Sunday, November 30, 2014

House wrapped i a translucent polycarbonate cladding

    


This house in Spain uses concrete slabs and a double layer of cellular polycarbonate panelling – a type of corrugated plastic with strong insulating properties.



The panelling, supported by a white metal framework, gives the house a soft white colouring that blends with the rendered facades of neighbouring properties.


In places the corrugated sheeting runs across windows, while in others expanses of glass are left unshaded giving a layering effect.

Thursday, November 27, 2014

House in Donvale (Australia) by Wilson Architects

   
House alteration - uses sustainable spotted gum and bamboo to complement the existing exposed timber throughout, and factory painted cabinetry.


Seamless stairs accentuated by the white wall.


The dining room cabinet doubles as a storage unit, balustrade, seat and structural display unit all in one.

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Boat shed has walls that turn into a platform

    
This boat house designed by Werkstatt for a client in the Netherlands has walls that fold down via a pulley to create a bridge or platform over the water, allowing it to go from a boathouse to a barbecue space.

From the BRANZ Seminar yesterday called “From She’ll be right TO Build it Right”

 
The main topic was the Building Amendment Act 2013

The aim of these changes is to encourage a professional, transparent relationship between consumers and building practitioners, based on good information and written contracts for building work. This will reduce the potential for misunderstanding and ensure each party is aware of their rights and responsibilities.

From 1st January 2015, the new consumer protection measures will include the following:
  • Written contracts for building work over a certain value ($30,000 incl. GST) will be mandatory. This will help to protect the interest of both parties.
  • Practitioners will be required to disclose certain information to consumers, for example information about skills, qualifications and licensing status. Providing good information to consumers will give them confidence in the practitioner they are dealing with. 
  • Building practitioners who don’t supply contracts or give a consumer false information could be fined.
  • There are new general remedies for breaches of implied warranties e.g. if the breach is substantial the consumer can cancel the contract immediately.
  • A new 12 month “defect repair period” during which the onus is on the building contractor to remedy any defects notified by the consumer without question. 
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (Previously, Department of Building and Housing) will issue a document called “Acceptable Levels of Workmanship” to set some benchmarks around the quality of workmanship.

Sunday, November 16, 2014

Shutter House

    
Australian studio Philip Stejskal Architecture has equipped a white timber extension to a 1890s duplex with shutters and sliding panels that camouflage with the walls when closed.

Thursday, November 13, 2014

 
Once a chicory kiln now an island holiday retreat.


The kiln was in disrepair before Andrew Simpson Architects gave it new life. Keeping with the original character, whilst adding in the "new" respectively (i.e. natural timbers, industrial metals and in keeping with the original footprint and proportions).


The ply ceiling uses the owners' own re-purposed artwork of etched patterns. Love the kitchen island and stairs on wheels - offering flexibility to the small space.


Upstairs the old kiln is tranformed into the master bedroom, the apex containing a skylight or "thermal chimney" offering natural ventilation for the rising heat.



It is a clever and respectful renovation to the island's rich history.

(via) (architects)

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Koro House ("Passing of Time")

   
This (irregular hexagon shaped) house in Japan designed by Katsutoshi Sasaki + Associates features sculptural wooden slats suspended from the ceiling.


The architects maintain this is to diffuse light into the interior from the clerestory windows that wrap around the house - due to it's close proximity to the surrounding buildings.



The beautiful form does create a circadian effect on the structure's surrounding walls - creating a space that is alive.




(via) (architects)

Monday, November 10, 2014

Stilted house in Japan by Takeru Shoji Architects


A white timber roof masks the upper storey of this Japanese house by Takeru Shoji Architects, raised on wooden stilts the pale vertical timber facade is revealed underneath.


The bedrooms are situated downstairs, and the living up.

The angled white canopy overhangs the pebbled garden with irregularly spaced pavers. Love the concrete bench seat attached to the base of the house.


A staircase with white treads planted into the wall of the white hallway wall leads to an entrance hall fronted by two large glazed doors with timber frames.

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Salter Point House by Mountford Architects

   
A renovation of a 1960s home... A open gabled roof with large stone infill walls delineate informal and formal spaces. Large overhanging eaves (using a post-tensioned beam) create generous front and back porches.


(via) (architects)

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

The Napa Valley House by Eliot Lee and Eun Lee

   
This house in the Napa Valley of the United States sits within the topography, the landscape driving the design. The “house” is actually a compound of four buildings that sit in a row between two hills. One is a living/dining space, one is a master bedroom and bath, one is a guest house, and one is a spa with a sauna.


The separate buildings are united by a series of orthogonal intersection paths and rammed earth walls, which also extend into the landscape and incorporate other elements, such as the pool, into the property.


A small amount of stone was excavated, though none was actually removed from the property; it was either used for the walls or crushed for the paths.


Most of the original flora was preserved; larger trees were temporarily moved elsewhere on the site and then replanted. Additional plantings were added, though all the plants are native species such as tanoaks, madrones, and manzanitas.




The overall philosophy of both the construction process and the final design was to step lightly on the existing landscape.

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

A farmhouse on Banks Peninsula by Pattersons

 
Mark Palmer, who grew up in NZ and lived in the US for 25 years has bought Annandale Farm in Christchurch. He has renovated the original farmhouse and constructed two new, one of which is this house set in a private bay (which incidentally you can rent here). He has also planted thousands of native trees.



The farmhouse’s walls and roof are clad in cedar.


Sliding cedar panels provide shelter in bad weather.



The main living space is anchored by a fireplace and chimney made from stone from the farm’s quarry, and features furniture by Roche Bobois and a rug made from wool from the farm’s sheep (left). Each of the home’s three main bedrooms (there is also a bunkroom) features a bath with a view (right)


The living room opens onto a large north-facing deck with a view of the ocean.

(via) (architect)

South London house by Ian McChesney

   
This house is constructed from a sustainable timber frame and clad in flush glazed black opaque glass panels.