Casa no Geres | View it here | [via The Cool Hunter]

So, this house looks pretty interesting, right? Large windows, large overhang/cantilever, idealic setting, all these signs point to ‘yes’.

However, looking at this image below:

you kind of get the impression of an old mobile home perched dangerously on the edge of a hill. Some graffiti, a little trash strewn about, and the setting is the kind you hope your kids aren’t spending time around. Am I wrong? Ah, now wait, before you go getting all upset, these photos reinstate the initial opinion of excellence and grandeur: Read more…

[posted by katie on February 17, 2010 at 9:35 am. Copyright BLTD LLC, 2010.]

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House 43, photos Dujardin Filip | View it here | [via OWI]

OWI is a treasure trove of homes to break my heart against, I swear. This strange one has all sorts of odd choices, but the end result is honest and comfortable. Things to pay attention to: the unassuming facade, the atrium with retractable roof (of course), the staircase through the brick wall and the small glass floor portion below (shown lower right), huge metal bookcases filled to the brim, the lack of ‘finish’ to the ceilings, and about ten other things that I won’t list. It’s like a person you meet that seems sort of boring until you discover they are absolutely fascinating.

[posted by katie on January 27, 2010 at 11:25 am. Copyright BLTD LLC, 2010.]

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The Schaffer Residence, 1949 by John Lautner | View it here | [via]

If you saw the dreamy film “A Single Man” by Tom Ford, you were probably wondering about the lovely house in the center of the film. If you want it, you can have it for a mere 1.5 million.

Hidden in a wooded valley at the foot of the Verdugo Mountains, the redwood, concrete & glass residence opens to the oak forest that influenced the form and orientation of the design. A meticulous restoration of systems, as well as surfaces, hardware & appliances has been completed. This published, world class architectural treasure incorporates open plan living, dining and den areas, two bedrooms, one & a half baths, laundry and attached two carport. In nature and apart, yet just 15 minutes to downtown Los Angeles.

Thanks to Matt for link!

[posted by kris on January 27, 2010 at 8:35 am. Copyright BLTD LLC, 2010.]

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Log House Study- Hans Liberg | View it here | [via]

Here’s an office/study on wheels that proves not all shacks have to be eyesores. Smart.

thomas mayer architecture

[via Make:]

[posted by katie on January 21, 2010 at 7:57 am. Copyright BLTD LLC, 2010.]

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Galley House, Donald Chong Studio | View it here | [via]

Check out this slim-fit house in Toronto. Making use of a super tight lot, the home is a smart example of how space and light can be used to the best advantage. Dwell has some good shots of the interior and exterior, and check out the architect’s site (Donald Chong Studio) for floor plans and extra photos. I especially love the landscaping in the outdoor areas.

[via Dwell]

[posted by katie on December 9, 2009 at 5:48 am. Copyright BLTD LLC, 2009.]

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Glass and Timber Houses (Hampson Williams Ltd) | View it here

A Grand Designs episode was on the other night featuring two eco houses squeezed into a rather narrow plot in South London. The plan was to build two identical homes, selling one to finance the other in hopes of living mortgage free. Even though the owners ended up way over the original budget (as most builds do on the show), the outcome was spectacular. Despite the small footprint, the use of oblique windows and skylights opened up the space and maximized light, all while maintaining a keen sense of privacy. Plus, seeing as the home owner was also the owner of a joinery/carpentry firm, he was able to construct the houses himself alongside his team, and, as a result, the craftsmanship was impeccable. It was altogether inspiring. If you’re planning on building on a small plot of land, you might want to check it out.

other bullet points: grass covered roof, constructed using sustainable materials and high performance glass and insulation, low impact piling foundation system, rain-harvesting system

list of materials and sources used here

architect: hampson williams, architecture
homeowner’s site: Talisman Manufacturing

[posted by katie on December 1, 2009 at 8:51 am. Copyright BLTD LLC, 2009.]

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3D Home Kit and Home Quick Planner -- $ 39.95| Buy it here

If you are dreaming about your dream house, yet aren’t quite sure how it will fit together spatially, you might want to try out this inexpensive kit. Seeing your design properly in 3d might help iron out any kinks and get it closer to becoming a feasible project.

3D Home Kit (left): $39.95, Buy it here.

This kit includes everything needed to construct a realistic model of your house or dream home using poster—board building materials representing brick, stone, siding, roofing, windows, doors, skylights, kitchen cabinets, and appliances. Each sheet is 12 by 18-inches and has an illustration of a building material on one side and a 1/4-inch grid on the other side; the grid makes it easy to construct your model and the illustrations give the model realistic detail. Also includes materials for interior walls, stairs, landscaping, scale people, a dog and a cat, plus an 18 by 24-inch floor plan grid sheet, scale ruler, and roof slope calculator. Step-by-step instructions and a design worksheet are provided.

Also shown (right), Home Quick Planner: $29.95, Buy it here.
(kit includes 700 precut, reusable peel-and-stick furniture and architectural symbols for every room in the house including the kitchen, study, bedrooms and bathrooms.)

[posted by katie on November 16, 2009 at 6:09 am. Copyright BLTD LLC, 2009.]

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House JEF | View it here | [via]

Wow, you’d think something as simple as sticking a box onto an older row house could not look this beautiful, but somehow it succeeds inordinately well. Check out the last image where you can see the old/original staircase and beyond into the addition. It looks as if they’ve used the existing garden wall as the interior wall, painting it white to differentiate it from the outside. Spectacular.

photos Dujardin Filip

[via OWI]

[posted by katie on October 16, 2009 at 3:03 am. Copyright BLTD LLC, 2009.]

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Guga Architecture | View it here

I just came across the brilliantly simple work of Guga Architecture. The architect removed the dropped ceilings in the public rooms of the house, sandblasting the exposed rafters and raising the height to an expansive 16 feet.

[posted by kris on October 5, 2009 at 8:02 am. Copyright BLTD LLC, 2009.]

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David Baker + Partners overhaul of Shift in San Francisco | View it here

David Baker + Partners is just the type of architecture firm you like to hear about. They are active in urban development and they turned this sad building into a great live/work space for Baker.

The home also has an impressive list of environmental features:

2.0K solar electric system generating over half of electrical power on site.
Solar domestic hot water collection system providing over half of water heating needs.
Digital dimming lighting controls on all lights to reduce consumption and extend bulb life.
Small-scale appliances: under-counter refrigerator, freezer, and dishwasher.
Passive solar design: high thermal mass, polished concrete floors, and south-facing clerestory warm the living areas.
Casework and wood doors made from rapidly renewable material: bamboo plywood.
Walls insulated with ground recycled denim batting.
Rain garden system diverts roof water runoff from city sewage system and into local aquifers.
Permeable infiltration garden and pavers in city public sidewalk intercept storm water runoff in public right of way.

[posted by kris on September 29, 2009 at 8:20 am. Copyright BLTD LLC, 2009.]

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