Tag Archives: Architecture

An Hourglass Shaped Observation Tower In Sweden Satisfies The Birdwatcher In You

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White Arkitekter, the renowned Swedish architecture studio, has recently unveiled its latest creation, the Observation Tower Kärven, in the scenic Getterön nature reserve on Sweden’s west coast. This 12-metre-tall structure, which emerged as the winning entry in an architectural competition organized by the Varberg Municipality, stands as an iconic testament to innovative design and sustainability.

Designer: White Arkitekter

The Kärven tower, which rises like an intricate lattice from the landscape, was described by White Arkitekter as having a “visually striking simplicity, reminiscent of a bundle of twisted straws.” The tower’s construction, composed of 140 timber beams and metal rings, creates a dynamic hyperboloid shape, a complex structure that fuses nature-inspired elegance with structural ingenuity.

This lattice of timber beams, skillfully arranged in a three-dimensional puzzle, gives the tower its distinctive hourglass silhouette. From a distance, the structure appears curved, but closer inspection reveals that the form is actually composed of straight beams, cleverly assembled to create the illusion of curvature.

The Kärven project required seamless collaboration between architects and structural engineers. Lead architect Lukas Nordström emphasized that “the concept required an understanding from both architect and structural engineer of each other’s disciplines.” This interplay of architecture and construction is evident throughout the tower, where the boundaries between design and engineering blur, reflecting the harmony achieved between aesthetics and functionality.

Nestled within the Getterön nature reserve, known for its rich birdlife and picturesque wetlands, the Kärven Observation Tower offers visitors uninterrupted views of the surrounding landscape. Rising from a metal-framed opening at ground level, visitors enter a sheltered space before ascending the tower’s metal spiral staircase. This staircase spirals upward to the open-air observation deck, where visitors are treated to panoramic views of the reserve and beyond.

The deck itself is an architectural marvel, framed by the rising timber beams that also serve as a balustrade, wrapping visitors in the same web-like structure that defines the tower. A geometric bench surrounds the staircase, inviting visitors to pause and reflect while they take in the stunning vistas.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the Kärven tower’s construction was its efficiency. Each of the 140 timber beams was installed on-site in just two minutes, with the entire assembly of beams taking a little over a week. This hybrid structure of timber and metal, combined with the use of parametric modeling and calculation software, allowed for precise planning and execution.

The design process made use of Grasshopper, a parametric design software, which enabled the team to map out the mathematical relationships needed for the intricate structure. This technology was crucial in realizing the tower’s complex geometry while also allowing for sustainable and local construction practices. The assembly, carried out by local contractors using standard timber dimensions, required no special tools, underscoring the tower’s emphasis on simplicity and sustainability.

The Kärven Tower was designed to fulfill the Varberg Municipality’s vision of a landmark that would attract visitors and enhance the area’s natural beauty. White Arkitekter has succeeded in creating a structure that not only serves as a viewing platform but also as a symbol of architectural and environmental harmony. With its three-dimensional woven structure, the Kärven tower not only engages the eye but also enriches the experience of the landscape it inhabits.

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This $250,000 Golden Tiny Home Merges Glitz & Glamour With Micro-Living

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Say hello to the Golde House – this is probably the most exclusive tiny home in the world. It features a stunning mirrored gold glass finish and a luxurious interior that truly impresses. And it even has a price tag that impresses, the home is priced at US$250,000. Designed by the Estonian designer ÖÖD, the home features a simple rectangular form and has an exquisite finish of golden-shimmery glass which was commissioned specially for it. The rear of the home also features some wooden cladding.

Designer: ÖÖD

The home features a length of 25 ft (7.9 m), and 10 ft (3.3 m). It occupies a floor space of 283 sq ft (26.3 sq m), and most of this space is taken by a big multipurpose room which is light-filled and quite airy. The glass ensures that light streams in through the entirety of the day, creating a space that feels warm and blissful. The home also incorporates certain high-end additions like oak paneling, underfloor heating, and gold-covering fittings and flourishes. The multipurpose room includes some seating and a coffee table, while the kitchen is placed to its right. The kitchen is pretty compact, and it features a gold-colored sink, fridge, and some cabinetry. The other end of the seating section holds the bedroom, which includes a double bed and a large storage unit.

The Golden Home also includes a bathroom which can be entered from the kitchen. The bathroom incorporates a wall-mounted flushing toilet, sink, shower, and some storage space. The shower provides lovely views of the outside but is protected from curious eyes on account of the mirrored glass finish.

The Golden House is powered by a standard RV-style hookup, but it can be updated with a full off-the-grid setup including solar panels. The house has limited production, and only 79 units will be created. 30 units are destined to be sold in Europe and the United States, while the remaining units are headed for the Middle East and elsewhere.

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This Tiny Home With Extra Width Offers A Roomy & Apartment-Like Living Space

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Designed by the online marketplace Tiny House Listings, the Mondo is the latest model created in-house. It is equipped with a cozy, spacious, and open interior accentuated by a downstairs bedroom and loads of storage space. The tiny home is an excellent fit for a couple on a mission to downsize but still live comfortably. It is based on a quad-axle trailer and features a length of 32 ft (9.75 m), which is the average size for typical North American tiny homes. It also features an increased width of 10 ft (3 m) instead of the typical 8.5 ft (2.6 m). This ensures that the interior is apartment-like and more spacious as compared to conventional tiny homes. A few extra inches can truly add a whole new level of comfort to a tiny home, however, this will require the home to have a permit to travel on a public road.

Designer: Tiny House Listings

The home occupies around 320 sq ft (30 sq m), and you can enter it through a glass door. The glass door leads you into the living room, which contains a sofa, a pair of small tables, an entertainment center, and generous glazing. The kitchen is closely located, and it includes a microwave, propane-powered stove, sink, fridge/freezer, and ample amount of cabinetry. There is also space to accommodate more appliances. The bathroom is adjacent to the kitchen, and it is equipped with a flushing toilet, vanity sink, and shower.

The bedroom is located on the ground floor, and it can be entered through the kitchen. The bedroom seems quite roomy and spacious, and it incorporates a double bed as well as some storage space. It also includes a stacked washing machine and a dryer. Since the bedroom is located on the ground floor, there is plenty of headroom to stand upright.

A loft area has been placed above the living room, and this space can be used as an additional bedroom or a storage space, depending on the local regulations – since most areas need tiny house loft bedrooms to be equipped with egress windows. This space can be accessed via a removable ladder.

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This Extremely Small Micro-Apartment Makes A Compact Tiny Home Look Spacious & Large

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This unique micro-apartment is probably one of the smallest apartments in the world, and it is named the Cabanon. The Cabanon measures around 74 square feet and is tremendously small, However, the home is equipped with a pretty clever layout and folding furniture, which allows users to make the most of such a small space. The home is much more equipped than you would expect and even manages to house a bath and a spa area. The name is inspired by a cabin of the same name, which is owned by the famous architect Le Corbusier. The home is designed by Beatriz Ramo of STAR strategies + architecture and Bernd Upmeyer of BOARD (Bureau of Architecture Research and Design), and they will make it their second home.

Designer: Beatriz Ramo of STAR strategies + architecture and Bernd Upmeyer of BOARD

The little apartment is built in a former attic space in a 1950s residential building located in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The room was initially used for storage, and if you compare it to a tiny home, you’ll find the tiny home quite spacious. The apartment has a height of 9.1 feet, a width of 6.5 feet, and a length of 11.9 feet. The entire space has been sectioned into four areas. The bedroom is elevated and can be accessed via a removable ladder, which is stored away on the bathroom door. The bathroom is equipped with a toilet and rain shower and is connected to a spa area, amped with two infrared saunas and a whirlpool bath.

The living room and kitchen are one section, and it includes a big storage unit that conceals a sink, fridge, table, and cooking facilities. The pictures give us a better look into how this space is designed. The Cabanon is a truly innovative design, however, the designers don’t see it as a viable plan for future housing, but it is a great example of how small spaces can be better utilized. The apartment focuses on cost-cutting initiatives while making the most of a lack of sufficient space.

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This Tiny Home Is Redefining Micro-Living With Its Spacious Apartment-Like Layout

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Named the Ventura Park Model Tiny Home, and designed by Mint Tiny House Company, this dwelling features a spacious apartment-like layout that can comfortably sleep six people. The home allows you to enjoy the flexibility of a tiny home, without having to downsize way too much. It is the best of both worlds. The house is based on a quad-axle trailer and features a length of 40 feet. It also has an increased width of 10 feet, unlike the typical tiny home standard of 8.5 feet – this allows for a more spacious layout. But, this also entails that the Ventura Park Model will need a permit for towing on a public road.

Designer: Mint Tiny House Company

You can enter the home via double glass doors, which lead you into the living room. The interior is quite spacious and light-filled, on account of a generous amount of glazing. It has a floor space of 400 sq ft, and it includes seating, a wall-mounted TV, an electric fireplace, and shelving. The kitchen is located close by, and it is U-shaped. A fridge/freezer, oven, microwave, three burner propane-powered stove, and a farmhouse-style sink are included in the kitchen. The kitchen also incorporates a breakfast bar with stool seating and storage space. The ground floor also houses a bathroom equipped with a shower, sink, and flushing toilet.

The tiny home contains three bedrooms. The master bedroom is placed on the ground floor, and you can enter it from the living room through a barn-style sliding door. Since the master bedroom is on the ground floor, it has plenty of headroom, allowing residents to stand straight. The room accommodates a double bed, a wardrobe, storage space, and a separate door that leads outdoors.

The remaining bedrooms are located upstairs. You can access one via a staircase, while a removable wooden ladder leads to the other. Both these rooms are typical loft-style bedrooms seen in most tiny homes. They have low ceilings, a double bed, and shelving. The rooms could also fit two single beds for kids, or be utilized as storage rooms if needed. The Ventura Park Model Tiny Home is currently priced at around US$134,000.

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The Cosmos Tiny Home Features A Cozy Netted Upstairs Area For Reading & Chilling

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French firms always struggle to make do with the limited room found in tiny homes, since the country’s towing laws are pretty strict, and they dictate compact and small homes. To deal with the issue of excessively limited space in a tiny home, Plume created its recent Cosmos model with a clever space-saving interior that incorporates a handy netted upstairs area. Based on a double-axle trainer, the Cosmos features a length of 20 feet and is quite small compared to North American tiny homes.

Designer: Plume

The Cosmos features a finishing of thermally treated poplar cladding, and it is topped with an aluminum roof. A glass front door leads you to the living room, which is quite spacious for a French tiny home. The living room includes a sofa, coffee bed, shelving, and a wood-burning stove for warmth. The home is amped with loads of generous glazing, which creates a pretty light-filled interior. As you walk further into the home, you are welcomed by a kitchen. The kitchen is equipped with an electric oven, a propane-powered two-burner stove, a mini-fridge/freezer, a sink, and plenty of storage space. It also includes a small dining table. The kitchen and bathroom are connected, although the bathroom is pretty small, and features a shower, sink, and toilet.

The Cosmos has an upper storey which can be accessed via a staircase that is incorporated into the kitchen unit. The upper level includes the master bedroom, which is like most loft-style bedrooms found in tiny homes. Although the bedroom does include a door for some privacy. The opposite end of the floor hosts another loft-style bedroom which can be used for guests. Both the bedrooms are connected through the netted area, which is excellent for sitting and catching up on some reading. This section also allows sunlight to enter and spread throughout the home.

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This Compact & Cheap Tiny Home Can Be Used As A Comfy Full-Time Dwelling Or A Fun Vacation Home

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Designed by Modern Tiny Living, the Mocha is an economical tiny home intended to be a full-time residence or a vacation home. The home features a length of 20 feet and is equipped with a comfortable interior amped with loads of storage space. The house is based on a double-axle trailer and is finished in engineered wood, topped by a steel roof, and an exterior storage box. Generous glazing allows sunlight to stream in through the day, while a standard RV-style hookup provides power. The Mocha is the same size as most European tiny homes but is much smaller than the bigger North American models.

Designer: Modern Tiny Living

As you enter the house, you are welcomed by a glass door that leads you into the living room. The living room utilizes space well, and although it is compact, it includes a sofa bed with integrated storage, shelving, a bookshelf unit, and drop-down table attached to the wall. The home also features a mini-split air-conditioning unit which maintains a comfortable temperature throughout. The walls have a finishing of poplar tongue and groove, while the rest of the decor is pretty elegant and well done too.

The kitchen is adjacent to the living room, and it includes a farmhouse sink, cabinetry, a fridge/freeze, shelving units, and space for other appliances that the resident can install. A washer/dryer is also included in the space. The bathroom can be entered through the kitchen, via a sliding barnhouse door. The bathroom looks quite small, but it manages to accommodate a shower, a tiny sink, and a flushing toilet.

The Mocha only contains one bedroom, which can be entered through a storage-integrated staircase. The bedroom is a tiny house-style loft space, amped with a low ceiling and a double bed. There is some space for storage though, and a pair of windows as well. The price for the Mocha tiny house starts at around US$85,000.

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Fabulous Marina For Superyachts Surrounded By A Luxurious Community Set To Be Built In Saudi Arabia

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Saudi Arabia is back to blowing our minds with another mind-boggling and ambitious project. Announced by Neom, the latest creation is a brand new marina for superyachts, a massive space with a sophisticated and luxurious community placed around it. Named Jaumur, this project will be focusing on the marina, enabling billionaires to park their expensive superyachts underneath an impressive “aerofoil” shelter. The shelter resembles an arrow pointed towards the desert from above, offering protection from the sun throughout the year. The Jaumur marina will be able to hold 300 superyachts measuring 492 feet in length. A few yachts may not be able to fit, but most of the big ones should be able to.

Designer: Liam Roberts and Terry Mcquillan

“The aerofoil incorporates a gravity-defying cantilever to form a stunning entrance to the marina, welcoming the world’s largest superyachts,” stated Neom’s press release. “The sculptural structure is a landmark that serves as the perfect base for all the marina attractions, for committed yachting enthusiasts and adventurers seeking personalized experiences. The marina promenade will be a place alive with entertainment, leisure, and cultural experiences, hosting year-round arts events and performance programs, complemented by signature retail stores and world-class dining options.”

Although the main attraction is the marina, Jaumur will also serve as a home for around 6000 residents. It will accommodate around 500 apartments, and 700 luxury villas amped with waterfront access, and a private mooring for small boats and yachts. The space will be interspersed with green in multiple spots, providing a natural respite from the concrete architecture. An international boarding school for the children of the rich and fabulous will also be included, as well as two luxury hotels with 350 rooms and suites. A deep-sea research center facilitating expeditions to conduct studies on the coastline will also be integrated into the project.

Jaumur will be constructed in Saudi’s Gulf of Aqaba region, where most of Neom’s development is situated. The fabulous marina will be designed by the architects Liam Roberts and Terry Mcquillan.

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This Motorized Tiny Home Can Power Through Different Kinds Of Challenging Terrains

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Through the years tiny homes have been innovating like crazy, always surprising us with their unique and clever designs. Another tiny home that recently struck my fancy is the Rubishack by Canada’s Rubitracks. The Rubishack is a one-of-a-kind home with its own engine and off-road tracks, which ensure that it can handle even the most challenging terrains. The Rubishack a motor home amped with a heavily modified truck base and a first-generation Cummins engine which has covered only about 150,000 miles.

Designer: Rubitracks

The tiny home is anchored by four bolt-on tracks which have been constructed by Rubitracks. It is a four-wheel-drive, and can successfully handle rivers, snow, the beach, and muddy terrains. The “home” section of Rubishack is made primarily from wood, and equipped with generous glazing as well as a planter at the front. It measures 16 feet in length and 7 feet in width. The interior is well-designed, and both the driver and passenger seats have been sourced from a 1970s motorhome. Both the seats can swivel at 360 degrees. The double bed has been positioned in front of the driving seat, while the seating area and table have been placed behind it.

The Rubishack tiny home was designed by Rubitracks as a promotional attempt, instead of an actual tiny house that serves as a motor home as well. So, unfortunately, the build isn’t going to be available anytime soon in the market. However, it is an innovative creation that truly pushes the boundaries of what a tiny home can be. The Rubishack can powerfully work through landscapes with different terrains, which is truly a feat in itself.

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Minimal Home In Tokyo Features Wooden Louvers To Deliver Privacy & An Organic Ambiance To Its Residents

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Japanese architect Keiji Ashizawa designed the love concrete home the ‘House in Aoyama’. The house features louvers inspired by the louvers on the townhouses in Kyoto. These louvres were incorporated to create a sense of privacy in the home. As its name suggests, the house is located in the central Aoyama area and is built for a family with a child and two dogs. Since the home is located at a busy intersection, it was constructed to offer maximum privacy to the residents, and hence concrete was selected as the material of choice

“We had to choose a material resilient to acoustic disruption and vibration for the urban context,” said studio founder Keiji Ashizawa “Considering the need for a basement, rooftop, and balcony, we picked concrete as the best fit.”

Designer: Keiji Ashizawa

The entrance of the home is covered by tall wooden louvers, which shade it and offer privacy. The home is shielded from the neighbors and other passerby. A tropical hardwood was used to construct the louvers. Itauba wood was selected, to create a sleek, slender, and stylish look. Itauba is also known for its water resistance, and strength, making it a good fit for the louvers.

“Louvres create subtle seclusion within the urban setting with a soft ambiance, often seen in traditional townhouses in Kyoto,” Ashizawa said. “They serve both as a privacy screen and light filter.”

As you enter the home, you notice the exposed concrete structure, which is amped with a bunch of different finishes – ribbed ceilings, and washed and blasted walls. The concrete beautifully contrasts with the insulated exterior. The various finishes in the home create an interesting palette, with the ribbed textures delivering acoustic enhancement in the living room. The first and third floors include the bedroom, while the living and dining rooms are placed on the second floor. The different stories are connected via a winding wooden staircase, which perfectly pairs up with the wooden furniture to create an organic and warm ambience.

The home also includes space for the clients’ art collection, perfectly placed against neutral walls. It also features a skylight to offer access to natural light throughout the day, softly illuminating the home.

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