Studhorse House, Winthrop designed by Tom Kundig
Once Upon a House in the West
Think of the wild West in America and one immediately gets the vision of wide open space and a sense of splendid isolation which evokes the spirit of pioneering adventurism. The Studhorse house in Winthrop, Washington state, is a jewel of a house in exactly such a location and it certainly makes a bold gesture.
The house is located in a vast 20 acre site in the remote Methow valley. In response to the isolated nature of the site, architect Tom Kundig took inspiration from circling wagons and based the design of the house on 4 standalone structures surrounding a courtyard. The form of the structures differ according to the different functions they accommodate (from a central living area to a hut housing a sauna with views to die for), but they are all united by their strong sculptural shapes, use of robust materials (steel, glass and reclaimed timber) and a sense of openness. This is a house which is simultaneously at ease with its surroundings and yet presents a gesture of defiance against the harsh landscape.
Links
http://www.olsonkundig.com/projects/studhorse-2/Shop the Style
Product Inspiration
Also in Do Blog
Villa Under the Tuscan Sun, Lucignano: EUR 1,900,000
Those of a romantic nature might recall "Under The Tuscan Sun". Whilst this is not quite the same villa as featured in the book and film, the villa Under The Tuscan Sun certainly has romance and rustic charm in spades.
Permanent Camping 2 by Casey Brown Architecture
Campers and glampers might disagree on what is luxury and what is essential, but they share a common desire to be as close to nature as possible. Casey Brown Architecture have created a self-contained tiny house which does this beautifully.
Furniture from Recycled Materials
Furniture designers have long been fascinated by the potential of using discarded materials, a trend accelerated by the recent clamour for all things recycled, upcycled and repurposed. Here is a small selection of designs which have caught our eye.