Residential Archives | Page 2 of 2

Houses of Privity

At the top of Vivlos region on Naxos Island, a world of landscape contrasts unfolds. A serene, Cycladic chapel sits at the plot’s rear, while the front offers breathtaking views of Plaka beach and town of Naxos. This project harmonizes these landscapes within two independent residences, seamlessly integrated with the land, providing panoramic views.

The plot’s natural inclination inspired engraved architectural forms, positioning both residences at the highest point to capture the stunning view. The design begins with two initial slabs, split and shifted to create the main building volumes, while a third slab creates a higher level. Horizontal and vertical walls separate the properties, provide privacy and support the landscape. Three of the four façades are embedded into the terrain, leaving the building almost invisible from the nearby road.

Inspired by the contrasts between the rocky landscape and expansive sea views, the residences bridge these natural elements. The design explores contrasts such as privacy and openness, inclusion and exposure, nature and human intervention, creating a unique spatial experience filled with surprise and mystery. Each pathway offers a new discovery, lending the building a cinematic character. Main entrances are located at the back, where planted slabs emerge from the ground, leaving visitors unaware of what lies ahead. This transition from covert entry to the sunlit yards, mirrors the island’s natural contrasts.
Natural materials and earthy tones allow the residences to blend with their surroundings. Existing vegetation is carefully preserved to enhance the connection to the land. Large openings and an atrium, allow natural ventilation, reinforcing the indoor-outdoor connection.

Reflecting the island’s connection to water, elongated pools enhance the experiential quality.

This project merges modern luxury with Naxos’s natural heritage, respects the landscape’s natural form while framing the beauty of the coast, blending architecture with the timeless allure of the island.

FIRM

Modulus Architecture

TYPE

Residential › Private House

STATUS

Concept

SIZE

1000 sqft – 3000 sqft

From Vacancies to Homes: New York’s Conversion Trend

The Wall Street Journal | New York is undergoing a significant wave of office-to-residential conversions, driven by high office vacancy rates after the pandemic, new zoning allowances, and new tax incentives.

Developers have already transformed about 2.8 million sq m of office space over the past two decades, but the pace has accelerated sharply since 2020. More than 25 new conversions—totalling around 820,000 sq m—are now in the pipeline, with Midtown emerging as the centre of activity as large 1980s and 1990s office buildings lose tenants and value.

Architectural firms are overcoming the deep, outdated floorplates of these towers by carving out notches for light and air, reconfiguring floors, and reorganising bathrooms and bedrooms to meet modern residential building codes.

A prominent example is the 35-storey tower at 750 Third Avenue, which is approximately 76,000 sq m, where developers removed more than 2,250 sq m across 11 floors to create a light-bringing notch, introduced a winter garden, and redesigned levels to fit apartments—38 on the sixth floor alone. Citywide, conversions have shifted dramatically toward Midtown, reflecting a structural transition as New York repurposes obsolete office stock into much-needed housing.

PAK CHONG HOUSE

Thailand

Photos: STUDIO WINDOW WIDE (45)

This residence is located on an elevated site in Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima. Surrounded by nature and only a few neighboring houses, the area offers a peaceful and private atmosphere. The sloping terrain allows for expansive views stretching across local farmlands toward the surrounding mountain ranges.
The western side of the site offers the most stunning view, albeit receiving intense afternoon sunlight. Fortunately, a row of mature teak trees lines the western boundary, acting as a natural screen that provides shade and reduces heat gain on the second floor.
The architectural design emphasizes simplicity and maximizes the connection to the surrounding landscape. The house is organized along a north–south axis, enabling natural cross-ventilation throughout the year. Notably, the site benefits from excellent air quality, with PM2.5 levels significantly lower than in many other areas—a distinctive environmental advantage.
Interior design reflects the owner’s preference for a Modern Japanese aesthetic—minimalist, orderly, and in harmony with nature. Natural materials, particularly wood such as hinoki, are featured prominently in both finishes and furnishings, creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere that resonates with the tranquil surroundings.

Project Description
Project Name : PAK CHONG HOUSE
Architect : S+S Architects
Interior Designer : GolfKris Design
Built Area : 387 sq.m.
Completion Year : 2025
Location : Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima , Thailand
Contractor: P PLUS N Construction
Interior Contractor : GENTLE DECO ARCHITECT AND INTERIOR
Photographer : STUDIO WINDOW WIDE

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Cantilever House // uc21 architects

The Project is located in Mosha, Damavand, 60 Km from Tehran at 2400 meters altitude and we have very strong winter.
The land area is about 600 m2 with dimensions of 30 x 20 meters and a slope of 20%. According to the following expression we confronted with such a difficult circumstance and trying to do our best to get the advantage of available spaces and land in order to meet the client demands.

This Home’s Kitchen Has the Ultimate Trick for Creating Indoor-Outdoor Flow

Sometimes a design opportunity rises from the ashes. And that was quite literally the case for interior designers Austin Carrier and Alex Mutter-Rottmayer of über-cool Sonoma, California–based firm Hommeboys when they visited the site of their latest real-estate endeavor: a 16-acre property that fell victim to the 2017 Wine Country fires. Together with Mutter-Rottmayer’s father, James Rottmayer of Rottmayer Design + Build, the team toured the damaged lot and saw nothing but potential. “When we visited the property for the first time, the views blew us away and we fell in love,” says Mutter-Rottmayer.