Freshome.com - Interior Design & Architecture Newsletter

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• Trees Interacting with Living Space: Corallo House in Guatemala
• Five Apartments Turned Into A Single Family Residence
• Childhood-Reminiscent Armchair Inspired by Nautical Features
• Clever Architecture Approach in Ghent, Belgium: House 12k
• Villa in Thailand Combining Asian Furnishings with a High Comfort Level
• Ultimate Sports&Leisure Center: Real Madrid Resort Island in the Emirates
• Noteworthy Modern Home Overlooking Lake And Mountains

Trees Interacting with Living Space: Corallo House in Guatemala Posted: 26 Mar 2012 06:24 AM PDT Corallo House was designed by Paz Arquitectura and is located in Guatemala city, Guatemala. One of the most striking details about this project is the fact that it was built on a site defined by mature trees, which the architects decided to literally integrate in the development of the residence: “The design process began with the aim to preserve the existing trees, in order to have the trees interact with the living space. The floor plan is free of columns and the changes in level adapt to the existing topography. Both façades are mostly glass in order to connect the interior to the exterior. The main structural component is exposed concrete, which shows the rustic texture of the wood formwork, allowing a dialogue between the formal element and the textures of the forest." Enjoy the diversity of this unusual crib and let us in on your thoughts. You're reading Trees Interacting with Living Space: Corallo House in Guatemala originally posted on Freshome. If you've enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Freshome on Twitter, Facebook and Google+

Five Apartments Turned Into A Single Family Residence Posted: 26 Mar 2012 05:10 AM PDT Transforming a 5-unit apartment building into a single family residence was a challenge for Santa-Monica based design studio Minarc. The construction of the 4,200 square feet building aimed at minimizing demolition and maximizing sustainability. Therefore, a wide range of materials were recycled and the spaces were re-purposed. In addition to the new building materials, recycled concrete panels, recycled rubber, rubber sinks, recycled cork, recycled paperboard, and reclaimed woods were used to give the house a powerful eco-friendly nature. Located in Santa Monica, California, the home is lit by natural light as much as possible and uses wind and solar power to create a comfortable, modern living style. Completed in 14 months, the naturally ventilated house features re-purposed beams from the old structure to give the courtyard a new face. Another set of reclaimed wood was used to build for the staircase and counter tops. Minarc display their strong belief in sustainability in each detail of this re-purposed family home: “Our design elements are not merely decorative, but serve a functional purpose. Material manufactured from recycled tires and cork is used on kitchen cabinetry and kitchen chairs, creating an elegant kitchen unaffected by normal wear and tear of family life. The steel windowsill in the front room creates an additional seating area with magnetic cushions that can be re-arranged as needed. The upstairs bookshelf functions as railings/barriers between floor plans and evokes the ocean with blue panelite. Inexpensive re-cycled rubber material used for bathroom sinks chosen for its great sustainability. Magnetic chalkboard sliders in the play area and paperboard sliders in the kids' rooms transform the house itself into a medium for children's artistic expression. Shoe storage drawers beneath coat closet double as a bench for changing shoes. We struggled with how to orient windows and mass of the house to enable the best ventilation.” You're reading Five Apartments Turned Into A Single Family Residence originally posted on Freshome. If you've enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Freshome on Twitter, Facebook and Google+

Childhood-Reminiscent Armchair Inspired by Nautical Features Posted: 26 Mar 2012 04:07 AM PDT Remember the joy you felt when going to the park meant playing on the swings? Or the days spend playing in the backyard on an old, beloved swing? This type of experience inspired Paris-based designer Florent Coirier to create the PortiqueArmchair and working with craftsmen of the Autonomous Port of GPM Nantes/Saint-Nazaire constructed another type of inspiration – that of walk-loading of goods he had seen in the port since he was a child. We knew as soon as we found the armchair on Design Milk that you would enjoy its clean design and childhood-reminiscent inspiration. Materials and shapes intertwine to form the body of the armchair: “Drawing on the expertise of boilermakers and carpenters workshops, the chair uses materials common to shipbuilding. The aluminum tube is bent and used its light properties, creating an illusion compared to the apparent strength of the tubes. The Traditional natural rope, is replaced by the nautical rope in polyester and polyamide, stronger and more varied in choice of colors. The wooden board is retained, but treated in a noble solid wood (Oak gross). This chair plays with the archetypes of garden games, and refers directly to our childhood feelings.” You're reading Childhood-Reminiscent Armchair Inspired by Nautical Features originally posted on Freshome. If you've enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Freshome on Twitter, Facebook and Google+

Clever Architecture Approach in Ghent, Belgium: House 12k Posted: 26 Mar 2012 02:49 AM PDT House 12k was cleverly envisioned by Dierendonck Blancke Architecture in between two larger structures. Located in Ghent, Belgium, this three-level home constructed on a limited budget is an eye-catcher. The architects explain: “By seeing the house as a sequence of three elements/parts with varying heights, different conditions could be realized. The first two parts consist of three floors which are connected by a central staircase. The stairs serve the different levels that vary in floor height. This creates different perspectives and a continuity of space. A skylight over the entire surface of the stairwell allows natural light to penetrate deep into the house“. The project includes a vestibule/storage between the street and living space, a dining room and kitchen above the entrance hall and two extra rooms above the dining area. [Photographer: Filip Dujardin] You're reading Clever Architecture Approach in Ghent, Belgium: House 12k originally posted on Freshome. If you've enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Freshome on Twitter, Facebook and Google+

Villa in Thailand Combining Asian Furnishings with a High Comfort Level Posted: 26 Mar 2012 01:27 AM PDT Combining Asian design influences with a contemporary need for comfort, this villa in Phuket, Thailand is currently up for sale for an impressive $5.4 million. The four-bedroom, oceanfront home is defined by an impressive infinity pool fading into the Andaman Sea and outdoor decks with panoramic views. Concrete, stone, wood and glass ensure the visual diversity of this Phuket villa, which offers surprising details, no matter what the standpoint. Strongly connected to the surrounding environment, the interiors ensure an opulent modern lifestyle, complete with state-of-the art furniture and appliances. Floor to ceiling windows allow complete openness, great illumination and natural cross-ventilation. The interiors are tastefully decorated in a minimalist, contemporary fashion, but due to an extensive use of wood and stone (hinting a warm, diverse crib), the future owners can improvise while personalizing their residence. Kamala, Phuket You're reading Villa in Thailand Combining Asian Furnishings with a High Comfort Level originally posted on Freshome. If you've enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Freshome on Twitter, Facebook and Google+

Ultimate Sports&Leisure Center: Real Madrid Resort Island in the Emirates Posted: 26 Mar 2012 12:21 AM PDT According to The Guardian, famous football team and sports institution Real Madrid, recently uncovered their plans to develop a project entitled Real Madrid Resort Island in collaboration to the government of the Emirate of Ras al-Khaimah. The talked about $1 billion investment will result in exclusive villas, a 5-star hotel, an amusement park, a club museum and the world's first stadium with one side open to the sea. “Real Madrid Resort Island will be a major tourist and sporting center of great dimensions and the highest level. This extraordinary complex will attract millions of people looking for quality leisure services. It is a decisive and strategic step that will strengthen our institution in the Middle East and Asia“, explained Florentino Pérez, the president of Real. The island designed by J+H Boiffils, will be shaped like the team’s logo and is said to attract around one million visitors in 2015, its first opening year. Check out the video at the end of the post for more details. You're reading Ultimate Sports&Leisure Center: Real Madrid Resort Island in the Emirates originally posted on Freshome. If you've enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Freshome on Twitter, Facebook and Google+

Noteworthy Modern Home Overlooking Lake And Mountains Posted: 25 Mar 2012 08:04 AM PDT Located in Unterterzen, near one of Switzerland’s largest lakes – Walensee – this residential project raising two stories in the air was designed by Austrian studio K_M Architektur. Overlooking both the lake and the Churfirsten mountains, the splendid modern residence rests on an undulating landscape. Cladded in wood and cantilevering over the landscape, Wohnhaus Am Walensee displays an incredible connection to its surroundings, seen through glass walls and enjoyed from behind the glass railing on each terrace. The architects describe the project’s challenges and results: “The property which is located on the slope of a green meadow offered the conditions to realize the floating design which captivates through its clear form and the use of natural materials using concrete, glass and wood as structural material. A loggia encircles the building on the water side, fulfills an open living space and creates a flowing transition between interior and exterior with a fantastic panoramic view. The effect is intensified by sliding glass doors as high as the room itself on this side of the façade. The back of the house appears to be more closed. Rooftop photovoltaic panels and a stove in the living room produce most of the energy for the home.” Seems like this dream home is one to remember, don’t you think? You're reading Noteworthy Modern Home Overlooking Lake And Mountains originally posted on Freshome. If you've enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Freshome on Twitter, Facebook and Google+

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