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.
House in the Beskids by RS+ Robert Skitek is set in the scenic landscape of the Beskid Żywiecki Mountains, Poland. Designed in 2023, this house embraces a sloped terrain and a forest setting to maximize views. The structure features alternating single-pitch roofs across three segments, each visually and functionally distinct, optimizing both mountain and forest panoramas.
The Five Cove House by RHAD Architects is located on a Nova Scotia island, connected by a causeway. Designed in 2022, the 1,560-square-foot home, surrounded by five coves, replicates the under-stated typical seaside shed that has been split, pulled, flipped, and extended to create courtyards. The one-storey house was subdivided to present a main dwelling area with a kitchen, living, and dining space, as well as a guest suit, forming a “cottage within a cottage” for added seclusion.
Cote Architects highlights local climate-smart features throughout this concrete home in Huế, Vietnam. Designed in 2024, the PVT House comprises two stacked volumes arranged around a lush garden, easing natural lighting and ventilation. Passive cooling methods include open-air patios and a facade with adjustable glass doors, enhancing air circulation. This approach not only ensures comfort but also reduces energy use, resonating with the studio’s focus on environmentally friendly solutions.
The Studio Gamp! team combined two separate Civitavecchia apartments into this 160-square-metre dwelling, characterised by flowing wooden partitions. Designed in 2020, Casa Darsena features curved walls that echo the exterior lines of the 1990s building, creating a flexible layout and enhancing natural light. A key design element is a vertical oak screen that embraces the living area and transitions into a glazed, pivoting door leading to a home office, promoting interaction and connection throughout the space.
NEW HOW architects designed a modern retreat in Hrubá Skála, Czech Republic, harmonizing with the Bohemian Paradise landscape. Completed in 2023, the weekend house balances traditional and contemporary elements. Set on a south-sloping plot, it mirrors the local architecture, offering panoramic views framed by the medieval Trosky castle ruins.
