Tag: architecture

bits of inspiration – #98.

bits of inspiration – #98.

Liz

Finally getting back to the blog after a long holiday break from posting. This first post of 2017 features a truly unique home in Southern Utah being auctioned later this month. The Utah Cliff House is, as the name suggests, built into a cliff in the Utah desert near Arches National Park. The 2,100 square foot residence includes an additional 12 acres of property and comes equipped with modern amenities despite its remote location. The original architects and owners of the home are looking to auction their remarkable property to a buyer who shares their passion for the land and history of the site.

While I don’t think I’d be the right buyer, I have to say that seeing these images has made me nostalgic for the trip I took last year to Arches National Park. Check out the video below for a tour of the home and its surrounding property. Enjoy!

 

bits of inspiration – #90.

bits of inspiration – #90.

Liz

Another project from the architects at Gensler, this time in Boston’s Fort Point area. General Electric Co. announced about a year ago that they would be relocating their headquarters from Fairfield, Connecticut to the Boston area. Gensler’s building designs were published this week, revealing that G.E’s new campus would be located at the former site of the Necco candy manufacturing facilities. The building will face the water, with direct access to Boston’s Harborwalk. Check out some of the renderings below.

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image courtesy of Gensler

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image courtesy of Gensler

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image courtesy of Gensler

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image courtesy of Gensler

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image courtesy of Gensler

bits of inspiration – #87.

bits of inspiration – #87.

Liz

Reading this Huffington Post article yesterday about a home designed by Japanese architect, Issei Suma, I was struck by how the woodland structure seemed so simultaneously modern and whimsical. While these styles seem in some ways at odds with one another, upon reading Suma’s biography on his own site it’s clear that these sort of contradictions are at the very heart of his approach. His “about” page reads like this:

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The home he has designed will serve an altruistic purpose as a cafe and guest house for the elderly, run by a social worker and a cook who serve the surrounding community. The structure, situated in the mountain ridge in Japan’s Shizuoka Prefecture, has an almost magical serene quality to it’s design. The exterior form projects a kind of ethereal woodland aesthetic, while the inside of the home has the feeling of a really modern spa or retreat space. I’ve included some of my favorite images below. Definitely head over to the original article for more details and check out Suma’s professional site to see more from his portfolio.

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photo courtesy of Takumi Ota Photography

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photo courtesy of Takumi Ota Photography

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photo courtesy of Takumi Ota Photography

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photo courtesy of Takumi Ota Photography

bits of inspiration – #86.

bits of inspiration – #86.

Liz

One of my favorite things about living in Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood is the proximity to so many beautiful historic brownstones. Marveling at the facades of these buildings is a true pastime of mine so naturally I was very excited when Boston Magazine published an article this week profiling one of the artisans of these homes. Trained as a cabinet and furniture maker, John Carlton transitioned to making and restoring historic doors in 2005. Carlton’s one-man shop, Historic Door Corporation, has been inundated with requests ever since. I loved reading about his love for his craft and the efforts Carlton takes to insure that every door he creates is historically accurate to the home it adorns. I’ve collected some of my favorite examples from Historic Door’s portfolio below and  I’d encourage everyone to read the full profile from Boston Magazine.

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All photos courtesy of Historic Door Corporation

bits of inspiration – #85.

bits of inspiration – #85.

Liz

Considering how flawless she looks at every red carpet event, it should be no surprise that Jessica Chastain has impeccable taste. Looking through photo’s from her home tour, posted on Architectural Digest earlier this month, I was so inspired and impressed by the sophistication and elegance of the NYC apartment she shares with her boyfriend (fashion executive, Gian Luca Passi de Preposulo). In the corresponding interview, Chastain reveals that much of what drew her to purchase this particular apartment was the sentimental personal connection she felt to the unit’s history and previous owners. Head over to the original article to read the details and see some of my favorite rooms below.

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cape cod: house of shifting sands.

cape cod: house of shifting sands.

Liz

Boston Magazine recently published an article about an incredible piece of modern architecture on the outer cape. The article on the House of Shifting Sands doesn’t reveal the home’s exact location (though I’m very curious now) but the beach and dunes pictured are very reminiscent of some of the more secluded portions of the Truro and Wellfleet, Massachusetts.

Wherever it is, the house is truly a wonder – both in design and engineering. The home, designed by the Ruhl Walker architecture firm, employs solar panels and a sophisticated heat exchanger to produce zero carbon footprint. Despite it’s modern appearance, the House of Shifting Sands was designed to feel like a part of its surrounding environment. Photos below are all courtesy of photographer Jane Messinger whose portfolio site includes other breathtaking homes. I’d encourage you to check those out if you like what you see here..

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Photo courtesy of Jane Messinger

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Photo courtesy of Jane Messinger

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Photo courtesy of Jane Messinger

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Photo courtesy of Jane Messinger

bits of inspiration – #79.

bits of inspiration – #79.

Liz

Another New England real estate fantasy to share with you today. Built in 1940 and designed by Marcel Breuer and Walter Gropius, this Bauhaus-style home is truly a piece of art history. Take a look at the listing here to see more photos (or schedule a showing if you’ve got $2.3M laying around). Sharing some of my favorite images from the listing below.

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Photo courtesy of Estately

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Photo courtesy of Estately

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Photo courtesy of Estately

bits of inspiration – #70.

bits of inspiration – #70.

Liz

The architecture firm who brought Boston its Institute of Contemporary Art has completed their latest project for Columbia University. Diller, Scofidio + Renfro, collaborating with Gensler, have just unveiled the university’s new medical school facility. Like the ICA, the building employs a glass facade to create a striking design along with water views (in this case the Hudson River). Check out this article from Architecture Digest to learn more about the building’s design.

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photo courtesy of Nic Lehoux

bits of inspiration – #65.

bits of inspiration – #65.

Liz

Looks like it’s time to go out and buy that Powerball ticket! This 4,000 sq ft. penthouse condo in Boston’s Beacon Hill neighborhood has officially gone on the market and the renderings are truly incredible. As I’ve written before on this blog, the combination of modern and vintage styles are really my favorite aesthetic and it looks like the architects/designers on this project have executed this remarkably well. Check out more photos on the official property listing here.

photo courtesy of Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty

photo courtesy of Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty

photo courtesy of Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty