Freshome.com - Interior Design & Architecture Newsletter

---

• Theatrical Apartment Design With Drapes As Space Dividers
• Hard To Ignore Glass Floor In High-End Mexican Penthouse
• 20 Green Walled Buildings Inspiring Your Own Plant Cladded Home
• Fresh Patterns for Wooden Floors: Enigma Collection by Jamie Beckwith

Theatrical Apartment Design With Drapes As Space Dividers Posted: 30 Apr 2012 06:23 AM PDT Defined by a theatrical interior design, House A displays a minimalist set of interiors created to welcome inhabitants with a playful light and dark duo. Rigorously designed by Vaillo & Irigaray and Iñigo Beguiristain, the 289 square meter residence can be found in Pamplona, Spain. Curtains propose a subtle change as you walk from one space to the next and seem to hide and reveal a carefully compartmentalized space. Wenge wood was combined with light colored floor and simple color choices to give the interiors a strong, bold character. Playing with light and shadow, transparency and translucency, the architects composed a cluster of spaces separated by the extensive use of drapery. Light was carefully placed to illuminate the simple details, creating a unique atmosphere. Here are a few words describing the space straight from the architects: “The project involves a space experimentation based on straggling wet rooms and crystallizing them as a pierced canvas in wenge timber, as a true "thick wall". Furrows and haunting sparkles of hidden piercing in this last stratum conceal timber solidity and dilute it into a suggesting velvet luster, light translucent glass reflections and fogged lace transparencies wrapping and blurring the house.” You're reading Theatrical Apartment Design With Drapes As Space Dividers originally posted on Freshome. If you've enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Freshome on Twitter, Facebook and Google+

Hard To Ignore Glass Floor In High-End Mexican Penthouse Posted: 30 Apr 2012 04:02 AM PDT Constructing a positive, comfortable home with intriguing details that keeps inhabitants content and guests mesmerized is a real challenge. The result must be flattering and compose a certain atmosphere. Guadalajara-based studio Hernandez Silva Arquitectos managed to do that with the PPDG Penthouse, a residential space located on the 15th floor of a 70′s Mexican colonial building in Guadalajara. Striking modern design seen throughout culminates with a unique powder room looking down an unused 15 story lift shaft through a revealing glass floor. Invaded by natural light coming from frameless glass windows, the loft was divided into day and night spaces, with the possibility of customizing the sleeping space into one or two bedrooms with the help of easily movable screens. The day area is comprised of an open plan dining, living and kitchen zone opening to a terrace overlooking the nearby park. Two glossy walls separate the spaces and construct a brighter interior by reflecting the light. The white wall hides the staircase and elevator, while the red one complements the kitchen and adds a contemporary charm to the overall design. Versatile and prepared to offer relaxing and entertaining moments, the PPDG Penthouse surrounds owners with an up-to-date, unique interior design. You're reading Hard To Ignore Glass Floor In High-End Mexican Penthouse originally posted on Freshome. If you've enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Freshome on Twitter, Facebook and Google+

20 Green Walled Buildings Inspiring Your Own Plant Cladded Home Posted: 30 Apr 2012 02:00 AM PDT Green walls, green roofs and vertical gardens are literally bringing life to modern architecture. Partially or entirely covered with vegetation, the facade of any modern residence can completely change the overall feel of a house for the better, both aesthetically and functionally. For today we decided to present a selection of the most impressive green walled projects out there, in order to provide inspirations for those of you thinking of giving your home an Eco-friendly appearance. Just click on the name of each project and the architects’ link for more information and further pictures of the building in question. Enjoy this green display below and don’t forget to give us your feedback! #1. The Meera House was designed by Guz Architects and is located on the island of Sentosa in Singapore. We consider it a daring and original project- after all, not many homes feature green spaces for every floor of the building. How do you like it? #2. Initially built by architect Wilfried Hilger for his family, House S was recently redesigned by German studio CHRIST.CHRIST.Associated Architects. Located in Wiesbaden, Germany, the modern dwelling is a masterpiece of contemporary urban development, creating a balanced volumetric architecture that allows further building if necessary. The roof line creates new opportunities in residential dwelling and features an insulating green cover. #3. Black Beauty Tierra Villa is an impressive modern residence located in the Black Beauty Village in Ostional, Costa Rica. The 2,992 square foot project features three bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, a unique surrounding landscapes and green roofs that make it a modern eco-jungle villa. #4. Located in the picturesque region of  Cap-a-l’Aigle in the heart of Charlevoix, Quebec, Canada, the The Malbaie V residence was envisioned by Montreal-based studio Mu Architecture and displays an inspiring design. The exterior is defined by simple geometrical volumes wrapped in wood and a green roof that insulates the building. #5 Dutch NL Architects recently completed Blok K, a building that is included in a larger project of 500 dwellings and a park, by Frits van Dongen of de Architecten cie. The triangular site for this massive project is located in the recently redeveloped harbor area in the East of Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Blok K showcases an intriguing roof line, with green additions and relaxation opportunities for the inhabitants. #6. The School of Art, Design and Media at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore displays an amazing swirling green roof where students can have lunch and study sessions. Blending nature and hi-tech, this building stands up to the creativity it accommodates and acts as a factor of attraction for new students every year. #7. High above Lake Lucerne, with breathtaking views of the water and the Alps in Switzerland, lies this massive contemporary home with an architecture that is truly dazzling. Designed by Ungertreina, the project called Villa Am See, has a sculptural and dynamic appearance and consists of three residential volumes, each with its own layout. The building has concrete, glass and green walls. Have a look! #8. The Sun House was envisioned by Singapore-based studio Guz Architects in a bungalow area and features plenty of natural elements in its fresh design. A central water court forms the focal point of the project. Lushly planted roof gardens enhance the natural effect that defines the entire residence. #9. An impressive, modern golf and club house rises in Jeollanam-do (South Jeolla), South Korea. The Green Weaving Club House spreads over 5,670 square meters, but the building had to be constructed on a long and narrow site. This challenged the designers, Hyunjoon Yoo Architects, and they created a fantastic place where golf connoisseurs can enjoy modern facilities in a contemporary setting. Ivy and slow- growing Pachysandra terminalis with glossy green leaves cover some of the exterior walls, providing an Eco-friendly feature. #10. The Semiahmoo Library Green Wall was recently uncovered in the White Rock suburb of Vancouver, Canada. Designed and constructed by North American-based design firm Green over Grey, the expansive living wall is the largest outdoor green wall in the region. The living wall covers 3,000 square feet and consists of over 10,000 individual plants representing more than 120 unique species. #11. The chess board is a real inspiration in the world of design and architecture. This next building is a living proof. Designed by architects Sansiri and landscape architects Shma, the remarkable chequered facade of this Bangkok showroom entitled Vertical Living Gallery features native plants, an approach that gives the building a fresh and original appearance. #12. Ricardo Bofill is the proud inhabitant and creator of one of the best architectural reconversions. An old cement factory became the playground of a fabulous array of art and culture. On a surface of over 3,100 square meters that used to serve as an industrial building, the architect recreated a space of wonders, grouping different spaces with various artistic and residential purposes: offices, archives, a model laboratory, an exhibition space,an apartment, guest rooms and gardens. #13.  Cluny House was designed by Guz Architects and is an impressive sustainable residence located in Singapore. According to the architects, “photo-voltaic cells and solar water heaters are employed together with design for passive cooling and cross ventilation to reduce energy usage. Irrigation tanks and roof gardens collect and recycle rainwater; and the use of materials such as recycled teak and artificial timber adds warmth without compromising the finite resources of our environment”. Lovely, isn’t it? #14. Design studio Bricault developed the Brooks Avenue House in Venice, California for a growing family. The project was in fact a remodel of their existing 2000 square foot home, while creating a 1700 square foot addition and courtyard on the rear lane side. The extension is clad with a living wall system on three sides, a visual connection between the courtyard greenery with the planted roof. #15. SuperLimão Studio and Campana Brothers designed the incredible Firma Casa in Brazil, a showroom clad with no less than 3500 plant vases! The aluminum sheets remind one of the art of origami. An efficient draining system making the water flow from one vase to the next until eventually reaching the ground contributes to the development of the plants in optimum circumstances. #16. The cute Lord of the Rings Hobbit Houses in New Zeeland may not be your ideal accommodation space, but they are as green as they get. Moreover, they can provide inspiration for building a home integrated in a hill, which can make for a pretty interesting crib. #17. Plan B Studio promotes sustainable living and building Eco-friendly. House M in Colombia stays true to these principles and displays a V-shaped green roof. #18. Architects Samyn and Partners developed an intriguing home in the outskirts of Brussels showcasing a flourishing facade and roof from a selection of exotic plants. It may not appear so in the image, but the residence has a total of four floors and serves as living and working space for a cinematographer and his family. #19. X Architekten have created a project entitled Hole 19- Golfclub St. Oswald. According to the architects, “the club house merges with the landscape and integrates consistently into the natural surroundings, almost being completely absorbed by it. Its outer and inner rooms are designed as a seamless transition into the golf course and become one with the surrounding sports grounds”. #20. Designed by McGlashan Architecture to fade into the natural landscape, this next Californian house displays charming cascading green roofs. The three-level contemporary home “mirrors” the surrounding hills and provides a living environment that is both aesthetically appealing and healthy.   You're reading 20 Green Walled Buildings Inspiring Your Own Plant Cladded Home originally posted on Freshome. If you've enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Freshome on Twitter, Facebook and Google+

Fresh Patterns for Wooden Floors: Enigma Collection by Jamie Beckwith Posted: 30 Apr 2012 12:31 AM PDT The new Enigma Floor Collection by Jamie Beckwith emphasizes on quite a few original designs helping you find inspiration when it comes to wooden floors. Some of our readers have been complaining about the monotonous look of their living room or kitchen floors, so this post comes with several options to consider. Here are the arguments behind this collection from the producers: “Designers often specify wood for their projects because it brings a natural element to interior spaces, and because of its durability, availability and ease of installation and maintenance. The Enigma® flooring collection invites you to rethink wood flooring. Consider some of these options—use one of the 14 patterns as a wall to wall flooring installation, mix colors or patterns, or create an inset rug pattern in a traditional plank floor. Finally, floors become a design element, instead of an afterthought“. Find these patterns inspiring or do you rather consider them high-maintenance? You're reading Fresh Patterns for Wooden Floors: Enigma Collection by Jamie Beckwith originally posted on Freshome. If you've enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Freshome on Twitter, Facebook and Google+

You are subscribed to email updates from Freshome.com - Interior Design & Architecture Newsletter To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610