Month: March 2024

LIBRARY HOUSE

ARCHITECT: FRIA FOLKET
SWEDEN
FRIAFOLKET.SE

Architectural studio Fria Folket has crafted the ‘Library House’ tailored for a ceramist and lawyer couple, keen on maintaining their extensive book collection while seeking individual working spaces yet shared tranquility. Nestled on the outskirts of a sparse pine forest bordering Lake Voxsjoen in Sweden, the house revolves around a central library encasing a serene courtyard, offering zones for living, working, and creative pursuits. Comprising four distinct buildings surrounding the library, each dedicated to specific functions such as cooking, arts, law, and rest, the design harmonizes with the sun’s trajectory throughout the day, culminating in the northern sanctuary. Privacy transitions seamlessly along this solar path, with strategic window placements and courtyard access facilitating movement between indoors and outdoors. Sustainability underscores the project, from the plastic-free construction to repurposing existing furniture, exemplifying a conscientious approach to reducing ecological impact. With a nod to Nordic traditions, the house embodies a rhythmic unity reflected in its structure, akin to musical beats on a sheet, symbolizing a harmonious blend of functionality and aesthetics.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF FRIA FOLKET

TOUCHING EDEN HOUSE

ARCHITECT: WALLFLOWER ARCHITECTURE
BUKIT TIMAH, SINGAPORE
WALLFLOWER.COM.SG

At the fringes of utopia, Touching Eden House emerges as a haven of tranquility and serenity amidst a tapestry of lush green overgrowth. Cloaked in vines and embraced by nature’s gentle graze, this ethereal retreat unveils itself at the edge of Singapore Botanic Gardens, where time languidly drifts amidst a symphony of life. The design philosophy seamlessly integrates natural elements, from meticulously landscaped gardens to floor-to-ceiling windows that blur boundaries between inside and outside, revealing breathtaking views of the surrounding greenery. With panoramic vistas of tree canopies from its elevated sanctuaries, this transformative dwelling nurtures both mind and body, infusing the atmosphere with whimsical charm. As daylight spills through the foliage, bathing the mansion in a golden glow, Touching Eden House emerges as a testament to the harmonious coexistence between urban living and nature, a sanctuary where dreams unfurl and the magic of nature intertwines seamlessly with human habitation.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF FINBARR FALLON

MANSCAPED

THE HANDYMAN™ COMPACT FACE SHAVER
$79.99 USD
MANSCAPED.COM

Even when miles away from home, his impeccable grooming remains intact with The Handyman™, a dual-action foil shaver boasting a sleek design ideal for travel. With its Dual-Action SkinSafe™ Blade Head and Hybrid Long-Hair Leveler and Foil Shaver Blades, he achieves a flawless shave effortlessly. Its impressive features include up to 60 minutes of runtime, a 5-minute quick charge option, and a low battery indicator, ensuring he’s always prepared. Compact and waterproof, it’s a grooming essential that seamlessly fits into his lifestyle. Plus, the magnetic blade cover and USB-C cable add convenience to his grooming routine, making it a must-have accessory wherever he ventures.

CARBON BEACH HOUSE

ARCHITECT: OLSON KUNDIG
MALIBU, CALIFORNIA
OLSONKUNDIG.COM

Olson Kundig’s Carbon Beach House in Malibu stands as a testament to coastal luxury, blending bold architectural statements with serene retreat vibes. Positioned to maximize ocean views, the residence strikes a delicate balance between openness and privacy, featuring a generous glazed façade juxtaposed with a lush inner courtyard. Designed around long views and a seamless indoor-outdoor flow, the house offers a private sanctuary despite its proximity to a busy highway. Operable louvre shading and bespoke metalwork optimize natural light while controlling temperatures, enhancing the home’s functionality and aesthetic appeal. With a thoughtful material palette transitioning from concrete and steel to warm wood, the design harmonizes with its surroundings, inviting inhabitants to fully embrace the grandeur of the California coastline.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF JOE FLETCHER

VILLA MABROUKA

TANGIER, MOROCCO
VILLAMABROUKA.COM

Nestled within one of Tangier’s grandest gardens, Villa Mabrouka, a quaint 12-room retreat housed in a stunning 1940s modernist villa, offers a serene escape, boasting panoramic vistas of lush greenery, azure skies, and the shimmering sea at every glance. Stepping beyond the ornate wooden doors, guests are instantly enveloped in a paradisiacal ambiance, complete with melodious bird songs and gentle zephyrs, just moments away from the vibrant pulse of Tangier’s Kasbah and Medina. Crafted by renowned British designer Jasper Conran, the villa exudes a blend of opulence and intimacy, featuring crystalline pools, three restaurants, and inviting garden pavilions for private dining. Reflecting Conran’s vision, the villa harmoniously marries the timeless allure of the Riviera’s golden era with contemporary sophistication, epitomized by its elegant interiors adorned with intricate details, plush fabrics, and refined craftsmanship, all basking in the luminous glow of natural light streaming through floor-to-ceiling windows, seamlessly merging indoor and outdoor spaces.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ANDREW MONTGOMERY