TOP 10 reader submissions of 2019

thanks to our readers from 2019 we have seen a diverse selection of residential projects from across the globe. from opulent one-off homes to living spaces that blur the line between architecture and nature, we have been spoiled for choice. upon receiving several thousands of submissions, we have gladly shared a huge range of uniquely beautiful houses over the past year.

the relationship with our readers is integral to showcasing architecture from all corners of the world. from a compact timber treehouse in rural france to a luxurious holiday home in são paulo, we highlight our TOP 10 reader submissions of 2019 – private spaces.

1 – WARchitect builds the skyscape apartment on a rooftop in bangkok

with a unique location on top of a 5-story apartment building, WARchitect has designed the skyscape residence in bangkok, thailand. the rooftop was previously only used to store water tanks, leaving an expanse of empty space. the owner, therefore, decided to build a small house for his own use. given its unusual context, the house has a concrete courtyard instead of a normal ground floor while trees are replaced with the vertical lines of surrounding buildings.

2 – TAC develops residence ‘casa altanera’ within three individual volumes in oaxaca, mexico

located in puerto escondido, oaxaca, mexico, casa altanera by TAC – taller albero calleja is a 380 sqm, single-family residence contained in three separate operating modules. developed in line with the reforestation process of the area, the house is designed to interact with the exterior through various terraces, large openings, and areas in the palapa – an open-sided construction at the edge of the lot, topped with a thatched roof of dried palm leaves and finished with an outdoor pool.

3 – phyd arquitectura connects stone ruins to create contemporary house in portugal

architecture studio phyd arquitectura came across a pair of old ruins and revived them into a cozy residence in the mountains of porto de mos, portugal. the ruins conveyed a sense of belonging in its surrounding nature, and had memories seeped in its rocks, which encouraged the architect to incorporate them into the ‘so house’.

4 – studio arthur casas composes JY house with two separate volumes in são paulo

this vacation house in são paulo, built by studio arthur casas for a family with two adult children, is divided into two main volumes, displaced from one another. the ground floor contains the entire social area, which is fully integrated with the exterior, opening to the view of the golf course just ahead, while the upper volume accommodates the more sheltered, private suites.

5 – ar-architects plans family home around internal courtyards in south korea

‘steel grove’ by ar-architects is a family house situated in the dense urban environment of gimhae-si in south korea. due to the context, the design seeks to provide privacy for the residents, whilst still maintaining a relationship with the neighborhood. the proposal also intends to be a modern translation of traditional korean houses by focusing on the creation of exterior spaces that link back to the indoors.

6 – charred timber treehouse by victoria migliore is built amongst pine forest in rural france

architecture practice, atelier victoria migliore, has completed the design of a family house located amongst a pine forest in the french region of frehel. surrounded by trees, the concept behind the ‘treehouse’ was to create a cozy and intimate, yet contemporary and eco-friendly building that complements the natural surroundings.

7 – project ö is a series of self-sufficient timber cabins on a finnish archipelago

designers aleksi hautamaki and milla selkimaki have recently completed a series of summer cabins situated on a 5-acre finnish island. titled ‘project ö’, the new structures boast an incredibly scenic position on the edge of finland‘s archipelago national park. the duo purchased the island two years ago and have since built the main, self-sufficient cabin with a sauna and workshop space.

8 – archstudio folds open courtyard into small residence in beijing

chinese-based architecture firm archstudio, folded a courtyard into a small residence located in qianliang hutong, dongcheng district, beijing. with a site of 410 sqm (4413 sqft), the house differs from a typical ‘siheyuan’ sloped roof since the original architecture was made of disconnected flat-topped rooms. the rebuilt building will be rented to house multiple spaces: for working, gathering with friends, and living.

9 – WEYES estudio builds a family home into the treetops of a mexican forest

standing amidst a woodland in el barrial, mexico, WEYES estudio has created a family home that is designed to blend into its natural surroundings. aptly titled ‘casa en el bosque’ – or ‘house in the forest’ – the design focuses on minimal consumption and forming an architectural language that embraces the clients’ passion for the great outdoors.

10 – t-square design associates adds a transitional corridor linking a japanese house to nature

t-square design associates’ small residential project is located near frank lloyd wright’s yamamura residence in hyogo prefecture, japan. the site sits between two rivers, making the house naturally ventilated as the rivers breeze into it. an open area covered with louver sliding doors between the interior space and the exterior perimeter, the house maintains a fresh cross-ventilation and connection to the outside.