Category: Architecture

Nestled in the dense urban suburb of Glebe, New South Wales, Australia, Pocket Passiv presents a unique solution to the housing challenges of inner-city living. Designed by Anderson Architecture, this tiny house project is a compact, sustainable residence that reimagines space utilization and energy efficiency. With a total area of just 366 square feet, the project makes ingenious use of a previously unused corner of a terrace house block, illustrating how even the smallest of spaces can be transformed into a functional, sustainable living environment.

Pocket Passiv embodies creativity in its compact design. Occupying a footprint of only 290 square feet, the two-story structure integrates a well-thought-out living arrangement. The lower floor combines a study and bedroom, while the upper floor houses a kitchen, dining, and living area, all within a minimalist framework. Despite its small size, the house manages to feel spacious, partly thanks to an impressive double-height bathroom and a clever use of vertical space. Submerged slightly below ground level, the design maintains privacy and ensures sunlight continues to reach neighboring courtyards. The building’s asymmetrical roof allows for hidden solar panels, balancing aesthetic considerations with energy generation needs.

Pocket Passiv’s greatest achievement lies in its commitment to sustainability. The house meets the stringent Passivhaus Plus standard, a benchmark for energy-efficient construction originating in Germany. This means the house not only consumes minimal energy but also generates as much power as it uses, making it a net-zero energy building. The thoughtful design, including high-performance insulation and airtight construction, ensures thermal efficiency and comfort for its occupants. The use of solar panels on the roof and other green technologies enables the building to remain largely self-sufficient in energy needs.

The project had to balance various constraints, including the demands of an inner-city location and the potential future needs of its occupants. From the outset, Pocket Passiv was designed with flexibility in mind. Its layout allows it to function as either a standalone residence or an extension of the larger terrace house on the property, opening up options for multigenerational living or rental opportunities. It even has the potential to serve as short-term accommodation with its own private street entrance. The split-level design offers a clear separation between living and private spaces, avoiding the cramped feeling of many studio apartments.

One of the key challenges in designing Pocket Passiv was making efficient use of the tight space while adhering to the client’s diverse needs. Originally envisioned as part of a broader renovation plan for the adjacent terrace house, the studio evolved into a standalone structure. This presented its own set of architectural hurdles, from maintaining privacy and access to natural light, to blending the new build harmoniously into its historic surroundings.

The project’s success can largely be attributed to the collaborative efforts between the client, architect, and builder, who worked together to achieve the ambitious sustainability goals. The use of wood shingles, which will weather over time, ensures that the building will age gracefully, adding to the architectural fabric of the Glebe neighborhood.

For more information on the Pocket Passiv house or Anderson Architecture, visit andersonarchitecture.com.au.

Photography by Tom Ferguson.

Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.

Situated in the emerald terrain of Meadows – an Emirates Hills locale in Dubai, United Arab Emirates – is a property that beckons those who visit to linger betwixt its luscious greenery. And postured upon that plot within the long-developed residential community is a recently reconstructed home whose contemporary expression is underlined by traditional Arabic stylings. Its updated concept is friendship-borne, conceived by creatives Marina Braginskaya, founder of Braginskaya & Architects, and homeowner Marina Baisel, interior designer and owner of RARARES Gallery.

While collaborations are typical to the trade, this project is undoubtedly a joint effort. Braginskaya’s architectural expertise echoes through the structure and programming, with its influence extending into the selection of furniture. And Baisel brought the walls from bare to beautiful with an informed curation of furniture, art, and handcrafted objects including a few of her own original pieces. “We have known each other for quite some time, since design school, where Marina Braginskaya was giving lectures while I was finishing my studies,” Baisel recalls. “When I moved to Dubai, I asked for her help as she already had her own company.”

Together, with a shared mission and mutual understanding of one another’s practice, the duo reconciled a modern desire for breathier spaces with the family-of-five’s need for technical rooms and storage – all within the 2,500 square feet parsed between two floors. The ground level comprises public areas including a generous living room, modest lounge, kitchen, dining room, guest bedroom, and the supporting utility rooms. Of note are the various passages that allow for easy access to picturesque outdoors where vistas are reflected from the pool’s glistening surface onto the garden enclosure.

The second floor is reserved for private rituals as family members may retire to their respective bedrooms, of which there are four, for moments of respite. Every liminal space along the way, however, is thoughtfully considered as residents and guests alike are able to appreciate the awe-inspiring, double-height upper hallway that boasts a glass ceiling. This unique feature allows for the construct to tap into the sky’s temporal qualities for walls awash in sunlight as much as they are bathed in moonlight.

Baisel also borrows earthen hues from the city’s surrounding sand dunes implemented as calming interior colors and material finishes in an amalgam of stone, wood, linen, silk, and wool – all of which are pleasant to the touch. Complemented by a wealth of natural light, serene room dressings encourage the mind to wander as the body meanders about. Many a nook, niche, and corner regale visitors with the gallerist and homeowner’s artistic narrative. Painting and sculpture, as well as statement lighting and eclectic fixtures, contribute to a shared dialogue with architecture.

“We wanted to give the feeling that time slows down and create a desire to contemplate,” Baisel says. Those willing to suspend reality for just a moment are invited to find introspection while gazing upon the handmade, personally selected works. “But we also have some contrast and graphic elements especially in the public areas,” Braginskaya adds. “That energizes the space.”

Marina Baisel and Marina Braginskaya

To learn more about creatives Marina Braginskaya and Marina Baisel visit braginskaya-architects.com and rararesgallery.com, respectively. 

Photography by Sergey Krasyuk.

With professional degrees in architecture and journalism, New York-based writer Joseph has a desire to make living beautifully accessible. His work seeks to enrich the lives of others with visual communication and storytelling through design. When not writing, he teaches visual communication, theory, and design.

The Bay Area Home, designed by the Olson Kundig architecture firm with interiors by Nicole Hollis of NICOLEHOLLIS, stands as an elevated display of modern architecture and curated interiors, carefully crafted to promote the family’s active and art-filled life. Situated in an established San Francisco Bay Area neighborhood, the house is a relaxing haven amid city life, blending indoor and outdoor living with the help of mature oak trees, reflective water features, and expansive views of curated gardens.

Architect Tom Kundig’s design is a study in contrasts, balancing formal and casual spaces within a single structure. The home, which spans multiple zones, includes an area for entertaining guests and a more intimate section dedicated to family life. These distinct zones not only give the house a sense of openness but also foster a feeling of closeness and warmth. As Kundig explains, “This project organizes a pretty big home around two very different functions: formal spaces for hosting and entertaining, and much more casual family spaces.” This dual-purpose design is bolstered by the home’s close connection to nature, achieved through expansive glass walls and kinetic elements that blur the lines between the indoors and outdoors.

The entrance of the home begins with a dramatic statement: a black steel bridge suspended over a lightwell, leading to a bronze pivoting front door that opens onto an art-filled entryway. Large walls throughout the house showcase the family’s impressive art collection, featuring works from artists such as Oscar Murillo and Alma Allen, while oversized glass windows offer uninterrupted views of the lush surrounding landscape.

An Olympic-sized swimming pool lays along the axis of the hovering primary suite, an extension of the covered outdoor living space. On the opposite side of the pool is a cabana, which features a sauna, cold plunge, and outdoor gym.

Inside, the formal wing is punctuated by reflecting pools and framed with black steel columns. A pair of 13-foot pivoting glass doors anchor the space, allowing light to flow freely. Custom elements like a botanical bronze screen by artist David Wiseman add further layers of texture and artistry. As Nicole Hollis describes, “A screen by David Wiseman was a custom commission with the artist, and one of the most distinctive choices we made.”

In contrast to the formal living areas, the family zones are designed to feel casual yet luxurious. The kitchen, centered around a 28-foot-long Titiano marble island, opens onto a terrace, extending into the outdoors with dedicated spaces for cooking and dining under the shelter of the primary suite’s cantilevered volume. The outdoor kitchen, pool, and sports facilities encourage an active lifestyle, a design decision Kundig highlights: “The outdoor kitchen literally extends the energy from the main kitchen inside out into the landscape. The pool creates a link between the low-key activity of the house and the more intense recreational activity of the sauna, outdoor gym, and sport court beyond.”

A downstairs powder room houses a sculptural black marble sink surrounded by black wood walls embedded with veins of bronze inlay.

The home’s upper level is equally considered, featuring a serene primary suite that includes a marble bathtub, placed to create a peaceful connection with the surrounding tree canopy. A separate children’s wing adds functionality, providing privacy and play spaces, while at the basement level, a gym and recreation room open into the landscaped lightwell, ensuring natural light flows through even the most secluded parts of the home.

The interiors, masterminded by Nicole Hollis, create a serene and inviting atmosphere, contrasting soft furnishings with the bold architectural lines of the house. “Working with the architectural palette, we selected materials and finishes to contrast against the lush exterior landscape, creating a calming environment,” Hollis explains. The careful interplay between the rigorous architecture and playful interior details softens the space, making it both livable and refined.

For more information on Olson Kundig, visit olsonkundig.com, and for more information on NICOLEHOLLIS, visit nicolehollis.com.

Photography by Douglas Friedman. 

Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.

Edifice Upstate is redefining sustainable living in the Western Catskills with its latest architectural venture, Hillcrest House. Specializing in the design and development of eco-conscious, solar-powered homes, Edifice Upstate merges modern design with cutting-edge green technology, offering residents a unique opportunity to live in harmony with nature. The company, led by Marc Thorpe, an award-winning architect, and Claire Pijoulat, co-founder of WantedDesign, aims to provide affordable, self-sufficient housing solutions for those looking to reduce their environmental footprint without sacrificing comfort or style.

The heart of Edifice Upstate’s vision is the belief in self-reliance and a lifestyle integrated with the environment. This ethos is embodied in Hillcrest House, a solar-powered home perched on a secluded hilltop, surrounded by forest while still being conveniently close to the upstate hamlet of North Branch. Designed with simplicity and balance in mind, the home, which is just two hours northwest of New York City, offers a tranquil escape, with modern conveniences and sustainable features seamlessly woven into its architecture.

Hillcrest House is powered by an impressive solar array, boasting sixteen panels that ensure the house operates independently of the grid. With a battery storage system that can sustain the home for up to five days, residents can rely entirely on solar energy without needing backup generators. This commitment to sustainability doesn’t stop at power generation – the home’s design incorporates efficient use of space, with features like polished concrete floors, high ceilings, and open-plan living areas that create a feeling of spaciousness within a modest footprint.

The property, which spans five acres, offers more than just a place to live – it provides a gateway to the surrounding natural beauty of the Catskills. From the expansive sundeck, residents can soak in the sweeping views of the forested landscape, or venture further into the wild to discover apple trees and a tranquil creek nearby. The home’s location serves as a perfect launchpad for outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, and biking, while remaining close to local dining, shopping, and cultural attractions.

The open interior is centered around a wood stove, which heats the entire home. Framed views of the lush trees can be seen whether sitting on the sofa in front of the fire or around the dining table during a meal. Just outside the series of sliding glass doors, a wraparound wooden deck extends the usable square footage during warmer months.

Polished concrete floors unify the interior, while select wood clad walls warm the mostly white space. A short hallway leads to three bedrooms, a full bathroom with walk-in shower, a powder room, and a pantry/storage space. A separate utility room holds the home’s utilities needed to keep it running, like the solar battery bank, water heater, electric panel, and pressure tank.

To see more projects by Marc Thorpe and Edifice Upstate, visit marcthorpedesign.com and edificeupstate.com.

Photography by Steph Mossey.

Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.

In the heart of Summerlin, Nevada, Faulkner Architects has designed the Red Rock residence in collaboration with Concept Lighting Lab as an extension of its natural environment. The home responds to the dramatic contrasts of its surroundings with views of the Las Vegas Strip to the east and the rugged Red Rock Canyon to the west. The scenic location, combined with the unforgiving climate of the Nevada desert, posed unique challenges and opportunities that shaped the design of the home. The result is a residence that reflects the desert’s stark beauty while offering refuge from its extreme conditions.

Situated on a three-quarter-acre lot, the house is designed to endure the punishing desert climate. The winds that sweep through the area are relentless, winters are cold and dry, and summers are blisteringly hot, punctuated by monsoon storms. These environmental factors necessitated a design approach that prioritizes protection from the elements while embracing the beauty of the landscape. At the same time, privacy and durability were key concerns, leading to a structure that is both robust and refined, minimalist yet deeply expressive.

The house embraces a minimalistic design philosophy that echoes the simplicity of the desert. The layout utilizes a subtractive approach, carving out a wind-sheltered courtyard on the eastern side of the property. Here, an elevated basin of water reflects the architecture, offering a mirror image of the living space and subtly referencing the distant skyline of Las Vegas. This integration of water contrasts with the arid desert, symbolizing the fragile relationship between nature and urban development.

The entryway to the home is designed to be an experience in itself. Visitors pass through a narrow opening in the massive concrete walls, which, at eye level with the basin, draws the eye to the reflection of the distant city. This threshold leads to a shaded and closed corridor that ramps up to a private entry courtyard. Open to the sky, this space is softened by a vertical garden of native desert plants, offering a serene transition from the outside world into the interior of the home. The architecture performs as a mediation between the rugged desert landscape and the more refined and controlled environment of the house.

The material palette of the Red Rock House is intentionally restrained, relying on local materials that connect the building to its surroundings. The use of locally sourced sand, gravel, and fly ash to create concrete for the floors and walls gives the structure a natural buff hue that resonates with the distant mountains. These materials were chosen not just for their aesthetic qualities but also for their ability to endure the desert conditions. In the intense desert light, the concrete takes on a warm, sunlit tone that changes throughout the day.

The upper-level sleeping areas are housed within a framework of perforated weathering steel. This screen not only protects the interior from the sun but also provides a measure of privacy while allowing for natural ventilation. The perforations in the steel create a dappled effect of light and shadow, adding a dynamic quality to the interior spaces as the sun moves across the sky.

In a gesture that further integrates the house with its surroundings, over half of the built structure is located below ground level. This not only reduces the building’s visual impact on the site but also provides natural insulation from the extreme temperatures. Sunlight is introduced into these subterranean spaces through carefully placed openings, some of which are submerged below the water level of the basin, creating a dramatic interplay of light, shadow, and reflection throughout the day.

The house is equipped with a range of energy-efficient systems, including a 45-kilowatt photovoltaic array that powers the home, high-efficiency glazing to reduce heat gain, and mechanical and lighting systems designed to minimize energy use. The roof, which is highly reflective, helps to mitigate the intense desert heat, while the design of the building itself maximizes natural ventilation and shading.

On the south side of the house, a shaded deck extends out from the structure, offering a place to relax while being shielded from the intense heat of the desert sun. The deck, which is screened with perforated mesh, also serves to protect the house and the cars parked below from the elements. This thoughtful integration of shading devices and natural ventilation systems ensures that the house remains cool and comfortable even during the hottest days of summer.

For more information on Faulkner Architects, click here, and for more from Concept Lighting Lab, click here.

Photography by Joe Fletcher.

Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.