An extension to a small workers cottage in Kingsville, Victoria. A collection of "stuff" to reuse, recycle, make do and make up. An individually crafted design solution by MAKE architecture studio with a sustainable agenda. It's about small ideas and the big picture. Fresh, creative. After all it's not always about conspicuous consumption. (Photography TM PHOTO.)
Minimalist and modern. Two spaces by Berlin based architectural firm bfs design. Retro riffs and textural wall treatments for a modernist glass atrium house or a sparsely elegant interior fitout in an historic apartment. Sophisticated and oh so German cool.
Individual designs that fit individual needs. Sustainable, contemporary, with an emphasis on local materials and respect for site. Two projects from GASS Architecture Studios, located in Johannesburg & Cape Town, South Africa. The first, Westcliff Pavilion is a steel framed structure located on a ridge in Johannesburg. The two bedroom dwelling lightly touches the ground while its floating stone wall is a play on the local stone building materials and the notion of wall as sturdy and grounded. All in all a beautiful modernist box that sits softly in its surrounds.
The second project is the renovation of a flat in the Johannesburg suburb of Killarnery. Working within the existing constraints of the building but celebrating the beauty of its wall of windows, it is the new kitchen, though, that is a triumph. Oak and black tile ground the room and play against the light bright views from the windows.
A quiet strength. A love of history and community. A celebration of the everyday, of life, of nature, of the handmade. A circle of use and re-use. It's simple. It's beautiful. It's real. It's a porch. A humble structure that turns its face in welcome to the neighbourhood, provides extra living space for a young family and reclaims the front yard from cars and driveways. It's by Texan architect John Grable.
Back in the summer of '08, Jo blogged an interior design and architecture firm called Dowling Kimm, headed by Julie Dowling and Morissa Kimm. It seems these days the firm is called Dowling Studios and is the partnership of Julie and her twin sister Leslie, with Julie based in California and Leslie in New Jersey. The following homes I think are all located in California and are so gorgeous! These ladies have a serious liking of modern homes with massive overhanging roofs and slathered in timber. Simple yet stunning. Less is more and taller is better here.
Thu, 20 Dec 2012