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Architecture & House Design

Down the Slope: the House in  Odemira by Vitor Vilhena Architects
The house is located in Estate of Arrifóias, Odemira, Alentejo. The landscape of the area is known for its specific features. Despite the beautiful natural surroundings, the client had to find the right solution to build a house of 175 square meters on the site of uncomfortable topography. The solution was put into practice by Vitor Vilhena Architects. The building was erected along the road down the hill. The volumetry of the house was adapted to the natural topography by adding steps and staircases where it was possible. As the result the building consists of two volumes developed in "L" shape. To provide enough daylight and to prevent the overheating of the building at the same time, the southern facade of the building has fewer windows, which have been reduced in size. Through parking-zone provides a visual connection with the courtyard and swimming pool area. The main finishing material for the interior design is the tiles of "warm" colors, contrasting with the creamy white walls. The whole project was undertaken without sacrificing the natural elements.

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'Wamberal House' in a Picturesque Place of the Central Coast of NSW: by Virginia Kerridge
The project 'Wamberal House' was called so by architect Virginia Kerridge according to its natural location - Wamberal Beach and lagoon on the central coast of NSW. The house was built for a family, the only request of which was to maximize views and connection to garden areas by integrating the architecture into its surroundings. As a result the house was designed with an open frontage, so it has picturesque views to the beach and lagoon at the same time. Moreover, due to minimizing of architectural bulk, the green outside space with garden areas are opened from each room. The most beautiful views are accessed from top level with a master bedroom. The house was built with a use of recycled materials and has such sustainable features as water tank storage for the pool and gardens, cross-ventilation and north facing glass.

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Renovated Penthouse with a Slide by David Hotson
We often do not have enough fun in our life. We used to do everything according to the rules and plans. The architect David Hotson decided to remedy this situation by turning the space of renovated 19th-century penthouse in New York City into an amusement park for children and their parents. The first and the most remarkable thing have been added to the four stories building is a silvery tubular slide, made of polished stainless steel, spiraling down through all four stories and giving an exit only on the third floor and then at the very first floor. Of course, it is not the only way to travel between the floors. There is a beautiful white staircase that offers a slower path between floors, where you can enjoy many interesting playful details, including neon furniture and artwork. At the center of the building there is a well-like four-story entry hall that brings daylight down. This penthouse is a really brave architect's decision and a wonderful work of art.

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Spirals of the Nautilus by Calico Studio
This original studio designed by Calico represents a separate extension of the main dwelling house. Architects had no limits by working under the project except one requirement: existing trees had to be left untouched. The unusual form of the studio was inspired by Nautilus: the spiral shell originates from the human growth and turns into semicircular roof. To make an effect more natural the special materials, that are reminiscent of ancient cathedrals, were chosen. Whilst in order to keep a complex shape and to apply a high resistance to water OSB was defined as the best material. The studio has a simple layout just like a studio should have. An open space and small gallery on the first floor, which can be reached using a simple metal ladder. As the result we can see the original construction, in the functionality of which there can be little doubt.

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On the Land as Well as on the Sea:  H3 House by 314 Architecture Studio
The inspiration of this extraordinary wonderful project was love for the yachts, which the initiators of the project feel. "H3" is located in a very picturesque place in Athens. The two-floor house was designed by Greek firm 314 architecture studio for single family. The main part of the house, supported by special pillars, 'hovers' over a large swimming pool. Thanks to a large area, the house accommodates a large number of rooms. Garage, technical rooms, a gym and sauna, two bedrooms with private bathrooms designed for guests are located on the first floor. On the second floor, in the lower part of it, there is a dining room and a large living room. These spaces are separated from the terrace by sliding glass partition. On the upper part of the second floor there is the green terraced platform. Inside of the upper console volume, supported by the pillars, there is a bedroom, lounge with exit to the roof, bathroom and cloakroom. The house is eco-friendly and ‘provides energy saving for cooling and heating systems through the means of the coil fan’.

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House with a Garden by Durbach Block Jaggers Architects
This house with an unusual architecture is situated in a suburb of Sydney. It has a simple L-shaped plan incarnated by Durbach Block Jaggers Architects. But at the same time, it is full of interesting architectural ideas. Due to the shape of the home, the impression is received as though the house embraces incredibly beautiful garden located in internal court. The most of the windows are oriented to the northern sun and the garden. The facade of the house tilts and lifts in some parts of it, providing light to the ground floor. The house was a winner of Horbury Hunt in Residential Category in 2010 and in 2011 NSW AIA Architecture Award.

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House with an Office by Egeon Architecten
Instead of planning a home office on the ground floor of a three-storey house in Amsterdam, architects Egeon Architecten have arranged the a private entrance to the building, so that members of the household can avoid meeting with business partners of the head of the family. The most unusual architectural detail of the house of 225 square meters area- is the outer spiral staircase built into the rectangular aperture on the main facade. The aperture leads to the terrace, which is connected to the home office. Thus, the visitors can be unnoticed for the rest of the family. The glass facade of the ground floor provides the beautiful views for the residents. There are a dining room, living room, kitchen and service rooms here. The first floor has three bedrooms and a bathroom. The second - as it already was mentioned - is designed for the office. The main materials of the project are timber and glass. The timber frame house has a heat pump and underfloor heating, natural ventilation, special heat-resistant glass, a sedum roof. Due to these features a low level energy consumption is realized.

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House Opened to Sunlight, Ventilation and Views of Tree Canopies: Christopher Polly Architect
This Cottage called Elliot Ripper House was rebuilt from the old house. The architects, Christopher Polly Architect, did their best to fit the house into the site, make it cozy and friendly. One side of the house almost abuts upon the high wall; this inconvenience was perfectly turned into a favorable circumstance by giving a certain sense of protection and an absolute openness in the opposite direction. On the ground floor there is an open plan kitchen, dining room and living room. Visually the rooms in this area are connected and united under the upper floor's ceiling. Bathroom, laundry and everything else, that requires the service lines, are located in the center of the house on both floors. The bedrooms are located on the second floor. Particular attention is drawn to the panoramic windows, which form a completely open outdoor space that looks extremely attractive and provides good ventilation in the hot Australian climate.

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