Top 10 Popular Projects Presented in November 2011

by clicking on the pictures, you can see more photos and details about each project.

 

#1. Bali is a small island in Indonesia, a magical place, known worldwide due to its rich culture and mesmerizing landscapes. This is probably why these incredible hanging pools from  Ubud Hanging Gardens Hotel made our list at number one. The most striking of the hotel’s design features is a large, multi-leveled infinity pool, with curves that are said to copy the shape and beauty of the hills nearby.

#2. This diverse top floor apartment designed by Ukrainian architecture studio 2B Group is located in a building in Kiev, Ukraine. The inspiring interior design captures a multitude of styles, all designed to offer a seamless collection of textures, colors, shapes and materials. Wood, concrete, glass, metal, exposed brick – all these materials found their place in the apartment’s interior design and surprising lines and details were shaped with their help.

#3. Milan-based architecture studio Stefano Boeri‘s Vertical Forest is a residential building duo named Bosco Verticale that can be seen in construction in the metropolitan center of Milan, Italy. This exciting green residential project was meant for growing forests in the sky and allowing residents and neighbors to enjoy fresh outdoor air. Bosco Verticale  adds green space in an over-industrialized busy city, challenging future metropolis to offer its inhabitants a safe, healthy environment.

#4.  The Hollow Chair brings a new meaning to versatile furniture. Built from 618 individually cut pieces of Baltic Birch plywood cut out with a CNC machine, the elegant, modern armchair has vinyl upholstery and a simple yet effective shape. Designed by Judson Beaumont of Straight Line Designs Inc., this amazing armchair beautifies with its shape and allows further embellishments thanks to its hollow arms and space under the seat.

#5. Cool and fresh apartments are not hard to find if you know where to look. These inspirational spaces can be the base or your next renovation or the beginning of a beautiful love for interior design and architecture. An apartment like the one can change the way you look at color and simplicity gathered in a bright and well lit space. Located in Stockholm, this 6 rooms apartment occupies the last two floors of a building, giving the inhabitants plenty of room for comfortable daily activities.

#6. Designer Pete Fecteau constructed a huge Martin Luther King Jr. portrait called “Dream Big“using 4,242 officially licensed Rubik’s Cubes. Measuring 5.8m x 2.6m x 5.7cm and weighing 454kg, this artistic endeavor was possible due to Kickstarter.com, where the artist raised the necessary money for this project.

#7. When the need for a fantastic holiday strikes, the beautiful Maldives offer exquisite experiences integrated in unforgettable landscapes. The Taj Exotica Resort and Spa Maldives is a five-star exclusive resort, surrounded by lush tropical plants and crystal clear blue waters. Located in one of the largest lagoons in the area, the accommodation units spread idyllically along a mesmerizing beach, providing a lovely relaxation setting for their visitors.

#8. The Hotel Silken Puerta América in Madrid, Spain is an innovative project that involved numerous artists, architects and designers working together in developing something unseen before. Each level is differentiated from the next and its design is signed by world-renowned names.

#9.  Frank Lloyd Wright‘s “Kenneth Laurent” House made our list at number nine. The residence is located in Rockford, Illinois and was especially designed by the architecture legend for a wheelchair bound veteran, during the years 1949 and 1952. The one-story house showcases a lovely ellipse shape and occupies an area of 2500 square meters.

#10. High above Lake Lucerne, with breathtaking views of the water and the Alps in Switzerland, lies this massive contemporary home with an architecture that is truly dazzling. Designed by Ungertreina, a company that considers architecture “an obligation in the cultural, social and economic sense“, the project, called Villa Am See, has a sculptural and dynamic appearance and consists of three residential volumes, each with its own layout.

Modern White Homes Feeding Your Need For Immaculate Design

White home exteriors seem to be a trend these days, and we know most of you out there are crazy about them. This triggered the idea of putting together a post that will quench your thirst for “immaculate architecture”. We decided to gather up 15 incredible white residences presented on Freshome throughout the years and remind you of their unique features. By clicking on each picture, you can see more photos and details about each project. Enjoy the ride and at the end, be sure to give us a hint about which home you like best.

Our first choice is a residence designed by architects Manuel Aires Mateus and located in Portugal, in a high point, overlooking the city of Leiria. Minimalist and contemporary, the home is divided into two distinct areas, one for socializing and one for sleeping. The bedrooms are positioned below ground, with access to private patios that lead to the backyard.

Villa P is an original project developed by Austrian studio Love Architecture. The exterior of this home is truly mesmerizing, from the overall original shape, to the finishes and colors chosen by the architects. Strong visual contrasts are created: the turquoise swimming pool complements the large wooden staircase that connects the garden with the pool and further leads all the way to the upper floor.

Ysy House was designed by Nagoya-based studio Auau and is located in Seto, Japan, in a beautiful but populated forest, on top of a small hill. The charming asymmetrical shape of the residence is well adjusted to the building site and is interesting to observe from every angle. With a matte white finish, the home is very well differentiated within its neighborhood and is quite an attention-grabber. Compact and creative, it is a great example of a clever small home.

Here is another project showcasing a faultless modern design. Dinesh Mills Bungalow comes from atelier dnD and is located just outside the city of Vadodara, India. The exterior is absolutely fascinating, as the house seems to float on a spectacular pool, enriched by a lovely decorating fountain. Its turquoise color contrasts the white walls of the residence, giving the home an intriguing aesthetic effect.

Next up, we have a spectacular beach home that will surely appeal to your exotic side. Initially designed by Ron Sang in the 1980’s, the current owners have recently renovated it, working together with Julian Guthrie of Godward Guthrie Architects. Everything about this building is captivating, inspiring peacefulness and complete relaxation. Just click the photo for more visual details.

Designed by architect Steve Kent and located in Santa Monica, this next residence seems sprung out of a postal card. With a simple rectangular shape, white walls and plenty of colors, 24th Street House looks like a giant gift box.

Villa Valentina is a modern residence situated in Miami Beach, Florida, United States. This glamorous home features no less than 6 bathrooms and 6 bedrooms. Its multi-level terraces and wide windows allow unobstructed views of the beautiful bay, while the strategically placed patio furniture ensures unforgeable moments outdoors- as if the beach were not close enough

Have a look at this intriguing architecture project which seems sprung out from a Sci-Fi movie! The “Ninety7 @ Siglap” house was designed by Aamer Architects and is located in Singapore. The design is said to be inspired by the magnificent views that can be observed from atop Siglap Hill.

Honiton Residence is a stunning looking home designed by MCK Architects which combines traditional elements with contemporary decors. The results? A fascinating crib with plenty of spaces for relaxation, a large outdoor pool that couldn’t be more alluring and interiors that inspire freshness and good taste. We were charmed by the mix of bricks, timber and concrete which gives this home a rustic, friendly feel while in the same time paying tribute to contemporary architecture.

Here is a home from A-cero completed in “La Finca” estate in the town Pozuelo de Alarcón (Madrid). This project is smaller (1000m2) than the rest of the company’s project. Its dimensions turn it into a comfortable and practical house that offers a maximum life quality. Its modern design based on impossible angles and spectacular volumes make this building one of the maximum exponents of A-cero’s architecture. And a lovely white home on our list today.

This unusual looking residence called Dom Zlomu comes from Paulíny Hovorka Architekti and is situated in the small village of Kynceľová, close to the town  of Banská Bystrica, Slovakia. The house has a beautiful natural surrounding landscape and overlooks the Tatra mountains.

Here is another residence with an uncommon, yet fascinating architecture. But its design is not the only unusual aspect of this imposing home. The Deronda Residence comes from Space International and is located in Los Angeles, California,  in the Hollywood Hills “just under the shadow of the Hollywood sign”.

We really enjoy it when we find a residential project that has to do with art. Sure, you could say that most buildings relate to art one way or another, but Villa VH en T was especially developed to house the extensive art collection belonging to the owner. This beautiful and creative home comes from Beel & Achtergael Architects, has a total surface of 862 m2 and is located in Flanders, Belgium.

Carrara House was designed by Andres Remy Arquitectos and is located in Pilar, Buenos Aires, Argentina. With a living space of 660 square meters, the home is located on an irregular lot and oriented so that it captures the best views its environment has to offer. The rustic stone works as a divider of the entry zones while beautifully contrasting with the white walls of the house.

Three floors of fun gathered under one roof and one name: the Nakameguro House created by LEVEL Architects. Constructed in Meguro-ku, one of Tokyo’s municipalities, the residence features an enormous, three-story high slide. The 1,762 square feet property gives its inhabitants and guest the possibility to take the stars going up and use the slide going down when moving through the house.


from freshome

10 Most Popular Projects Presented in October 2011

October was a full month for Freshome. We had some unbelievable projects presented, some of which got plenty of votes. Your opinions are welcomed and at the end of each month, the “10 Most Popular Projects…” post highlights this idea. Without any further ado, here are the articles that scored the highest on your list, according to their Facebook shares. Remember that by clicking on the pictures, you can see more photos and details about each project.

#1. The most popular Freshome post in October 2011 pays tribute to these impressiveabandoned Victorian homes built with the help of LEGO bricks. The original idea belongs to Mike Doyle, who not to long ago finished his third collapsing home in this amazing series. According to Laughing Squid, the projects made so far are called Victorian on Mud Heap, achieved with the help of about 110k-130k pieces.

#2. In at number two is a fascinating place of retreat called Ayada Maldives and located on the island of Maguhdhuvaa, in the lovely Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll district. The resort consists of 112 luxurious villas and opened on October 30, 2011.  Impeccable blue waters, powder white sands and lush vegetation- they all seem to be a given in this miniature paradise.

#3. The River Side House is an impressive project designed by Mizuishi Architect Atelierand located in Tokyo, Japan. The small home was constructed on a triangle site and occupies a building area of 29.07 square meters. Impressive!

#4. Blue Jay Way Residence comes from McClean Design and is located  in Los Angeles, California, USA. The project occupies an area of 6800 square feet and has panoramic views of LA, Santa Monica, the Pacific, and Catalina Island. Just click the photo below for more information.

#5. And another residence that caught your attention at number 5.  Static House was designed by Jakarta-based studio TWS & Partners and is a diverse 7,530 square foot contemporary home in Jakarta, Indonesia. The client’s brief in this case implied the construction of an opulent “garden house”, a crib that would communicate well with the exterior.

#6. Wood cladded homes are very popular these days. This is the case with this next house in Almunecar named Pure White – a fascinating residence designed by Susanna Cots. Interior spaces can be described as ordered, comfortable and luxurious. Flooded with light, the house above the sea gathers panoramic views from several vantage points, at the same time protecting the inhabitants’ privacy by displaying a modern and robust front facade, partially cladded in wood.

#7. You just gotta love a design idea so simple and fresh! This aquarium is the creation ofPsalt Design, a collaborative studio composed of three English friends who graduated together at Sheffield Hallam University: Richard Bell, Thomas McKeown and David Powell. The piece is self-explanatory: simple, beautiful and stylish.

#8. Shakhti 360 Leti is a remote hotel in the Himalayas designed by Jamshyd Sethna, a travel professional from Bombay, India. The project was developed as a result of Jamshyd’s love for the mountains. The luxurious hotel is sited on a stone base and features floor to ceiling glass windows, allowing panoramic views of the Himalayas.

#9. In at number nine-  a mind-blowing conversion of a barn in Surrey, England, into a beautiful contemporary living space. The project belongs to Stedman Blower Architects and was featured on the famous TV show “Grand Designs”. The new residence displays a highly modern appearance and an original layout.

#10. This impressive contemporary apartment was submitted via e-mail by Juraj Karlík, ofNeopolis Studio. The project belongs to designer Vierka and we were happy to see that it is located in a city that we did not yet cover on Freshome: Bratislava, Slovakia.

10 Most Popular Projects Presented in August 2011

August was a full month for Freshome. From incredible design and architecture projects, to mind-blowing artwork, they were all here for your contemplation.  As usual, at the end of the month, we invite you to go through the most voted Freshome posts and in the end, give us your feedback. The list below was achieved according to your Facebook shares as they were registered in the last day of August. Remember that by clicking on the pictures, you can see more photos and details about each project.

#1. The most popular Freshome post in August was a fascinating tropical island yacht project envisioned by the UK based company Yacht Island Designs. The floating tropical island will be made out of steel and will measure 90 meters in length, plenty of room to build a luscious and luxurious environment that would sail away in the sunset.

#2. Laranjeiras Residence was designed by Fernanda Marques Arquitetos Associadosand is a fascinating 10,225 square foot summer retreat located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. According to the architects, wood was used as a way to protect it from the sea air and make it more familiar-looking amid the green Mata Atlântica. The designers don’t say anything about the stunning visual effect this approach had on the overall design, though.

#3. Stunning by design, the Armada House compresses a world of possibilities in its fascinating architecture. Created by award-winning Keith Baker Design, the residence located in Victoria, BC, Canada, displays an important feature of construction: the necessary relationship and collaboration between the designer and the client. The Canadian designer created a home where volumes intersect and shapes unite to form a specific design, dreamed by the owner and implemented by the architect.

#4. Here is a home showcasing a faultless modern design. Dinesh Mills Bungalow comes from atelier dnD and is located just outside the city of Vadodara, India. The exterior is absolutely fascinating, as the house seems to float on a spectacular pool, enriched with a lovely decorating fountain.

#5. We’ve seen quite a few works of ingenious architecture, enough to state this is one of them.Keret House is a project envisioned by Jakub Szczęsny of Centrala, soon to be developed in a narrow void between the buildings on 22 Chłodna Street and 74 Żelazna Street in the district of Wola, Poland. Keret House is said to have an interior that will vary between 122 centimeters and 72 centimeters, making it an extremely narrow crib.

#6. Welcome to an apartment that inspires joyful living. Invaded by color, this place features so many beautiful details that we found it hard not to enjoy each and every photo in detail. Having a privileged location in the attic of a downtown building, this apartment in Madrid was organized and decorated to accommodate a couple in a bright, sophisticated and refreshing environment. The author of this excellent makeover was the architect Charlie Diaz, who opted for a loft that is both aesthetic and fun.

#7. The Residence Zanzibar was designed by design firm HBA / Hirsch Bedner Associatesand is a fascinating resort located on a remote corner of the island of Zanzibar. According to the architects, all pieces of furniture at The Residence Zanzibar are a mix of cultures reflecting the various influences in Zanzibar’s history.

#8. Here is a furniture collection that will not leave you indifferent. Buddha head table and pouf were designed by 21st Living Art and make for some intriguing decor additions. 

#9. American architect David Jameson designed the beautiful Japanese inspired Tea Houseconsisting of a suspended volume, especially created in order to serve as a meditation room. The floating tea house is illuminated by floor lamps, which makes it quite spectacular to observe during night time.

#10. The Sun House was designed by Guz Architects and is a beautiful green home located in Singapore. The architects say that the owner contributed a great detail to their planning by allowing his collection of artwork and sculptures to be an important inspiration factor for the overall design.