House with a sliding frame

What a great idea. The frame basically slides back to reveal an inner glass structure that lets in a lot more light. Great invention.

Hat tip [Unplugged]

Crazy inflatable structure

I can only gloss over how wild this building is. You must check it out yourself. To quote: 

The Pavilion uses tried and tested inflatable technology consisting of pressurised tubes in a new and stunning way. The diamond-lattice structure creates a stable 3D superstructure enclosing the project. This adds stability to a series of domed shapes which are a triangulated network of tubes with dual-layer inflated cushions on each side to provide in-plane stiffness. The outer cushion of the volume is translucent, giving the volume visual depth, the inner layer is a white blackout fabric which allows the inner space to be darkened during the day. A 2m x 2m structural flooring grid with adjustable legs provides a stable base for the project. This is weighted down with the two shipping containers the project is transported in, and additional water filled weights to limit the need to transport heavy ballast or foundations.

Hat tip: ArchDaily

Great storage solution

It's great to see people apply some ingenuity to common problems, in this case storage. This homeowner converted the steps into a rather large set of drawers. You can see the handles clearly but the structure blends in so well, it's not as noticeable.  

Hat tip [Apartment Therapy]

Cottage in a Day

Cottage in a Day sells green prefab structures of various sizes and applications. They call it Cottage in a Day because the structures can be assembled in a day [duh] in as little as five hours. I like the design and I especially love the emphasis on outdoor space; the exterior deck is almost as large as the interior living space. 

You can adjust the design to include or exclude facilities and kitchens, perfect for occasional rooms or office space away from a main house. You can even add a loft. The prices are reasonable; the smallest with a kitchen and bathroom is $56,000. 

Hat tip [PreFabCosm]

Fantastic multi-use apartment in Hong Kong

If you haven't seen this, you must check out an article from last week's NYT on a Hong Kong architect's multi-purpose apartment. It's only 344 (!) square feet. He uses sliding walls and light mobile furniture to create 24 different configurations – from spa room with a full bath to dining room to kitchen to media center. What an amazing job. It's also the best use of those cool sliding bookshelves I remember from my corporate days.

What I love about living in a small space is the creative problem solving. You start from the main objective – I want to be able to work, relax and entertain. And then work backwards. You also have to be on the hunt for things that can play multiple roles. This is definitely one of the file.

Hat tip [NY Times]

Wood mosaic floor

Wow I have never seen this before but what a great idea. This ranks up there with the leather belt ties I showcased in early December. 

Hat tip [Crib Candy]

TDA House

The top floor of this Oaxaca, Mexico house is basically an open platform with three hammocks attached to the ceiling. This affords fantastic views of the water. I also love the openness of the bedrooms, with the folding doors that push off to one side. Click on the link for more pictures of this great space. 

Hat tip [Architecture Daily]

Corian Confinement

This is a small space concept called OrganiCube by an Austrian designer Christian Precht. It's a 3m cube. Two of many pictures are here – a cross section as well as one showing the entrance, the workspace and the 'stairs' to the bed. I encourage you to check out others. 

I've sat on this post for a while because I wasn't sure how I felt about it. I want to love it but I just can't. It's very space age, Jetsons, Star Trek, which is a plus in my book. But it seems awfully cold and slippery, almost like minimalist jail. Being 'chiseled' from Corian – the countertop material – doesn't help. It's like living in an Ice Hotel but without the cool story to tell your friends.  

If it were fashioned from bamboo or some other natural material, I think I'd like it more. Thoughts?

Hat tip [Dezeen]

Dream Kitchen

How amazing is this kitchen. I love the mix of chairs in the eating area. Be sure to check out the rest of the house and to click on the picture, since Blogger likes to cut parts out. 

Hat tip [Design to Inspire]

Zaha Hadid – Architecture Goddess

The winning entry for Vienna's University of Economics and Business. 

An aerodynamic temple for intellectuals. 

Bitchin'

Full plans and hat tip [Dezeen]

Inside the Cube with Inhabitat + Mark Baez

A very cool modular building made of prefab 10' cubes. This one is in Venice, CA but more are on the way. It costs only $100 per sq foot to construct. 

Some cool features: walls and doors that easy to remove and reconfigure, concrete floors heated by hot water that is warmed by the solar panels, and a garage is sodded so grass can grow, increasing the oxygen levels in the home. 

The only thing I would change is find some way to tint the panels to bring in a little more color/warmth to the space. But I guess good old fashioned nature will take care of that. 

This Inhabitat link has pictures of the space. Very Japanese feel. I would sooo live here. 

P.S. Anyone near Venice, could you hunt this down?

[Hat tip: Prefabcosm + Inhabitat]