This project involves restoration and alteration to the existing Edwardian house, and the demolition and construction at the rear of a new addition. The transparency and openness of the new part is a deliberate counterpoint to the introverted Edwardian house with its dark central corridor. The intention was to create an “inside is outside is inside” environment, where inside and outside spaces were interchangeable elements. The project evokes a certain reference to the Farnsworth House by Mies van der Rohe, and many courtyard houses in Melbourne by McGlashan and Everist.

The two mature Elm and Willow became the constraints to the project. They informed the arrangement of our new addition, and together with passive solar orientation the result is a U-shaped plan enclosing a north-facing courtyard. The structure is suspended over the ground to avoid damaging the critical root zones of the two trees. The concrete floor and roof slabs are meticulously detailed, with significant input from our structural engineer, to appear and feel light, floaty and airy – a dialectic relationship between weight and material. This quality is enhanced by a skeletal structure of “skin and bones”, in which the non load-bearing glass sliding windows become a mere breathing skin between occupants and the outside world.

Internal planning strategies were devoted to the spatial hierarchy, through interplay of inner and outer, and sequencing of spaces. The link between the old and new is merged into the layering of spaces where inside and outside become one – the transparency of the borders separating interior and exterior allows the eye to perceive other elements that create the spatial order: fences, trees, stones, woods, clouds and borrowed landscape.

The addition has a passive ventilation system, whereby louver windows promote cross ventilation. The building materials specified are non-toxic and from renewable resources. The concrete structure provides thermal mass to the house with the slabs further insulated to minimise heat loss. All glazing is double-glazed to provide comfort to the interior, and the deciduous trees provide essential shading to the house during summer. Energy and water-saving fittings have been used throughout and rain water is harvested for use in the gardens. A new carport with grid-connect solar power panels is in the design process.

Lithuanian architecture studio Inblum had a specific objective: To make full use of the space available and to solve functionality problems, finally turning a moderately-sized flat of tight structure into a light, spacious home to comfortably accommodate its residents during their short stays in Vilnius. First and foremost, they got rid of the structure based on isolated rooms. Certain partitions were removed making place for the wide sliding doors, thus forming a common, multidimensional space. The flat became visually larger, and more of the facade window area came into view. The connection between the inner space, the terrace and the environment acquired greater integrity.

Practically all dwelling area was skirted with a wide windowsill. Besides combining the various-purpose zones into one common space, the windowsill incorporated heating radiators. Its living room section became an excellent chest of drawers to store lots of small things. A ventilation and air conditioning unit for the whole flat was integrated into the kitchen cabinet, while the lighting system was concealed in the suspended ceiling plane. The geometrical forms of the suspended ceiling compositionally united the living-room and the kitchen spaces, with all that they remained open, directed into the distance by dynamic lines.

Finally, the whole set of functional and aesthetical solutions made it possible to create a clean and harmonious space, open to life and improvisation. The “released” space becoming open, the environment flowed into it, with all its delicate sounds and tender colours, with the green domes of the opposite church reflecting in the windows.

This beautiful house is a project by Rui Cerqueira Barros architects, located in Lavra Matosinhos, Portugal. Inserted in a predominantly residential area, with strong growth in the last decade, the House of Agudela develops a plot of 350 square meters with three fronts, benefiting from a generous sun exposure and proximity to the sea.

The response to the program has undergone an adaptation of the client’s wishes to setup a home with plenty of character building that resulted in a sober and rational. A strong volume, black, where openings are carved, creating light leaks and patios, enhancing relations with the outside world and especially with light from south and west. The body of the garage was built in the house, creating a patio service north and a sheltered walkway entrance to the house, freeing the land to the south recreation area with pool, deck and garden.

The house is divided into three levels, the first being for the common areas, with living room, kitchen, laundry and garage. The middle floor houses the bedrooms and office, and the roof is going to create a second room, more intimate and reserved, which also benefits from a south facing terrace.

SKYCOURT is an ambitious renovation project that involved transforming a Japan “bubble era” house into a modern home connected to the city and the sunlight. The house is located in a quiet residential area, a couple of blocks away from Tokyo’s business district. The original house plan was a dated two storey house with cramped bedrooms, small windows with no indoor/outdoor flow. The clients, a working couple with two children, wanted to maximize the living space, create a backyard with privacy and develop a structure flooded with light.

As the original house was part of a set of twin houses, the clients also wanted to decorate the facade in order to severe the link with the sibling. These requirements demanded bold renovations. The house was lovingly given a name: The COURT that was created during the renovation bathes the home with soft light and allows its occupants to gaze at the SKY. The answer to the clients’ demands, a light filled home where one can feel connected and yet away from the city, is the definition of SKY COURT.

NIGO displays a few samples at his IMPOSSIBLE for BAPE exhibition at BAPE Gallery Kyoto this week, showcasing the recent SX-70 Polaroid camera for The Impossible Project with it’s capabilities.

The exhibition features photographers such as Keiichi Nitta, Meisa Fujishiro, Takahiromiyashita, Takashi Kumagai, Tetsu Nishiyama, and NIGO himself, with the gallery displaying the original Polaroid images as well as 900mm prints of each for sale to the general public for ¥150,000 JPY (approximately $1,919 USD).

The film used by each artist are of original design, with either a super-imposed Ape Head or camouflage overlay visible over the image once developed. In addition to the artwork on the wall, a NIGO photograph and his own camera are presented for guests to check out. Visit the BAPE GALLERY in Kyoto, Japan for the exhibition, which runs from September 23rd to October 21st.

Alexander Wang‘s 2012 ready-to-wear collection recruits A$AP Rocky, Diplo and Penn Badgley to promote and enhance their collection. Filmed at locations throughout the city of Beijing, China, the trio narrates each of the different aspects that motivate them during their creative processes.

Divulging what fuels each of their ambitions, the video gives off a relaxed vibe as slowed down visuals of each artist is played over Dawn Golden and Rosy Cross’s mellow track titled “Blacks.” Looking closely, a few items from the collection can be seen as the video does a perfect job at showcasing both the creatives and the respectable label.

After A$AP Rocky’s debut album coming in at #1, the A$AP hype has been on a steady rise, eventually securing the Harlem rapper a cover spot on italian L’Uomo Vogue. Here is the video-reel for the high fashion magazine shot by Francesco Carrozzini. Dressed in Dolce & Gabbana and various other Italian high fashion staples, the young rapper continues to push forward in the fashion market. You can read the full cover story here. Follow us on Twitter.

With a passion for modern architecture and an international understanding of style, the homeowners approached the architects seeking something unique and suitable for their growing family. The home’s quiet street setting gives no indication of the dynamic coastal views accessible from inside, and this feeling of revelation became the starting point for the design.

A simple line separating public from private, the first move about which the house begins, starts the dialogue. This wall is punctuated with a sliding panel and is then drawn up to reveal the striated walnut garage door that continues the plane. The woven-steel panel is the gateway to the interior courtyard and private dominion. As seen from inside the courtyard, the enceinte transforms into an exterior fireplace and backdrop for the glass-like pool. A wall of foliage on one end provides a panel of green to complement the shimmering blue water; on the other end, a continuous fountain creates a soothing soundtrack.

The house itself takes advantage of these two exterior spaces, interior courtyard and exterior view, with a wrapper of sliding doors that, when open, turn the house into an outdoor pavilion. A juxtaposition of lacquered cabinetry set against painted brick walls, and aged wood floors in contrast to stark white walls further emphasize the balance of sophistication and style that make up this home.