I recently came across the Nordic Barnhouse Project (in Denmark) on Instagram via one of my favourite Swedish design bloggers, Frida Ramstadt of Trendenser. Frida mentioned the architect, Bruno Jakobsen recently won the Randers Municipality's Architecture Award 2021 for the project. The home is also the architect's residence. Loving the open spaces that face into a courtyard, and the windows that open up to the surrounding forest. “The main focus throughout the design is the actual looking out into the woods. No matter where you are, it’s always in view,” says Bruno Jakobsen, architect. The earthy tones, black roofs and

I had a chance to visit a tree house exhibit that The Berkshire Botanical Gardens (a beautiful place!) had last year, and I even shot a video on the structures that dotted their property. One "tree house", or more so a pole structure, that I felt was the best of the bunch was a cube-like, 8' by 8', lofted hut that was designed by Joseph Cho and Stephanie Lew. A structure like this, as you'll see in the the video excerpt, could be used, or morphed into a great little vacation, or getaway cabin, especially as one that would be versatile on less savory land and terrain- after all, once its four poles are set, you're good to go. On a hill, or in flood prone or swampy areas, you would have no problem with a simple cabin like this. This pole house, apparently, was inspired by Japanese-style lanterns, and while I wasn't there to witness it lit up at night from within, I'm sure its spectacular. You can find more on this duos work at www.binoculardesigns.com Photos from www.berkshots.com.... -Derek "Deek" Diedricksen

Guest tutorial by Ruth Bleakley I discovered this envelope making method completely by accident when pulling soggy rain-soaked mail out of my leaky mailbox – I had a total *eureka* moment when the envelope I gingerly opened up completely unfolded at the seams revealing an envelope “template” perfectly. I’ve seen many envelope tutorials online, some offer downloadable templates, some show fancy paper folding techniques and some suggest specific measurements to create your own D.I.Y. envelopes. I’m going to show you how to replicate any interesting envelope that you might already have, no measuring involved! HOW TO MAKE IT 1. Choose an envelope you

Dogtrot Houses: A Basic History Originally emerging from the design of one-story log cabins, dogtrot houses get their moniker from the design’s “dogtrot”, which is a central, open-air breezeway that effectively allows for natural ventilation while dividing the structure into two separate living spaces. This gem of American architecture is particularly influential in the warmer climates of the American South, as the open space in the breezeway capitalizes on the porch's exposure to prevailing breezes in order to harness the power of nature for comfort (reducing the need for artificial air conditioning) while also serving as a communal area.  Our Design Featuring an open breezeway, modern living comforts, contemporary aesthetics, and a porch on one side, our dogtrot floor plan caters to diverse needs and preferences while paying homage to this iconic example of architectural tradition.  Floor Plan Our dogtrot floor plan divides the house into two distinct parts— the main house, and an outdoor, covered patio dogtrot (which we designed into a dining room), with the option of adding a third— an extension, whose use is adaptable. The main features of our dogtrot house floor plan begin with a luxurious master suite at the far end of the building, complete with a spacious walk-in closet and a well-appointed bathroom.  A continuous living and dining space culminates in a u-shaped kitchen (equipped with all the modern amenities) which is a chef’s dream, while the pantry provides ample storage for your culinary essentials. An adjacent office (which can be converted into an additional bedroom), features its own bathroom for added convenience. The breezeway deck serves multiple purposes— as entryway, garage or guest suite access, or as a serene dining room,  allowing you to savor the outdoors while staying sheltered from the elements. The decking extends from the front of the house to the back, seamlessly connecting both spaces.  Additionally, you have the option to add an extension to the floorplan: Extensions A Garage is ideal for vehicle storage or extra space for hobbies and projects. The garage is attached to the house through the breezeway, providing easy access and added security. Or A Guest Suite, which swaps out the garage for a cozy guest suite, including a fully functional one-bedroom layout with a kitchen, bathroom, and its own living area. Ideal for hosting friends and family, the added guest suite of this dogtrot floor plan ensures a guest’s comfort and privacy while offering the convenience of two separate living areas, enhancing the overall versatility of the space. Interior Natural light floods the interior of this dogtrot house through the sliding glass doors in the dining and living rooms on the southern facade. The master suite offers breathtaking views of the surrounding natural beauty through its own floor-to-ceiling windows in the east and south. The connected living, dining, and kitchen great room allows couples, families, hosts and guests to communicate throughout the central space. The office space is set to the side of the living room, allowing the owner to work while keeping an eye on the rest of the house. The vaulted ceiling adds an airy and spacious feel to the interior, granting a comfortable and inviting atmosphere. Highly customizable, our dogtrot floor plan allows you to create a space that reflects your style. We recommend lighter tones to enhance the house’s sense of cleanliness and space.  Exterior Whether placed in a rural or urban setting, this dogtrot house design seamlessly blends with its surroundings. The sleek, standing metal-seam roofing and siding combine with the natural wood textures on the decking, entryway, and breezeway to exude a modern yet welcoming charm. In warm climates, the wide doors of the dogtrot style provide cross ventilation to keep the house cool. In the winter, the functional design of the dogtrot home keeps the site insulated and warm. The exterior design is a testament to timeless elegance and versatility. Maybe you’re a young couple looking to host in-laws and friends while having easy access to the kitchen and central breezeway; maybe you’re a retired couple looking for space to host their family in the living room while working in the office; maybe you’re a new landlord looking to lease out their first property while living nearby, or maybe you’re a bachelor/bachelorette looking for their perfect place to work from home while remaining in nature. No matter what you are, here, your dream home awaits— where luxury, functionality, and style come together to create an extraordinary living space. Ground floor area: 1,327 sqftGarage/ADU area: 548 sqft Total: 101' L x 24' -8" W x 20'-4" HMain House: 57'-8" L x 24'-8" W x 20'-4" H Garage/ ADU: 24' L x 24'-8" W x 20'-4" H Bedroom 1: 13'-3" L x 13'-9" WBedroom 2/ Office: 13'-4" L x 9'-8" WBedroom (ADU): 10'-7" L x 13'-5" W Living room: 15'-6" L x 13'-9" W Dining room: 13'-2" L x 15'-11" W Kitchen: 9'-5" L x 16'-5" W Living room deck size: 102"-4" L x 6' W Bathroom 1: 5'-6" L x 9'-8" W Bathroom 2: 8'-5" L x 9'-8" W Utilities: 4'-9" L x 8' W HVAC system: Mini-split, HRV, ERV

Stay and be inspired by at this beautifully designed and decorated woodland retreat holiday home on the North Norfolk Coast in the UK.

Revised to V1.1 - As of May 20 2024 ~ Includes Both Original and Flipped Version Plans ~ 3D House Tour: https://youtu.be/E5XE2hWabBw Full set of architectural plans for a modern Japanese post & beam house in the Itakura style. This design features modern styling and layout accented beautifully with traditional Japanese timber framing and joinery. The wood framing is exposed throughout, with cladding infills that accentuate the natural unique character of the material. The home features 4 bedrooms, ensuite, walk-in-closet , bathroom, powder room, study, utility closet, laundry and an impressive integrated kitchen connected to the generous living and dining spaces. These all flow seamlessly to spacious outdoor areas and a central courtyard. A bonus lounge space is located next to the main bedroom. Dual aspect living spaces take advantage of winter sun from almost any angle. This is achieved by the light well created in the courtyard between the two pavilions. The main bedroom features a sunlit verandah that also connects to the courtyard, outdoor room and living pavilion. Bedrooms are all located in a separate pavilion for privacy and peace. A key feature of the design is a clever double sided fireplace that warms both the living and outdoor room. The fireplace forms a central anchor to the living pavilion that is intricately detailed with exposed timber framing and rafters. While the design is based on post and beam construction, it can be easily adapted to work with a conventional stick frame. These plans have been prepared by a qualified building designer however they may require adaptation to your country’s building code and local planning laws. It is highly recommended that an engineer verify the adequacy of all structural members prior to construction. AREAS: HEATED (GFA): 1990 FT2 (185M2) GARAGE: 420 FT2 (39M2) OUTDOOR ROOM: 281 FT2 (26M2) VERANDAHS: 298 FT2 (28M2) COURTYARD DECK: 345 FT2 (32M2) PORCH: 70 FT2 (6.5M2) TOTAL: 3584 FT2 (333M2) Imperial and Metric are both shown on plans with dedicated floor plans for each measuring system. Sheet sizes are 17x11" (43 X 28cm) - Prints on Tabloid or A3 paper. Print Ready PDF Includes: 1 x Cover Sheet 1 x Quantity & Material List 1 x Floor Plan (Imperial) 1 x Floor Plan (Metric) 1 x Roof Plan 1 x Electrical & HVAC Plan 1 x Slab Plan 1 x Framing Plan 1 x Cross Beams Plan 1 x Roof Framing Plan 6 x Elevations 17 x Internal Elevations 6 x Sections 1 x Window & External Door Schedule 1 x Framing Joint Details 1 x Framing ISO Section & Details + 1 x zip file of 30 x 3D images total ~ PLEASE NOTE THE PDF INCLUDES TWO VERSIONS OF THESE PLANS - BOTH ORIGINAL AND FLIPPED ~ Source files are also included for customisation if required: SKETCHUP V22 (original 3D source model - house only - no site) - (ORIGINAL) LAYOUT V22 (2D layout file that links to Sketchup file - can export PDFs & DWGs) - (ORIGINAL) DWG V2018 (export from the layout file) - (ORIGINAL) FONTS (TVSimplex.ttf & TVSimplexB.ttf) Flipped versions of the CAD (DWG & Layout) source files are available on request, after purchase. Textures in the Sketchup file have been reduced in resolution to keep the file size under 20mb. There is no site information included with the file. This will need to be created based on the specifics of your site. We cannot offer technical support as to the use of the source files. It is assumed that you or your chosen design professional is capable of understanding their use and associated software. These architectural plans and images are ©Turnervisual. For personal use only - no commercial use or distribution is permitted.

ArchiPro explores 4 innovative, space-saving methods for storing shoes while adding style to the home with wardrobe design specialists, Wardrobes Plus NZ.

From the familiar log model to Swiss chalets and Swedish friggebods, cabins are the simplest of structures, made from local materials in forms that respond to climatic and cultural needs.