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Sustainable Home Surrounded by a Privileged Natural Setting

The Carling Residence we show you today is a comfortable, modern and sustainable home nestled into a rustic forest on the shores of the Georgian Bay, in Canada’s beautiful Muskoka region. With a proven expertise in generation architecturally distinctive and cost-conscious designs, TACT Architecture designed this beautiful house for a young couple who want to forget the busy city life and have a permanent retreat in the middle of the nature. Respecting the natural topography of their 26-acre lot and optimizing the landscape’s natural features, the 3600 square foot residence is sheltered into a meadow between two ridges of rock to the west and east, where very tall trees ensure privacy and natural shade for it, but also pituresque views of the forest and Georgian Bay.

Once you entered the house, you are struck by the beauty of minimalist inspired design which conveys you a sense of peace, tranquility and simplicity. The house boasts open and spacious interiors, with simple restrained material pallet of stone, wood, concrete, and white walls that contribute to the serene feeling of the space. Thanks to the floor to ceiling windows forming most of the southern building façade, plenty of natural light comes inside, while the amazing landscape seems to be integral part of the interior design. We wonder what could be more beautiful and refreshing in the morning than waking up in front of a fantastic panorama offered by the wild nature.

Optimizing day lighting and views through the use of these large picture windows has also the purpose to minimize solar gain. On the outside, insulated concrete form walls and a spray-foam insulated roof maintain a comfortable interior climate, while inside a zoned radiant floor system heats the home during winter months via a high efficiency boiler supplemented by a heat recovery ventilation system, while during the summer keeps it cool. In this way, it’s no longer required an air conditioning unit for cooling. Natural feeling of the home is also kept with natural cross ventilation, possible due to operable windows both in the north and in the south. Using properly the materials, keeping a balance between design and environmental impacts, as well as optimizing the client’s prescribed budget, TACT Architecture developed a modern private residence whose inhabitants will enjoy every day the benefits of a stress free environment.

Photos © Terence Tourangeau

February 7, 2013
Podcetrtek Traffic Circle by ENOTA

Here’s a different kind of traffic circle envisioned by Ljubljana-based architectural firm ENOTA , something that you don’t see everyday. Built on regional road in Podcetrtek, Slovenia, this interesting 380 sq m project, completed in 2012, is a distinctive concrete structure that marks the entrance points to the two main destinations for visitors: the municipal sports hall with open-air sports grounds and the thermal spa centre with numerous swimming pools and hotels.

With an angular design composition, the roundabout has the main purpose to slow down the traffic because it’s a very busy area in Podcetrtek. Large, dark concrete cubes form an irregular arrangement suggesting a tectonic shift that happened somewhere beneath the Earth’s surface which made the road surface to bloat and belched out the massive blocks. Their heavy nature calls to mind the appearance of the monolithic volume of the sports hall, and the sporadically water that rises the surface between the clefts reminds of geyser-strewn basalt strata, also making reference to the spa complex. Quite unusual, isn’t it? What do you think about this traffic circle idea?

Photos © Miran Kambic

Project details:

Location: Podcetrtek, Slovenia
Architecture: ENOTA
Project team: Dean Lah, Milan Tomac, Alja Cerne, Tjaz Bauer
Budget: 33.000 EUR
Client: Terme Olimia

February 7, 2013
10 Birdhouses to Decorate Your Outdoor Space this Spring
As the spring season will officially arrive in couple of weeks, we thought to share with you guys, bird lovers, some modern and appealing birdhouses, that will surely bring life to your outdoor space. Probably most of you are already thinking at the beautiful spring days to come when the enchanting chirping of birds and their newly hatched chicks create the perfect morning atmosphere ever.

Birdhouses are awesome accessories to take into consideration when preparing your garden, backyard or porch for the spring, that not only will add color and interest enriching your outdoors, but also will attract birds and will provide a shelter for them from season to season. These days there is a vast selection of birdhouses available on the marketplace with different shapes, sizes, materials, themes and designs, which can often rival the architecture of full-sized homes, being really functional and decorative works of art that will compliment any outdoor landscape and architecture.

Photo © Digs

They can be both functional and decorative, with traditional, eclectic or modern designs and you definitely have to choose it according to your purpose, taste and style so that it really enhance the décor of the space while offer a nice habitat for your feathered friends. As it is said, there are those little details that make a home look complete. Here are some features to look for when buying a birdhouse:
- Ventilation and drainage holes. They are important aspects to consider when looking for a birdhouse, because drainage holes ensure the safety of the birds and their chicks, while ventilation, preferably in the roof, allows air circulating throught it and helps maintain a dry house. Be aware that metal birdhouse overheats, so if you choose one like that, make sure you hang it in a shady spot. Wooden birdhouses are ideal because ages well and stands up under various weather conditions.
- Solid Construction: You want a birdhouse that last in time, to be used for more seasons, so choose qualitative items. Quality craftsmanship is bound to be more expensive, but they will certainly pass the test of time and we think in terms of design will as well.
- Non-Toxic Materials: Although it will be a decorative garden accessory, it’s also very important to be made of no harmful chemicals or substances to protect the birds.
- Easy to Clean: A clean nest is more attractive than a messy one and make nesters return to it, so opt for a birdhouse that allows you to do this task easily. Don’t forget to add a bidfeeder near their house with some seeds and fresh water each day to keep them coming by.
Take a look at these 10 cool birdhouse designs and inspire yourself for your next project this coming spring!

Photo © Etsy

Photo © Etsy

Photo © Anthropologie

Photo © Oryx + Crake Design

Photo © Etsy

Photo © Connox

Photo © Neoshed

Photo © Imake Studio
February 5, 2013
Boomerang-Shaped House with Shed Roof in Japan

The interesting combination of a boomerang-shaped plan with a shed roof to create a modern summer residence belongs to Japan-based architecture firm Haretoke studio headed by architect Tatsuya Nagasaki. The aim of this project was to design a single family house that maximize the richness of the location with minimal intervention. Developed in Chiba, Japan, at eighty minutes from the city center by car, Seaside Boomerang residence is surrounded by a privileged natural setting with specific topographic features, monopolizing the best views facing the Pacific Ocean.

From far, this modern home resembles a boomerang structure that seems to be part of the landscape itself. Respecting the terrain entirely, the project was imagined as a simple configuration with rich interactions that varies both indoor and outdoor, in total communion with its beautiful natural surroundings. Different spaces featuring wood structures are blessed with plenty of natural light coming from large windows, whlist the stairs and bridge let your eyes cross each other at different angles, and give stereoscopic visual sequence.

From morning till night, living space imprints changing of nature in various ways, this relationship between the house and the ocean transforming wonderfully the place. The interiors are yet to be decorated, but you can tell that the house does not lack space or surprising details. On the outside a wooden deck creates a gently surrounded “another living room” to fully enjoy the ocean and the sky.

Photos © Toshiyuki Yano / Nacasa & Partners

Project details:

Location: Chiba, Japan
Type: Summer Residential -Single family house
Building status: Completed in July 2008
Site size: 244.86 m2
Construction area: 79.75 m2

February 4, 2013
How to Make Your Home More Attractive and Modern with Abstract Art
Abstract art is often seen as an accessory that works only with modern settings and modern furniture thanks to its clean lines and muted colors, but the true is that this kind of artwork can light up any home interior even the most traditional ones. When we decorate our interiors , we always think to create something original and appealing that express our style and tastes, and suits our lifestyle, but very few times we want to step outside our comfort zone and experience something that’s outside the box and we wouldn’t have intuitively considered before.

Photo © Zack|de Vito Architecture + Construction

Photo © Benjamin Dhong Interiors

Abstract art is one of the best styles to add a personal finishing touch to a room in a more creative and striking way and you’ll love its versatility because this type of art really expands the possibility of adding color, emotion and space to new heights in a contemporary fashion. Just a single piece of abstract art may have a complex color palette, which allows us to change the color of a room without replacing the art on the walls. Abstract art offers many advantages and choosing the right piece will:
- give a fresh perspective to the entire design;
- help establish a palette in the room;
- give a fresh feel if paired with traditional furniture items with heavy ornamentation;
- bring to life minimalist settings;
- create modern and soft settings if paired with organic shapes;
- highlight the style of the space (for example black and white abstract art paired with neutral palette);
- have a calming effect in bedrooms (for example small pieces can be leaned against the wall near the lamp)
- look fabulous in rooms with city or ocean views, complementing one another;
- create a perfect balance of forms and symmetry (for example small pieces can be hung off center).
Photo © Kim Sargent; Beckwith Interiors

Photo © Riehl Designs, Inc.

Being the result of creative expression, imagination and energy, abstract and modern art have an emotional impact on us and according to how it speaks to us, they can deliver us various feelings of excitement, strength, relaxation, playfulness, hope and so on. Thus, when using them, interior designers can focus more on creating a feel rather than some kind of motif due to the fact that this type of art doesn’t depict a particular identifiable image. That’s why they have the ability to set a mood, changing instantly the ambiance of a room.

For instance, they’re ideal for contemplative spaces like sitting rooms or bedrooms. The thing we love is that being non-representational, abstract art draws the eye but doesn’t engages the critical mind to rate the content of the image, as is the case of the subjective imagery and maybe that’s why it can be used even in television shows settings. You can have abstract artwork without spending a fortune, because there are also many abstract artist that work quickly on large canvas at relatively reasonable price. So take advantage of this fact and create an amazing unified and cohesive feel for your rooms and don’t forget to share with us your impressions.

Photo © David Duncan Livingston; Benjamin Dhong Interiors

Photo © Anni Lissee

Photo © Artistic Designs for Living, Tineke Triggs
February 3, 2013
Creative Green Bedroom with a Forest-Inspired Theme

Seeing these pictures, we wonder who child wouldn’t like to have such a green bedroom design? Envisioned by Belaru-based design studio Fajno, this amazing forest inspired bedroom accomplishes a dream for those little adventure lovers. Ingeniously designed under impression of favourite fairy-tale about Moomins, the unique bedroom called “Mymi” recreates the magic world of nature, where almost everything is green and is related with the spirit of seeking and discoveries.

Beautiful combination of two shades of green together with pictures of fir-trees give the room a fresh look, where your child charge his batteries after a busy day full o classes at school. Once you enter the bedroom, the eyes immediately meet an explosion of color which lies in front of you and makes you think you are on a meadow full of flowers and greenery. Then, one bed, two wardrobes, an open shelf, a chair, a special little house and a lovely upholstered screen are framed so well in this space so that enough free space remains for games.

The screen is used to allow your child to dress in order to switch his or her character in different games. They can even paint themselves with felt-tip pens in front of the mirror and continue playing with their friends in the special little house. Half of the room has the walls painted or wallpapered with green fir-trees motifs give dimension to the entire bedroom, creating a fantastic interior design that will help the child grow up in a creative environment. As very beautiful said the designer, “MyMi is the place where children’s smiles illuminate the room brighter than any lamp”.

Photos © Fajno

February 1, 2013
Simple and Functional: Occasional Magazine Table

Our everyday need for more space makes designers to come up with creative solutions and make modern pieces of furniture with more than one functionality, such as this lovely magazine table concept designed by Italian designer Tommaso Bistacchi in cooperation with Davide Anzalone. Etable is one of those objects that encompasses both a piece of furniture and a storage system, making your living room more spacious by implementing a double function.

Part magazine rack, part coffee table, this playful-looking occasional magazine table can display interestingly your favourite book or publication while offering you or your guests a surface to put a glass of water, juice or a cup of coffee. In this way, you can drink something and enjoy latest news without having to get up or spread the magazines all over. With a friendly alien shape, Etable has a structure made of curved wood, both the legs and the main support being made of solid beech wood. Tommaso Bistacchi’s design may look simple, but the idea behind is creative and fun. It can be an interesting addition in a living room, in an home office or in a waiting room, where it would certainly be appreciated. It’s a new way to think an accessory for a room, as designer says. Quite practical, wouldn’t you say?

Photos © Tommaso Bistacchi

January 31, 2013
LED Light Bulbs, a Revolution in the Lighting Industry

Nowadays LED light bulbs seems to be the most innovative in the lighting industry, revolutionizing the way lighting was done and according to management consultant firm McKinsay&Company, LED lighting will permanently replace the regular bulbs we use today by the year of 2015. How important may be this new discovery in this field since recent studies shows the light can affect eyestrain, productivity and mood?

Photo © Lewis Aquatech

Unlike traditional filament and fluorescent based light sources, that come in one color and one brightness level, these new smart bulbs use the light-emitting diodes technology which promises to give you any color you desire, at any brightness and at any time you want. And all of these with a cell phone command. Fantastic, isn’t it?

It couldn’t be a much better alternative to the current generation of long-life tube bulbs and it’s definitely a major break through in the history of mankind. With the rise in energy costs, LEDs can save up to 90% on the cost of lighting in our homes and also help us in our efforts at green living by reducing the carbon footprint. As we all know, LEDs were commonly used as indicators in electronic appliances until these days, when they are truly versatile, being used in televisions, cars, photography, torches, illuminating building exteriors and general purpose lighting.

Photo © Harold Leidner Landscape Architects

Photo © Gast Architects

Today squiggly tube bulbs serve better and last a long time, but their color can be cold and harsh, creating discomfort sometimes when we don’t want lighting our home with such intensity. If the regular types of lighting convert the electricity into light through the use of filament (halogen, incandescent), gas (neon, fluorescent) or plasma (arc lamps), LED bulbs emits light from a solid object which is otherwise known as SSL (Solid State Lighting), making them one of the best ways to light our homes. Thus, while a filament typically lasts for up to 50,000 hours and fails abruptly, the semiconductor inside the LED bulbs degrades at a much lower rate and fades away slowly over time, lasting for decades.

Photo © Apple

The basic advantages of using LED lights cannot be neglected: lower energy consumption, less radiated heat, longer life span, greater durability and versatility, more resistance to cold, shocks and vibrations, which makes them perfect for a large number of applications. Moreover, they are environmentaly friendly as they are known to contain no harmful chemicals like mercury, and emit no fumes while burning. The negligible amount of heat LEDs produce, makes them reliable to use for the growth of indoor plants as well. They are much safer to touch even when lit, as the bulbs are always cool. Besides these benefits we’ve listed above, perhaps the most attractive thing about smart bulbs is that software companies seek to make all kinds of applications to control them.

For instance, one is already available in the Apple store and it’s called the Philips Hue LED three-bulb starter pack. It comes with three bulbs, an Ethernet cable to connect the bulbs to the network and a base station. Once the app is launched, one of its feature detects the bulbs that are already plugged in, and you can pair them as you do with your Bluetooth headset. Then you are able to choose their brightness level, change their colors or set each one on a timer. Moreover, the selected bulb may change color randomly if you just shake the phone. Could you imagine other examples? We’re sure this is only the beginning and very soon we’ll have other fun apps, because when it comes to apps anything is possible. With this ability to customize your lighting experience, it will dramatically improve our rooms’ appearance, our performance and last but not least, our lives.

Photo © Kickstarter

January 30, 2013