Reflecting pool divides two wings of São Paulo house by Jacobsen Arquitetura

Architect Luciano Kruk has designed Casa Mach, a 1,528-square-foot residence located on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, Argentina. The house is characterized by its board-marked concrete construction, a technique where the grain of pine planks used as formwork is imprinted onto the concrete surface, giving it a rough, wood-like texture. This method is a signature of Kruk's previous residential projects, which include homes built into sand dunes with infinity pools and retreats amidst maritime pines, all sharing a similar material and aesthetic language. The client specifically requested a home that echoed the materiality and aesthetic of a previous exposed concrete summer house Kruk designed for his father. This led to the extensive use of concrete throughout Casa Mach, not only for the exterior walls but also for the floors and roof, reinforcing a sense of material unity and a protective, stony ambiance. The square-shaped residence is organized around a central inner courtyard, reflecting the client's desire for a space featuring plants and water. This courtyard incorporates a smaller reflecting pool and vegetation, serving as a tranquil core for the home. The layout of Casa Mach follows a three-by-three orthogonal grid of rooms, with the central courtyard acting as a focal point. An open-plan kitchen and living room occupy the back edge of the house, designed to open onto a concrete terrace, a swimming pool, and a large garden through floor-to-ceiling glazed doors. Two bedrooms and two bathrooms are situated on a more secluded side of the house, offering privacy and a quieter living environment. Environmental considerations are integrated into the design, particularly concerning sun control. The house incorporates passive solar design principles, utilizing semi-covered areas to regulate the amount of direct sunlight entering the building. This design choice contributes to maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures. The windows are framed in dark bronze aluminum, complementing the stark, contemporary aesthetic of the angular structure. The concrete construction further aids in temperature regulation, helping to keep the interiors cool during Argentina's summer months and retaining heat in cooler periods. The project team included Belen Ferrand as project manager, with collaborators Josefina Perez Silva, Andrés Conde Blanco, Alice Salamone, Isabelle Ducrest, Denise Andreoli, and Darío Cecilian. Daniela Mac Adden provided the photography for the project. #LucianoKruk #ConcreteArchitecture #ArgentinianHouses #ModernResidentialDesign #ReflectingPool #BoardMarkedConcrete #PassiveSolarDesign #BuenosAires #CourtyardHouse

Zozaya Arquitectos has completed Casa Mateo, a 488-square-meter concrete seaside residence in Zihuatanejo, Mexico, in 2022. The house is situated on one of the highest peaks of the Punta Garrabo development, offering panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and the surrounding jungle landscape. The client's brief called for a minimalist and clean design while integrating vernacular and traditional architectural elements, with additional inspiration drawn from traditional Japanese architecture for certain features. Access to Casa Mateo is provided by a sloped road leading to the property. The entrance opens into a central courtyard, which features a prominent rectangular reflecting pool oriented perpendicular to the sea. An outdoor staircase flanked by stone weeping walls further defines this entry sequence. The house itself is composed of two distinct rectilinear concrete forms, capped by broad roof planes. Functionally, the residence is divided into private and social zones. To the left of the main entrance, a private area houses three bedrooms and their corresponding bathrooms. This section is subtly marked by a coffee-colored parota wood screen and a decorative cotton fisherman's net hanging rope. The social spaces, including the living room, dining room, and kitchen, are located to the right of the entrance. These areas are delineated by a floor-to-ceiling sliding glass wall and feature white deep-sea coral sculptures, which the director Daniel Zozaya explains were curated to bring natural fragments from the habitat into the interior design. The material palette in the social areas is predominantly a monotone grey, achieved through the use of local stone walls, steel accents, and Volcani floor tiles. These spaces seamlessly open onto an expansive outdoor terrace. A large grilling area, shaded by a stainless steel pergola adorned with local tree branches and polycarbonate, is positioned next to a sunken seating space, designed for relaxation and entertainment. A notable feature of the design is the primary ensuite, which extends to an infinity pool with a two-sided waterfall edge, offering uninterrupted ocean views. The construction of this pool was carefully planned to integrate around an existing tree on the site. The selection of materials was guided by criteria of quality, local availability, and durability, ensuring that the chosen tones harmonize organically with the natural environment. The calming water features throughout the design are central to the house's serene atmosphere, acting as a functional element that subtly divides the social and private zones while evoking a sense of tranquility. The project incorporates passive bioclimatic systems, such as cross-ventilation, specifically adapted to the coastal environment for optimal thermal comfort. Green roofs have also been implemented to mimic the surrounding vegetation, reduce paved surfaces, and contribute to the internal thermal regulation of the residence. Zozaya Arquitectos, established in 1986 on the Mexican Pacific coast, specializes in residential seaside projects, with previous works including a cliffside home with a thatched roof and a holiday home featuring a bamboo screen, both located in Zihuatanejo. #ZozayaArquitectos #CasaMateo #MexicanArchitecture #CoastalLiving #ConcreteHouse #ReflectingPool #SustainableDesign #InfinityPool #BioclimaticArchitecture

Arquitectura-G has completed the Patio House, a single-story residence in Aiguablava, Spain, which integrates domestic life within a continuous flow of natural light, air, and shade. The design employs a courtyard typology to bridge the gap between the natural landscape and the architectural structure, creating a space that feels both contained and expansive. The house is strategically set back from the original plot boundary, establishing a square perimeter that preserves the surrounding natural terrain. Within this boundary, a roofed porch forms a perfect square, encapsulating a 15 x 15 meter central courtyard. This courtyard is distinguished by a colonnade and features a shallow reflecting pool, along with three trees whose canopies naturally filter sunlight, contributing to a unique microclimate within the space. A thin roof plane is designed to appear as if it floats above the columns and perimeter wall, unifying all the internal and external areas under a single, cohesive horizon. The architectural team for the project includes lead architects Jonathan Arnabat, Jordi Ayala-Bril, Aitor Fuentes, and Igor Urdampilleta, with a project team consisting of Diogo Porto, Siddartha Rodrigo, and Jesús Jiménez. Structural engineering was handled by Ofici:Arquitectura, MEP engineering by TDI Enginyers, and surveying by Xavier de Bolòs. All photography was done by Maxime Delvaux. The Barcelona-based collective Arquitectura-G reimagines the traditional Mediterranean patio house, transforming it into a contemporary dwelling characterized by its disciplined design, material clarity, and intelligent environmental integration. The interior layout revolves around a continuous corridor that encircles the central courtyard. This transitional area, functioning as a variable-width porch, dynamically shifts in its spatial character, ranging from a narrow passageway to more expansive communal zones such as the living room and kitchen. Each room within the residence features direct access to the courtyard through large glazed panels and adjustable louver screens. These elements are crucial for controlling the ingress of natural light and ensuring optimal ventilation throughout the house. The use of exposed concrete surfaces defines the interior, contributing to the minimalist aesthetic, while storage areas are discreetly fronted with wooden doors, maintaining a cohesive design language. The design emphasizes a deep connection with the outdoors, allowing residents to experience the changing light and seasonal variations of the natural environment from within the comfort of their home. The project, known as Patio House, is located in Aiguablava, Girona, Spain. The deliberate placement of the house creates an untouched ring of natural terrain around its perimeter, enhancing its integration with the local environment. The colonnaded courtyard, with its reflecting pool and trees, acts as the heart of the residence, providing a serene and climate-controlled outdoor space. The floating roof design not only serves an aesthetic purpose but also functionally unites the various elements of the house, creating a sense of openness while providing shelter. The selection of materials like exposed concrete and wood for interior finishes underscores a commitment to both durability and aesthetic simplicity. The integration of adjustable louver screens offers a flexible solution for environmental control, allowing inhabitants to customize their living environment. This thoughtful approach to design ensures that the Patio House offers a sophisticated interpretation of a traditional typology, focusing on sensory experience and seamless indoor-outdoor living. #ArquitecturaG #PatioHouse #AiguablavaSpain #CourtyardArchitecture #ResidentialDesign #MediterraneanArchitecture #FloatingRoof #SustainableDesign #ArchitecturalInnovation

Hollander Design Landscape Architects, led by principal Ed Hollander, approached a Bridgehampton, New York, property with the philosophy that the landscape should be a natural extension of the architecture. This project involved new owners building a modern home to complement an existing traditional guesthouse, leading to a collaboration with architect Tom Kligerman. Kligerman's contemporary design, featuring strong lines and expansive glass walls, provided Hollander Design with an opportunity to integrate water features to reflect and extend these architectural elements into the surrounding landscape. A key design element is a shallow L-shaped reflecting pool that cradles the home's dining room and is visible from the entry. This strategic placement ensures that the vertical glass walls of the house meet the horizontal water 'wall' of the pool. At night, the pool acts as a mirror, unifying the architectural and landscape elements. The water also cascades gently, creating a soothing sound that greets guests at the entrance and subtly draws them into the property. This auditory element, alongside the visual, enhances the sensory experience of arrival. Melissa Reavis, who led the garden's redesign for Hollander Design, explains that the design focuses on creating a sense of discovery. The reflecting pool and surrounding plantings are framed by a green ribbon of clipped boxwoods, interspersed with mounds of Japanese anemone, all beneath pollarded plane trees. This combination creates a dynamic interplay of geometric forms and varied textures. The landscape is not static but is intended to be actively experienced, with different vistas and narratives unfolding from various vantage points as one moves through the garden. Additional features of the landscape include an area where the contemporary home's glass walls meet the L-shaped reflecting pool, reinforced by the clipped boxwood ribbon. A separate, shallow reflecting pool, lined with river rock, further mirrors and extends the home's architecture. Pollarded plane trees are incorporated to provide striking definition without obstructing views of the broader landscape. A bluestone walkway, bordered by boxwoods and mounded Japanese anemone, presents a rich collage of form and texture. Finally, a shady grove of catalpa trees, underplanted with Carex, offers a lush transition to the expansive meadows beyond the main residence. The overall design emphasizes a harmonious blend of architecture and nature, creating a serene and engaging environment for the inhabitants. #HamptonsLandscape #ReflectingPools #ModernArchitecture #HollanderDesign #LandscapeArchitecture #GardenDesign #OutdoorLiving #ArchitecturalIntegration #WaterFeatures

The article showcases a unique residential project by Fala Atelier in Matosinhos, Portugal, which redefines suburban architecture with an unconventional design. The house, spanning 2,580 square feet, features an inverted roof where one side is curved and the other straight, creating a distinct silhouette that stands out from typical suburban homes. The structure is described as an 'exploded box' resting on a translucent plinth. The exterior of the house employs a striking black, white, and green color palette, a signature of Fala Atelier, but with new and surprising elements. Different vertical and slanted surfaces are meticulously chosen and set apart with varying colors. The facade is punctuated by a mix of round and square windows, which are arranged to compose three distinct elevations, some evoking faces or imaginary animals. Adding to the playful aesthetic, the house incorporates blue and green shutters that can conceal the openings, giving it the appearance of a paper collage with colored figures scattered across a white canvas. The color scheme is elaborate, featuring hues of green, blue, light green, black, white, and green again. Inside the residence, the structural elements are intentionally detached from the walls. A sequence of five slender, light green concrete columns is prominently featured in different rooms, designed to subtly obstruct daily routines, emphasizing their presence as sculptural elements rather than hidden supports. Notably, one of these columns extends to the outdoor terrace, seemingly supporting nothing, which further highlights the architect's unconventional approach to structure and form. The ground floor hosts an open living space that seamlessly connects to the garden and an office situated above it. The interior's complexity is enhanced by double-height spaces, occasional kinks in the walls, and the visible concrete columns, all beneath a gently sloped ceiling. The upper floor houses the primary bedroom within an extruded quarter-circle space, adding another unique geometric dimension to the layout. The house's construction is a deliberate assembly of various surfaces—straight, folded, cut, curved, and tilted—crafted from materials such as concrete, marble, and glass brick. These surfaces divide, overlap, intersect, and cover different areas, all anchored by the bold, punching-through columns. The interior space is designed to meander between these carefully choreographed elements, creating a dynamic and engaging experience. The architectural concept defines the house as a figure that is simultaneously complete and broken, reflecting a deliberate disruption of conventional architectural norms. #FalaAtelier #PortugalArchitecture #ModernDesign #InvertedRoof #UniqueHomes #ArchitecturalInnovation #ColorfulFacade #ConcreteColumns #SuburbanRevolution

Architects Clara Reynaldo of CR2Arquitetura and Lourenco Gimenes of FGMF designed their own family home on a challenging 4x30m narrow plot in São Paulo. The primary challenge was to integrate the entire house program within the limited space while ensuring sufficient natural light and ventilation. Their solution involved extensive research, drawing inspiration from compact Japanese and Dutch home designs. The final design, which took three years to complete, strategically incorporates a central garden. This garden is cut into the constructed volume, creating three façades that are generously bathed in natural light. This approach was crucial for maximizing illumination and ventilation within the narrow confines of the plot. The house is structured into two main blocks, positioned on either side of this central courtyard. These blocks are interconnected by a corridor on the ground floor and a mesh footbridge on the first floor. The larger, front-facing block houses the primary living areas, including the kitchen, sitting room, and bedrooms on the upper level. The smaller, rear block supports the front structure and contains service areas, circulation paths, an office, and a TV room. An unconventional design decision was to place the kitchen facing the street, allowing the living room to be oriented towards the private central garden. This choice transformed a potential obstacle into a design opportunity, emphasizing the kitchen's form and integrating it spatially into the home. To further enhance the spatial integration and perception of openness, the architects innovatively sunk the kitchen by 75cm into the ground. This created an elevated corridor that runs alongside it and leads directly into the living room. The interior and exterior of the house maintain a monochromatic palette with clean, white, light-reflecting surfaces. This choice, combined with large openings facing the courtyard, contributes to the illusion of a more expansive space than its actual dimensions suggest. The project also prioritized the use of recyclable materials. The overall result is a bright and airy home that efficiently utilizes every part of the narrow plot. This design demonstrates how thoughtful architectural solutions can overcome significant site constraints to create a functional, aesthetically pleasing, and comfortable living environment, effectively making the small space feel larger and more connected to nature through strategic use of light and spatial relationships. #Architecture #ResidentialDesign #SmallSpaceLiving #SãoPaulo #UrbanHousing #SustainableDesign #ModernArchitecture #NarrowPlotHouse #ArchitecturalInnovation

The 'Double Roof House,' designed by the Japanese firm SUEP. (Hirokazu Suemitsu + Yoko Suemitsu), integrates a distinctive catenary curve feature that serves both aesthetic and functional purposes. Located in a low-rise residential area of Yamaguchi, Japan, the house is specifically designed to mitigate solar gain due to the lack of surrounding shadows on the site. The structure is a single-story building characterized by its two roofs and a composition of five individual box-shaped units, each designated for a specific function within the home. A central element of the design is a dramatic floating 'sudare,' or reed screen, positioned above the main structure. This screen plays a crucial role in passive solar design by effectively reducing solar heat gain into the building by 50%. A deliberate small gap is maintained between the two roof structures, allowing for the diffusion of natural light into the interior spaces while still providing shade. The overall design of the house is harmoniously integrated with its natural surroundings, following the site's topography to sit comfortably within the landscape. The project details indicate a substantial land size of 1,326.1 square meters, with a building area and total floor area both measuring 235.2 square meters. The house is constructed using a wooden bungalow structure, emphasizing a connection with natural materials and possibly contributing to a lighter environmental footprint. The internal layout, though consisting of separate box-shaped units, is visually unified by the overarching double roof system, which also serves to connect the various spaces. Photographs by Kai Nakamura showcase the exterior and interior aspects of the residence. An external view highlights the visual connection provided by the two roofs across the distinct units. Interior shots capture the kitchen and living areas, demonstrating how natural light filters into these spaces despite the sun-shading mechanisms. The entrance, positioned beneath the floating double roof, creates a welcoming and sheltered approach. Another interior view offers a broader perspective of the 'Double Roof House,' emphasizing the thoughtful integration of design elements. A night view of the residence reveals its illuminated presence in the landscape. Supporting illustrations include a rendering of the house, a site plan detailing its placement, and a plan and section drawing that provide technical insights into the building's layout and structural components. These illustrations collectively articulate the architectural vision and the functional considerations behind the 'Double Roof House' project. #SUEP #DoubleRoofHouse #JapaneseArchitecture #SustainableDesign #PassiveSolar #ReedScreen #WoodenBungalow #ResidentialArchitecture

In São Paulo, a city known for its subtropical climate, the desire for ample outdoor living space is paramount. This was the driving force behind the commissioning of Casa Bento. The homeowners, a couple who also work together and have two young daughters, sought to escape the limitations of their previous traditional residence, which lacked seamless flow between its interior spaces and the surrounding garden. Their vision was a home designed for extensive entertaining of family and friends, both indoors and out. Architect Flavio Castro, founder of FCstudio, whose architectural philosophy centers on responsiveness to evolving lifestyles, was tasked with realizing this vision. The clients had acquired a lot on Rua Bento de Andrade, their childhood street in the desirable Jardim Paulista neighborhood, a verdant yet bustling area. Castro's primary challenge was to design a structure that would shield the occupants from street noise and views of neighboring properties, while simultaneously fostering an open, airy atmosphere deeply integrated with the lushly landscaped site. The resulting 4,560-square-foot, two-story residence, a 2022 Best of Year Winner for Small City House, is strategically positioned in the center of the walled lot. It features a design resembling a metal box resting on robust board-formed concrete sidewalls. The ground floor's end facades are fully glazed, creating a visual connection between the entry hall and the parking courtyard at the front, and harmoniously blending indoor and outdoor living areas at the back. In contrast, the second story is clad in folded steel lamina, a material also used for the street fence which can pivot upwards to allow car access. A narrow clerestory crowns the upper level, presenting a solid facade to passersby during the day but illuminating with a halo-like glow at night. The metal box design opens up significantly at the rear, where a continuous band of sliding glass windows extends across most of the back facade and partially along a sidewall. This glazing encloses the main bedroom, providing abundant natural light and views of the verdant garden below. These windows are equipped with large Cor-Ten steel shutters that function as a brise-soleil, effectively deflecting intense sunlight and ensuring complete privacy and quiet when closed. Cor-Ten steel, a material favored by Castro for its honesty, weather-resistant properties, and harmonious texture and color with the house's concrete, steel, and greenery, is also used for the front door. The ground level is dedicated to entertaining. Situated at the back of the house, the social zone includes a spacious living-dining area bordered by a large patio and garden on one side, and a galley kitchen on the other. The kitchen, encased in sumptuous pau ferro wood, features a wide, proscenium-like passthrough facilitating interaction during meal preparation. The dining area is defined by a custom jatoba wood table and Fernando Prado pendant fixtures, while the living area comprises a seating group with furniture by Sérgio Rodrigues and Claudia Moreira Salles. The patio, sheltered by the second-floor overhang, is furnished with a concrete dining table by Matthias Ambros von Holleben and an outdoor kitchen with teak doors. Cement pavers extend from the patio into the garden, leading to a small dipping pool, a metal firepit, and custom perforated-metal benches with integrated side tables and cachepots, all designed by FCstudio. A dramatic blackened-steel staircase, suspended from the entry hall ceiling like a Donald Judd sculpture, ascends to the second-floor family bedrooms. The open landing at the top spans the full width of the house and is deep enough to serve as a home theater. While window walls at either end of this space can be darkened with curtains and steel lamina shutters, the clerestory provides soft natural light during the day. Down a long corridor on the second floor are the daughters' bedrooms and the main suite. Each daughter's room features a platform bed with a whimsical painted-steel gable-roof frame, along with built-in storage. A floating concrete stair, echoing the sculptural quality of the main staircase, leads to a children's play area in the basement, where staff quarters, service areas, and storage are also located. Casa Bento, while named after its street, reflects the balanced functionality and aesthetic precision of a traditional Japanese bento box, with every element meticulously placed within its microcosm. #SãoPauloArchitecture #FCstudioDesign #OutdoorLiving #ModernHomeDesign #ResidentialArchitecture #ContemporaryBrazilianHome #CustomInteriors #SustainableMaterials #FamilyHome

UNA Barbara Valentim has completed the Japi House, a residential project situated at the foothills of Serra do Japi in the São Paulo countryside, Brazil. This residence reinterprets traditional construction techniques by utilizing rammed earth, a method that involves compacting soil into a wooden mold (taipal), which was introduced to Brazil during the colonial era. The design, spearheaded by Fernanda Barbara and Fabio Valentim, integrates rammed earth with exposed concrete and a rooftop garden, creating a structure that is both energy-efficient and deeply connected to its natural environment. The most prominent architectural feature of the Japi House is its curving rammed earth wall. This wall not only defines the structure but also follows the contours of the plot, providing privacy from the adjacent street and neighboring properties. The internal layout of the house is organized into two primary sections. A central entrance leads into expansive, open-plan living areas that seamlessly transition to a garden and a swimming pool located at the rear of the property. A distinctive tall vertical tower emerges from the main volume, housing essential services such as bathrooms, water tanks, and technical equipment. Bioclimatic design principles are integral to the Japi House's construction and functionality. An internal courtyard is strategically incorporated to optimize natural ventilation and maximize daylight penetration throughout the interior spaces. Furthermore, deep overhangs and generously proportioned covered outdoor areas are designed to shield the interiors from excessive solar heat, contributing to a more comfortable indoor climate. The rooftop of the house serves a dual purpose: it acts as an additional layer of insulation, enhancing the building's thermal performance, and provides a platform for the installation of solar panels, further boosting the home's energy efficiency. This combination of traditional materials, modern design, and sustainable strategies aims to create a harmonious and environmentally conscious living space. #JapiHouse #UNABarbaraValentim #RammedEarth #SãoPauloArchitecture #SustainableDesign #BioclimaticArchitecture #ResidentialArchitecture #BrazilianArchitecture #RooftopGarden

The Moiré apartment, a duplex unit in Brasília, Brazil, has undergone a contemporary renovation by CoDa Arquitetura. This project aimed to infuse modern drama into the existing structure while preserving and enhancing its original architectural details. The name 'Moiré' is derived from the optical effect of shimmering or rippling patterns created by the superposition of similar designs, a phenomenon subtly referenced by the metal mesh railing of the central staircase in the apartment. Spanning 294 sq m, the apartment serves as the primary urban residence for a doctor, a lawyer, and their small dog. The design brief focused on maximizing existing space and fulfilling specific client requests. These included the integration of a guest kitchen with the living room for entertaining purposes, alongside a more private kitchen for daily use. Additionally, the clients desired three suites, a guest bathroom, a TV room, and an office, emphasizing the need for a highly functional and integrated living environment. CoDa Arquitetura's design retained the exposed concrete beams and pillars, introducing an element of material honesty and rawness. The overall aesthetic is modern and contemporary, with the central staircase, an original feature now updated with a new metal railing and handrail, serving as a focal point. A distinctive honeycomb ceiling, with its metal grid and surrounding concrete, provides a visual contrast to the warm, dark tones of the staircase and wood elements, adding an intriguing design detail. The architects focused on creating harmonious and functional spaces that cater to the clients' lifestyle. The two distinct kitchens exemplify this approach: a formal kitchen seamlessly integrated into the living area for guests and a more utilitarian kitchen for everyday activities. The renovation also involved strategic spatial reconfigurations, such as converting one bathroom into two and creating a new powder room, which facilitated an expansion of the living room. The material palette employed in the apartment is diverse and sophisticated, ranging from feature wood paneling in the entertainment zones to the dynamic honeycomb ceiling. The sleek metal of the staircase and the luxurious Guatemala marble used for the kitchen countertop further contribute to the apartment's refined character. Each bathroom was designed with a unique personality, including a primary suite, a green suite, and a blue suite. The second floor features balconies that connect the main bedroom to an office and a secondary bedroom. The culmination of these design choices is a residence that is both timeless and understated, offering a balanced environment for contemporary living, entertaining, and personal relaxation. #BrasiliaApartment #CoDaArquitetura #MoiréDesign #ModernArchitecture #ContemporaryInteriors #OpticalIllusion #DuplexRenovation #BrazilDesign #LuxuryApartment

Water features in home environments are gaining popularity for their aesthetic appeal and significant wellness benefits, both mental and physical. Sean So, founder and principal of Water Studio, notes a growing trend in both indoor and outdoor water installations, with many clients seeking to replicate public space designs in their homes. These features contribute to mental well-being by reducing stress, improving mood, and promoting relaxation, a phenomenon often linked to the calming effect of 'blue space,' as highlighted by sports medicine physician Gregory Charlop, M.D. Physically, water features can offer health advantages, such as the muscle recovery and inflammation reduction associated with cold water immersion, though Charlop cautions against cold plunges for untrained individuals due to potential cardiac risks. Conversely, warmer water temperatures in hot tubs and spas are beneficial for muscle relaxation. Popular water features include indoor water walls that offer dramatic visual appeal with minimal space requirements, and outdoor falling streams that provide tranquil sounds. Architects Phil Kean and Danny Wang frequently incorporate these elements into their designs. Kean mentions sheer descent fountains on feature walls as a common request, while Wang's popular features include water feature walls, fountains, and reflection ponds. Water features also serve practical purposes, such as acting as natural noise barriers against busy roads, enhancing privacy, and even blocking unsightly views. Enhancements like lighting, music, and fog effects can elevate the ambiance. Kean describes creating glass-top water tables for poolside dining, incorporating LED lighting for a magical evening effect. Automated systems for refilling, timing lights and pumps, and controlling flow are also popular for convenience and customization. Water specialists can upgrade existing features, provided the basin is leak-free, by adding modern sculptures or low-splash water walls. Despite their benefits, water features require careful planning and maintenance to avoid safety hazards and potential water damage. Sean So stresses the importance of working with experienced firms that thoroughly test installations. Gregory Charlop emphasizes the need to consider water quality, sanitation, and temperature regulation to prevent infections and injuries, recommending regular professional check-ups. The integration of water features into home design not only adds architectural flair and real estate value but also contributes significantly to the residents' overall wellness. #HomeDesign #WaterFeatures #WellnessBenefits #ArchitecturalFlair #RealEstateEnhancements #IndoorWaterFeatures #OutdoorWaterFeatures #HomeWellness #LuxuryHome

This article details the renovation of a bedroom in São Paulo, Brazil, undertaken by Peter Zawel and Kadu Dantas. Zawel, an entrepreneur from New York, moved in with Dantas, a content creator, and the pandemic solidified his permanent relocation to São Paulo, leaving his former life in Chelsea behind. The couple decided to transform Dantas's cramped one-bedroom apartment, focusing first on the bedroom, which was a functional but uninspired builder-grade space. Dantas, admitting his lack of interior design expertise, entrusted most design decisions to Zawel, aiming to create a shared home that reflected both their personalities. The primary objective for the bedroom renovation was to introduce warmth and depth to the originally stark white room. They opted for extensive wall paneling using Carvalho wood, a type of oak, drawing inspiration from hotel headboards encountered during their travels. To execute this vision, they collaborated with architect Henrique Steyer and Florense, an interior solutions company. Instead of merely a headboard, they enveloped the entire room in thick, unstained wood panels, positioned three-quarters of the way up the walls. This design choice allowed light to reflect off the cream-colored walls and ceiling above, creating an illusion of space, and also cleverly concealed an air conditioner behind a metal display shelf. A significant challenge was managing Dantas's extensive wardrobe, which became even more critical with Zawel's additions. The solution involved a thorough decluttering, inspired by Marie Kondo's methods, and the installation of new, sleek custom closet doors. These doors were painted black to harmonize with the darker stain of the existing parquet flooring. To maintain a minimalist and calming aesthetic, the couple chose recessed grooves instead of traditional hardware, ensuring that the closets blended seamlessly into the room without drawing undue attention. The original cupboard interiors were made functional through creative organization, with some of Zawel's items stored in bedside units. Beyond clothing storage, the couple needed a dedicated space for their collection of books and various decorative items. They addressed this by integrating floating, L-shaped storage units crafted from the same Carvalho wood as the wall panels. This feature was installed in the left corner of the room, providing ample flat surfaces for display and hidden cabinets for storage. This innovative design also served a dual purpose as a nightstand, although Dantas preferred a stool on his side of the bed. The couple frequently reconfigures the items on these surfaces, changing coffee-table books and picture frames to match different moods or for photo shoots, demonstrating their dynamic approach to personalizing their shared space. #BedroomRenovation #InteriorDesign #WoodPanelling #CustomCabinetry #SmallSpaceDesign #SãoPauloHome #ModernBedroom #StorageSolutions #HomeTransformation

K10 Studio has unveiled Casa Infinity, a contemporary concrete residence located on Costa Rica's Pacific coast. This architectural project integrates raw materials to create a modern tropical aesthetic, with a notable L-shaped infinity pool serving as a central design element that visually connects the home's interior with its natural surroundings. The residence is situated on a hilltop in Guanacaste, offering subtle ocean views amidst surrounding Teak trees. The design philosophy behind Casa Infinity focuses on blurring the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces. The L-shaped infinity pool is strategically placed to act as the primary axis around which the social areas of the house are organized, enhancing this connection to the garden and the Pacific Ocean. The architectural composition is characterized by two distinct volumes. The front volume, designed to face the street, is constructed from exposed concrete, providing a sense of privacy and a grand, temple-like facade. Local artisans were involved in creating a dynamic mosaic texture on this concrete surface, adding a unique artistic touch. The main entrance is further accentuated by large Teak wood panels, which introduce a natural and welcoming element to the robust concrete structure. The material palette of Casa Infinity emphasizes a balance between the raw industrial feel of concrete and the warmth of natural wood. Exposed concrete walls and ceilings are utilized throughout the residence, offering a textured finish that imbues the structure with character and integrates it more deeply with its environment. This minimalist approach is thoughtfully combined with wooden elements to achieve a distinct 'tropical' aesthetic. The construction process benefited from prefabrication techniques, which were employed to ensure both the quality and efficiency of the build. In contrast to the concrete front, the rear volume features a striking steel structure complemented by a ceiling made of local Teak slats. This combination creates a visual and material contrast that adds depth to the design. The living areas are equipped with tempered glass doors that can be fully opened, extending the indoor spaces onto terraces and further dissolving the barrier between the interior and exterior. The infinity pool, which wraps around the first floor, includes a built-in bench, offering a space for relaxation and social interaction while overlooking the picturesque landscape. Casa Infinity exemplifies simplicity, sophistication, and high-end finishes. K10 Studio, the Costa Rican architecture firm behind the project, has successfully blended minimalist design principles with the specific requirements of a tropical climate. The design incorporates natural cross ventilation and solar control techniques, ensuring a harmonious and comfortable living environment that continuously fosters a connection to its natural setting. #ResidentialArchitecture #ConcreteArchitecture #InfinityPool #CostaRica #TropicalDesign #K10Studio #SustainableDesign #WoodArchitecture #Guanacaste

This article delves into the transformation of a midcentury bungalow in Beverly Hills by interior designer Jessica Nicastro. The project aimed to restore the home's original character, which had been obscured by a modern builder-grade remodel. The design process began with an immediate connection between Nicastro and the clients, Katie and Rob, who were expecting a baby. This personal connection informed the vision for a family-centric home that is colorful, joyful, and deeply connected to its natural surroundings. Nicastro's design philosophy for this bungalow centered on integrating the indoors and outdoors seamlessly, ensuring every interior element had an exterior counterpart. For instance, new home offices inside were complemented by an outdoor shower and surf shed, reflecting the clients' connection to the sun and surf. A key aspect of the renovation involved undoing previous renovations, such as closing off part of a fireplace and cladding walls in earthy Roman clay. The powder room was notably upgraded with a monolithic onyx sink, highlighting the designer's commitment to unique, high-quality materials. The material palette heavily favored natural elements, warm tones, and rich, layered textures, explicitly avoiding anything too white or sterile. A significant focus was placed on stone, with Nicastro meticulously sourcing various slabs from across Los Angeles. The kitchen features a peachy Quattro Stagioni, the main bathroom showcases a green Quartzite Esmeralda, and the powder room boasts Chanel onyx, creating distinct focal points and adding a luxurious touch to each space. This attention to natural materials aimed to evoke a sense of warmth and authenticity throughout the home. One of the standout features is a custom, three-sided suede-wrapped bar, ingeniously tucked into a corner of the living room. This bar, complete with an ice maker and wine fridge, is designed to serve the living, dining, and outdoor areas simultaneously, making it ideal for entertaining. The three-sided design allows for accessibility from both inside and out when the doors are open, emphasizing the indoor-outdoor flow central to the home's design. Another highlight is the blackened brass fireplace with a bullnose Rosa Travertino edge detail, which, alongside the bar, is considered a 'shining star' of the project. The nursery was designed to be playful yet adaptable for the child's growth, starting with a vintage rug and incorporating neutral-colored walls to create a warm atmosphere. The primary bedroom was conceived as a boutique hotel-like retreat, prioritizing the stunning treetop and city views. Low-profile furnishings and textured decor, such as the rug and bed, were chosen to enhance the layered look without obstructing the scenery. The exterior of the house was transformed with a bold, nature-inspired green paint, replacing a creamy taupe, to better complement the landscape and set the home's vibrant tone. A particularly innovative feature is the main bathroom's shower, which is cocooned in sage green Quartzite Esmeralda and includes a private picture window framing a lush botanical view, effectively bringing the outdoors in. #HomeDesign #MidcenturyModern #InteriorDesign #OutdoorLiving #BeverlyHillsHome #NaturalMaterials #LuxuryInteriors #RenovationProject #DesignerSpotlight

Studio MK27, led by architect and filmmaker Marcio Kogan, designed the Vista House, an 8,343-square-foot seaside villa in Trancoso, Bahia province, Brazil. Completed in early 2020, the residence is situated atop a 46-meter-high cliff, offering expansive views of the ocean and its escarpments. The design of the house was significantly influenced by its tropical environment and the need to frame the panoramic ocean vista, which the architects describe as being captured "like a wide-angle camera." The central feature of the Vista House is its impressive low-slung, gabled roof, measuring approximately 15 meters wide, 3.5 meters tall, and 60 meters long. This substantial wooden roof creates a sense of scale and protection, beneath which the living areas are strategically placed. The roof's exterior is clad in hand-carved wooden shingles, adding to the organic aesthetic, while the outer structure is wrapped in eucalyptus staves. The elongated volume of the roof delineates the horizontal proportions of the house, with its ends enclosing the kitchen and the primary bedroom. These two enclosed volumes serve as anchor points for the structure, while the space beneath the central portion of the roof is largely open to the environment, fostering an indoor-outdoor living experience. The main living areas are designed to be fluid and connected to the surrounding landscape. A notable aspect of the interior is the inclusion of four additional bedrooms housed within a smaller, interior volume. This inner structure is set back from the exterior walls and constructed from Viroc, a composite panel made from wood and cement. The Viroc panels function as folding screens, allowing the inner house to open completely or to be shuttered for privacy and climate control, providing flexibility in how the space is used. The architectural team carefully considered the interplay of Brazil's intense sunlight with the chosen materials. The perforated Viroc panels and the slender eucalyptus staves create dynamic patterns of light and shadow throughout the home. Furthermore, the expansive overhang of the gabled roof offers ample shade, enabling residents to comfortably enjoy the outdoors regardless of weather conditions. The interiors are characterized by a restrained palette of creamy tones and wood finishes, which contrast with the more organic, textured exterior. This polished interior design complements the softer, natural feel of the external cladding. The design philosophy of Vista House emphasizes a harmonious integration with its natural surroundings, utilizing local materials and an open plan to maximize views and outdoor living. The architectural execution ensures both aesthetic appeal and practical functionality, allowing for a deep connection between the inhabitants and the stunning Brazilian coastline. The project exemplifies Studio MK27's approach to creating residences that are deeply rooted in their context while offering modern, flexible living spaces. #BrazilianArchitecture #BeachHouseDesign #StudioMK27 #GabledRoof #IndoorOutdoorLiving #TropicalArchitecture #EucalyptusCladding #VirocPanels #ArchitecturalDesign

The Bateia Bungalow Bathroom, designed by Studio 126 Arquitetura and completed in 2021, is located in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. This project encompasses an area of 137 square meters and aims to merge contemporary living concepts with the rich cultural heritage of Minas Gerais, drawing inspiration from the region's mining history, specifically referencing the motto “A Casa Original.” The architectural design emphasizes a connection with nature, achieved through extensive use of natural materials like wood and stone, and strategic placement of large windows that frame views of the surrounding forest and garden. The project showcases a deliberate integration of indoor and outdoor spaces. The bathroom area, which serves as a central focus of the bungalow, is designed to be a serene retreat. Large glass panels and thoughtful landscaping create a seamless transition, allowing occupants to experience the natural environment while maintaining privacy. The interior aesthetic combines rustic elements with modern finishes, featuring exposed brick, wooden beams, and polished concrete surfaces. This material palette not only pays homage to local building traditions but also contributes to a warm and inviting atmosphere. Key design decisions include the arrangement of the bungalow to maximize natural light and ventilation. The layout supports a fluid circulation, enhancing the sense of spaciousness within the compact footprint. The architects utilized various types of wood for structural components and finishes, alongside locally sourced stone, to ensure durability and a harmonious blend with the natural surroundings. The project’s exterior is characterized by its clean lines and minimalist approach, allowing the natural landscape to take precedence. The garden design incorporates native flora, further blurring the boundaries between the built structure and its environment. Photographs by Estudio NY18 and Daniel Mansur highlight the project's attention to detail and its successful execution of the design vision. The imagery captures the interplay of light and shadow, the texture of the materials, and the expansive views from within the bungalow. The project's classification as a 'Bath House' suggests its primary function as a private sanctuary focused on wellness and relaxation, where the design elements are carefully chosen to promote a tranquil user experience. The use of natural materials and the emphasis on light and views contribute to an overall sense of calm and connection to nature. The Bateia Bungalow Bathroom stands as an example of how modern architectural principles can be applied to reinterpret regional cultural narratives. It reflects a design philosophy that values sustainability, contextual responsiveness, and the creation of sensory-rich environments. The project is an initiative to explore modern housing solutions that respect and reflect the unique identity of Minas Gerais, aligning with contemporary trends in architectural design that prioritize well-being and integration with nature. The subtle references to the mining era are woven into the material choices and the overall ambiance, offering a unique interpretation of the region's history. #BathHouse #BrazilianArchitecture #NaturalMaterials #BeloHorizonte #Studio126Arquitetura #ContemporaryLiving #CulturalRoots #MinasGerais