Award-Winning High-Class Ultra Green Home Design in Canada: Midori Uchi

Link to Freshome.com - Interior Design & Architecture Magazine

Award-Winning High-Class Ultra Green Home Design in Canada: Midori Uchi
Penthouse Apartment on Kungshöjd Showcases Scandinavian Design
The G12 House Brings Modern Architecture to Idyllic Überlingen
Wood & Brick Add Traditional Design in Luxurious Soho Loft

Posted: 04 Jun 2014 06:28 AM PDT

Does your home produce more energy than it consumes? This one does – the innovative Midori Uchi is one of Canada's most eco-friendly houses, with three three different levels of green certification to prove it. A brainchild of Naikoon Contracting and Kerschbaumer Design and photographed by Ema Peter, this impressive Canadian home was named after its most prominent feature- its green capabilities. “Midori Uchi” is Japanese for “Green Home” – a simple concept, yet complex in its history and inspiring in its functionality.

Achieving the LEED Canada for Homes Platinum rating, R-2000 energy efficiency certification and Built Green Canada Platinum, this high-class high-economy residence features “net-zero designs and net-zero capabilities, state-of-the-art energy production and conservation abilities, grey water filtration system, subtle, natural Japanese inspired influences, and the only residential rammed earth wall in urban Metro Vancouver.” Located in North Vancouver, the ultra green home is one of the first in the Lower Mainland to receive these certifications, meaning there soon others will follow the green home design trend. The mayor of North Vancouver, Darrell Mussatto, has uplifting words to describe the modern green home: “The City of North Vancouver is pleased to have this unique sustainable home in our community.The environmentally sensitive features of Midori Uchi's design contribute to the City's efforts to reduce our ecological impact.”

Bringing innovation to the residential Canadian landscape, this green home design was built by using locally sourced materials and will be an amazing home for its owners. Are you thinking of building an eco-friendly home too?

The post Award-Winning High-Class Ultra Green Home Design in Canada: Midori Uchi appeared first on Freshome.com.

Penthouse Apartment on Kungshöjd Showcases Scandinavian Design

Posted: 04 Jun 2014 02:22 AM PDT

The Swedish city of Gothenburg is unique in it's ability to offer the convinces of urban life while still feeling like a small town. On the one hand, there is no shortage of restaurants and cinemas to enjoy. But, on the other, the nearby canal and plethora of family-owned businesses add a comfort level that is not easy to find in every urban area. This sleek penthouse apartment on Kungshöjd, brought to you by Alvhem Brokerage & Interior, gives you the best of both worlds. It offers the modern amenities of Scandinavian design, all within a short walk of the city center.

At nearly 900 square feet, the apartment takes up the entirety of the building's fifth floor. An elevator ride to the top level provides access to a private entrance, which opens into the main living space. The open concept area is light and airy, featuring large windows and skylights to let in a maximum of natural light and wooden beams that seem to heighten the ceiling. A wood burning stove in the cozy seating section is ideal for warming up on cold winter nights. From there, the space flows into a dining area that easily seats six and a galley kitchen. The kitchen is full of top-of-the-line stainless steel appliances, a Trepol cooking hood, and island breakfast bar that provides extra room for guests.

A short walk down the hallway leads into the modern master bath, which offers an in-unit washer and dryer. But, the real star of this apartment is the master bedroom. Spacious enough to fit a double bed with ease, it has a walk-in closet and access to a private terrace. The terrace is large enough to accommodate seating and the perfect place to sip on a cup of coffee in the morning.

This apartment on Kungshöjd is a dream living situation for many. Take a moment to share your favorite feature in the comments. There may be too many to pick.

The post Penthouse Apartment on Kungshöjd Showcases Scandinavian Design appeared first on Freshome.com.

The G12 House Brings Modern Architecture to Idyllic Überlingen

Posted: 03 Jun 2014 02:07 PM PDT

Nestled in the hilly shores of Lake Constance, Überlingen Germany is a booming tourist destination. The city's villages are filled with medieval structures and still hold market days that harken of times past. It's the perfect spot for visitors searching for a peaceful escape, but it is not entirely in the past. The G12 house, designed by (se)arch Freie Architekten and photographed by Zooey Braun, embraces cutting-edge, modern architecture while offering must-see views of the tranquil countryside.

The premier feature of this house are the floor-to-ceiling windows that cover the entire front face. On the Ground Level, the entrance leads into the spacious kitchen. From the kitchen, there is access to a minimalist living area. Continuing along to the font of the home leads into a dining room and work space, where the wall of windows offers unprecedented ocean views and access to a open-air courtyard in the center of the home. Along one side, there is a library and sleeping quarters, complete with adjacent full bathroom. Beyond the bathroom, the open wooden staircase that also boasts floor-to-ceiling windows.

The stark interior design and blank white walls are continued on the upper, or Garden Level. Offering many of the same spaces as the first floor, there is an additional individual space, kitchen, and full bathroom. Those looking to beat the heat will enjoy the additional summerkitchen. However, the G12 house is not entirely without luxury. In keeping with the modern feel, there is a connected technical space. Plus, visitors who need to take a few moments to relax can also enjoy the private sauna and pool.

With its minimalist furniture and breathtaking views, the G12 House makes a bold statement that location trumps amenities while traveling. Where do you weigh in? Would you be willing to go basic in order to see the sunset here? Or, are you a little more high maintenance?

The post The G12 House Brings Modern Architecture to Idyllic Überlingen appeared first on Freshome.com.

Wood & Brick Add Traditional Design in Luxurious Soho Loft

Posted: 03 Jun 2014 10:31 AM PDT

New York City is famous for being a metropolis for architecture and culture. However, amid all those skyscrapers, there is not a lot of room for residents to spread out. Those willing to pay for room to roam need look no further than this luxurious residential loft in Soho. At $4,650,000, wood, brick, and stone design elements blend modern and traditional design to create a spacious escape in the middle of New York City's hustle and bustle.

Totaling nearly 2,500 square feet, the loft is shockingly spacious. The open concept living room, which easily fits a sectional sofa boasts high ceilings and a wall of large windows that let in a wealth of sunlight. Hardwood floors and a ceiling filled with wooden beams sandwich an exposed brink walls to really drive home the charming aesthetic. Iron support beams mark the entry into the kitchen, which is decked out with top-of-the-line stainless steel appliances. A breakfast bar leads the eye into the dining area, which, though narrow, impressively accommodates seating for ten.

The iron beams continue down the hallway, where your eye is first drawn to the dramatic lighting fixtures that line the ceiling. But, the real surprise in this apartment is the impressive amount of space. While the master bedroom is big enough to accommodate a double bed and seating area with room to spare, the hidden surprise is a private dressing room. There's no need to worry about crowding a single bathroom either, since the marble-laden master bath has room for a double vanity and separate tub and shower. Guests are no problem since there are three additional bedrooms and another full bath. After all that, which features that will really have New Yorkers dreaming? A private media room and in-unit washer and dryer.

There's no question that this loft is the epitome of extravagance, but whether it's worth it is up to you. Would you be willing to pay for that amount of space and high-end, modern conveniences? Or, is all of this unnecessarily opulent?

The post Wood & Brick Add Traditional Design in Luxurious Soho Loft appeared first on Freshome.com.