A 250 square metre modern villa has been designed by John Robert Nilson in Sweden. With clean lines and a breathtaking view, all vantage points within the home point towards the sea. Limestone has been utilised throughout, with white used as the predominant interior colour palette. Very few materials have been used in the construction of this design. The architect has also favoured a dark brown exterior establishing a decent divide between the interior and exterior of the home.

Madrid architect Javier de Anton Freile has designed this house in Zamora, Spain. With a very narrow footprint, the entire house is only one room wide, with floor to ceiling windows on either side that flood the entire interior with light. The focus of the outdoor area is around a concrete slab that leads to a large swimming pool. Large shutters can be used to completely close off the windows for further privacy by simply sliding them across. The concrete exterior and streamlined aesthetic of the house enable it to fit inoffensively in with its expansive landscape. A nice piece of refined architecture for low maintenance living.

Completed in 2009, the Tribeca Loft by Fearon Hay Architects located in Manhattan, New York is a 550 square metre loft conversion. Located in the historic Green Industrial Building in Tribeca, it offers a bespoke and innovative response to the challenges of residing in Manhattan. The existing 3.6 metre high space is defined by the exposed reinforced concrete frame and the large multi-paned windows offering panoramic views of the skyline on three sides.

Fearon Hay describe their design below:

The insertion of steel framed, glazed volumes with raised timber floors provides elevated sleeping platforms within the loft space. The glazed volumes are accompanied by blank, white, volumes containing bathing, service and scullery functions. These service components are arranged in a linear sequence in the centre of the space. Both of these insertions are carefully placed amongst the existing structural elements of columns, beams and corbels, freeing the structure and the perimeter of the loft from division. Further layering and configuration of the space is offered by layers of operable fabric screens and sliding panels. The various areas of the residence may be separated from one another or connected to each other as desired. Collaborating with artisans of both New Zealand and New York has enabled the creation of custom fittings such as blown glass pendant lights, treated steel and freestanding stone washbasins and bath, resulting in a highly crafted and bespoke construction.

Furnishings include Boffi tapware, Christian Liaigre rugs and floor lamps, Fearon Hay custom furniture and blown glass pendant lights (a collaboration between Fearon Hay and Katie Brown).

The Nanjing Sifang Art Museum designed by Steven Holl Architects stands impressively near Nanjing in China. Embracing a concept initially conceived by ancient Chinese painters (that encouraged several perspectives within a painting as opposed to one fixed vanishing point) the designers explored shifting viewpoints with this structure. Utilising layering of space, with different view points to water, the museum is formed by a field of parallel perspectives. It's imposing on the landscape but remains inoffensive. It successfully brings an urban element to its rural setting.

Completed in January this year, architect Marcio Kogan has added another impressive house to his repertoire. The Punta house located in Uruguay is a simple structure consisting of wood, stone and concrete. Kogan's signature elongated box aesthetic is once again on display here as he embraces his passion for long angular structures of wood and concrete. The end of the interior and beginning of exterior blend seamlessly into one allowing the house to sit at home within its environment. The styling of the interior is also impeccable and further cements Kogan as one of the masters of architecture today.

A sharp, clean aesthetic defines the Szelpal house by Felber Architects in Solothurn, Switzerland. Bunker-esque, with a strong nod to Le Corbusier, the two levels are connected by a wide concrete staircase. Concrete the main material used throughout is warmed up with photographs, blinds, curtains and floor to ceiling custom made bookshelves. The owners have opted for a neutral colour palette to lend emphasis to the natural hillside surroundings. Whilst, furniture is also kept to a minimum favouring wide open spaces. Windows also line the entire length of the home to ensure a seamless connection between the interior and exterior.

This Belgium house designed by AABE Architects is limited to a single level appearing weightless on the water area that separates it from the entrance avenue. To the left, the entrance shows its gallery wall. If you descend one level, the construction frames the view over the hillside to the country. The profile of the site is brought together by stairs whilst the kitchen benefits from a lateral patio that makes the most of the morning sun. The entirety of this house has been arranged for the owners to feel good - all elements have been considered: a cinema room, exercise areas, an ecological living room that overlooks their collection of beautiful cards, complemented by an office that sits proudly on the mezzanine. On top of that, furniture from leading manufacturers can be seen scattered throughout the space like the Ball & Chain chair by B&B Italia.

Featured in our recent Week in Review, we felt this house needed further expansion. Reminiscent of work by architect Marcio Kogan, the Cluny house by Singaporean-based architects GUZ in Singapore engages its environment, with the house centered around a courtyard and living pool equipped with water plants, ferns and trees that arise from its tropical setting. The home, modernist in form, is open with communal areas (public areas that operate without walls), and private areas that are defined by a sense of tranquility and nature. The architects worked with a natural palette for the interior, embracing wood panel walls and off-white walls and floor to ceiling windows.

Patterson Associates have recently completed this summer residence on  Waiheke Island, New Zealand.  Famous for its beautiful beaches and vineyards, Waiheke Island is home to many of the Auckland regions finest holiday homes.

Located on a steep coastal escarpment above a Pohutakawa fringed white sand beach, the home uses locally sourced pyrite rock in its construction. The same pyrite rock is responsible for the uniqueness and quality of the vines that produce the global renowned award winning local Waiheke wine. 

The home features a rock mass that forms a bridge that makes the most of both the sea frontage and sunlight. Under this bridge a living area nestles into the landscape which extends to a spacious ocean-front terrace to the east  and a grotto-like western courtyard.  The bedroom areas,  grouped above the main living area as finely scaled louvered metal lookouts in the canopy line, close up like an oyster when the house is empty.

The building uses its materiality to compliment and reflect the beauty of its location. The building feels as though it belongs. 

The new Salvador Dali Museum by international practice HOK opened its doors earlier this year on January 11th in St Petersburg, Florida. The 68,000 square foot building hosts the biggest collection of Dali's work in the world. HOK explains they were very conscious of the artworks when designing the building:

'Our challenge was to discover how to resolve the technical requirements of the museum and site in a way that expresses the dynamism of the great art movement that he led. It is important that the building speaks to the surreal without being trite.'

Spiral and circular forms evident throughout the building, from staircases to windows and walls, all taking their lead from the artist's own work. The main atrium space features a spiral staircase made from poured in concrete to take visitors up to the third floor galleries.