Sitting right in the middle of the war-swept Mediterranean coast of the Levant, with the scars of conflict and violence still visible in its urban tissue, the city of Beirut, despite all the difficulties it has faced, is now home to a flourishing design and architecture scene.

A perfect example of what the city’s design and crafts scene can indeed achieve is the N.B.K Residence 2 by architect Bernard Khoury and his firm, DW5. Literally perched atop a nine-storey building adjacent to the infamous Green Line (the dividing buffer zone that used to split the city into the West/Muslim and East/Christian parts), the residence is in fact the architect’s own home, and as such it reflects his continuous experimentations and accumulated experience in interior design techniques, all in close collaboration with local artisans and design specialists.

It is less a connected penthouse, and more of an independent home that happens to be perched atop a building — it almost appears detached, floating above the rest of the structure.

The first floor and a mezzanine comprise the main volume of the living areas (including a spectacular double-height lobby and living room with generous views to the city), while a guest house, maid’s room, swimming pool and roof-garden terrace are situated on the topmost level. Wooden panel cladding has been used to cover interior floors and walls, in a technique that comes from experimentations in previous projects and was executed in collaboration with carpenter Doumit Tannous. The strong presence of wood has been complemented with black-painted steelwork: the ribbon-like spiral staircase, the mezzanine structure, the bookshelves in the lobby and the signature antenna-lights on top of the building were all created by Beirut-based design studio Acid (especially the latter shine like beacons at night, making the residence stand out as a landmark in the surrounding area).

Expansive and unobstructed, the main living area makes a powerful impression through the mixed usage of wood cladding and black steelwork. In addition to a stunning private rooftop pool, the three levels of space include a kitchen and dining room, guest studio, additional bedrooms, a floor-to-ceiling library, and separate quarters for all your various live-in staff.

Architect designed and built- this steel structure is tucked into a group of mature hardwood trees. High ceilings and big, clean spaces with tons of natural light.

Modern, radical, custom built lofts- way up in the trees-tall ceilings and big open floor plans make it a huge hotel room or as event space for small gatherings, meetings, retreats.

Clean, bright and beautiful, this building is made of steel, wood, glass and plaster- with no unhealthy adhesives or off gassing materials- for healthier air quality and to prevent mold growth.

Large windows, and giant doors open out onto a 200sq-foot deck surrounded by treetops. The huge balcony off the kitchen has two grilles- gas and charcoal- built into the guardrail.

The stainless kitchen is minimal- a gas cook top, a small oven, a small sink and a mini-fridge and toaster.

Do you like it? You can rent it at Airbnb, where I’ve found it.

Just a few steps from the historic center of Turin, near the river Dora, in a former industrial area, there is an old factory that produced CEAT tires in the last century. This Italian loft is characterized by large bright spaces that interact continuously on both views of, on the one hand and the other on the way to the communal garden through the large terrace which is accessed by large windows placed over the entire development of the living area and the master bedroom.

As you enter you are attracted by the green of the terrace that looks like an oasis of relaxation with 12 olive trees. The entrance introduces at once to a large relational space divided into three areas with a double opening that connects to the kitchen.

The entire project is played on contrasts: past / present, inside / outside, hard / soft, light / dark, natural / artificial.

Resins with a rough surface are opposed to the wood in a dialogue between texture and color. In contrast to the light the choice of colors of the dense interior materials and fixtures, custom-designed. The covers of some of the walls in black metal oxidation controlled turn into hard lines of furniture, desk and bookcases.

 

The conservation of the structure of the pillars and ceiling beams and exposed concrete structure of the building is the memory of the past. The wood chosen for some of the floors are cut and laid on design and appear as soft tissue.

Access to the sleeping area is through an enamel red corridor characterized by the irregular shape of the ceiling from which emerge assemblages recovered from ex neon signs. The sleeping area incorporates warm colors and dense in the rooms and bathrooms that as the entire apartment collect vintage items, art and contemporary design.

The terrace has three areas well divided and dedicated to the various guest activities such as conversation, dining and fitness with the addition, for the latter, a gym in a modern greenhouse made on commission, which also includes a Jacuzzi under the open sky.

  

From the street, 7691 Mulholland Drive has an unassuming presence. A twisting driveway is the only indication of the 5,800-square-foot structure below. Situated on steep incline, the design meets the challenges of the terrain and physical constraints of its L-shaped lot, presenting an optimal solution to a unique set of conditions. Its sunken nature not only guards against the harsh western sun, but also serves to maximize energy efficiency. As a result, the house seems to gently cascade down the hillside, allowing each level to have an unobstructed panoramic view of the landscape.

The slope of the site informs the organization of the interior, with a privacy gradient that flows downward through the various levels and terminates at the guesthouse. The upper levels hold the main living spaces and encourage interaction by maintaining a visual connection to each other, with the bedrooms and more intimate family spaces tucked below. Access to the outdoors is maximized by utilizing the rooftops as decks.

The home can be accessed in two ways. An attached two-car garage provides a private entry through the kitchen, while guests approaching the residence from the street are invited in by the majestic staircase leading up to the front door. The thirty-six foot descent is minimized by the expansive unenclosed steps, with the western edge serving as a platform for seating or display.

The kitchen, dining area, and lounge are located to the right of the entrance where a staircase lures you down to the aptly named grand room just one half-level below. This vantage point offers a truly incredible view of Los Angeles, drawing you out to the upper deck complete with an infinity pool.

Another set of stairs leads from the grand room to the private quarters below. Here, the building peels away to form a small courtyard, allowing sunlight to seep in and illuminate the hallway. A path of light guides you from a home theater on one end to a modest family room and two bedrooms, connected by an exterior deck. The master suite is separated by another half-level descent and extends the entire length of the floor plate. It includes a spacious bathroom and wine room, creating an isolated ambiance that encourages a state of repose. On the lowest level rests the guesthouse. Secluded from the main house, the guesthouse features a private entrance, bathroom, and kitchenette.

The design aesthetic represents a departure from the traditional architectural styles in Los Angeles. While the project seeks to reflect the complexities of a fast-paced environment, the tone of house is one of simple living.

On the entertainment/first level, the Living Room boasts 18 foot ceilings and features a floor-to-ceiling plain-sawn cherry wood hearth which contains a wood burning fireplace (one of three fireplaces in this residence.) The Kitchen features top of the line fixtures and appliances with custom white lacquer cabinets and bluestone counters. Museum-quality polished concrete flooring and teak flooring are featured throughout this level, extending seamlessly to the outside terraces.

Oversized glass sliding doors open from all rooms on this level to the incomparable terrace, with a state-of-the-art outdoor stainless steel kitchen located on the southwest corner and a hot tub and private outdoor shower located on the northwest corner. The entire north, east, and south terraces boast wide open spaces, including a dining area off the Kitchen and Dining Room. Restored parapets of the original historic building provide both refined style and privacy without interrupting the cinematic city skyline and Hudson River views.

A steel and glass elliptical staircase is one of two stairways that connect the entertaining floor to the very private bedroom suites on the second level. All Bedrooms have luxurious en-suite baths, large closets, and each highlight beautiful vistas of the city. The Master Bedroom features extraordinary views of the mighty Hudson, endless closets and a bathroom that features honey colored onyx bath and steam shower, Jacuzzi and sauna.

Other notable features include hand troweled plaster walls and ceilings featured throughout, Lutron self-adjusting light and shade systems, state-of-the- art security system, climate-control system, and walls that allow artwork to be hung without fear of damage from sunlight.  

At the entrance of the house, we have a hall access via a lift in which highlights the glass railing offering a sober and clean aesthetic appearance. Thanks to this distribution and the use of these elements the natural light penetrates through the yard.

LIVING ROOM

Spacious room in which has been designed a large window that brings freshness and breadth to the room. The decorative elements are distributed from the reddish-brown to beige to complement the paintings of the artist Mercedes Rodriguez, helping to make a distinctive note, creating a hybrid between the tones.

It can be seen as light in limelight at the center of the room provides some privacy for its indirect character.

DINING-ROOM

We move toward the most public area of the house where the dining room is located, surrounded by paintings by Mercedes Rodriguez, and supplemented below by the Capri console. These establish a division of the room into two parts and also provide strength and dynamism to the environment.

The table, with clear glass on CAPRI model with steel high brightness from A-cero In, brings serenity to the room. The carpet, that combines with sand and red tones of the painting, achieves the balance of the room.

KITCHEN

Designed by A-cero to MOBALCO, it is important to highligh  theuse of straight lines and its interesting conjugation made of sand tones with white. The ceiling lit with halogen contributes to a clean and clear enviroment.

This intervention is a dense complex box that contain the kitchen, mechanical and secondary space; it divides the public and private area of the loft.

A primary feature of the box is a series of huge sliding doors that can open the entire perimeter of the loft of that can extend the exterior walls to close off bedroom.

This way you can arrange it any way you want: if you need more space simply use these doors and you will have more space. If, on the contrary, you want some privacy and want to divide it, fine – do that. You only use the limits when you feel the need to, which is great. The whole loft has hard floors, covered with big tiles or big stone plates, something that makes it a bit too cold to my taste. But if you use it for a painting workshop or something similar, then you have a reasonable point.

All the furniture is modern and very functional, with futuristic design and no trace of wood unless intended to be used as decoration like covering the door of some device. The ceiling is pretty high, so they use some big and powerful ceiling lamps that are pretty unique in style and bring an extra touch to the general design of the apartment.

With the moorings positioned significantly lower  than street level and the sloped banks lined with natural vegetation, this dwelling offers an introverted experience for inhabitants within the quiet and secluded area. the floor at the water’s surface contains the private bedrooms, offering privacy with the inherent landforms along with a living room which overlooks the gently rippling water. the upper level contains the public spaces which offers elevated views of the scenery from the kitchen and dining area.

This fantastic live-in garage is the proof that passion can shape the spaces we live in. Designed for a young man whose Maserati was the object of his passion, this surprising garage/residence can be found in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Composed of layers of translucent and transparent separators, this residential space imagined by architect Brunete Fraccaroli is where the owner connects with his passion and surrounding nature. Spreading over 120 square meters, the modern garage is intended to link the owner and his car in the most visible way – the Maserati occupies an important space right in the living room. This versatile space includes the social area, a dining space, and office corner, a home theater and even a washing place. Meeting in-between dark walls and white ceilings, the carefully chosen furniture items compose an up-to-date design perfectly adapted for this special residential project.