This exposed brick house by German architecture firm AABE is a lesson in contrasting styles, materials and aesthetics. Architect Bruno Erpicum took the helm of this Dusseldorf warehouse conversion, transforming “ruins” into something truly spectacular. From the outside, the brick exterior home is enclosed in a glass wall, a creative treatment that hints at the curiosities you’ll find inside. Building on much the same palette of materials, the architect combines industrial-chic elements like concrete and brick, with ultra-modern pieces like the glossy-white built-in storage and closets (which also serve as dividers for the open-concept home). Furnishings – which are as intriguing as the home itself! – are few and far between, allowing the focus to remain on the loft and its innate architectural features. Outside, a modern outdoor living room is an extension of the style and space found inside.

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If you’re in search of an inspiring live work home – a forest book nook – try these digs on for size! The Scholar’s Library in Olive Bridge, New York by local architecture firm Gluck & Partners is an unusual raised house plan surrounded by lush, leafy woods. This simple but striking space sits perched among the treetops, with a study space enclosed in windows at the top, and the actual library – housing approximately 10,000 books – tucked in the windowless area below. At the very top, a wafer-thin roof appears to be floating in thin air. The glass panels supporting it slide open for an in-nature ambiance. Measuring 20 by 20 by 20 ft., this cube house in the trees is a true forest retreat.

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Compact but sweet, this small country cottage on the Isle of Skye boasts beauty in its simplicity. Created by architecture firm Rural Design, this 75m2 wood country home has lots of character in its wood-clad exterior and minimalist interior. A corrugated roof lends the cottage an industrial character that complements the farm surroundings. Not only is the cottage small, the budget to build was also, at just £115,000. Inside, a polished-concrete floor, and exposed wood walls and ceilings continue the industrial aesthetic. A large window in the living room frames the breathtaking view. Branching off the main living area, the bedrooms enjoy their privacy. The Black Shed house is set in a location as it’s positioned right at the foot of Macleods Table (Isle of Skye, Scotland). It is now available for holidays – you can rent it here.

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The Creators Project, the partnership between Intel and Vice pay homage to iconic artist from days gone by whose work influences and informs today’s creators. These are artists who were innovative and revolutionary in their fields. Bold visionaries and radicals, groundbreaking frontiersmen and women who inspired and informed culture as we know it today. This week original creator tribute goes to: Frank Lloyd Wright.

Widely considered one of the most esteemed American architects, Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959) designed over 1,000 projects over the course of his prolific career, yielding over 500 completed works, including personal homes, offices, churches, schools, skyscrapers, hotels, and museums. He was also one of the first architects to incorporate his design aesthetic into every detail of his buildings, conceiving complementary interiors, built-in furniture, light fixtures and stained glass—employing himself as an architect of space, not just of structure. It is believed that playing with Froebel Gifts (geometric blocks that could be arranged in various 3D compositions) as a young child greatly influenced his work, as his designs are known for their geometric clarity and structure. Continue reading “Original Creators: Frank Lloyd Wright” »

Now, this is what we call a tree house! This wood house design by Seattle-based Finne Architects embraces its forest roots, but with refined flair. The cabin-style design boasts natural-finish wood and a stone fireplace feature anchoring the “great outdoors.” Skylights flood the two-story living areas with natural light while providing a view of the surrounding forest. The kitchen and adjoining living area is a certain hotspot in this house. The interplay of the drastically different types and textures of wood clad walls, ceiling and cabinets have stolen my heart. This eclectic look is complemented by subtle industrial-chic details, like the countertop supports and the under-counter mini potlights. Another favorite in this house is the bathroom, featuring more gorgeous wood, windows and mirrors galore. The bathtub is nestled in a glass-wall corner; you’ll feel like you’re bathing in the great outdoors. Interior glass walls maintain an open-concept feel, but with the benefit of a little privacy.

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Photo Credit: Rosie Hallam

Thomas Heatherwick will design the Olympic Cauldron for the London 2012 games, while Kim Gavin and Es Devlin, the designers behind the ‘Take That’ Circus Concerts and Lady Gaga’s Monster Tour have been announced to be in charge of the closing ceremonies. Although no images of Heatherwick’s plan have yet been released, the Cauldron is expected to sit to the north of the main stadium, and be visible from within the arena. Heatherwick, who is currently working on the new routemaster bus for transport for London, recently created Britain’s Dandelion Pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo.

Internationally renowned danish architects Bjarke Ingels Group has revealed their design of ‘West 57th’, a new 600-unit residential building in New York City. Located between 11th and 12th Avenues adjacent to the Hudson River, the building is the firm’s first project in Northern America.

‘New York is rapidly becoming an increasingly green and livable city. The transformation of the Hudson River waterfront and the highline into green parks, the ongoing effort to plant a million trees, the pedestrianization of Broadway and the creation of more miles of bicycle lanes than the entire city of my native Copenhagen are all evidence of urban oases appearing all over the city. With west 57th, we attempt to continue this transformation into the heart of the city fabric – into the center of a city block,’ says Bjarke Ingels, founder of BIG. Continue reading “BIG Architects: West 57th Residential Building, New York” »

The ‘Museum Of The Moving Image’ by Brooklyn-based practice Leeser Architecture has opened its doors to the public in Astoria, New York. Consisting of a complete redesign of the structure and a three-storey and courtyard addition, the 97,700 square foot project features a number of new program spaces including a 264-seat theater, 68-seat screen room, video screening amphitheater and a gallery. Continue reading “‘Museum Of The Moving Image’ In New York” »

This linear house design in Okinawa is by Japanese architecture firm Shinichi Ogawa & Associates. Long and lean, this linear house is simple through and through. Its exterior features four white rectangular concrete slabs, plus one for the roof, while inside is much of the same with some functional features built in. The rooms’ unique “hallway” dimensions really demanded a scaled-down decor – only the essentials, an approach that worked in favor of the minimalism aesthetic. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls enclose the main living and dining area and bedroom, while the kitchen, study room and powder room enjoy full enclosure.

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A prime example of forward-thinking, modern German architecture, this concrete house plan by Architects Brauning is situated in a dense urban center, but its unusual look and unique flow are totally out of this world. Concrete, steel, wood and an expansive glass wall make their way around this home’s irregular shape, offering awesome views of the outdoors. Inside, this modern house spreads living areas across four levels, which are open to one another but still provide a level of privacy. The architects stayed away from a traditional layout of walls and rooms, opting rather for an open-concept house plan that allows for a connection between these conventionally separate living spaces. The four-tiered design lets residents appreciate the modern yet cozy fireplace from any room. Below the living spaces are two lower levels, housing the bathroom with a gorgeous stone bathtub, and the master bedroom.

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