The clients tasked Lake|Flato Architects to design a home that was part of the natural landscape with an emphasis on outdoor living and experiencing the surroundings through the architecture.
Olson Kundig drew inspiration for this design from the surrounding landscape of rugged mountains, high-altitude desert and big sky.
Although rowhouses have been popular as single-family dwellings since the late 18th century and have brought architectural uniformity to city living, this particular home was bought by a young family in 2014, gutted and then customized to become their own unique expression of urban living.
Situated to be in harmony with its lush landscape, this home built for a master gardener takes every opportunity to draw in views of the surrounding gardens and rolling hills, while also creating a warm and comfortable space suitable for a multi-generational family. “The form of the reclaimed barnwood-clad house is reminiscent of a farm […]
Given the number of conversations we have on the subject, perhaps laminated glass isn’t always appreciated for its full range of benefits. We are seeing glass used more and more as a significant component of the architectural design of exterior envelopes. The trend doesn’t appear to be changing any time soon. Expectations that glass should […]
Nature loves a soft curve and a gentle line that dips and soars. In fact, the natural world is full of these sublime details: budding flowers, a bird’s wing, an ocean wave cresting. And that idea seems to be infused into the lines of this coastal Long Island Sound two-story home in Greenwich, Connecticut. Achieving the […]
More than ever before, architects are looking for solutions to noise pollution. While we may all agree that Rock ‘n’ Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution, other forms of noise definitely are. Too much noise directly affects a homeowner’s enjoyment of their space. It could be traffic, an airport or rail line, the nightclub or busy late […]
This daring two-bedroom guest house by Allied Works Architecture explores, responds to and amplifies the beauty of its context. Located in a mature deciduous forest of oak, hickory and birch, the architects imagined it as a place to escape the pressures of the city and experience the dramatic change of nature’s four seasons. The fine detailing and […]
Seattle-based architectural firm Olson Kundig has recently crafted a number of unique off-grid, low-tech smart homes with transforming facades. Although seemingly unsophisticated, their façades utilize intricate systems of hinges, pulleys and bearings, devised by Phil Turner, the firm’s in-house “gizmologist.” These hand-operated elements bring tactile experience back to architecture, challenging people to rethink their relationship […]
Once upon a time, there was an architect. He dreamed and he drew. First, he designed a small addition for a house down the street (actually his Mum’s but that’s largely irrelevant). Then he designed a cabin on a lake. Life was good. He was asked to design a house for the Mayor, then the […]
Cedar Creek Winery, also known as Martin’s Lane Winery: Okanagan winery integrated...