Ignazio Mortellaro has transformed a 300-year-old Sicilian farmhouse into a sustainable, energy-efficient retreat called Casa Balat. Located in Noto, Italy, the project seamlessly integrates traditional materials with state-of-the-art green technology, like a geothermal system for air conditioning and water heating.
Casa Balat features an open-air shala for yoga, a saltwater pool, gardens, and a Bulthaup kitchen, all designed to minimize carbon footprint while providing luxurious and sustainable agriturismo accommodations.
Angel Chen designed the Harmonious Love Haven, a 14-ping apartment in Taichung, Taiwan, for a couple embodying quiet elegance. Completed in 2022, the residence reflects their balanced relationship through minimalist Japanese aesthetics and sustainable features. The home doubles as a meeting space, providing a serene environment that respects the couple’s independence while nurturing their connection. Reconfigured layouts reduce confinement, earning a GD Gold Green Renovation certification with low-formaldehyde materials and adhesive-free finishes.
Architectural studio Ayami Takada Architects overhauled a relatively new house in Shizuoka, Japan, by incorporating three translucent spaces and a sunroom equipped with solar panels. The team aimed to create a completely different environment through expansion and renovation, rather than rebuilding, by “taking advantage of the topography of the river breakwater bank and the privilege of having a panoramic view of the landscape beyond.”
Designed in 2023, the 143-square-metre home is characterized by a transparent box forming a junction between interior and exterior spaces.
The Casa Canal by Daiber & Aceituno Architects is a wooden house in Frutillar, Chile. Its design focuses on functionality, sustainability, and connecting with the rural landscape. The project features two main volumes, separated by a corridor, that distinctively divide the social and private areas. Key elements include a covered patio and an efficient rainwater-collecting roof.
Emphasising austerity and adaptability, the house embraces its surroundings while providing a versatile living space.
Majamaja off grid village Helsinki is a collection of housing units operating completely off-the-grid in Helsinki, Finland, designed by Pekka Littow. The prefabricated cabins were assembled in a remarkable location with no road access or ground sanitation.
Dove is a private house in Toronto designed by Agathom in 2021. The home combines concrete and wood interiors to create a series of interconnected pavilions, reminiscent of tents in a landscape. The design aims to give the owners a sense of a “cottage in the city,” emphasising warmth and family.
Blairgowrie Gable Beach House by Thy Tran is a luxurious coastal retreat on the Mornington Peninsula, Australia. Designed for retirement with a multi-generational vision, this home combines elegance, functionality, and sustainability.
La Pointe is a lakeside house located in Prince Edward, Canada, designed by Solares Architecture. Completed in 2023, the property boasts sweeping views over Lake Ontario and includes a pool, cabana, guest house, and vineyard.
