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Wood House Design: InBetween House in Japan

Company Koji Tsutsui Architect & Associates presented a draft InBetween House. Represented by a series of cottages in the mountains near Tokyo, the residence was designed as a place where customers would be happy to come back after a hard day in the bustling metropolis and to have a rest in natural surroundings. The total area of ??residence is about 180 sq.m. and it consists of five separate cottages under one roof. They are made from wood in a traditional Japanese-style. Each cottage is different in size and shape to set on site at 30 degree increments to best fit the topography. The passageways between the blocks resemble the streets and join premises, rather than divide them, creating an atmosphere of unity with nature.



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Mountain Residence Maison Val d’Entremont in Switzerland
Swiss studio Savioz Fabrizzi Architectes presented a draft mountain residence Maison Val d'Entremont. This modern three-storey family home is situated at the top of a mountain village, in Valais, Switzerland, and is famous for its panoramic view of 360 degrees. Surrounded by pastures and rolling hills, there is an atmosphere of calmness and deliberateness. The residence has a simple geometric form and it was built according to tradition of this region, so it blends well with the background of the neighboring houses. And only windows around the perimeter of the second floor add some originality. The facades are made of pre-weathered wood which will gradually get darker and adapt to the barns of the village to be integrated and become a timeless building.

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Modern Family Aptos Retreat by CCS Architecture

San Francisco-based studio CCS Architecture, presented a project of Aptos Retreat. This residential house occupies an area of 260 sq.m. and looks very original. It was designed for a family with 6 children and built in the mountains near Santa Cruz. Located on a hill, the residence is famous for its stunning views of the mountains and the ocean. It looks pretty rough, but the geometry of the architecture is not so simple. The house consists of two main parts, one of which overlaps the other. In one block there is a sleeping area with two bedrooms and a bathroom, and in the other you’ll find a sitting area, which consists of a lounge, kitchen and dining room. On the second floor of this block there is a master bedroom. In addition to the main buildings the project includes a spacious hangar. It is a place for recreation and entertainment, but it can also provide extra sleeping space for guests.



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Spacious and cozy Hotchkiss Residence by Scott Edwards Architects

Scott Edwards Architects has completed the project of Hotchkiss Residence located in Vancouver, Washington. The mansion was designed for a retired couple, who have lived there for over 40 years and it is time to renovate their former home. The new residence has an area of ??185 sq.m. and simple classic design, like the owners wished. A large overhang creates a dynamic outdoor living room and creates enough overhang to shield the harsh rays of the sun from penetrating the interior of the home. Radiant floor heating, exposed wood structure and walnut cabinetry create a contemporary, yet warm home.



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Waterfront property on Lopez Island by David Vandervort Architects

Located on Lopez Island, Washington, this residence was designed for modern living close to nature. The authors of the project became David Vandervort Architects. As we can see on the pictures below, the residence is surrounded by beautiful trees, which were carefully saved during the construction. The project consists of main house and the studio which houses his and hers art spaces.  The studio is connected to the house via an arcade which also serves as the main approach to the house. High connection with nature is realized due to lots of windows, which overview the forest and water. Wood was used as in the interior and exterior design, so the Lopez Island residence looks very warm and welcoming.



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Striking Villa Mecklin by Huttunen-Lipasti-Pakkanen Architects

The Finnish Villa Mecklin created by Huttunen-Lipasti-Pakkanen Architects is a perfect weekend retreat with a sheltered terrace extending over the rock summit. Situated in the rocky island terrain of Naantali, Villa Mecklin was built at a leisurely pace with the architects working through construction details on site. The architects placed the villa in the small depressions in the rock. Their idea was to build such house that would melt into the nature background being in harmony with rocks and landscape. In connection with the shoreline sauna, there is also a stove-heated cabin for guests. A stylish, minimalist interior is all you need to really detach yourself from work.



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Solar powered Passive House in France by Karawitz Architecture

Karawitz Architecture has created the first passive house in Parisian region, Bessancourt, France. This efficient project is quite successful to receive the European labeled certification PHI ?Passiv Haus Institut?. The residence has double facade, and the exterior is clad in non-treated bamboo that building envelopes the frame in solid wood panels. Although, the shape of the house is traditional, it looks original due to bamboo finish. The house design is closed on the North to limit energy loss and opened on the South to take benefit of free sunshine. The designers also used photovoltaic panels on the roof to supplement the eco program. The interiors are very warm and cozy because of wooden finish.



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Solitary House in the Woods by Parque Humano

A beautiful house designed by the architectural studio Parque Humano is located in Valle de Bravo, Estado de Mexico, Mexico, weather ranges from 33°C to -2°C. It faces Avandaro Lake and the protected forest area of Cerro Gordo. The weather and climatic conditions in this area are very complex. Its main feature is maximal integration with the surrounding nature and the area in which it is situated. The concept was to create the house the interior and exterior design of which would organically mix with the forest showing the respect to the nature and support the connection between it and the human. The house consists of living room, dining room, kitchen, multipurpose room, and 2 bedrooms. The material used in the exterior are specially made tile and glass limiting the boundaries between in and out, while the interior is finished with wood and plaster. Well done!



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