Modern Hardwood Desk to Ease Your Workflow by Artifox

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Modern Hardwood Desk to Ease Your Workflow by Artifox
Self Sustainable Weekend Retreat by Branch Studio Architects
Encouraging Outdoor Living: Exquisite House Duk in South Africa
Reinventing Traditional Log Architecture: Arborwall Solid Cedar Homes

Posted: 16 Apr 2014 04:58 AM PDT

Designed by Artifox, Desk 01 is a clever solution for your office, a modern hardwood desk that substantially eases your workflow throughout the day. Sleek yet practical, Desk 01 is a piece of furniture fully crafted by hand. It features everything one needs to increase office productivity in the 21st century. In my opinion, one of the major problems nowadays is that furniture producers and designers tend to forget that design is not only aesthetics, but also cleverness. Design is supposed to be functional, therefore the fact that it looks great does not imply that only detailing is what matters most. The way it makes you feel, moreover, if it is comfortable and functional it must be exactly what you need. Especially when we’re talking about desks. Aesthetics, in this particular case, is just an add-on.

We live in a world that requires ingeniously modern solutions. Artifox understood it and came with the brilliant idea of designing “an ultimate desk” that integrates a dock for holding and charging your phone/tablet, has cut outs which allow you to manage with ease cables and wires without entangling and entwining them, features special hooks to store bags and headphones and last, but not least, a very cool glossy surface on the right side, perfect for writing down ideas. “The surface is solid wood with a writable / erasable panel; cables are managed out of sight, while tech devices such as tablets and mobile phones dock seamlessly within the desk surface. Our integrated groove allows chargers to pass through freely, while naturally creating a grommet for built-in erasers. Eliminating the need for superfluous equipment, this design provides space and encourages efficiency.” Forget about the chaos, forget about mess. Desk 01 is the right desk for anybody who wants to boost productivity and better manage work-related tasks.

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Self Sustainable Weekend Retreat by Branch Studio Architects

Posted: 16 Apr 2014 01:12 AM PDT

Pump House is a self sustainable weekend retreat located within the rural area of Victoria, Australia. The dwelling designed by Branch Studio Architects was originally intended to serve as a storage space for the clients’ water pump and other essential equipment needed to maintain their farmland property. Since they began to spend a significant amount of time here, the original plan of having a place where to drink a cup of tea while spending quality time admiring the picturesque views before going for a horse ride, evolved into a complex ambition. Using a limited budget though, the BSA team (Branch Studio Architects) reimagined the property, transforming it into a bright and welcoming retreat. With front and rear walls entirely glazed, the house is an exceptional living space that fully opens to the surroundings.

Pump house and reflection Self Sustainable Weekend Retreat by Branch Studio Architects “The Pump House is a celebration of the ordinary. Uncompromising in it’s simplicity, there is a rigid adherence to some very modest but key ideas about doing away with the unnecessary. Agricultural materials (Colorbond iron, low-grade plywood & rough sawn timber) are put together with carefully considered old-fashioned craftsmanship (custom made on-site windows, doors & joinery) to create something much more than the sum of their parts.” Interior is soft and warm. It contrasts with the rigid, shell-like exterior and invites you to forget about the everyday problems. Lay back and just soothe your overworked mind. The overall design is simple. In fact, pretty much everything about this project inspires simplicity, encouraging a tranquil lifestyle.

Closer to nature Self Sustainable Weekend Retreat by Branch Studio Architects Table and picturesque view Self Sustainable Weekend Retreat by Branch Studio Architects

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Encouraging Outdoor Living: Exquisite House Duk in South Africa

Posted: 15 Apr 2014 02:35 PM PDT

Designed and defined by Nico van der Meulen Architects, the exquisite House Duk is a wonderful property that invites you to enjoy the benefits of the outdoor living. Nested within a nature reserve near Johannesburg, South Africa, it provides a large array of recreational possibilities and naturally, it encourages residents to embrace and explore the beauty of nature. The spacious two-storey mansion is encircled by a landscaped garden which can be admired from every room in the house. That’s a big, big plus! A covered patio serves as an extension to the living room. The two environments (in and outdoor) merge seamlessly creating the perfect warm and welcoming home. Natural materials and earthy tones of colour intentionally adorn the house to discreetly match the surroundings. Comfort and elegance result from the carefully selected décor elements, the inspired combination of colour hues and the smooth textures. Both floors feature outdoor lounge spaces. “The best part of this design is the way the entrance entices your curiosity with long stone cladded screen walls and once inside, the transparency and openness of this home that lies behind these solid entrance walls creates interesting contrast.” Undoubtably, this is a captivating home, a delight for the eyes and a soothing place where you can retreat to and relax in whilst enjoying the wonders of nature.

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Reinventing Traditional Log Architecture: Arborwall Solid Cedar Homes

Posted: 15 Apr 2014 09:48 AM PDT

Arborwall combines traditional solid log construction with state-of-the-art precision manufacturing methods to produce homes that are solid, sustainable and exceptionally energy efficient. These homes retain all of the benefits of log construction but have a surprising new look and design versatility that can appeal to modern, contemporary or classic tastes. Continuous Insulation is considered to be a best practice in residential construction. Because Arborwall homes are constructed with mass cedar walls, traditional structural framing is not needed. This allows insulation to be applied directly to the mass wall without breaks, resulting in a significant reduction in heat loss and air infiltration, as well as a significant increase in R-value per inch.

The company produces complete custom material packages (or "kits") that are delivered worldwide. These packages include everything needed to construct the home above the foundation and make it weather tight. A true continuous insulated wall is the only way to eliminate thermal bridging in exterior walls. Each and every Arborwall home is custom-designed and manufactured to fit the personal tastes and style of the homeowner.

Arborwall homes are produced using a proprietary building system that has been developed and refined over 40 years in the log construction industry.: “Once the home's design is finalized by our in-house design team, the design file is transferred to our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility for custom milling. Each cedar timber is pre-cut, drilled, labeled and bar-coded by our computerized system, and then sequentially stacked for delivery. What that means is, once the kit arrives on site, the home goes together quickly and efficiently like a tight-fitting puzzle. Each precision manufactured cedar timber has a specific purpose and place“. How would you comment on this innovative idea? [Photos: Trent Bell Photography & Arborwall Solid Cedar Homes]

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