Modern Residential Design

I've had a bit a thing for encampment projects recently. The notion of semi-permanent structures and rather than a solid mass, compartmentalising activities and rooms. The technique fitting well with iterative approaches and generation building - taking off or adding on a unit as needed... Here's a few I love from around the net. Anyone have further recommendations? AMA House by Katsutoshi Sasaki + Associates @dezeen jun igarashi architects: house o @designboom House in Buzen / Suppose Design Office @archdaily Tennent + Brown Architects - Turn Point Lodge @nickwallen Fearon Hay Architects - Sandhills Road House @nickwallen Herbst Architects - Timms Bach @nickwallen

A Dome In Peka Peka from livlin productions . Another little jem from New Zealand. Many thanks to Damian Harrison for the tip on this interesting video about Fritz Eisenhofer's earth sheltered house in Peka Peka.

As an alumni and architecture fan I’m excited that Victoria University of Wellington, in New Zealand’s capital city, has been selected as one of 20 university teams to compete in the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2011 – the only entry, ever, from the southern hemisphere. The First Light house channels the essence of the iconic “Kiwi bach” – a focus on recreation, socialisation, and outdoor living. As primarily a summer destination, life at the bach takes place as much outside, on large decks and patios, as it does inside. Our house brings these ideals of bach life into a contemporary setting, providing a permanent residence where recreation and social activities are united with environmentally sound technologies. Here are a couple of videos and pics highlighting this impressive project. And what a kick start to practice your career this way! More available at   http://firstlighthouse.ac.nz Pics Plans Follow along with their progress here: BLOG FACE...

The latest in their series of baches (small holiday retreats) on Great Barrier Island continues to explore the relationship of the building to the natural environment. Photographer Jackie Meiring . I've been a fan of Herbst Architects for some years now. Their ability to perfectly nestle a house into its environment and leverage the site's natural assets is amazing. As their bevy of Great Barrier Island houses grows, they have created a new vernacular, of lightweight raw wood and gabions from local stones. Plans

Murray Cockburn Partnership Kohara Lodge Of middle earth - Murray Cockburn has created a true hideaway. Kohara Lodge, of local schist stone and sedum roof, sits in quiet vigil above the Shotover river. Oh, and it's a holiday let. Overview Kohara Lodge has been built with environmental considerations in mind. The owners' main aim was to put the land back to the way it was once building had finished hence the design of the property incorporating the natural hillside, and re-planting the grounds with native New Zealand trees. The architect's vision was to replicate the natural environment as much as possible. To this end natural schist stone from a local quarry was used and this was dry laid as much as possible and dry stacked. Recycled railway timbers have been used on the outside of the property and there is no paint anywhere on the exterior of the house. The windows at Kohara Lodge all have Comfort glass to prevent glare and reflection, built in UV protection and double...

Herbst Architects Lindale Bach Sticks and stones - Blurring the boundaries between interior and exterior, Lance and Nicola Herbst have become the masters of the simple, elegant, functional beach retreat. If they'd take the job, Lance and Nicola would be my choice for designing an eco retreat. Overview Built on an island with no mains electricity and daily ferry connections, the Lindale residence on Great Barrier Island HAD to be as energy efficient as possible. Minimal materials were freighted in and the central Gabion wall of the residence an ideal solution. Using local river stones, the wall provides a fantastic heat store and structural backbone to the build. The wall also counters the wind in covered outdoor spaces, together with a cosy fire making this retreat and so special. Prior to the build beginning, large rainwater and sewage treatment tanks were buried under the site. The cooler environment promoting less bacterial growth and leaving the relatively pure rainwater, coll...