The Pohutukawa tree is found in New Zealand and its crimson flower has long been part of the Christmas tradition. The house received its name because of its location around a dense Pohutukawa grove near the beach. The architects did an outstanding job mirroring the interior design, materials and the structure of the house to the complex form of the surrounding Pohutukawa trees.
Shared via Wanken / Photos by Patrick Reynolds
Designed by John Maniscalco Architecture and resting on the hillside of San Francisco’s Cole Valley, this residence is a revitalization of a 1930’s home into a more relaxing, modern masterpiece. It sits at the end of a cul-de-sac where the first thing you see while approaching is an exceptional use of planked wood siding and black steel.
Via Wanken
Architect Craig Steely has done an outstanding job renovating this high-rise loft apartment/penthouse. His inspiration came from mood of 70’s space rock and ambient music artists such as Cluster, Brian Eno and Michael Rother. This is really evident in the floor to ceiling ambient light installation on one side of the main living area. The light wall displays videos that are slowed down and each pixel is paired to a 2 inch LED behind the wall. This is what creates the large 8-bit-like pattern. Not only is this light wall really great, but the view is quite possibly one of the best in all of San Francisco. In the pictures after the jump you can see Alcatraz Island and the surrounding bay.
Considering that I’m currently in the process of relocating, it doesn’t help to be looking at such amazing apartments like these—the time will come though.
Via Wanken
BKK Architects is a great architectural firm based out of Melbourne, Australia (the house itself is located in Victoria). It seems a number of their residential projects utilize wood and lots of it. The vertical wall planks of the first few photos and slabs of rock of the chimney faintly remind me of mid-century housing.
Via Arch Daily
This Southern California home by Sebastian Mariscal Studio has an outstanding appeal to it. The relationship of wood to concrete is seemingly perfect. The arrangement of rectangular forms on the frontside of the house is also the perfect way to accent the wood.
Via Arch Daily
Some of the most interesting homes aren’t those that are colossal. Take this East Village Studio in New York City for example. Sure its small apartment living but its also small, clean and minimal while having a warm, welcoming vibe. What more would you want in an apartment—besides an Eames chair.
I’m not sure about hiding my clothes in the stairs but at the point of creating a more spacious home it works. Is it just me or does this seem like an apartment that would be great for someone who’s a fan of Dieter Rams?
This Lake Washington Residence is a 4,000 square foot home designed by Miller Hull Architects. It was built on Mercer Island overlooking Lake Washington, just outside of Seattle. It faces outward from the edge of a steep hill and heavily forested area over the lake. The view alone is just as captivating as the actual house.
The main entrance of this residence is from the hillside above via a bridge to the third floor. The uppermost level of the residence is used as a place for guests to stay. The residence was designed to be naturally ventilated where the main staircase would pull air up and through the house. I do wonder how well insulated the home is.
It always seemed odd to me that I never see these beautiful houses while out and about. But then again, if you have the money to build an amazing house, chances are you’ll have the money to properly gate it or purchase secluded property. In this case though, this house was built smack dab on a steep hill just outside of Seattle.
After coming across the house on Deforest Architect’s website I realized that I had seen it before while it was being constructed. By its looks at the time, it appeared substantially nicer than any of the surrounding houses. Because of that I had assumed it was an oddly placed office building rather than a home.
As you go inside the house it opens up with a modern, metal and wood theme. The wood is even complimented by the metal of two turntables and a mixer atop a small, raised cove above the living room.
Note: There is a skateboard deck giveaway going on at Wanken right now, you can enter here.