Inspired by the delicate art of a Japanese gift box like Kiribako or Oribako, where each layer is thoughtfully designed to build anticipation and surprise, this retreat house gradually reveals itself, much like the careful unwrapping of nature’s gift. Situated within the tranquil, dense forest of Kitakaruizawa.
Architecture firm
Temporary Office
Location
Kitakaruizawa, Japan
Tools used
Rhinoceros 3D, V-ray, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator
Principal architect
Vincent Yee Foo Lai; Douglas Min Yi Lee
Design team
Vincent Yee Foo Lai , Douglas Min Yi Lee, Xuecheng Kang, River Zehua He (Visualizer)
Collaborators
Xuechen Kang
Visualization
River Zehua He
Typology
Residential › House
This coastal home maximises its superb position, sitting on the hillside overlooking Port Phillip Bay. The design concept is based on a simple composition, including a central entry hall that separates the large single storey garage wing from the main two storey residence.
Project name
Horizon House
Location
Mornington Peninsula, Australia
Design team
InForm in collaboration with Pleysier Perkins
Collaborators
In collaboration with Pleysier Perkins; Styling: Madeline McFarlane
Tools used
SketchUp, AutoCAD
Construction
InForm (Design and Build)
Material
Painted brickwork, Formed concrete, Timber screen on steel frame, Timber interior elements, Feature stone, Green color blocking
Typology
Residential › Coastal Home
Transforming a space into a blend of timeless elegance and warmth, this interior design features a stunning combination of pale pink walls and a luxurious forest green velvet armchair. The soft pink hues provide a calming atmosphere, while the rich green adds depth and sophistication. The natural wood accents bring in an organic.
Project name
Velvet Harmony
Architecture firm
Mah Design
Location
A chic apartment in Paris, France
Tools used
Midjourney AI, Adobe Photoshop
Principal architect
Maedeh Hemati
Design team
Mah Design Architects
Collaborators
Maedeh Hemati
Typology
Residential › House
The renovation of Sabrina and Guto's house, located in the Vila Ida neighborhood of São Paulo, transforms an outdated single-story home into a modern living space that connects seamlessly with its natural surroundings. The project focuses on enhancing the relationship between the interior and exterior.
Project name
Sabrina and Guto’s House
Architecture firm
Goiva Arquitetura
Location
Vila Ida, São Paulo, Brazil
Principal architect
Karen Evangelisti, Marcos Mendes
Design team
Goiva Arquitetura
Interior design
Goiva Arquitetura
Landscape
Goiva Arquitetura
Lighting
Integrated into the architectural project by Goiva Arquitetura
Supervision
Goiva Arquitetura
Tools used
AutoCAD, SketchUp, V-ray, Adobe Photoshop, DSLR Camera
Material
Exposed concrete, demolition wood, sandstone, glass, metal elements
Client
Private (Sabrina and Guto)
Typology
Residential › House
Exploring the confines of urban reality, this home emerges as a dream materialized for a young couple who, faced with the economic and social challenges of Mexico City, found their longed-for home outside of this context. The fusion of her musical passion and his love of reading is meticulously reflected in every detail of the spaces created.
Project name
Mixquiahuala House
Architecture firm
Omar Vergara Taller
Location
Mixquiahuala, Hidalgo, Mexico
Principal architect
Omar Vergara
Design team
Omar Vergara, Ana López, Irene Martín, Alejandro García, Uriel Herrera, Sebastián Morales
Interior design
Omar Vergara Taller
Lighting
Omar Vergara Taller
Supervision
Omar Vergara Taller
Visualization
Omar Vergara Taller
Construction
Francisco Méndez, Julio Hernández
Typology
Residential › House
Defined by flexibility, Puzzle Prefab took on the challenge to build dwellings that minimize environmental impact, while fostering health and connection to nature for the inhabitants. A quarter of the size of the typical 2,000-square-foot American home, the prototype includes 600 square feet of living space attached to 557 square feet.
Project name
Whidbey Puzzle Prefab
Architecture firm
Wittman Estes
Location
Whidbey Island, Washington, USA
Photography
Andrew Pogue, Dan Sutherland (construction) Wittman
Design team
Matt Wittman AIA, LEED AP. Jody Estes, Don Bunnell, Naomi Javanifard, Tristan Walker, Jen Sutherland
Collaborators
Net Zero Energy Consultant: Erin Moore, FLOAT; Mechanical Engineer: Solarc Energy Group
Interior design
Wittman Estes
Structural engineer
Josh Welch Engineering
Construction
Sparrow Woodworks
Typology
Residential › House
Nestled in the historic village of Nikolina Gora, just outside Moscow, this 230 m² house is surrounded by towering trees and fragrant lilac bushes, seamlessly blending into the creative heritage of its storied surroundings — once home to writers, architects, and artists. Originally built in the late 1990s with materials available at the time.
Project name
A family country house rooted in art and tradition
Location
Nikolina Gora, Moscow Region, Russia
Photography
Mikhail Stepanov
Collaborators
Margarita Castillo
Interior design
Irina Tatarnikova, IT-DECOR Studio
Typology
Residential › House
The goal of this project was not to increase square footage or add amenities as is often the case in a remodel. Instead, the desire was to create a thoughtfully desired home with just enough space for the needs of the client. No more no less. An in-kind trade so to speak for the 1950s brick house that sat on the site.
Project name
In-Kind House
Location
Seattle, Washington, USA
Design team
Jon Gentry AIA. Aimée O’Carroll ARB. Ashley Skidmore
Structural engineer
J Welch Engineering
Construction
Treebird Construction
Typology
Residential › House
