The Avico Villa by Majid Roudgarpour in Chālūs, Iran, is designed to maintain a close connection between the interior spaces and the courtyard. Completed in 2024, the house features staggered rectangular volumes that emphasize the building’s relationship with its outdoor surroundings. Roudgarpour incorporated spacious terraces with views of the Alborz Mountain range, glass railings, and passive systems to enhance natural ventilation and energy efficiency.
The West Seattle Chalet by SHED Architecture & Design draws inspiration from the Swiss Alps for its design, targeting net-zero energy efficiency. Located in Seattle, Washington, this contemporary wooden house features large windows that frame views of the surrounding garden and Olympic mountains. Warm and minimal interiors complement the chalet’s exterior, clad entirely in wood. The design includes street-facing elements for community engagement and private living spaces at the back, offering garden views and access to outdoor areas.
The YL Apartment in Ramat Gan, Israel was designed by Maya Sheinberger in 2023. Known for her modern, minimalist style, Sheinberger transformed the 125-square-meter home into a functional space for a young family. The design includes a striking blue carpentry wall that houses storage and a hidden entry to a playroom. With a focus on flexibility and purpose, Sheinberger aimed to create a stylish home that adapts to the family’s needs over time.
Italian studio Burnazzi Feltrin Architetti created a harmonious and open space at Apartment GC in Rovereto, reinterpreting typical Venetian elements such as the portego-style hall and terrazzo tiles. It lined the apartment with bespoke, solid wood furniture and added floor-to-ceiling windows to open up the space and connect it to a garden populated by aromatic plants, which features a pergola and an outdoor kitchen. Pale furnishings compliment the terrazzo flooring, created from a light beige stone.
Rómulo Neto Arquitetos designed the Casa Cor de Sal in Aveiro, Portugal. Completed in 2022, this house reflects a fusion of marine atmosphere and functional design. The design incorporates elements like ceramics, wood, and aluminum, with a focus on maintaining a close connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. An interior patio serves as a link, enhancing natural light. The layout ensures the living area on the upper floor maximizes views of the surrounding water landscape.
Mulroy Architects has transformed a Victorian terrace in London, optimising light and space for a family that wanted to enjoy an Australian lifestyle in the UK. The studio relocated the staircase and added a diagonal extension to maximise views and natural light. Key features include large roof lights and an open-plan layout designed for entertaining. The renovation also reoriented the home to access the newly enlarged north-facing back garden.
The Columbia River Valley Lookout is a ski cabin designed by Twobytwo Architecture Studio in British Columbia, Canada. Designed in 2023, the retreat is nestled in the Kootenay mountain range, aiming to connect family members with each other and the natural landscape. The cabin features a cantilevered steel balcony, douglas fir rafters, and an industrial staircase. Its design is inspired by the surroundings, utilizing a palette of wood and concrete for both the exterior and interior.
Pocket Passiv, a compact house designed by Anderson Architecture, is nestled in the inner-city suburb of Glebe, Sydney, Australia. Designed in 2023, the residence follows the Passivhaus Plus Standard. It efficiently utilises its 27-square-metre (290-square-foot) space with a split-level layout. The design features an asymmetrical pitched roof and a facade clad with timber shingles, integrating both historical and modern elements to create a net zero energy building.
