Luxury Eco Homes, Decking & Luxury Homes :: Grand Designs Live 2011, London

Here goes my Top 3 building ideas from Grand Designs Live 2011...

Luxury Eco Homes

This building principle caught my eye from bacaArchitects and bacaHomes. 

Baca Architects established their LiFE project in 2005 to identify ways in which the construction industry could help tackle rising carbon dioxide emissions and adapt to climate change, in particular to those in Flood-risk environments.

One of their ideas was to deal with rain by providing green roofs, gravel swales, flood resilient gardens, elevated buildings and rainwater harvesting to contribute towards a zero carbon footprint and flood-proof development.

images via bacaHomes

These ideas also keep a home design in harmony with it's surrounding landscape.

Anti slip decking

I prefer not to select artificial materials but I was quite impressed with this wood-substitute recycled composite decking made by Millboard. 

image via Millboard

Made of 50% recycled 'hard to use' timber waste it looks similar to weathered timber but without the maintenance and has the added bonus of a non slip surface.

Luxury homes with great views

Finally there was this stunning dream home in La Zagaleta in Southern Spain designed by London Architect Peter Thomas de Cruz. 

Peter's primary focus is on designing 

both 

high quality 

new build and alterations to existing 

private houses.  His main design philosophy is to blur the internal and external boundaries and connect indoor spaces with nature. 

This is clearly eveident with this stunning home.

images via Thomas De Cruz photography by Simon Collins

Now that's a house with great views!

Have fun.

Beach House Design Ideas :: Whitstable, England

Continuing with my beach side finds along the Kent coast...

Who needs to worry about the cost of a 350sqm house when you can live in something as small as 35sqm! 

Nina Tolstrup from Studiomama has designed this cosy beach house for her own family of four as a weekend retreat on the Whitstable coast.

The total floor area is only 35sqm plus a small deck at the front and rear. The structure is built on galvanised steel stilts to prevent flooding, with the outside clad in cedar shingles and inside clad in a light softwood timber.

Loads of ideas are used here for maximising space; split floor levels separating the sleeping from the living areas with bunk beds for the kids and a mezzanine sleeping area for the parents; a compact and efficient kitchen and bathroom and a mix of reclaimed timber furniture and stackable chairs.

images via Studiomama & Ben Anders

Sea views are captured by full height glazing to the front allowing for that inside-outside feel and maximum light penetration.

For a relaxing weekend just add a bottle of wine! Have fun.

Grand Designs Live :: London 2011

When I used to live in the UK one of my favourite programmes use to be Grand Designs.

The presenter Kevin McCloud would feature ordinary people building or renovating architectural masterpieces, anything from listed heritage buildings, to castles and old warehouses to houses under the ground and carbon neutral eco homes.

While I am in the UK I will be packing my camera and popping along to the Grand Designs Live Exhibition in London to see the latest and greatest in Interior and Architectural design. For anyone from Australia I think it is being held in Sydney in October.

Until I return, here's a couple of images from the latest Grand Designs Magazine and Grand Designs Live Exhibition to wet your appetite.

love this glazing to the base of the house!

love the inside outside vista between the rooms!

photography by Richard Powers from Grand Designs Magazine

images via Grand Designs Live 2011

Have fun.

Natural modern design by Lisa Coulburn

Design Refuge has posted their October challenge... What is your design style?

When I design interiors for my clients I always design for their own personal design style so this is a lovely opportunity to share my own design style with you.

My style can be described as natural modern with an eclectic traveller twist and a strong connection to the outdoors. As an interior designer I am also inspired by recycling old materials and the use of non-toxic and natural finishes.

These images (courtesy of photographers Richard Powers & Rhiannon Slatter and Linda from Oeke design) are a collection of natural materials and textures, reclaimed wood and objects that tell stories of past memories and experiences with different cultures. They really sum up my own style which reflects my life, my travels and my connection to nature. They will also be the starting point for my own dream home. 

What's your design style?

Indoor outdoor living by Richard Powers photography

Today my online interior design ideas and inspirational blog is finally born and what a better place to start than with sharing my dream home.

As a keen traveler, trekker and interior designer now living in Brisbane, I love the rainforest and the indoor outdoor living and lifestyle that is so typical of Queensland.

Many years ago whilst working in London, I designed my first warehouse apartment for a lovely couple, Richard and Danielle in Clerkenwell, East London. Richard Powers was then and still is a keen photographer and has since photographed many gorgeous houses around the world. One of these houses is my dream home, a lovely rainforest retreat designed by the owner architect Arthur Casa.

Richard Powers

I love the indoor outdoor living, double height ceilings and the natural backdrop of the rainforest. It gives a huge sense of openness to the living areas and a direct relationship with nature.

Richard Powers

Inside, ethnic patterns, natural fabrics and rich earthy tones add warmth and texture to the living areas.

An indoor outdoor dining area has been integrated with the cooking area to one end of the kitchen island design whilst a feature pendant light, designed by Camilla Diedrich for Rotaliana, hangs over the other end.

This house creates a beautiful balance between the surrounding natural habitat, clean architectural lines and an ethnic modern vibe.

Thank you for reading my first post. Feel free to leave a comment or share with me what your dream home looks like.

Indoor outdoor living by Richard Powers photography

Today my online interior design ideas and inspirational blog is finally born and what a better place to start than with to share my dream home.

As a keen traveler, trekker and Interior designer now living in Brisbane, I love the rainforest and the indoor outdoor living that is so typical of my home state of Queensland.

Many years ago whilst working in London, I designed my first warehouse apartment for a lovely couple, Richard and then Danielle in Clerkenwell, East London. Richard Powers was then and still is a keen photographer and has since photographed many gorgeous houses around the world. One of these houses is my dream home, a lovely rainforest retreat designed by the owner architect Arthur Casa.

 Richard Powers

I love the indoor outdoor living, double height ceilings and the natural backdrop of the rainforest. It gives a huge sense of openness to the living areas and a direct relationship with nature.

 Richard Powers

Inside, ethnic patterns, natural fabrics and rich earthy tones add warmth and texture to the living areas.

An indoor outdoor dining area has been integrated with the cooking area to one end of the kitchen island design whilst a feature pendant light, designed by Camilla Diedrich for Rotaliana, hangs over the other end.

This house creates a beautiful balance between the surrounding natural habitat, clean architectural lines and an ethnic modern vibe.

Thank you for the time to read my first post and appreciate your time if you would like to leave a comment or tell me what your dream home looks like.