Cottage Style Lake house

German Embassy in Pristina - Kosovo, contracted the architecture office “Ferizi + Ferizi Architects” to plan and implement an Annex Office building for their purposes. As detached part of this building is designed the waiting area, as alone standing structure. This Office Building is constructed by assembling of Eight used office containers that were delivered on trucks and set up after only a few hours on the basis of the LEGO principle, according to the planning on strip foundations. By removing the flexible exterior wall panels, a large room of 115 m² was created, with the counter wall as a room partition between two office spaces, each with seven workstations as well as three counters for agents on one side and a room for visitors on the other side. With this system, room solutions can be easily implemented in all dimensions. The container, seen as a geometric shape, is a simple, octagonal, solid box. The standardized perfection of its dimensions is striking: 2.44 meters wide, 2.59 meters high and 6.06 meters or 12.19 meters long. Since its introduction in 1956 by the American transport entrepreneur Malcom McLean, the container has become a standardized transport module worldwide, whether on ships, trucks or construction sites. The shipping containers have additionally revolutionized the transport industry, pushed the globalization noticeably, and thus directly or indirectly influenced all our lives. But after only a few years, when the first overseas containers wore out, many engineers recognized the positive properties of used shipping containers for building houses, especially since they are robust, flexible, multifunctional and second-hand relatively inexpensive to purchase. The time has long passed by to treat containers exclusively as transport objects. As a "measure of all things", containers can hardly be ignored in construction. Their use is no longer limited to temporary use since school containers, information containers, office containers or entire residential buildings are now part of our everyday life in the construction industry. However, current examples of the container architecture prove that even the most demanding solutions for container building are feasible. For their specific aesthetic and spatial qualities, containers also serve as design parameters for the development of new forms of architecture and urbanity. The office building as an extension of the visa section, characterized by modern materials and contemporary aesthetics has been designed and built mainly as a low-energy building. Extensive insulation to achieve a comfortable and sustainable constant temperature in the interior, high window quality and low energy consumption make the building energy-efficient. The sophisticated lighting technology, networks, heating systems and air-conditioning systems are also components of this equipment. It creates an overall harmonic picture and guarantees the highest standard in sustainable construction, taking into consideration the fact that environmentally friendly recycling and reutilization have become an increasingly important issue in our society. West and East side of the wooden facade is compact and has few openings, while the southern facade is completely open with lot of glass. Its spatial openness ensures a transparent, friendly work environment, which allows a lot of light into the space. This openness allows an uninterrupted, pleasant and close-to-nature view from interior spaces into the beautiful garden. During the installation of sophisticated light sources in the garden, emphasis was not only put on functionality and security, but also on the beauty of the garden shown through the illumination in the evening. Large, horizontal white “brisole” serve as external sun protection systems, mounted on the canopies of the entrance areas of the modular construction and the enclosure, adeptly cast shade on these areas and at the same time shape the entire architectural language. While on one hand, the two quadratic ledges suspended in the air, are docked with steel stairs and match the wooden façade, lead the staff to their office space, the artful modern interior, on the other hand, perfectly unites the functionality, innovative technology, culture and positive effects on the employees' efficiency and wellbeing. A lot of white, interjected by warm wooden and colored accents, determines the ambience. In the case of the lighting solution, the mainly linear ceiling lighting is used as the overlapping design element both for the offices of the visa section as well as for the counters and the waiting area for the visitors. They underline the puristic design in order to create a pleasant light for a desired general illumination and ensure optimal light conditions without causing disturbing reflections on the computer screens. In addition, precisely positioned pendant luminaires are installed at the workstations, which ensure pleasant room brightness. In the entrance area, the harmonic and uniform lighting effect from the ground highlights the integration of photography and architecture. Photographs of landscapes, people, places, expressing unforgettable, impressive moments and memories have been lovingly engraved on 8 x 8cm square oak blocks. The idea of an effective, impressive environment that stimulates and inspires the work was the premiss on which the whole design concept was based. Consequently, the modular construction was no longer viewed through its history of utilization and scars, but rather as a structure of work ambiance, art and elegance. FERIZI + FERIZI Architects Photo: Arben Llapashtica

Creek Hill Custom Homes' latest luxury rambler featuring an expansive gourmet kitchen with custom cabinetry and large center island, bonus recreation room, main floor office, private master suite and more! | Creek Hill Custom Homes MN

Ariana with ANM Photograhy

Bradley Jones

Jan Piotrowicz

Lake Cottage Porch, standing seam metal roofing and cedar shakes blend into the Vermont fall foliage. Simple and elegant. Photos by Susan Teare

Modern glass house set in the landscape evokes a midcentury vibe. A modern gas fireplace divides the living area with a polished concrete floor from the greenhouse with a gravel floor. The frame is painted steel with aluminum sliding glass door. The front features a green roof with native grasses and the rear is covered with a glass roof. Photo by: Gregg Shupe Photography

Everyone loves a good before and after story. Whether it’s the ugly duckling or Cinderella, the basic story is the same. Something undesirable and unattractive is transformed into something beautiful. I recently completed an architectural project that is a perfect example of this concept. An old dilapidated waterfront cottage (very common in Anne Arundel County) had become an eyesore. In this case the use of new, updated materials with a fresh color palette solved the problems. A metal roof, hardishingle siding, windows and porches are the basic building blocks for the new and improved skin. Finishing touches such as the exposed rafter tail detail, manicured landscaping and new fixtures all helped to add character. This cottage is all decked out and ready to continue its life in style. Amazing what a facelift can do for a house! Photography by Michael McLaughlin

Photo by Todd Hido

facciata ovest; apertura a sinistra in prospettiva con l'apertura dalla parte opposta ad est, apertura a destra di una camera

Inspiration for a contemporary barndominium

The strongest feature of this design is the passage of natural sunlight through every space in the home. The grand hall with clerestory windows, the glazed connection bridge from the primary garage to the Owner’s foyer aligns with the dramatic lighting to allow this home glow both day and night. This light is influenced and inspired by the evergreen forest on the banks of the Florida River. The goal was to organically showcase warm tones and textures and movement. To do this, the surfaces featured are walnut floors, walnut grain matched cabinets, walnut banding and casework along with other wood accents such as live edge countertops, dining table and benches. To further play with an organic feel, thickened edge Michelangelo Quartzite Countertops are at home in the kitchen and baths. This home was created to entertain a large family while providing ample storage for toys and recreational vehicles. Between the two oversized garages, one with an upper game room, the generous riverbank laws, multiple patios, the outdoor kitchen pavilion, and the “river” bath, this home is both private and welcoming to family and friends…a true entertaining retreat.