Asymmetric House in Canada Flaunts Surprising Design Solutions for Modern Living

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Posted: 14 Aug 2014 10:20 PM PDT

Beautifully integrated into the neighborhood while still managing to turn heads, this contemporary asymmetric house seems guarded by two trees at the entrance. Cladded in cedar, the home showcasing a sloped roof shelters the daily live of a single professional. Tailored by Canadian studio Splyce Design to the needs and desires of its owner, the home rises three stories in the air under a sloped roof design guided by the staircase placement. Known as the East Van House, the playful geometry of the house refreshes the appeal of the street it occupies.

Do you remember the Russet Residence on a steep slope of land in West Vancouver? It’s part of the same architectural studio’s portfolio and extends the same invitation to enjoy contemporary design, this time as an asymmetric addition to a suburban neighborhood. The main entrance leads to an open-plan kitchen and dining area at the back of the house, plus the living room and terrace beyond, all facing south and attracting natural light.

Down in the basement, the garage, utility room and wine room are accompanied by a guest bedroom and bathroom. Upstairs, the master suite unfolds to surprise you with a west-facing roof light that frames views of the sky and trees from the bed. There’s also a study here and it might seem simple, but it’s the perfect place to relax after a hard day’s work. The dressing area and small terrace beyond completes the picture-perfect home. Don’t you just love it?

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Bold Intervention on a Provoking Steep Site: Waiatarua House in New Zealand

Posted: 14 Aug 2014 02:03 PM PDT

Waiatarua House in Auckland, New Zealand was developed by Hamish Monk Architecture on a provoking steep site. One of the design challenges was to insert a bold intervention into a sensitive bush reserve whilst still maintaining a sense of modesty. The owners of the retreat are a couple in their mid-sixties who wanted to get away from the hectic city life. By choosing a black timber exterior, the house appears to have a black and imposing silhouette, powerfully contrasting its lush green environment.
According to the architects the design of Waiatarua House does not try to compete or mimic its surroundings. The overall volume of the house is carved to accommodate vertical circulation and a number of functional overlays: “From the point of entry the house offers a range of spatial experiences across the width of the floor-plate; transitioning from an almost subterranean position in the landscape to an elevated point perched amongst tree canopies. Rooms are served by, and branch out from a vertical circulation shaft that runs the full height of the house”. Enjoy the virtual tour! [Photography by Mark Smith]

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