XTEN Architecture has projected this Openhouse design that is located in Hollywood Hills, California. A challenging and dramatic site that led to the creation of a house both integrated into the landscape and open to the city below. Retaining walls are configured to extend the first level living area into the landscape and to create garden terraces on the second level. The front, side and rear facades of the house slide away, opening the interiors to gardens, views and the hillside landscape.

Glass, in various renditions, is the primary wall enclosure …

Studios Architecture designed a private zen spa retreat and observatory adjacent to the owners’ primary residence. The astronomical observatory houses a robotically controlled 20-inch telescope and an extensive private library. Clad in corten steel panels, the structure sits in a reflecting pool and is axially sited between an allee of old olive trees. A structural corten steel stairway provides access to the telescope and dome.

Sited among 250-year-old Oak trees, the 4,000 square-foot concrete, stone and corten steel Zen spa building includes a living/dining area with fireplace, and wet spa areas. …

The combination of three apartments on Central Park West provided the unique envelope for this 5,000 sq ft. residential renovation. With views to the park and the reservoir, the home serves as a comfortable family residence for a couple and their two young children, and also provides space for formal entertaining.

The entrance, library, living room and dining room were re-configured and opened up to maximize the views from the park. A paneled wall of Macassar wood conceals the entrance to the library and frames the new fireplace, which serves as …

Project Location: Mt Martha House
Architect / Designer: Graham Jones Design
Builder / Landscaper: Modcon Developments
Products Used: Board and Batten, New Deck, Sawn Screen Boards, Dressed Screen Boards, Boardwalk, Large Section DAR, T&G Flooring, Shiplap, Lining Boards

Mt Martha modern house was designed by Australia’s Graham Jones Design. This Modern house is built of radial timber, selected for its notable environmental and technical benefits. The secret is in the way the wood is cut. Waste not, want not, and radial sawing allows the highest return of timber per log. The timber is also …

Lau Sun House was designed by Kyson Design. The building was not completed until Autumn 2007 due to a lengthly Planning Appeal, yet has already won the CIAT’s ‘Alan King Prize’ for Technical Excellence, was a finalist on Grand Designs TV show for ‘New Build’ home of the year 2008 and featured on the BBC Breakfast Show as well as many trade and consumer magazines.

The design has overcome many constraining factors on a tiny brownfield inner London site; being overlooked on almost all four boundaries lead to the innovation of …