Homes That Think Outside the Box (113)Come along with us as we visit four homes that push the design envelope. Our first stop is Australia's bush country to tour a house that is in tune with its natural environment. The exterior, made entirely of corrugated metal, boasts such unique touches as natural ventilation, panoramic views, and facilities for collecting and processing rainwater.
Next, travel to Japan for a look at a home that beautifully incorporates elements of traditional and contemporary Japanese design, such as a foyer for removing shoes and a media center that appears at the push of a button.
We'll also visit the Mexico home of an architect who is inspired by objects that have a "soul," such as ancient pottery, religious Santos, and folk art from Central and South America.
Finally, see how a one-room apartment in Berlin was made more interesting with the use of contemporary furniture and a futuristic interior facade—what the homeowner fondly calls his "sonic temple."
Corrugated Metal Home Facts:
- The house is located on a state refuge. Homeowners are required to build 25 acres apart from each other to maintain the wilderness atmosphere.
- There are 20 French doors in the house; all of them allow outdoor access.
- All the materials used to build the house were made in Australia.
- The color scheme for the house was inspired by the colors found on the feather of a local parrot.
Contact Information:
Kevin Kolanowski
Kolanowski Design Inc.
8659 Holloway Plaza Drive
West Hollywood, CA 90069
310-652-2411
www.kolanowski-interior-design.com
Lindsay Holland Pty Ltd
79 Charles Street
Abbotsford 3067
Victoria, Australia
+ 61-3-9415-7048
holarc@maconline.com.au
Japanese Home Facts:
- Removing shoes in the Japanese house dates back to Heian period (794-1192 AD). In the Japanese home it was customary to sit and sleep on the floor—removing the shoes helped keep the floor clean.
- The Japanese celebrate spring by displaying flowering branches with new leaves in their foyers.
Contact Information:
Hiroko Kadoya
Hiroko Kadoya Design
246 First Street #307
San Francisco, CA 95105
415-882-9285
Mexican Home Facts:
- The architect Manolo Mestre worked on the design of Francis Ford Coppola's lodge in Belize.
- Mexican artist Diego Riviera (1886-1957) frequently featured calla lilies in his work.
- The paintbrush that hangs on the wall was sent to Mestre by a friend in the Yucatán Peninsula who thought he'd appreciate it.
Contact Information:
Manolo Mestre
Manolo Mestre Architecture
52-5-596-0412
Sonic Temple Facts:
- Charles Eames (1907-1978) was an American architect who became famous in the 1950s for his molded plywood furniture designs, which were fashioned into sensuous curves.
- Le Corbusier (1887-1965—born Charles-Édouard Jeanneret), was a Swiss designer, famous for championing the International Style of architecture.
- Samba is a Brazilian dance with African origins.
Contact Information:
Stefan Sterf
Stefan Sterf Architects
Torstr. 114 D-10115
Berlin, Germany
011-49-30-28-09-85-80
