Vallée de Joux house

Here is another house designed by Swiss architect Ralph Germann that I received lots of big juicy photos of. This one like the one I blogged Friday is another take on a modern cabin so I'm totally smitten right off the bat. I have always been intrigued by homes with odd shaped windows placed unconventionally, and the windows in this home are just that. I love that some are low and horizontal (perfect in a bedroom so you have a great view from the bed), and others tall and narrow only providing a glimpse of the scenery beyond. 

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Arsenal B47

A couple of weeks ago I featured Swiss architect Ralph Germann...but it turns out I used some photos I shouldn't have. OOPS! I was kindly sent lots of juicy photos of 2 projects I am allowed to feature (thanks Ralph and Christiane!), so here is one of them. I LOVE this home because it has the "modern cabin" vibe I desperately want for my new house.

Arsenal B47 - The owner of the arsenal wanted to convert this former Swiss army building, constructed during the Second World War, into a habitable space. Ralph Germann’s transformation involved inserting a glass cube into the old structure, an option which meant he didn’t have to touch the patina of the walls, and was able to preserve the roof and some historic details such as the "charge maximum 1500 kg au m²”[maximum load 1500 kg/m²] sign on the wall. Whilst wishing to preserve this testimony to the past, the architect retained only simple materials – noble and solid – including larch, slate, glass and metal. And by interpreting them using clean, pure lines, he has given the chalet a timeless feel. To avoid sliding into an atmosphere of austerity, Ralph Germann has added an unexpected touch of colour behind the cloakroom door: a bold shade of fuchsia. This design, functional above all else, places the emphasis on light and space. To achieve the second, the architect has designed another cube – but in wood this time. Set within the heart of the glass structure, it houses the WCs, cupboards, and even the bed, which folds up when not in use. This optimizes space in this area, which measures only 49 m².

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IT HOUSE

That's it - I'm moving to California and buying myself a piece of land in the middle of a forest and putting an IT HOUSE on it. The IT HOUSE is about reducing down to the essentials to create a pure architectural experience of space. Every component in the IT HOUSE is designed to re-engineer and radically simplify the process of building houses. We believe that architecture should bring us closer to our environment; the IT HOUSE is the mediator between one's every day experience and the environment. The IT HOUSE is designed to create a seamless experience between the house, environment and life. Designed by Taalman Koch Architecture, the IT HOUSE, IT CABIN and IT STUDIO are customizable and made of high quality sustainable materials that are manufactured with precision off-site and rapidly assembled on site, with no heavy machinery required. These homes can be completely off-grid to bring your eco-consciousness to the max (but I kind of like having plumbing and electricity). This is what my dream cottage looks like. (My sister has alot of land at her cottage, I doubt she'd mind me putting up a little one of these...)

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A modern farmhouse

I seem to be on a serious rustic kick these days. And it continues today! Ron tipped us off about a magazine called Garden & Gun. (Perhaps they're due for a name change?) It's about Southern American culture and low and behold, has a Home & Garden section! I found this modern farmhouse feature and completely fell head over heels for this gorgeous home. It's located outside the small town of Chester, South Carolina and was designed by architect Ken Pursley. It's rustic with modern touches and the exterior is totally adorable. I freaking love it. Now I'd modernize it a bit more with the furnishings and probably lose the rope railing but WOW, what fun I would have decorating the bejeezus out of this! (Photos by Stacey Van Berkel)

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Twin Farms

This post is pushing all of my rustic buttons let me tell ya. Meaghan emailed us about this place, as she likes to hunt for the perfect getaway cabin this time of year. I hear ya Meaghan! She found these cottages, Twin Farms, located in Vermont and what a vacation this would be. It consists of a farmhouse (dating from the late 1700s), 5 cottages were added in the 90s, and with more additions the accommodations are now 20. It's stunning, as you will see from this selection of photos from several of the cottages.  

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