Passive solar design / Tag

Ha Ha Haus: Innovative Family Home Design in Melbourne

FeaturedModern single-story home with minimalist black exterior, large windows, and wooden accents.

Ha Ha Haus, designed by Figr., is a unique family house located in Melbourne, Australia. This innovative home integrates sustainability with contemporary design. With a focus on aging-in-place and accommodating common living arrangements, the house features a central landscaped courtyard to promote comfort and cross ventilation. The design beautifully blends with its lush surroundings while maximizing natural light and passive solar principles.

Clubhouse: Modernist Oasis in Toronto’s Private Estate

FeaturedSleek, modern exterior with expansive glass walls, pool, and minimalist bar seating.

FrankFranco ArchitectsClubhouse in Toronto, Canada, is a modern masterpiece that redefines opulence with its site-specific design. This three-year project, recognized as a 2024 Architizer Best Small Firm winner, showcases the studio’s exceptional talent in creating a home that seamlessly blends with its surroundings. Grounded in the roots of modernism, the residence optimizes its plot, with a T-shaped design that organizes the spaces and features cantilevered portions that defy gravity.

Chewuch River: Exploring the Cruciform Design in WA

Distinctive wooden-beamed structure with expansive glass walls overlooking a rural landscape.

Situated along the banks of the Chewuch River in Washington, D.C., this 2022 cabin design by Prentiss Balance Wickline delivers a striking blend of modern and natural elements. The cruciform floor plan features a high-ceilinged central living space intersected by a lower-roofed wing containing bedrooms and utility areas, offering a thoughtful response to the rugged surrounding landscape.

Empire: Seamless Renovation Blends Heritage and Modern

A modern, open-concept home surrounded by lush greenery and featuring clean architectural lines.

Empire, a stunning renovation and addition by award-winning Australian architecture firm Austin Maynard Architects, is a testament to the transformative power of thoughtful design. Located in Canberra, this modest, inter-war style bungalow has been reborn as a contemporary family home that seamlessly blends the old and the new. The project’s carefully crafted details, such as the handfinished white metal shingles, showcase the architects’ dedication to preserving the character of the original structure while infusing it with a fresh, modern aesthetic.