Museum-Quality Historical Chiang Mai Resort

The ultimate in traditional luxury living in a historical resort makes reference to a subtle and refined traditional architecture.

Old Sydney’s Curtained Glass Loggia House

In keeping with its elevated past, the high ceilings in this two story extension are dwarfed by two-story steel mesh curtains shielded from the weather by a soaring glass roof.

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.

Unusually Shaped Modern Dwelling Flaunting Flexibility

Designed for a young family of four, Haus W encompasses a flexible design, prepared to evolve together with the family and offer them a dream setting for everyday life. Pott Architects, with offices in Berlin, are the ones behind this project. They built the 3,000 square foot house located in the Lichterfelde district of Berlin, Germany, in the garden of an old villa, but accessed via its own road. Appearing as a single volume residence, Haus W’s interiors are separated by walls and sliding doors creating the choice of enjoying time alone or in the company of friends and family.

Light Beam Art, Based on the Principles of Camera Obscura

Artist Chris Fraser takes old physics discoveries and turn them into contemporary art. By applying the laws of Camera Obscura, a dark box (or room) with a hole drilled in one side, projected an image from the exterior, turned upside down, the artist plays with light, with intriguing results: “It is both utterly remarkable and terribly ordinary. But there is no need to stop with one opening. Bore a second hole into the wall and two images, offset but roughly similar, will appear. Continue to drill. Remove the wall piecemeal, minding each change. Picture will stack atop picture, dissolving eventually into the mere impression of light.” Chris Fraser further explains, in an interview for Co.Design: “I had regarded my house as a living camera. I would watch pictures of the sun move across the living room floor over the course of a day, and notice how its path would change with the season“. An interesting approach for an art installation, don’t you agree?

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.

Vivid Atmosphere In And Around This Unique Orange House

Located in Ankara, Turkey, the bold orange color displayed by this residence stands at the base of its name – the Orange House. Turkish studio Yazgan Design Architecture envisioned the house rising three stories in the air and composing a collection of spaces gathering views of the surrounding urban developments and the Middle East Technical University forest. The steep site occupied by the house was recreated to suit the inhabitant’s needs and wishes and offer them the best possible layout for daily activities. Displaying its beautiful details over as surface of 1,050 square meters, the orange residential construction made of steel is best described by its designers: “The program is based on the development of flexible relationships between diverse inputs of design, such as, materials, program elements, demands of users, dimensional requirements, site peculiarities, Ankara climate and its habitat, architects and engineers involved with the project.