Fresh Builds: The 25 Coolest Houses of April 2013

As architects continue to work towards designing optimum homes for their clients, the world is introduced to new ways of living and building. Balancing nature and man-made construction, privacy and sociability, and renovation and preservation, these Fresh Builds: The 25 Coolest Houses of April 2013 reveal the anatomy and purpose of recent residential creations. While in the past appealing homes may have featured ostentatious displays, new designs have sought to blend the indoors and outdoors, while others remain completely humble in the presentation of their exterior facades.

RELATED: Fresh Builds: The 25 Coolest Houses of March 2013

Location: Montréal, Canada

Architect: Naturehumaine

Balancing wood, glass, and steel surfaces, the exterior of the home is refreshing with its combination of transparency and opacity. As part of a project to create a new dining area, the extension brought forth a transformation of the interior and exterior of the house.

via

Location: Glencoe, Illinois

Architect: Robbins Architecture

The interior planning of the home expands its spaces with minimal use of walls and undefined rooms. Wooden accents on the interior and exterior provide a visual fluidity throughout, while large windows open up the living room to surrounding views of trees and greenery.

via

Location: IJburg, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Architect: Marc Prosman Architecten

Built in a residential area on a man-made island in the IJburg district, the house features vertical slats of pine across its walls that act as shutters for the windows, as they allude to the planted trees lining the island's shores. The largest bedroom of the house includes an outdoor balcony overlooking the water, while the structure itself is situated on an area of concrete that highlights the main entrance.

via

Location: Brittany, France

Architect: Lode Architecture

While large windows reflect the visual elements of the surrounding woods, vertical wooden slats forming the house's facade allow the structure to further blend in with its environment. The open design of the residence offers panaromic views of nature, while bedrooms have access to private outdoor terrace areas for more quiet enjoyment.

via

Location: Berlin

Architect: Brandt + Simon Architekten

The tiled facade of this house gives it an unconventional look that blends in with the surrounding greenery. Not only is its appearance green, its sustainability is also impressive. Cellulose-made recycled paper fiber was exclusively used for insulation, while solar panels provide the main energy used for heating.

via

Location: Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi-do, Korea

Architect: Moon Hoon

The archiect designed this home for an old high school friend who had become a vet, his wife, her parents, and their animals. Featuring a prayer room and central outdoor courtyard area, the house's exterior was originally finished with soft curtain walls made of waterproof cloth, but were later eliminated due to their reckless waving in the wind.

via

Location: Auckland, New Zealand

Architect: Crosson Clarke Carnachan Architects

Situated on a triangular plot of land, the house attempts to be a continuation of a streetscape of rectangular homes. While floor-to-ceiling windows offer sweeping views, the home's choice of material and positioning, along with its sloping roof, allow it to be a natural addition to the neighborhood.

via

Location: Chile

Architect: Gubbins Arquitectos

The house is built on a sloped area amidst a wooded landscape that offers privacy in its actual location. Glazing and windows allow for transparent views throughout the structure, as exposed concrete and materials allow for interaction between the exterior and interior surfaces and spaces.

via

Location: Stuttgart, Germany

Architect: J. Mayer H.

This concrete home features rounded corners on its exterior, while its interior layout is defined by curving lines. A main staircase provides access to the three floors, which include spa, living, and social areas, and also multiple outdoor terraces.

via

Location: Yokohama City, Japan

Architect: EANA

Though the house takes on a simple rectuangular shape, its amenities are efficiently distributed throughout two floors to include bedrooms, storage, and social spaces. While a large window allows for visual access to the outside world, a concealed rooftop terrace can be accessed via a metal staircase.

via

Location: Melbourne, Australia

Architect: b.e. Architecture

Attempting to create a natural, aged look for the home to fit in with its surrounding neighborhood, architects selected materials including travertine, timber, concrete, and steel in constructing both the interior and exterior of the home. Though the home's facade suggests an entirely rectilinear structure, upon entrance a curving staircase is revealed. The living areas are distinct and characterized by function, as the day/summer spaces overlook an outdoor pool and eating area, and the night/winter spaces face a secluded backyard.

via

Location: Kagawa, Japan

Architect: Hironaka Ogawa

Built as a home for a farmer, the house includes a tower in its central courtyard that acts as a functioning sundial. The central tower includes two bedrooms and an attic, while the remaining rooms are built to border the grassy middle area.

via

Location: Toronto, Canada

Architect: Altius Architecture

Designed to be wheelchair accessible, this modern home maintains a clean aesthetic with spacious orientation. The lower floor includes a double height dining room, while the upper floor, containing all living quarters, can be reached by staircase or elevator.

via

Location: Noordwijk , Netherlands

Architect: Maxwan

Renovating a thatched house built in the 1930s, architects added concrete and glass structures that expanded the ground floor space. A spiral staircase featuring custom-designed filigree was added to lead up to the second floor attic, which was previously only accessible by a steep ladder.

via

Location: Tokyo, Japan

Architect: General Design

The pitched roof house has no windows on its front facade, but it includes multiple skylights, an atrium, and a private courtyard. A spiraling industrial staircase leads up to the second floor, where bedrooms and a living room with the only window in the house can be found.

via

Location: Tokyo

Architect: Urban Architecture Office

Although the presence of a garden or greenery may not be evident, the house features multiple outdoor terraces accessible from all floors. Three volumes of concrete were arranged at appropriate angles to form the home, as archways create paths that transition through various spaces that intermix indoor and outdoor views.

via

Location:Ednice Aa Moravě, Czech Republic

Architect: Basarch

The stone-clad structure includes multiple windows and a skylight that allow for open views of the countryside. The home, located in a flood zone, is elevated to accommodate rainy weather, while a sloping extension of the ground forms a green roof blanketing the residence, doubling as a grassy rooftop terrace area.

via

Location: Miyazaki, Japan

Architect: Tsukano Architect Office

Located in a downtown area adjacent to a busy street, the house is encased within white walls to provide privacy (while still allowing for sunlight to enter). All rooms overlook a main courtyard completely concealed from the outside, only revealed once a visitor enters through a corridor in the narrow opening of what the architect refers to as the "white plate."

via

Location: Bragança Paulista, Brazil

Architect: Centro Arquitetura

Built on a sloping terrain, the home consists of two volumes that include living accomodations and outdoor areas. Stone walls highlight the base structure of the terrace, which extends from the living room, and includes a barbecue, pizza oven, and a tree.

via

Location: Barcelona, Spain

Architect: Lagula Arquitectes

The wood and concrete facade of the house gives it a pixalated look, while its interior also features patches and blocks of shapes and colors. Including an interior access ramp, the residence is organized in a sloping spiral format influenced by the surrounding natural terrain.

via

Location: Girona, Spain

Architect: Hidalgo Hartmann Arquitectura

Built as a sloping extension of the ground, the house allows for excellent views without disturbing the landscape. Triangular volumes define the structure of the concrete home that stands out like a natural sculpture among its green surroundings.

via

Location: Galicia, Spain

Architect: Quico Jorreto

Much of the home is hidden underneath the upper volume that includes a parking space doubling as a terrace, and a glass room for enjoying views of the neighboring river. A pool covers the roof of the lower volume that contains an exterior courtyard and living spaces, while an additional concrete slab provides space for a patio with a built-in firepit.

via

Location: New Canaan, Conneticut

Architect: Specht Harpman

Though highly modern in design, the home is the product of renovating f a 1950s home. Large windows and open spaces allow for views across and through the house, while its lower level includes "outdoor rooms" that include a fireplace and seating areas. The swimming pool features its own separate pool house as a modern addition to the residence.

via

Location: Dana Point, California

Architect: Horst Architects

Along with panoramic ocean views made available from the balcony and outdoor areas, the residence includes numerous ponds throughout its courtyard that incorporate the element of water into the home. Glass, wood, and concrete define the house's building materials, as it provides open space and light to some areas while others remain with more privacy.

via

Location: São Paulo, Brazil

Architect: StudioMK27

The house's impressive green roof is an extension of the surrounding grassland that provides insulation for the structure. Folding doors can be opened for a change in layout or ventilation, leading to a wooden deck including a pool. The general horizontal planning of the home gives an amplified feeling of spatiousness within the hot São Paulo atmosphere.

via