Modern Minimalist Weekend House in Japan

With one view of the sea and another of the garden, the ultra-modern Garden and Sea House by architects Takao Shiotsuka Atelier was designed to frame the picture-perfect panorama. This modern weekend house in Japan is nestled at the center of a plot that’s lower than that of its neighbors. The sunken home boasts a main floor that opens onto the garden and features expansive windows making up a large part of the facade. The rectangular shape of the house is slightly skewed, wider at its sea-fronting side to allow for maximum views from the second floor. Interiors are sun-soaked, thanks to an expansive picture window. Interior walls of glass allow every room to enjoy the same spectacular view of the sea. Both the interior and exterior of the home is minimalist in style, with a predominantly white palette and clean, contemporary lines. Takao Shiotsuka Atelier
photo credit: Toshiyuki YANO (Nacasa & Partners Inc.)

Contemporary House with History in UK – Modern Redesign by architect Sutherland Hussey

With history, geography and the environment prevailing in this outstanding design, there’s much to be learned from the unique Yan contemporary house by architect Sutherland Hussey. Originally built in 1903 in the UK’s Lake District, the redesign and renovation of Grizedale Hall is a £4-million project that all started with a competition held by the Forestry Commission – the owner of the property. Hussey’s rustic yet rich design won the bid for the new structure set amid 2400ha of publicly accessible land, dotted with forest and surrounded by winding hiking and biking trails. At the heart of Grizedale Forest sits this luxurious stone and wood structure with a face of windows that welcomes the natural views. On either side, two volumes extend on either side of the large glazed facade. The structure abuts a terrace where the original building stood a century ago. A distinguishing flat-topped roof takes a steep upward turn midway, adding a contemporary twist to the traditional building. The project is said to be completed in early 2009. Sutherland Hussey Architects.

Ultra-modern House in Nicosia, Cyprus Combines Modern Luxury and Sustainability

Italian architect Massimo Iosa Ghini has brought his ultra-modern brand of architecture to the residential stage with his design for Cyprus House – a futuristic interpretation of the traditional home. Designed for an up-and-coming community along the Pedieos River near Nicosia, Cyprus, this single-family home will be part of a four-home complex, designed with organic-inspired shapes and an overall easy flow. Expansive floor-to-ceiling windows are framed by clean, white concrete exterior walls. The home’s two levels and various volumes offer a sense of privacy. Aside from looking cool, the home is sensitive to the environment. Designed with a number of eco-friendly features, Cyprus House boasts low-E windows, adjustable solar panels, rainwater recycling, and a storage heating system to see residents through the winter months. Iosa Ghini
via Contemporist

For Sale: Rustic Hamptons Retreat with Modern New York Style

This modern home’s interesting roofline creates just one of its many points of interest. Designed by architect Stan Allen, the odd profile of Sagaponack House forms a weekend retreat in the Hamptons of New York. Another claim to fame is the home’s element of nature, both inside and out, from its treed surroundings, to the wood-clad exterior, and outdoor patios that lead indoors via large picture windows. This home is a cottage-chic three-bedroom design with warm yet contemporary clean-lined interiors. Cool, uncluttered living areas are naturally lit by the multiple skylights overhead, which make their sunlit marks onto the warm, wooden floors below. This luxury retreat residence is currently listed with Sotheby’s International Realty at an asking price of $2.6 million. Stan Allen Architect.

Modern House in Somosaguas, Spain - sculptural design

On the outer reaches of Madrid, in the Spanish city of Somosaguas, A-cero Architects have designed this sculptural, modern home on the water’s edge with the raw power of nature’s forces in mind. Part art, part architecture, this awesome, experimental design features a low-profile, bold curves and a horizontal layout that seems to sprawl out and grow up from its core. The architects describe the house as a “stratified building that seems to emerge from the earth like a natural formation, the facades are treated with a texturized dark concrete, completing the mineral analogy.” The home is encircled in a wide balcony, and a unique rooftop pool brings nature home. A-cero Architects
via Contemporist

Luxury Ocean View House in Sydney, Australia - Northbridge

Bringing an ultra-modern edge to the outskirts of Sydney, Australia, the award-winning Northbridge House designed by architect Alex Popov sits at the end of a peninsula overlooking the Middle Harbour. The magnificent ocean view is framed by the home’s four steel vaults and 48 concrete columns, which are exposed and enclose its contemporary, open-concept floor plan. The luxury interior of this single-storey design is based on the four vaults. The first vault houses the foyer, a sitting room and a master bedroom; the second features functional spaces including the kitchen, dining room, a courtyard and a pool terrace; while the third features a formal living room and a stairway to the lower level where you’ll find the remaining bedrooms, a family room and opening to the outdoor tennis court. The pool terrace features a massive skylight above an 18-meter infinity pool, which extends from indoors out and cantilevers over a three-storey void. Alex Popov & Associates
via Best House Design

Contemporary Home Design in Portugal - Steep Slope Home

Tolo House by architect Alvaro Leite Siza is a contemporary home design that sits on a steep slope in Penafiel, Portugal. It’s the site’s unique topography that dictates this home interesting composition of multiple individual yet interconnected volumes, which allow this design to naturally unfold along the rocky terrain. Three bedrooms, a shared bath, a living room, dining room, kitchen and pantry complete the home’s communal living areas. Between these various elevations are an outdoor swimming pool and covered patios, connected by a footpath and stairs leading up the hillside. The exterior of this modern residence boasts a cool, edgy appeal with its concrete facade, sharp geometric forms and metal doors. Interiors are quite contrary, boasting a minimal laid-back softness about them with a palate of white accented by rich wood doors, interior floors and trim, and a floating staircase that is as functional as it is beautiful. The roof of this innovative home is paved and accommodates a garden with a view of the valley. Alvaro Leite Siza
via Cube Me

Modern Addition Renews Century-Old Victorian House in Southern California

To avoid the demolition of a hundred-year-old Victorian home, a modern 1,200-sq.-ft. addition was created by designer Christopher Megowan to bring new life to an old structure. Today, this century-old home serves as a dormitory for students of the University of Southern California. Megowan – a student of the University’s School of Architecture – purchased the home as an investment property, and built this addition on a modern budget of less than $130/sq. ft. In order to maintain the Victorian integrity of the house, the new, modern addition is separated from the existing structure by a five-ft. clear polycarbonate annex, leading residents from old to new. With economic-efficiency and environmental responsibility top of mind, the young designer/developer designed the basic structure from four-by-eight-ft. fiber-cement panels and polycarbonate walls that allow natural light to filter into the home, reducing the demand for grid-powered lighting. Built-in flaps and functioning skylights allow for passive ventilation. In addition, the polycarbonate walls are wired with integrated LEDs that create the effect of a glowing wall for energy-efficient lighting throughout the home. Concrete floors allow for passive thermal control. Inside, tall ceilings enhance the home’s sense of openness and brightness. Bedrooms are separated by closets with sliding doors, acting as a sound barrier for privacy.