Dornob | Design Ideas Daily

Terraced Townhouse: Open-Plan, Platform-Based Rebuild

Posted: 16 Jul 2013 10:00 AM PDT

renovated pool

Restricted on both sides, contiguous townhouses present a fascinating set of architectural issues, not least of which is natural lighting. In this renovation, a series of floating platforms helps solve this perennial problem.

renovatefd home open plan

Redesigned by RichardHO Architects (images by Vineyard Production), the structure itself was deemed sound but the spatial configurations were simply not conducive to modern living. Their solution involved opening up living, dining and kitchen areas to form continuous volumes, making the entire place feel more spacious but also letting light in from the front, back and above via skylights and air wells.

renovated interior exterior design

Perhaps the most stunning feature is the central pool which serves to anchor the core of the living area and sits at the bottom of a multi-story atrium, providing a conceptual and actual nexus of activity, air and light.

renovatd master bed bath

Meanwhile, peripheral spaces including master bedrooms and bathroom enjoy direct access to windows and decks and a degree of privacy and separation from the otherwise-open approach.

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Mind-Boggling Balance: Three-Legged Bench + Table Set

Posted: 15 Jul 2013 04:00 PM PDT

3 legged bench

Three legs provide counter-intuitive stability to this hybrid piece of outdoor furniture, the latest in a line of tripod furnishings from Stijn Guilielmus Ruys, a Belgian furniture designer (images by Bert Sacré).

3 legs

From virtually any angle it looks like the pair is about to fall over, thanks to the illusion of separation between the one-legged bench and two-legged table that meet at a single point.

3 leg furniture set

Together, the parts of Guilielmus 010 form a functional outdoor surface-and-seat set that cleverly defy gravity. Other similarly three-legged designs in the series are impressive but none provide the same sense of vertigo that this one manages to induce.