* Residential Architecture: House in Monasterios by Ramon Esteve

Residential Architecture: House in Monasterios by Ramon Esteve: “..The house is located in an elevated area, from which it dominates a hillside leading down to the sea. This view marks the direction the walls will take and, in an abstract form, define the project. The house is structured as a compaction of volumes of varying heights, and the form established by the main walls..The articulating space volume of this sequence is obtained from opening courts and patios in the central space of the house. A series of open courtyards are formed, covered in its perimeter like an atrium, in search of the access to the house, obtaining different perceptions of the house..The views from any point intersect and are never interrupted along the permeable sequence at the end of which, limited between glass membranes, is the lobby. Thus, it creates an approach path that exposes the more intimate side of the house so that, once inside, you discover the long views over the hillside to the sea..Among the great defining walls, the space is closed with large glass panels protected with wooden movable planes, graduating the closing level of each piece..The housing program is focused very clearly in the direction marked by the walls, and volumes depend on the spatial hierarchy of spaces. Two wooden emerging volumes, materialized by the chimneys, mark the counterpoint to the horizontality that defines the entire house..”  Extensive glazing, natural light, views; interesting fenestration, interior details and materiality..

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image: © Mayte Piera; article: ”House in Monasterios / Ramon Esteve” 09 May 2013. ArchDaily

* Residential Architecture: Tower House by Gluck+

Residential Architecture:  Tower House by Gluck+: “..This holiday home in upstate New York, USA, by US firm Gluck+ features an elevated living room that hovers nine metres above the ground..As the weekend retreat for Thomas Gluck – one of the firm’s principals – and his family, Tower House was designed as a four-storey tower with a “treetop aerie”, affording mountain views across the nearby Catskill Park..The house is glazed on every side. In some places Gluck+ has fitted dark green panels behind to camouflage the walls with the surrounding woodland, while other areas remain transparent, revealing a bright yellow staircase that zigzags up behind the southern elevation..Taut vertical cables form the balustrade for this staircase and are interspersed with small lights, intended to look like fireflies after dark..One of the main aims of the design was to minimise the impact on the landscape. The architects achieved this by lifting the large living areas off the ground and stacking bedrooms and bathrooms on the three floors beneath, creating a base footprint of just 40 square metres..This arrangement also allows all of the wet rooms to be arranged in an insulated central core. When the house isn’t is use, this core isolates the heating systems, helping to reduce energy consumption..The three bedrooms are positioned on the north side of the house, where they can benefit from the most consistent daylight, and contain yellow furniture to match the colour of the staircase..The living room above is divided up into four different zones by the arrangement of furniture and features a 12-metre-long window seat that spans the entire space. There’s also a secluded roof terrace on the next level up..New York-based Gluck+ was known until recently as Peter Gluck and Partners. The firm is now run by Peter, his son Thomas, and three other principals..”  Extensive glazing, natural light, views; interesting cantilevered form, fenestration, furnishings.. Interesting photos and slideshow..

See our posts on two other home by Gluck+:

• Residential Architecture: Urban Townhouse by GLUCK+
• Residential Architecture: Rado Redux by Peter Gluck and Partners

image: © Paul Warchol; article: Dezeen

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* Residential Architecture: Kerry House by Carson and Crushell Architects

Residential Architecture: Kerry House by Carson and Crushell Architects: “..This project is a major reworking of a dilapidated 1960′s bungalow overlooking Kenmare River, Kenmare, Ireland. The structure was wrapped in a thick insulated render lining with high performance glazing fitted flush into existing and newly made openings. All internal rooms were reorganised, improving relationships between the bedrooms and their new en-suites and the relocated kitchen, dining room and central courtyard. In addition, a terrace and long bench of Kilkenny limestone were made to extend the living spaces into the landscape..”  Extensive glazing, natural light; interesting contemporary renovation and reworking of an existing structure..

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image: Courtesy of Carson and Crushell Architects; article: ”Kerry House / Carson and Crushell Architects” 12 May 2013. ArchDaily

* Architecture & Design: Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt Announces 2013 National Design Awards Winners

Architecture & Design: Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt Announces 2013 National Design Awards Winners: “..Now in its 14th year, the Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt National Design Awards is continuing its legacy to recognize outstanding achievement across a variety of disciplines in the design community.  The awards were established to “promote design as a vital humanistic tool in shaping the world”.  This year the recipients will be honored at a gala in October during National Design Week in New York City.  The goal of recognizing this achievements is to reinforce the idea that “everything around us is designed” and the potential for innovation and creation is present across all types of development. The winners of this year’s design awards were selected based on excellence, innovation and public impact..James Wines is the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award.  Wines is the founder and president of SITE, multidisciplinary studio based in New York City that develops site-specific structures that utilize information about the surrounding environment.  The work includes buildings, public space, environmental art, landscapes, master plans, interiors, video productions, graphics and product designs, all of which use the context to determine the design.  With projects numbering over 150 in 11 countries, Wines’ and SITE’s work has been highly influential in the design community..Michael Sorkin is honored with the Design Mind Award for his work in architecture at his practice, Michael Sorkin Studio; for his work in architectural and urban critique for Architectural Record and as professor at the City College of New York; and as an urbanist for his work with the non-profit organization Terreform which is dedicated to research and intervention of urban morphology..The popular non-profit organization that produces lectures covering issues of technology, entertainment and design – TED – is awarded the Corporate and Institutional Achievement.  The talks cover a wide range of disciplines and have grown exponentially in popularity since its beginnings in 1984.  To promote local outreach, TED has also developed the TEDx talks which allows individuals to independently organize events in their communities..The Architecture Design Award is going to Studio Gang Architects, a Chicago-based collective that uses design to connect with and respond to contemporary issues.  Each project addresses the individual cultural and environmental concerns of the site, using specific strategies to deal with global issues of urbanization, climate and sustainability.  The projects cover a range of scale and scope, from individual building towers to infrastructure and public space..Graphic Designer Paula Scher is recognized for the Communication Design for her work with “iconic, smart and accessible images”.  Her work uses typography to develop images that have meaning and evoke feeling.  Her work is highly recognizable and has been used for environmental graphics, packing, publications and branding systems..Fashion Designer Behnaz Sarafpour is being recognized for her work in elegant and innovative textiles.  Her collection blends high design with affordability, while consciously choosing organically produced materials for her designs..Media design firm, Local Projects, is being recognized for Interaction Design.  The firm specializes in work for museums and public spaces and has been creating work for the 9/11 Memorial Museum.  It is being awarded for its use of physical space and interactive design to create collaborative storytelling projects..Aidlin Darling Design is the recipient of the Interior Design award for the studios interest in designing spaces for all five sense.  The studio functions as a hub for collaborators of many disciplines, including builders, fabricators, artists, engineers, and chefs..Margie Ruddick work is being recognized for the Landscape Architecture award for her pioneering approach in incorporating ecology into the urban landscape.  Ruddick is also an author and professor whose work has gained international acclaim and is likely an inspiration in today’s desire to design environmentally conscious sites in modern cities..NewDealDesign is honored with the Product Design award.  The multidisciplinary firm collaborates with industrial, graphic and interaction designers to create innovative products “dedicated to helping people live better everyday”. (via Cooper-Hewitt.org)

See our post on another project by Studio Gang Architects: Solar Carve Tower by Studio Gang Architects in New York City, next to the High Line linear park.

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image: Bengt Sjostrom Starlight Theatre by Studio Gang Architects by Greg Murphy; article: Vinnitskaya , Irina. “Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt Announces 2013 National Design Awards Winners” 10 May 2013. ArchDaily