Bridge Studio by Saunders Architecture

Designed by Saunders Architecture of Norway, Bridge Studio has an angled body that projects out towards a lake.

A wooden bridge connects the square glazed entrance with the lichen-coated granite of the surrounding terrain.

The base of the building slopes at the same angle as the roof to create two tiered floors inside.

Tusen Ramundberget restaurant by Murman Arkitekter (SE)

Tucked away among the snow peaks of the small Swedish ski resort Ramundberget, this circular restaurant by the Stockholm-based Murman Arkitekter studio blends seamlessly with its unspoiled surroundings thanks to the clever use of untreated birch logs which frame the structure. Realised in 2009, the restaurant’s design was inspired by the traditional Sami hut built for centuries by Sweden’s indigenous people, as explained by the architect Hans Murman in the video below.

Boasting a clean, modern Scandinavian interior as well as the traditional, regional dishes prepared from locally-sourced ingredients, this quintessentially Nordic restaurant offers spectacular, panoramic views of the ski slopes and forests.

More about the restaurant:

‘A restaurant on top the mountain close to the ski slopes, had been on the wish list for several years. The senior management of Ramundbeget ski resort wanted a new mountain restaurant for strengthen their brand. By being “a unique type of restaurant with a menu based on local and Sami food culture, and with an architecture that should make Restaurant Tusen worth a visit”. Our first sketches showed a protecting leaning fence integrated with the building. A structure that could let the winds pass with an opening towards the sun in the middle of the day. After some alternative locations, that we tested by ski in the area, we chose an easy accessible plot for skiers in all weather types and where the low standing sunbeams could reach this spot in February/March. In this unique and sensitive context we wanted a building in harmony with the nature, the year around and day and night. Birch is the only tree that grows up to this altitude where the mountain moor starts.’

The birch façade:

‘We choose birch as it is a local nature given façade material. You not need to paint it and it are nice to look at even when the bark is falling of. The big dimensions strands strong against the hard weather and a trunk is easy exchangeable if necessary. The logs also protect the underlying construction. The logs also let the snow stay and strengthen the experience of the facade. The Resturant Tusen is like a grouse that is a common bird here. Grey during the summer and white in the winter. By choosing a wooden construction we achieved low weight and low carbon dioxide impact. It is a prefabricated building carefully put to the the ground and also a way to minimize the building time.’

Source: dailytonic

Tverrfjellhytta by Snøhetta

Located in Dovre, Norway’s village of Hjerkinn, is the Norwegian Wild Reindeer Centre Pavilion, better known as Tverrfjellhytta. Designed by Snøhetta, the observation pavilion is located on the outskirts of Dovrefjell National Park and allows the public to enjoy programs offered by the Norwegian Wild Reindeer Foundation. It provides shelter to the groups of students and visitors that come to learn about the program.

The idea behind the design was to contrast the boxy steel and glass exterior with the organic wood curves of the interior. The wood mimics erosion on a rock or ice caused by natural events, which provides unique seating for the public. They’ve managed to create a cozy and durable space for the people to take in the view and learn about the area. It’s easy to see why it was ArchDaily’s 2011 Building of the Year in the Cultural category.

Photos by Ketil Jacobsen and diephotodesigner.de
Source: design-milk

Modern Home Employing Sustainable Design Techniques in LA

mnm MOD designed a residence entitled A House and constructed with the help of sustainable materials and technologies. The building accommodates two bedrooms, a music room and a jewelry studio. The interiors are modern and minimalist, displaying a tasteful mix of colors and textures. Generous outdoor spaces expand the living areas and take advantage of the views towards Venice Beach, LA. But the most inspiring characteristic of this 2,400 sq ft home is probably sustainability. According to Inhabitat, the residence uses an “advanced wall system made from recycled steel framing, incorporated insulation, and a mechanical chase to achieve high U and R values” (you will understand this better by simply looking at the last photo of the post). Which basically means that after this home will no longer be used, all the materials can be collected off the site and recycled.

Source: freshome

Concrete Tower House designed with Live Work Space

This concrete house in Concepcion, Chile, completed in 2011 by up and coming architects Mauricio Pezo and Sofía von Ellrichshausen, stands out as much for its strong vertical presence as for its bold, blocky silhouette.

Dubbed the Cien house, this unconventional hillside home boasts a broad podium base topped by a tower structure, stretching tall to overlook the city skyline. The podium features an open air rooftop deck that lets the homeowners step out and take in these lovely countryside and urban vistas.

A smart design, this live work space efficiently and comfortably combines living quarters and a studio space, used by the couple that calls this contemporary house "home." These two separate functions of the house have a unified style. In contrast to the cool exterior, interiors welcome you with their wonderfully warm aesthetic, achieved with rustic natural wood floors and white painted wood wall panels, which we love for their imperfections.

The office area features a main room with individual nooks where husband and wife can put their noses to the grindstone in peace without being totally separated.

A spiral staircase winds its way up, bringing purpose and a pop of personality to the house. Windows and skylights create sun soaked rooms throughout.

The living spaces are positioned in relation to the sun, maximizing the natural light and warmth coming in through the expansive glazing.

Source: trendir