“Its design is simple: an open plan interrupted only by a circular brick bathroom, a kitchen concealed under a sleek walnut folding bar, and ventilation provided by floor-to-ceiling doors on all sides that can be opened to the four winds. Although Mr. Johnson and Mr. Whitney, an art curator, were avid collectors, only two artworks are on display: a statue by Elie Nadelman and a painting attributed to the 17th-century artist Nicolas Poussin, on a two-legged stand in the middle of the space.”

via nytimes.

“At Ligornetto, the pretext, the germinal idea, was imposed by the fact that the area is an outlying zone, which is the limit of the urban development that is possible in the area. In fact, the house itself indicates a sort of limit, a wall, beyond which lies the open countryside. This wall that has become a house is cut down the center, where there is a special, privileged relationship with the landscape which, in this case too, is a hill; it’s the only instance where the overriding theme of closure opens towards the outside, the overriding theme of the house as an expression of protection, which is provided by great lateral walls.”

built in ‘75 – ‘76! not a fan of the pink/salmon… but beautiful nonetheless

via botta.ch

“I imagined a building with a circular plan, cut across its north-south axis by fissure from which the zenithal light descends. A volume organised on three levels, a sort of tower, or rather, an object designed and cut out itself. The intention was to avoid any comparison and/or contrast with the surrounding buildings, but to search instead for a spatial relationship with the distant landscape and horizon.”

“By using a cylindrical volume I wanted to avoid elevations that would necessarily have to be compared to the facades of the existing houses around it. A building thus articulated justifies its existence in the space lying between the land (to which it is attached by its perimeter) and the sky (on to which the roof opens vertically through the skylight). Around this vertical space I arranged the various living the functions, with the ground floor conceived as a transitional space between the interior and the exterior, the first floor envisaged as a catalyst of the different activities (day area), while the second floor constitutes an area of greater privacy (sleeping area). The search for form and form spatial and constructional organization, in accordance with these intentions, motivated my work on the project. I was substained by the convinction that I must in these times propose a different environmental condition, capable of embracing the primary and constant necessities of living and of suiting them to the new sensibility and to the new aspirations determined by culture today. In the them to the round hoouse, as for that matters in others, this condition has re-stated my work as an architect as a constant starting again from the beginning, a continual revision of the codes and “certainties” matured and acquired in earlier projects.”

oustanding

via botta.ch

“NO house in France better reflects the magical promise of 20th-century architecture than the Maison de Verre. Tucked behind the solemn porte-cochere of a traditional French residence on Rue Saint-Guillaume, a quiet street in a wealthy Left Bank neighborhood, the 1932 house designed by Pierre Chareau challenges our assumptions about the nature of Modernism. For architects it represents the road not taken: a lyrical machine whose theatricality is the antithesis of the dry functionalist aesthetic that reigned through much of the 20th century.”

via nytimes.

“The two weekend houses are two separate units on a site located on the eastern limit of the suburb Colmanicchio in Cardada close to the town of Locarno . Both the units have exactly the same shape with a panoramic terrace facing the gorgeous lake view. The house units are organized on a single level with two living parts: a lower rear front (north) with the bed, the bathroom, the kitchen and the double height living room facing south. The idea is to provide one single large living room as a valid relaxing alternative to the primary living house. The opening—sliding window doors—are set on the corners to allow a free view on all directions. The houses are built with wood blocks on a concrete basement, the façade are clad with titan-zinc in contrast to the surrounding nature.”

via botta.ch

“Located at the foot of San Giorgio mountain, on the banks of Lake Lugano, the house establishes a dialectic play with the environment, emphasized by its minimal occupation of the site and by the thin metal bridge that establishes the physical relationship between the house and the mountain.
The “tower”, virtually defined by four corner piers and carved with geometric cuts through which the light penetrates, is organized along the vertical axis in a succession of different architectural situations and rhythms. The spatial interpenetration between interior and exterior thus gives shape to a “filter zone”, terraces within the perimeter in its functional organization: the upper part holds the entrance atrium, a study, and the stairs leading to the lower floors, where the parent’s room are located. These levels are partially open and in communication with the living and dining area below, while the services are placed in the basement.”

built in ‘72-’73? seriously gorgeous! and look at the view!

via botta.ch

“A new project born out of fiery origins. The clients, an artist and a graphic designer have an active young family. A new copper paneled third floor boy’s bedroom has been added complete with 2-story “rock climbing wall.” An“artist studio” is built with links to the main house. A contemporary kitchen is installed along with new baths throughout. A “jungle room” / family entertainment space will give a nod to the spirit of Elvis. Cedar siding & casement windows give the house a contemporary look and feel. The project is completed.”

btw… i want a rockclimbing wall when i grow up.

via bobaugustine.

“When we think about escapes, we think of Olle. Olle Lundberg, the remarkable architect, salvage junkie and erstwhile Ikea designer, not only lives on a ferry boat in San Francisco harbor, he has a cabin up north (Cazadero, Calif.) that we’d die for. Below are more pics of the woody, simple, airy and largely reused environment he’s created for relaxing when not working with head cases like Larry Ellison…”

via apartmenttherapy.

ok… i can admit it… my swedish is a little rusty… and i’m pretty sure i don’t see the word “volvo” anywhere in the copy.

but love that view!

via strataarkitektur.

this may be the one.

usually, when i think cabin/cottage… i think “on a lake”… but this cabin has completely turned that thought process upside-down.

i can’t help but be excited about this property… stunning!

via AIA.