Home Design

Sustainable House Design On Display in Sydney, Australia - House of the Future
This futuristic house by Xenian is on display in Sydney, Australia, at a public exhibition for sustainable house design. This environmentally responsible design features modern technologies that trend towards a life of consuming less, wasting less, and relying on alternate forms of energy to create comfort at home. Aptly named the “House of the Future” this modern design was prefabricated – a popular construction method for the eco-conscious requiring less resources and resulting in less site disruption during development. The warm, wooden design boasts low-power LED lighting which gives the home an ultra-modern appeal. Green features include a rainwater harvesting system, passive ventilation, and solar cells embedded in the expansive panes of glass making up the front facade. Outside, a sustainable garden completes the modern residential design. Xenian.

Modern Custom House Design in the Netherlands - the windows!
With a peaceful meadow as its neighbor, this cool, custom house by a lake in Breda, the Netherlands, keeps to itself for the most part; but the unique design can’t help garnering the attention of passersby for its unique style and modern simplicity. Grosfeld Van Der Velde Architecten designed the house so its main floor would align with the ground, striking a balance between the land and the structure. The simple box shape maximizes interior space, which is extended into the outdoors via large open-air terraces. Further solidifying the home’s connection to nature, large floor-to-ceiling windows frame views while giving the house a “light and transparent character,” as described by Grosfeld Van Der Velde Architecten. Another row of custom windows is located where the home meets the ground, allowing for a bright, naturally lit lower level that’s partially below grade. Grosfeld Van Der Velde Architecten.

Sustainable Floating Cabin in Beautiful British Columbia
Canada’s beautiful British Columbia is home to majestic mountains, endless forest and wonderful lakes – a nature-lovers paradise indeed. So the opportunity to incorporate sustainable housing into these surroundings has led to the awesome innovation of the floating house. Gently bobbing atop Powell Lake in Coastal B.C. is the Lutz’s own floating cabin, which they’ve happily made their retirement home. The wonderfully rustic cabin sits on a 40-by-40-ft. cedar float. The cozy 20-by-21-ft. water-top retreat boasts a main floor with two bedrooms, a kitchen, and dining and living areas. Upstairs, a spacious loft houses the master bedroom. In addition to the main float, a series of smaller floats accommodate a boat dock, a floating woodshed, and a floating vegetable garden. In order to help keep these surroundings beautiful, the home’s power comes via off-the-grid sources – solar and wind power, and propane for cooking, refrigeration and additional lights. via Tiny House Blog via DigsDigs

Sustainable House Design On Display in Sydney, Australia - House of the Future
This futuristic house by Xenian is on display in Sydney, Australia, at a public exhibition for sustainable house design. This environmentally responsible design features modern technologies that trend towards a life of consuming less, wasting less, and relying on alternate forms of energy to create comfort at home. Aptly named the “House of the Future” this modern design was prefabricated – a popular construction method for the eco-conscious requiring less resources and resulting in less site disruption during development. The warm, wooden design boasts low-power LED lighting which gives the home an ultra-modern appeal. Green features include a rainwater harvesting system, passive ventilation, and solar cells embedded in the expansive panes of glass making up the front facade. Outside, a sustainable garden completes the modern residential design. Xenian.

Modern Addition Renews Century-Old Victorian House in Southern California
To avoid the demolition of a hundred-year-old Victorian home, a modern 1,200-sq.-ft. addition was created by designer Christopher Megowan to bring new life to an old structure. Today, this century-old home serves as a dormitory for students of the University of Southern California. Megowan – a student of the University’s School of Architecture – purchased the home as an investment property, and built this addition on a modern budget of less than $130/sq. ft. In order to maintain the Victorian integrity of the house, the new, modern addition is separated from the existing structure by a five-ft. clear polycarbonate annex, leading residents from old to new. With economic-efficiency and environmental responsibility top of mind, the young designer/developer designed the basic structure from four-by-eight-ft. fiber-cement panels and polycarbonate walls that allow natural light to filter into the home, reducing the demand for grid-powered lighting. Built-in flaps and functioning skylights allow for passive ventilation. In addition, the polycarbonate walls are wired with integrated LEDs that create the effect of a glowing wall for energy-efficient lighting throughout the home. Concrete floors allow for passive thermal control. Inside, tall ceilings enhance the home’s sense of openness and brightness. Bedrooms are separated by closets with sliding doors, acting as a sound barrier for privacy. Christopher Megowan Design.

Glass and Concrete House Design in Canary Islands, Spain - a view to die for!
When Corona y P. Amaral Arquitectos completed this contemporary beach house in 2005, it didn’t take long to mellow into its exotic surroundings. The Jardin Del Sol Residence in Tenerife of the Canary Islands, Spain, boasts an all-encompassing presence atop a 300-meter cliff. Its monumental, modern appeal comes from an imposing concrete and glass facade, which frames views of water and sky from every room in the house. Enjoying vibrant sunsets and an endless horizon from an expansive outdoor patio, the modern home overlooks a spectacular 1,000-meter-long black-sand beach below. The home’s modern interiors are influenced by the home’s main construction materials – concrete and glass – which give the rooms their cool, contemporary ambience. Corona y P. Amaral Arquitectos via Momoy

Underground House in Spain by Hidalgo Hartmann Architects
This unique, almost underground house in Vall de Bianya, La Garrotxa in Spain was designed by Hidalgo Hartmann Architects with a spirit of freedom and a connection to nature. The home sits at the heart of an agricultural valley, surrounded by mountains – two very influential factors when it comes to the house contemporary design. The structure sinks right into the earth, with strategically placed windows and doorways framing the carefully chosen views. A cool, concrete facade encloses a completely contradictory, contemporary interior that highlights the designer’s affinity for modern finishes and minimalist details. A living room, a kitchen, two bedrooms, a powder room and laundry area are separated from the master bedroom by a patio. A large window in the home studio offers views of the landscape, while adjacent is a ramp that leads residents and visitors down to the home's covert entranceway. Hidalgo Hartmann via Arch Daily

Contemporary Cabin in Norway
This contemporary cabin sits quietly on a rocky hilltop at the outermost coast of Fosen, Norway. This gorgeous cabin, designed by the aptly named architecture firm Fantastic Norway, is small but sweet in every respect. The attention to detail is awesome, and immediately apparent on viewing the cabin unique, jagged profile. While the building’s shape, materials and methods are unconventional, the region’s unique climate and terrain have largely influenced the finished design. “Traditionally you could actually see where you should place your house by looking at where the cows were resting, but in the lack of cows, we went for a more technical and precise survey guided by a PhD expert on local climatology,” architect Blakstad Haffner told Wallpaper. “The inspiration was drawn from a good mix of historic, traditional and contemporary ways to give shelter in response to landscapes.” This modern cabin draws the wind over its main body to break up the gusts blowing in from over the water. The structure itself is largely wood, configured in a polygonal shape that incorporates three bedrooms, a living and dining area, and outside, lots of nooks, crannies and terraces to enjoy the panoramic views of water and land. Fantastic Norway via Wallpaper

Modern Cabin in Mazama, Washington by Johnston Architects
Modern architecture always carries with it an element of surprise. That’s what makes this exciting, modern metal-clad cabin really stand out among its natural surroundings. Johnston Architects designed the cool, contemporary Miner’s Refuge in the Chechaquo Ranch region of Mazama, Washington. The structure gently rises from the hillside with an urban wood-and-steel-clad facade, and a wonderful natural roofline that slopes along with the lay of the land. Beneath the inclined roof, walls of windows drench interiors with rich sunlight. Nature continues to play a weighty role in the home with an interior palette of neutral tones and polished wood accents from floor to ceiling. The cabin is laid out as a series of steps making their way up the hill. This unique structure style allows for a natural flow within the home while dividing interior living areas and creating privacy. Johnston Architects via Contemporist photo credit: Will Austin Photography

Modern Addition Renews Century-Old Victorian House in Southern California
To avoid the demolition of a hundred-year-old Victorian home, a modern 1,200-sq.-ft. addition was created by designer Christopher Megowan to bring new life to an old structure. Today, this century-old home serves as a dormitory for students of the University of Southern California. Megowan – a student of the University’s School of Architecture – purchased the home as an investment property, and built this addition on a modern budget of less than $130/sq. ft. In order to maintain the Victorian integrity of the house, the new, modern addition is separated from the existing structure by a five-ft. clear polycarbonate annex, leading residents from old to new. With economic-efficiency and environmental responsibility top of mind, the young designer/developer designed the basic structure from four-by-eight-ft. fiber-cement panels and polycarbonate walls that allow natural light to filter into the home, reducing the demand for grid-powered lighting. Built-in flaps and functioning skylights allow for passive ventilation. In addition, the polycarbonate walls are wired with integrated LEDs that create the effect of a glowing wall for energy-efficient lighting throughout the home. Concrete floors allow for passive thermal control. Inside, tall ceilings enhance the home’s sense of openness and brightness. Bedrooms are separated by closets with sliding doors, acting as a sound barrier for privacy. Christopher Megowan Design.

Richard Woods design - right out of a storybook house in Woodstock, New York
It’s a vision in the woods – something right out of a storybook. This unique home design in Woodstock, NY, by British artist and architect Richard Woods is truly a work of art. Dubbed Shock Tudor, the home is so quaint on first impression, with its cottage feel, tudors and traditional details. But inside is where the colors really fly – literally. On entering the house, an unexpected punch of color leaps off walls, floors and furniture. Colors aside, modern graphics bring the walls to life. Floors feature Woods’ most recent artistic creation, Wrongwoods – a cartoon graphic imitating the grain of wood, done in vibrant yellow, orange and brown tones. The cool, contemporary house makes a night in an imaginative experience in itself. Richard Woods via Apartment Therapy

Modern Japanese Home - Skinny House by Shuhei Endo
This modern Japanese home by Shuhei Endo Architects is a most unusual house that tackles the obstacle of slopes as much as it does the ambition of style. The home location – an old town (Shioya Tarumi-ku Kobe, Hyogo-Pref., Japan) at the foot of a hill, and overlooking the Inland Sea. Due to the grade of the land, the town was developed in a series of steps, making their way up the hillside. The house stretches 20 meters east and west, an ample number, considering the home’s curious width: ranging from four meters deep in some parts, down to a slim 1.5 meters. Utilizing the natural stone retaining wall and the shape of the existing terrain, the architects added artificial ground, upheld by five piles. A roof and walls enclose this two-storey space. Wrapping the structure is a roof/wall constructed of metal shingle board. Large windows throughout the outward-facing wall ensure the home residents – a young couple – are never more than a couple of feet from a great view. Shuhei Endo Architects via Arch Daily

Mountain Lake House with Modern Appeal by E. Cobb Architects
Located in the Cascade Mountain Range, the Cascade Lake House is a modern mountain cabin with rustic appeal. A haven for summertime wind surfing and wintertime sledding, this contemporary cottage by E. Cobb Architects artfully blends the essence of raw nature with a rich, refined luxury. The architects describe the home’s three main components as “a box on top, a narrow two-story slab at the bottom, and a lightweight cantilevered shelf between the two,” precariously balancing on the edge of the mountainside. The surrounding trees serve as natural privacy screens for the residents. The home’s top box houses a two-car garage with an elevator, a mudroom and a storage room. A set of exterior concrete stairs wind their way down to the home’s main entrance, opening the doors to a world of magnificent views of both inside and out. The two-storey base is the model of efficiency, housing 12 sleeping areas including four bedrooms, a kids’ bunk cabin, two bathrooms, two built-in day beds and a built-in hall bunk. The third level of the home – the “shelf” – is designed as a socializing space, featuring an open-concept floor plan with a narrow galley kitchen and living areas on either side. This level is virtually enclosed in glass, but the best view of the lake is from the exterior terrace, spanning the lake-side facade. E. Cobb Architects.

Contemporary Residential Design in Australia – the most-photographed home
The commanding presence of this contemporary home along Australia’s Gold Coast is impossible to ignore. Touted as the Sovereign Islands’ “most-photographed home” it’s easy to see why this modern residential design has garnered such acclaim. The home’s bold, vertical lines and bright-white facade create a picture-perfect focal point with the water as its natural backdrop. From the inside out, no detail has been overlooked. The four-bedroom, five-bathroom waterfront house boasts expansive windows which rise up its four storeys, taking in the magnificent view. Light and airy, it’s easy to see where the interiors got their inspiration. In the basement, a six-car garage is neighbor to a gym and a cellar, with plenty of storage space thrown in for good measure. The ground level, complete with a gourmet kitchen, is divided into three living areas. Topping the home’s four ensuited bedrooms is a rooftop sundeck, complete with a wet bar and 180-degree vistas of The Broadwater to Surfers Paradise Skyline. This awesome Australia paradise is currently on the market, listed with Ray White Runaway Bay at a price of $2.3 million. via Contemporist

Modern Cabin in Mazama, Washington by Johnston Architects
Modern architecture always carries with it an element of surprise. That’s what makes this exciting, modern metal-clad cabin really stand out among its natural surroundings. Johnston Architects designed the cool, contemporary Miner’s Refuge in the Chechaquo Ranch region of Mazama, Washington. The structure gently rises from the hillside with an urban wood-and-steel-clad facade, and a wonderful natural roofline that slopes along with the lay of the land. Beneath the inclined roof, walls of windows drench interiors with rich sunlight. Nature continues to play a weighty role in the home with an interior palette of neutral tones and polished wood accents from floor to ceiling. The cabin is laid out as a series of steps making their way up the hill. This unique structure style allows for a natural flow within the home while dividing interior living areas and creating privacy. Johnston Architects via Contemporist photo credit: Will Austin Photography

Contemporary Residential Design in Australia – the most-photographed home
The commanding presence of this contemporary home along Australia’s Gold Coast is impossible to ignore. Touted as the Sovereign Islands’ “most-photographed home” it’s easy to see why this modern residential design has garnered such acclaim. The home’s bold, vertical lines and bright-white facade create a picture-perfect focal point with the water as its natural backdrop. From the inside out, no detail has been overlooked. The four-bedroom, five-bathroom waterfront house boasts expansive windows which rise up its four storeys, taking in the magnificent view. Light and airy, it’s easy to see where the interiors got their inspiration. In the basement, a six-car garage is neighbor to a gym and a cellar, with plenty of storage space thrown in for good measure. The ground level, complete with a gourmet kitchen, is divided into three living areas. Topping the home’s four ensuited bedrooms is a rooftop sundeck, complete with a wet bar and 180-degree vistas of The Broadwater to Surfers Paradise Skyline. This awesome Australia paradise is currently on the market, listed with Ray White Runaway Bay at a price of $2.3 million. via Contemporist

Mountain Lake House with Modern Appeal by E. Cobb Architects
Located in the Cascade Mountain Range, the Cascade Lake House is a modern mountain cabin with rustic appeal. A haven for summertime wind surfing and wintertime sledding, this contemporary cottage by E. Cobb Architects artfully blends the essence of raw nature with a rich, refined luxury. The architects describe the home’s three main components as “a box on top, a narrow two-story slab at the bottom, and a lightweight cantilevered shelf between the two,” precariously balancing on the edge of the mountainside. The surrounding trees serve as natural privacy screens for the residents. The home’s top box houses a two-car garage with an elevator, a mudroom and a storage room. A set of exterior concrete stairs wind their way down to the home’s main entrance, opening the doors to a world of magnificent views of both inside and out. The two-storey base is the model of efficiency, housing 12 sleeping areas including four bedrooms, a kids’ bunk cabin, two bathrooms, two built-in day beds and a built-in hall bunk. The third level of the home – the “shelf” – is designed as a socializing space, featuring an open-concept floor plan with a narrow galley kitchen and living areas on either side. This level is virtually enclosed in glass, but the best view of the lake is from the exterior terrace, spanning the lake-side facade. E. Cobb Architects.

A New Concept in Modern Homes - Andalus
The architects at GAD have put on their creative caps prior to sitting down at the drawing board, and they came up with Andalus. This forward-thinking concept in modern residences experiments with mathematician Stephen Wolfram’s computer program Mathematica to transform traditional house design with fractals. “Andalus uses the cellular automatic principles of ‘Mathematica,’ to generate itself. The process calls for active indeterminate modules that organically emerge, morph and propagate while aligned with a set of programmatic parameters to negotiate formal and spatial results,” according to the architects. This futuristic house, designed for a private client in Libya, features a series of smooth arches that form windows and doorways through its organic-inspired frame. Andalus is just one project of many that GAD is testing with the new technology. GAD Architecture.

Contemporary Canal House - Live/Work Space by Sander Architects
The modern Canal House is based on two ideas, fashion and function, according to Los Angeles-based Sander Architects – the creative forces behind this contemporary home. The home’s composition of three cubes divides its living areas from the home office. “The house sets up an opposition between studio and residence: work/live, sky/earth, idea/body,” according to the architects. The work studio is a raised volume, enclosed in a window with horizontal “fins” on one side and three transparent walls on the others, allowing natural light to permeate the space and lend an “outward” effect. The home’s living areas are more down-to-earth – literally – taking their place at ground level. Opaque walls offer privacy and put the focus inward, where artful details are an architectural inspiration. An open-to-above dining area is open concept, connecting to the surrounding living areas and a kitchen, which are wrapped in translucent parachute nylon fabric. Encircling the outer edge of the interior is a winding staircase that makes its way from bottom to top, offering a view from above and maintaining the home’s wide-open feel. Sander Architects.

Funky Modern House in Two Rivers, Wisconsin
Designed and built by Shane Black of Shane Black Design LLC, this luxury home in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, takes a slightly slanted approach to the traditional home. Physically designed with tilted walls and an unconventional roofline, there is nothing “conventional” about this modern design. The funky facade is matched by a fun, animated interior boasting bright finishes, dramatic lighting and architecturally interesting details, like the whimsical open-to-above kitchen and the “holy” metal staircase leading up to the home’s second floor. The house is currently on the market with Coldwell Banker at a list price of $549,000. Shane Black Design LLC. photo credit: Deen Wanek

Modern House in Istanbul, Turkey - Water-Inspired Design Overlooking Europe and Asia
Located in the Kurucesme region of Istanbul, Turkey, the amazing Flooded House designed by GAD Architecture sits on the channel that divides Europe and Asia. The exotic location is matched by the home’s striking design, which incorporated the significance of water to the area. A sandalwood frame rises four storeys on the 4,000-sq.-ft. property. The architects took advantage of the unique sloping property and actually built part of the home into the hillside. Large expanses of glass are framed by the home’s terraces and a large patio overlooking the outdoor infinity pool. The pool connects to the indoor pool via the ground-level floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors. Above ground, the home boasts the bedrooms and living areas, with the luxury master bedroom topping the structure. Nestled within the earth is the home’s the contemporary kitchen, dining room and a recreation room and gym, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows on the exposed side to allow for plenty of natural light. Porthole-shaped skylights flood interiors with natural light while creating unique focal points throughout the home. A green roof offers a view to the inside through these modern rooftop windows. GAD Architecture.

Modern Mini House Makes a Big Impression - a prefab in Sweden by architect Jonas Wagell
Mini House is quite possibly the next big thing in modern homes. The cool little design was developed from a master thesis by Swedish architect and designer Jonas Wagell. According to Swedish building laws, property owners may build a second home on their property without a building permit. This allows homeowners to maximize their lot potential, and create a custom living space on an existing lot. The modern Mini House makes sense, both economically and stylistically speaking. The home’s prefabricated flat-pack design offers an alternative to the traditional cottage, boasting the illusion of space in an ultra-compact 15m2 structure. An outdoor living area is separated from the fun, funky interiors by a large expanse of sliding glass. Beyond that, the details of the design are totally customizable, allowing the owner to create a mini dream design with a sauna, an office space, as extra sleeping quarters, or as a haven for relaxation. Jonas Wagell.

Modern Miami Villa Allegra - living luxuriously
With an obvious lust for life, luxury and the finer things, the owner of this palatial Miami Beach home revels in a resort-inspired lifestyle. The 9,000 sq. ft. of modern opulence leave nothing to be desired. Oppenheim Architecture has designed Villa Allegra’s with as much attention paid to outdoor living spaces as indoor. An apt introduction to a life of luxury, a 20-by-30-by-20-ft. foyer is furnished with a reflecting pool and oculus, creating an awe-inspiring welcome for residents and guests. Vast panes of glass offer panoramic views of the lush yard, complete with a pool and canal overlooked by a 20-by-60-ft. outdoor living area. A circular column houses an outdoor shower with an open sky for its ceiling. Inside, the home’s grand scale is enhanced by tall ceilings and unusually wide doorways, which connect the various living areas while simultaneously dividing them. The second floor features a private interior courtyard accessed through the master bedroom – a private paradise. Oppenheim Architecture. Photo credit: Ken Hayden Photography