanoo is covered in slick multicolored tiles

2023-01-12T15:41:00-05:00

Mecanoo has designed a distinctive residence with a striking double-curved roof and ceramic tile-covered façade in Schoorl, a village in northern Holland.

Image: Ossip van Duivenbode, courtesy Mecanoo.

Called Villa BW, it spans three floors, with an additional level within the hood of the roof. The roof comes together through two overlapping shapes: a gable roof and a horizontal roofline. According to the design team, the structure adapts to its natural, sloping surroundings. On its southeast side, the connection with the landscape along the sloped garden is enhanced by enclosing two voids with a curtain wall system.

Image: Ossip van Duivenbode, courtesy Mecanoo.

The building’s custom multicolored ceramic tiling reflects the strong connection between the home and the landscape. Its colors, five shades of gray, green, and blue, represent the transitions in the landscape, such as the dune landsca...

This recently sold home in Arizona beats the desert heat by being entirely underground

2022-03-28T18:31:00-04:00

This house on the real estate market in Scottsdale, Arizona, for $2.1 million is throwing some serious shade — in the coolest way possible. How? The “one-of-a-kind” property is basically all underground, but not in “bunker” fashion.

The 3,300-square-foot, five-bedroom, four-bathroom home is described as an “earth-sheltered subterranean home” designed “to create highly efficient living.” According to its listing on real-estate marketplace Zillow, the residence was built in the 1970s, designed in response to high costs and the energy crises at the time.

The home's interior courtyard. Image: Zillow

It features a central courtyard that provides natural light and air to almost every room, a four-foot corridor along its perimeter that creates storage space, 10-foot ceilings, and solar panels. (The home is also fitted with HVAC.)

Image: Zillow

According to its listing, the property sold earlier this month, closing at a little over $2.3 million. More images of this unique underground dwelling can be seen on Zillow, here.

Six modules and an undulating roof come together for new residence by Young Projects

2021-06-23T18:29:00-04:00

New York-based architecture practice Young Projects has completed a 3,500-square-foot modular home located on a verdant, two-acre lot in Bridgehampton, New York.

Called Six Square House, the residence is made up of six 24’ by 24’ gabled modules that are arranged to align roof ridges and create continuity between the modules. In contrast, each module’s roof eaves flow upward and downward, resulting in a variety of undulating surfaces and perspectives across the exterior and interior of the home. The building is clad in deep gray, slatted Accoya wood, which works to highlight the roof’s dynamic edges and arcs. Its exterior wood cladding and wood roof cladding was designed and manufactured by reSAWN TIMBER co.

Six Square House sits adjacent to a historic 1850 farmhouse. The home is the nucleus of the property, surrounded by a new pool house, gunite pool, and ipe deck. The old farmhouse has become the guest home. Six Square House was designed as a contemporary counterpart to the farmho...

For the first time in 69 years, John Lautner's Sherman Oaks house is on the market

2019-07-16T13:44:00-04:00

One of Frank Lloyd Wright's most notable disciples, John Lautner made a distinct impact in California, specifically in Los Angeles. Known for his residential works, Lautner's exploration of space and material echoes Wright's organic architectural influence. The eye-catching curvilinear Louise Foster House, for example, considered to be one of Lautner's earliest commissioned works, resembles the David and Gladys Wright House, an elevated, circular home Wright completed for his son in 1952.

The 1,200-square-foot Foster House, complete with a redwood-clad exterior and a grand sunburst ceiling showcasing a tantalizing wood finish, is currently for sale.

Image © Junwan Li/Courtesy of Compass

A perfect getaway for someone looking to escape the busy city, the house sits on a 5,556-square-foot lot.

The two-story home has gone through some renovations over the years. According to usmodernist.org, Lautner decided to t...

Ai Weiwei-designed home goes on the market for $5.25M

2019-07-01T13:21:00-04:00

Ai Weiwei, artist and activist, has dabbled in architecture more than once in his career. From his Bird's Nest collaboration with Herzog & de Meuron to his work on the Jinhua Architecture Park, Weiwei's interests in architecture would eventually draw him towards a residential project. Located in Ancram, NY, the home's first owner had built it as a vacation retreat for Chinese-American businessman and renowned art collector, Christopher Tsai.

Rear view of main house. Image © Michael Bowman Photography

Guest house. Image © Michael Bowman Photography

Weiwei collaborated with the Swiss architecture firm HHF to design the art enthusiasts getaway home. Built on 37.5 acres, the house comprises a large main house consisting of 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. The main house is a connection of cube-like sections equaling to 3,700 square feet. In addition to the main house, Weiwei designed an additional guest house with a timber structure and corrugate...

A residential complex on the coast of Mexico renovated by MAIN OFFICE

2018-09-20T16:33:00-04:00

Mexico and Sweden-based architectural practice MAIN OFFICE has recently completed CASA LT, an expansion and restoration of a residential complex located on the coast of Mexico.

CASA LT by MAIN OFFICE, located in Sayulita, MX. © Rafael Gamo

Situated in the well known surfers’ town of Sayulita, the new residential design provides a clear waterfront view of the Pacific Ocean from all spaces both inside and out.

CASA LT by MAIN OFFICE, located in Sayulita, MX. © Rafael Gamo

The new complex consists of three small houses situated on the top of the hill. The original house was built in the 50's in poor condition due to lack of maintenance.

CASA LT by MAIN OFFICE, located in Sayulita, MX. © Rafael Gamo

MAIN OFFICE restored the original house and added a new main building along with a guest house facing the be...

Deborah Berke Partners completes new $19M residence hall for Dickinson College

2018-08-23T18:06:00-04:00

Ahead of the new academic year, Dickinson College has opened a new $19 million residence hall that will house 130 students. The High Street Residence Hall, the Carlisle liberal arts college's first new residence hall since 1973, is part of a $46 million campus investment plan that began in 2012. Officials said demand for on-campus housing exceeded available space, prompting the start of construction on the new residence hall last year.

Deborah Berke Partners' new dormitory for Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA is now open for the upcoming academic school year.

Residence Hall at Dickson College by Deborah Berke Partners, located in Carlisle, PA. © Deborah Berke Partners.

The 40,500 square foot building is currently targeted to be LEED Platinum, making it the first college residence hall in Pennsylvania to achieve this level if approved. The dorm features an upgraded stormwater management system with four rain gardens.

Residence Hall at Dickson College by Deborah Berke Partners, located in Carlisle, PA. © Deborah Berke Partners.

The residence hall was designed with an energy efficient roof, exterior walls, and windows. The facility connects with the colleges' central energy plant to reduce carbon emissions.

Collaborating Firms
Deborah Berke Partners – Architect and Interior Designer
Andropogon – Landscape Architect
Kohler Ronan – MEP Engineer
Steven Winter Associates – LEED/Environmental Consultant
PHT Lighting – Lighting...

Capital Hill Residence, Zaha Hadid's first and only private residence, finally completes

2018-04-13T19:07:00-04:00

Capital Hill Residence is the only private residence designed by Zaha Hadid that was built in her lifetime. Vladislav Doronin, the owner of the house, speaks on working with Hadid to build his unique residence in Moscow. Zaha Hadid Architect's Patrik Schumacher, who worked on this project, explains the legacy of Capital Hill Residence as a testament to Hadid.

Check out the video below:

Bloot Architecture refurbishes rundown 1950s villa into the charming Patio House

2017-10-25T19:41:00-04:00

Located at the edge of the National Park Veluwezoom nature reserve in the Dutch town of Velp, the Patio House was formerly a rundown 1950s villa. Just this year, Bloot Architecture successfully refurbished and expanded the building into an inviting, spacious new residence.

The architects limited the use of partition walls and added larger windows and passage ways to create better connectivity between the different spaces of the home and to allow natural light to filter in. As a zero-energy building, the house has solar panels on its roof to provide energy for heating and electricity, eliminating the use of gas.

The architects also added a new concrete extension with a patio. “The concrete beam in the façade of the original house still defines the characteristics of the villa. Parallel with this beam is the unde...

Get a peek of Steven Holl's "Ex of In" experimental artists' residence in Rhinebeck, NY

2015-07-20T19:58:00-04:00

A handful of Steven Holl-designed buildings will be popping up in the next few years, with the groundbreaking of the Maggie's Centre Barts in London last month and construction of the Queens Library already underway in New York. Steven Holl Architects recently announced the groundbreaking of another New York-based project called the Ex of In House, slated for completion in May 2016 in the village of Rhinebeck.

Located in a rural forest landscape, the house is a physical manifestation of the firm's ongoing research project "Explorations of 'IN'". Established in June 2014, the research project explores and challenges the clichés of architectural language and commercial practice, including drawings and studies entitled with colorful names like Triple Venn Diagram Mutilation and Hybrid Combinations: Tesseract within a Cubic Sphere.

↑ Models and watercolor drawing by Steven Holl

As a non-profit extension of the locally based "T"Space art gallery, the 918 square-foot artists' residence aims...

The Seacliff House by Chris Elliott Architects wins two 2013 Sydney Design Awards

2013-11-11T17:22:00-05:00

The Seacliff House by Chris Elliott Architects is a residential house built for Chris Elliott's family on the famous Bondi Coogee to Coastal Walk in Sydney, Australia. Aside from maximizing both the narrow block space it is built on and the views of its coastal surroundings, the Seacliff House recently received two residential category 2013 Sydney Design Awards among others.

RIBA Manser Medal 2012 Shortlist for Best New House

2012-09-17T14:10:00-04:00

The Royal Institute of British Architects has announced the shortlist for the RIBA Manser Medal 2012 for the best new house.

The five projects shortlisted for this prestigious private housing design award are Maison L by Christian Pottgiesser - architecturespossibles; Private House in East Sussex by Duggan Morris Architects; Private House in Gloucestershire by Found Associates; The Dune House in Thorpeness, Suffolk by Jarmund Vigsnaes Architects & Mole Architects; and Two Passive Solar Gain Houses, Porthadown, Cornwall by Simon Conder Associates.

Hollywood Hills House by Francois Perrin

2012-02-28T12:52:00-05:00

Los Angeles architect Francois Perrin (anyone remember the face-melting Skateboard House?) has shared with us his recently completed project, a private residence in the Hollywood Hills here in sunny Southern California.

Project Description from the Architect:

This private residence is located in the Hollywood Hills, overlooking the City of Los Angeles. It is one of the rare remaining building lots of this neighborhood, also one of the few protected areas in the City.

The building engages with the surrounding environment in order to produce an Architecture that merges with the Landscape. The contemporary design of the house interacts as well with the natural elements (air, sun and vegetation) but has only a little visual impact in the Hills.

The site has a very steep topography but mostly constituted of Bedrock. The North-South orientation offers a panoramic view of the LA basin while being naturally protected from the sun in the warm afternoons. The building casts itself into th...

Zaha to build personal residence in San Diego

2011-11-07T14:13:00-05:00

Despite strident appeals from some neighbors, it looks like Zaha Hadid is coming to San Diego. The city’s planning commission on October 20 approved a request to have Hadid and San Diego firm Public demolish an existing house on 8490 Whale Watch Way in La Jolla and replace it with a 12,700 square foot residence with four bedrooms, six bathrooms, and an indoor pool.

Archinect - News

Atelier Bow-Wow’s first U.S. home features a large ‘umbrella’ roof in the Sierra Nevadas

Aaron Neubert Architects completes Los Angeles hillside residence defined by vertical ‘T’ window

This double-curved roof house by Mecanoo is covered in slick multicolored tiles

This recently sold home in Arizona beats the desert heat by being entirely underground

Six modules and an undulating roof come together for new residence by Young Projects

For the first time in 69 years, John Lautner's Sherman Oaks house is on the market

Ai Weiwei-designed home goes on the market for $5.25M

A residential complex on the coast of Mexico renovated by MAIN OFFICE

Deborah Berke Partners​ completes new $19M residence hall for Dickinson College

Capital Hill Residence, Zaha Hadid's first and only private residence, finally completes

Bloot Architecture refurbishes rundown 1950s villa into the charming Patio House

Get a peek of Steven Holl's "Ex of In" experimental artists' residence in Rhinebeck, NY

The Seacliff House by Chris Elliott Architects wins two 2013 Sydney Design Awards

RIBA Manser Medal 2012 Shortlist for Best New House

Hollywood Hills House by Francois Perrin

Zaha to build personal residence in San Diego

Deborah Berke Partners completes new $19M residence hall for Dickinson College