Eco Houses
Striking Villa Mecklin by Huttunen-Lipasti-Pakkanen Architects
The Finnish Villa Mecklin created by Huttunen-Lipasti-Pakkanen Architects is a perfect weekend retreat with a sheltered terrace extending over the rock summit. Situated in the rocky island terrain of Naantali, Villa Mecklin was built at a leisurely pace with the architects working through construction details on site. The architects placed the villa in the small depressions in the rock. Their idea was to build such house that would melt into the nature background being in harmony with rocks and landscape. In connection with the shoreline sauna, there is also a stove-heated cabin for guests. A stylish, minimalist interior is all you need to really detach yourself from work.
The Triangular Garden House by Tham & Videgard Hansson Architects
This unusual Garden house was designed by Tham & Videgard Hansson Architect Agency in Södermanland, Sweden. It is a triangular two-storeyed structure entirely covered by the wooden trellis which serves not only as the decorative element but also as the fence for the terrace which is on the roof of the building providing the inhabitants with the views of the local landscape. A big two-level winter garden is located in the acute angle of the house where it has a glass façade. Depending on each room’s function even some windows are covered by this lozenged wooden structure. The trellis seems to be entirely covered with the greenery someday. Construction is all wood, both structure and finishes. The house looks very interesting due to its unusual structure.
Solar powered Passive House in France by Karawitz Architecture
Karawitz Architecture has created the first passive house in Parisian region, Bessancourt, France. This efficient project is quite successful to receive the European labeled certification PHI Passiv Haus Institut. The residence has double facade, and the exterior is clad in non-treated bamboo that building envelopes the frame in solid wood panels. Although, the shape of the house is traditional, it looks original due to bamboo finish. The house design is closed on the North to limit energy loss and opened on the South to take benefit of free sunshine. The designers also used photovoltaic panels on the roof to supplement the eco program. The interiors are very warm and cozy because of wooden finish.
Compact Wooden XS House by UNI
This unusually composed house in the USA was designed by Chaewon Kim and Beat Schenk from UNI Company. It looks very simple and resembles three huge wooden boxes or some pieces of furniture put one onto another. Three rotated 16-by-22-foot boxes with four-corner-skylights give rooms natural light with minimum windows and maximum privacy. Each level is rotated in unusual way. The exterior is finished in marine plywood often used in ship-building. Oak plywood is also used in the interior of the second floor while the ground one is finished in marble. So being minimalist looking in the whole, XS house has a different look at each of the floors. One more interesting detail is the wooden stairs that threads through the space.
Eco-friendly Contemporary Cascade house in Toronto by Paul Raff
Located in Toronto, Canada, house with 352 m2 area was designed by Paul Raff Studio. The whole area of the project is 325 sq m. The house is a mix of environmentally responsible building strategies and elegant architectural composition. It is designed to maximize its potential for natural light. The Cascade house got its name due to the 13-foot front window made from 475 vertically stacked sheets of heavy, jagged-cut glass which provides the inhabitants with the necessary visual privacy. The texture of the stacked panels when viewed from the interior, “evokes being caught up in the crest of a wave”. The home is two and half storeyed and is designed in an l-formation around an outdoor swimming pool. The style is shaped about the concept of making visible the architecture as interface between habitation and landscape.

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