River of Life is a house designed by Sandbox Studio in Sydney in 2023. Nestled into Curl Curl, it celebrates an “open and connected modern liveability”. It balances double-pitched forms with the surrounding vernacular while presenting its own distinctive identity through material choices governed by a “sustainable spirit” and dedication to timeless design that honors the landscape.
Povoença House, designed by Par_do, is situated in a residential area of Viana do Castelo, Portugal. Completed in 2023, this minimalist home features a distinctive concrete base embracing a central white volume. The volumes interact in a play of forms, creating a dynamic facade.
Side Angle Side transformed a 1970s rancher in Austin, Texas, into a spacious one-bedroom home. Designed in 2023, Reynolds Road was remodelled to improve energy efficiency and suit the homeowners’ lifestyle. Additions like solar panels, Tesla backup batteries, and rainwater collection provide reliable energy, allowing the property to go fully off-grid, as during a recent ice storm when power was out in the neighborhood.
Villa Lev is a house in Tulum, Mexico, designed by the local studio Espacio 18 Arquitectura in 2024. The building comprises three volumes positioned in a horseshoe shape to create a central courtyard and increase its connection with the natural surroundings and ensure more privacy.
The dwelling was constructed using raw concrete, with wooden furniture used throughout the space to give the interior a warmer atmosphere.
The White Rock house by Omar Gandhi Architects takes cues from camouflaged duck blinds and hunting cabins, perching above a steep, rocky incline in Nova Scotia, Canada, surrounded by farmland. The distinctively shaped observation structure features corten steel cladding and provides panoramic views of the Gaspereau River Valley.
Inside, smoked oak panels line the minimal interiors designed for rejuvenation, with carefully placed windows and Belgium linens creating a tranquil, blended relationship with the lush, forested surroundings.
Atelier du Pont has renovated Estancia San José in Menorca, Spain, transforming an old ruin into a 300-square-metre summer residence with Minorcan influences. Featuring arched Iroko windows and stone facade, the house combines raw materials with vibrant elements like an acid yellow kitchen.
The organic forms and textured finishes throughout the interior pay homage to local craftsmanship, while the garden is a natural setting surrounded by garrigue and wild olive trees.
OOOOX respected the architectural “soul” of Lanzarote during the centuries-old property refurbishment, adding white concrete floors and green tiled walls. OOOOKX relaid the layout over both storeys to create more beds for guests on the island in the Atlantic Ocean, during the renovation of Villa Amonita Lanzarote.
ID Architecture has revamped The Old Rectory – a 19th-century home in South Kelsey, United Kingdom, integrating a two-storey extension with vertical timber cladding. The contemporary design features expansive glazing that frames the property’s eight-acre grounds. The extension, incorporating passive solar shading, establishes a stronger connection to the surrounding landscape.