Private and Public Residential Spaces Bonded With Nature

Rising two stories in the air, the Mary Lake Residence in the Village of Port Sydney, Huntsville, Ontario welcomes owners with a body made out of two separate volumes connected by a glazed entrance on the first floor and almost transparent second floor staircase and corridor uniting the upstairs spaces. Surrounded by tall white pines, this creation of Toronto-based studio Altius Architecture was described by them as follows: “The roof of the living room is sheltered between the two solids and becomes an additional outdoor space with a view over the lake, a garden and a hot tub.

Updated Oscar Niemeyer Apartment Where Social Meets Private

Architects Felipe Hess and Renata Pedrosa updated this 140 square meter apartment originally designed by Oscar Niemeyer and the result is fabulous. Named Copan Apartment and located in Sao Paolo, Brazil, the contemporary residential space was demolished to the point of an open, fluid space, adorned with remaining columns and shafts. A core volume was built, dividing the private rooms from the social ones and sheltering closets on the private side and a concrete set of details on the social side. Part of the exposed common space, this concrete divider holds the client’s prizes and memorabilia, giving the apartment a very private, inviting feel. The kitchen is defined by a central block acting as a kitchen island/dining table, while the columns compose a visual connection to the rest of the room. Exposed concrete walls and original ceiling beams were paired up with large steel dividers offering the possibility of opening or closing the private bedroom. Overlooking the city’s skyline from the 31st floor, this iconic apartment merges classic and modern design in a unique arrangement.