The “tall And Skinny” On The Ant Farm House

The Ant Farm Residence was developed by Taipei-based Xrange Architects, with the aim of preserving an existing stone property whilst giving it an intense edge. The original residence was wrapped in narrow, two-storey tall living spaces, producing the feeling of being in a maze, hence the home’;s name. We’;d enjoy to get lost in the halls and rooms of this property, which provide surprises at every single turn. Check it out!

Much better visible by night, the “ant house” concept comes alive with the illuminated maze of windows zigzagging across the facade. According to the architects, “The ad-hoc openings of the old residence, including that of defunct air conditioner openings, are preserved as the ‘found elevation’;. Views of surrounding mountains and the city beneath are revealed via the overlapping of new/external and old/internal windows. The resultant irregularity offers an unexpected spatial signature to the property.”

Just like an ant farm, the wood detail flanking the double-height front entrance location is an intricate and earthy element that begs you to explore the depths of this style further. The exterior door of glass blends in with a two-storey glazed panel running form the ground up to the rooftop, flooding the front foyer with organic light.

Inside, a set of soaring, 6-meter higher wood doors lead into the small but sweet, 1.2-by-2.6-meter study just off the front entrance. Measuring the width of a desk, this room attributes an “upholstered floor.”

Deeper into the den, this living area is spacious and airy, finished in a cool modern style but warmed up with wood floors and a striking, substantial custom seater of wood and loaded with cushions.

This 1-of-a-sort sitting area defines an intimate hub inside this vast open space, the best place for lounging in style. A big wood feature wall works with the wood floor and furnishings, and sets the stage as the entertainment center with a film, some music and excellent conversation.

The home’;s original exterior walls, now inside, still function the original door and window openings, which are now incorporated as new interior windows, doorways and show nooks for the revamped construct. Even the old air conditioner opening finds a inventive use in this new style!

The pantry is a sliver of space measuring 80 cm wide.

Just off the living region, a .8-by-5-meter bathroom could be tiny in terms of floor location, but the double-height ceiling floods this space with sunlight. A wood wall and floor are flanked by two white walls – 1 smooth and 1 textured, adding interest to this tiny nook. Look up, and you are going to see a surprising feature, a suspended glass guest shower overhead.

The home’;s dark facade is a dramatic addition to this residential neighborhood, spilling down the hillside which is dotted with lush trees.

And in the center of it all, the property boasts its personal private courtyard, concealed behind a wall that keeps prying eyes out from lets the sun shine in. A single-third of the deck is a sliding roof that opens to reveal the garage beneath.

Here’;s a deconstructed view of this fascinating house strategy, whilst illustrates how it all comes together. From the architects, “The Ant Farm Home is an outrageously proportioned addition to an indigenous rusticated stone home where newly added spaces are 80cm to 180cm wide and two storeys tall. The new house functions as a structural envelope that bolsters the seismic functionality of the otherwise weak rubble structure.”

Xrange Architects
via Contemporist

Wood And Glass Cabin House Brings Luxury To Nature

The wooded landscape of Whidbey Island, Washington is the ideal spot for this cabin-style house created by Chesmore|Buck Architecture. From the outside, the timber home blends beautifully with its all-natural surroundings. Exteriors and interiors pay homage to this forested setting, clad in wood from floor to ceiling, and expansive glazing framing views of the trees, the Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains in the distance. In the heart of this secluded spot, this 2,000-sq.-ft. glass-enclosed structure is an open, humming hub that promotes socialization and is well suited to loved ones life.

The “butterfly” roof maximizes views in each and every direction, supported by barely there floor-to-ceiling glass walls that invite views in. Overhead, exposed wood beams flow seamlessly from inside out, although vertical wood beams assistance this signature V-shaped roof structure.

Selected for its warm look and inspired by the forested landscape of the island, the wood facade plays a defining function in this cottage-inspired design and style. But apart from pure aesthetics, wood was also chosen for its sustainable qualities, guaranteeing this house does its part to hold its atmosphere clean and green. The horizontal panels of cedar cladding accentuate the home’;s low, horizontal silhouette.

Just on the other side of the glass walls, a stroll-out to a terrace ensures enjoyment of the view initial-hand. The home’;s placement at the edge of a slope creates the effect that you’;re leaping out into nature.

Boats bobbing along the Sound is the only visitors you will see from this viewpoint! Peaceful panoramas turn into a vision that you will in no way tire of, inspiring a calmer method to daily life.

The entrance to the residence follows the bold line of its inverted roof, and leads down a extended external “hallway” of concrete blocks underfoot and a timber ceiling overhead.

As you pass through the front door, the transition from outdoors in is seamless. The long wood ceiling and concrete block wall continues beyond the glass and into the home. Exposed steel ceiling beams lend this structure a country-casual feel.

Just like the exterior, wood is a defining feature of interiors, bringing its warm, honey tone to the living locations. This earthy, organic material is the ideal complement to the home’;s other central concentrate – the view. Just envision sitting at this table each and every morning and getting a enormous assisting of nature with your breakfast!

Glass walls at each turn and an open floor strategy permit for outside views from every point in the property.

The kitchen is modest, but sweet. Wood ceilings and floors, wood cabinets and cabinet-front appliances, and a wood island pay homage to this celebrated material and the forested surroundings. Big expanses of glass invite the leafy trees indoors.

Overlook the conventional backsplash in this earthy kitchen! In between the countertop and cabinets, a little but impactful rectangular window floods this workspace with organic light and outdoor views. The island provides prep space and an consuming region for casual meals on the go.

Open to the living location, the kitchen is the hub of this property. A concrete-block fireplace features a 3-sided glass firebox that lets you get pleasure from the flickering flame from any point. In fact, this open notion home only has two conventional walls – the concrete wall separating the hallway from the guest area, and the wall enclosing the master bedroom. This layout leaves living regions open for socializing although allowing a cost-free flow of light and views.

Whether you locate yourself in the refuge of this house or out in the open, you happen to be positive to get an eyeful of nature, style, and basic luxury.

Chesmore|Buck Architecture
through Contemporist
photo credit: Michael Seidl

Anglican Church Turned Into A Modern Fancy House

We’ve spotted this home on miss-design and we actually wanted to share this Bagnato Architects project with you. This is, fundamentally, something that we get in touch with a home with an fascinating previous.  Imagine an Anglican Church (constructed in 1892) transformed into a contemporary property, with gorgeous décor components, an open space living area and a huge terrace guarded by a crystal clear swimming pool. Now repeat soon after us: this used to be a church! Difficult to think, isn’t it?! Hudson St (Melbourne, Australia) is an exquisite home with an impressive structure, imposing and quite luminous. The floor-to-ceiling sliding windows permit the all-natural light to sneak in and develop a bright and vivid ambience.

Some of the “church” elements had been kept untainted: the arcades, the rounded windows and of course, the original shape. The property is quite spacious, accommodating 5 bedrooms with 5 bathrooms, lounge and entertainment places, a bright living space, a kitchen and a massive dining room. The materials employed in defining the property have been wood, white marble, onyx marble and limestone. Valuable, elegant and produced of the finest supplies, the Hudson St is a place that “marries an 1892 church to 2012 modernity throughout special dimensions”. What do you consider of it?

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Imposing Modern Architecture In Sri Lanka: Chamila & Rohitha House

This project presented to us by architect Channa Horombuwa is a conversion of a half-way completed ordinary-searching property in Dompe, Sri Lanka into a modern piece of architecture. The house was at the half way mark, with no a roof but with a collection of raw brick walls and slabs, when  the client realized that the outcome of the house was not going to be what he has been expecting. The new residence now consists of 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, huge living, dining, pantry, Tv lobby and kitchen. The Fitness center is a separate section located next to the pool.

The huge living area with a double height opens out to the large front garden on one particular side and to the swimming pool and deck on the rear side. The intension was to maintain the outdoor  indoor relationship really successfully with the use of huge glazed panels. The entrance lobby or  the stair lobby is after again a double height space with a floating staircase running in a single stretch as a feature on one side against a textured colored wall with a series of glass openings at random sizes. The garden runs about the house and joins the swimming pool at the rear end. The glass floor above the deep finish of the swimming pool is a unique feature and a well-known seating space for the visitors. [Photographs and details offered by architect Channa Horombuwa]

 

 

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