Fairhaven Residence is a 3800 square feet home that consist of the collection of simple geometric boxes. The boxes are oriented and open to hills and views that surround the house. The rooms and views in it reveal themselves in a alternating fashion, like sheltered groves and open vistas during the walk in the woods. The entry, living and dining areas feature exposed steel and wood structure and polished concrete floors that flow out to the landscape. A “shadow” garden at the heart of the house affords glimpses of bamboo, water and light from nearly every room, while the upper floor is turned slightly to capture even more light and views.
Known for their innovative use of traditional materials – namely brick – Atelier Zhanglei created this concrete urban design, the Slit House, as an ode to custom with an eye looking toward the future. This urban house design in Nanjing, China was modeled after the adjacent homes dating back to the 1920s, only with a cool, contemporary twist. In place of grey brick, the architect opted for concrete in an abstract form. Strips of wood two inches wide were used for the concrete formwork, giving the concrete a wonderful texture reminiscent of a fine textile. The 2,900-sq.-ft. house boasts a zigzag of glass that characterizes its urban exterior while illuminating the interior. Atelier Zhanglei