Holiday Homes Archives - Inspired Home Ideas

The Mirror Houses Holiday Homes In South Tyrol, Italy

The Mirror Houses are a pair of contemporary high class vacation holiday homes, set in the marvellous surroundings of the South Tyrolean Dolomites, amidst a beautiful scenery of apple trees, just outside the city of Bolzano.

They were designed by architect Peter Pichler. The Mirror houses offer a unique chance to spend a beautiful vacation surrounded by contemporary architecture of the highest standards and the most astonishing Landscape and beauty nature has to offer.

The Architecture

PROJECT: Mirror Houses, Bolzano, Italy
ARCHITECT: Peter Pichler Architecture
STATUS: built

TYPE: residential units
CLIENT: Angela Sabine Staffler
PHOTOGRAPHY: Oskar Da Riz, Nicolò Degiorgis

The client, who lives in a restructured farmhouse of the 60s on the site, asked to design a structure for renting out as luxury holiday units.

Guests have their small autonomous apartment and can fully enjoy the experience of living in the middle of nature.

A maximum degree of privacy for both the client and the residing guest should be taken into consideration.

The new structure is oriented towards east with their private garden and an autonomous access and parking for the guests.

Each unit contains a kitchen / living room as well as a bath- and bedroom with big skylights that open to allow natural light and ventilation.

A small basement serves for temporary storage.

The projects initial volume is split into 2 units that are slightly shifted in height and length in order to loosen the entire structure and articulating each unit.

Both units are floating on a base above the ground evoking lightness besides offering better views from their cantilevering terraces to the impressive surrounding landscape.

The volume opens towards the east with a big glass facade that fades with curvilinear lines into the black aluminum shell.

The mirrored glass on the west facade borders the garden of the client with the units and catches the surrounding panorama while making the units almost invisible.

The mirrored glass is laminated with an UV coating preventing birds collision.

From certain views of the clients garden the old existing farmhouse is mirrored in the new contemporary architecture and is literally blending into it rather than competing against.

Peter Pichler Architecture

About

PPA is a north Italian based architecture and Design firm dedicated to developing an in- novative and contemporary approach towards architecture, urbanism, and design.

Their declared aim is to achieve the highest possible quality, excellent detailing and the creation of an integrated strategy involving the individual needs of the user, regardless of the budget.

In all projects an appropriate integration of the architecture into its surroundings is a priority, all project solutions are determined and informed through sustainability, value engineering, and rationalization.

From an early stage, projects are set up with the ambition to develop intelligent building solutions regarding room layout, structure, building process, and reduction of construction costs.

Services

Profile

Peter Pichler was born in Bolzano, Italy in 1982.

He was studying Architecture at the university of applied Arts Vienna and in the US at the university of California, returning back to Vienna where he graduated with distinction in the masterclass of Zaha Hadid and Patrik Schumacher.

Already during his studies, Peter joined Zaha Hadid in London, where he worked on several competitions covering all scales and on the award winning Nordkettenbahn in Innsbruck.

He spent a while in Rotterdam working for Rem Koolhaas after turning back to Vienna and joining the team of Delugan Meissl, collaborating on an award winning concert hall in Amman, Jordan.

After finishing his diploma Peter went to Hamburg where he worked for Zaha Hadid as a project architect on the new library and learning center in Vienna and on a 150,000m2 mixed used development in Bratislava.

He then returned back to Italy and established Peter Pichler Architecture in Bolzano.

Peter Pichler is a registered Architect in Italy and member of the chamber of architects of the autonomous Province of Bolzano.

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Lake Front Homes

Lake front homes are often beautiful houses sitting on the edge of a lake. This example above is of a wooden house on the edge of Emerald Lake, Yoho National Park, in Canada.

When it comes to a home or a holiday house on the water, most of us probably conjure up thoughts of a house on the beach with the waves lapping at our feet, or perhaps the surf pounding in the distance, but how many of us actually contemplate the thought of it being a stunning home on a serene edge of a lake?

Stunning modern house of large proportions overlooking an expansive lake view.

Lake front houses can fit many different types. They can generally be anything from a simple cottage through to a palatial mansion. Lake edge living though is very different to the seafront or beachfront living. There is often more serenity, more wilderness, perhaps some nearby trees and wildlife, and there isn’t the same tide or salt spray issues that cause corrosion and other quick degradation of one’s home and vehicles.

Large cottage with expansive deck area and jetty on lake edge.

Therefore, the thought of a lake front property has its advantages. If the lake is clean (and not infiltrated with weed) and swimmable, then you have the true city escape. Often the lake water can be a sound water source and the corrosion effects of sea water and spray is just non existent.

And then there’s the fishing! Sure you fish from the beach, but there is just something magical about catching a freshwater fish and then taking it home to cook.

Traditional two storey home set in the woods on the edge of a lake

Stunning triple level home set amidst the woods and on the edge of a lake

Modern secluded house of two levels and sitting on the lake edge

Modern three level home on a cliff edge overlooking a lake

Stunning lakeside holiday home

Country Estate home with large front lawn overlooking nearby lake edge

Japanese style holiday cottage set in a bush setting on the edge of a lake

Stunning modern house with deck area on the edge of an expansive lake

A few lake front houses with a fountain in the lake

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Log Cabins and Log Homes

Great looking log house with twin storeys and front veranda covered in fresh snow

The above is a great looking log cabin home with twin storeys and front veranda covered in fresh snow.

Everyone loves a log cabin home, don’t they? Sure they do! Log homes conjure up in the mind, relaxation nights by the open fire, snow piled up outside, and a cosy warm atmosphere surrounded by all that wood.

What is a log home or a log cabin to be exact? According to Wikipedia a log cabin “…is a dwelling constructed of logs, especially a less finished or architecturally sophisticated structure. Log cabins have an ancient history in Europe, and in America are often associated with first generation home building by settlers.”

So, it kind of goes without saying that most log homes and cabins to be found are likely to be in the countryside, in the mountains and in the wilderness.

Wooden house in the woods with a place for barbeque

The history of log homes in the USA dates back to around the mid 17th Century. According to Wikipedia, “Historians believe that the first log cabins built in North America were in the Swedish colony of Nya Sverige (New Sweden) in the Delaware River and Brandywine River valleys. Many of its colonists were actually Forest Finns, because Finland was an integrated part of Sweden at that time.”

Wooden Cottage Of Stained Timber in the Snowy Woods In Winter surrounded by a wooden picket fence

Log cabins historically were crafted primarily from long straight tree trunks that are laid horizontally on top of each other side by side. They were connected by interlocking the ends with notches, although some were simply nailed and not built with notches. The nailing option wasn’t as structurally sound as the notching method.

Wooden house made from pine wood logs and surrounded in snow

In frontier, pioneering days, the building site was the most important part of building for a log cabin. It was essential that the site provided adequate sunlight as well as drainage. Frontier life was brutal, and these homes had to provide the very best quality of life possible within such a harsh environment.

Snow covered country house in the winter

The choice of trees from which the logs for these cabin homes were made, were typically old-growth trees with as fewer limbs as possible and ideally straight up and down with minimal taper.

Compact Log House on the banks of a River.

“Careful notching minimized the size of the gap between the logs and reduced the amount of chinking (sticks or rocks) or daubing (mud) needed to fill the gap. The length of one log was generally the length of one wall, although this was not a limitation for most good cabin builders.” Wikipedia tells us.

Quaint log cabin in Ohio amidst the trees

In log cabin construction, there were decisions to be made as to what type of dwelling it was to be. Key considerations that had to be taken into account included, the likely size of the house, whether it would single or double storied, roofing type and where to place the doors and windows. Also, depending on the available sources of raw materials (trees, stone, labor, etc) there may be some limitation on the log cabin size and proportions.

Residential two storey house made of wooden logs

The log cabin homes of today have been adapted to modern building construction techniques through the use of squared logs with carefully hewn corner notching on the exterior. The insides are reflective of the needs of modern families with open plan living spaces and areas. Today’s log houses are often spacious and elegant when compared with their predecessors from the bygone era.

Log house covered in snow during the winter

Log House on a sunny winter day with blue sky and snow on the ground.

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Stunning Beach Houses, Lakefront Cottages and Changing Sheds

Awesome twin level modern beachfront holiday house right on the sand.

The above image shows an awesome twin level holiday modern beach house situated on the beachfront with direct access right onto the sand. Source www.decoist.com

There is something magical about beach houses. Come to think of it, lakefront houses have a similar appeal, and you cant help but fall in love with those colorful beach changing sheds. When one thinks of a beach house, or a lake house, the thought of vacations in the sun, or of holidays springs to mind but whatever it means to you, there are many different styles of beach house and holiday home, from the large palatial mansions that practically dominate the view of the beach, through to the simplistic of little cottages (and even some tiny houses) that seem to ‘only just rise above’ the sandhills.

This gallery of homes that grace the shores of many different beaches, and lakefronts will have you longing for the days of summer again. To feel the sand between your toes and to experience the smell of an outdoor barbecue cooking your favorite outdoor foods. Take a tour through these home, and relive your own experiences by the beach, and reminisce about those stunning memorable days as a child (or even as an adult) when you remember the sun was warm, the water glistened in the distance, and the sand was hot on your feet. Make the most of now and get back to the beach.

Castlerock in New Zealand holiday beach house set on top of a hilly knoll overlooking the nearby beach

Beautiful triple storey beach house with upper deck viewing and ready access to adjacent beach. Source pinterest.com via www.foreverandarecipe.com

Beautiful beachside house with semi rustic modernistic design photo: H Gifford Yale Wagner-Source www.dwell.com

Beach house built from four shipping containers. Source pinterest.com via www.behance.net

Stunning cottage style beach house with sandy pathway to the beach and expansive open plan deck. Source Pinterest.com via www.freshome.com

A summer cottage by the lake. The stained red/brown boards on the house are the perfect color for this magical woodland setting.

Lake house with pier and woods at sunrise in the morning in New York state Finger Lakes

Luxurious multi level beach house in beautiful nautical blue color

Imposing Stately Beach House at Rosemary Beach, Florida -Source Pinterest via Found on vrbo.com

335 Sq ft tiny beach house with bathroom, full kitchen, two decks, and French doors. Source www.zillow.com

A small cute yellow house with a stained front porch and white windows in a beach side setting and camouflaged by adjoining trees

These colourful bathing houses at Brighton Beach, Australia have been painted with a bright and cherry color scheme. A perfect look in this beach side setting each beach hut showing off its own unique color and design.

Beachfront Cottage living Source Pinterest.com found on beachblissliving.com

A New Beach House with beautiful landscaping finished in light blue boards with brown shutters. The palm trees provide the holiday beachy feel

Beautiful bright bathing houses on white sandy beach at Brighton in Melbourne, Australia.

This well designed new beachfront condo complex looks stunning with the colourful array of color combinations on each building looks perfect in this stunning location.

Two new colourful beach houses finished in a soft yellow and pink surrounded by tropical landscape gardens.

A large multi storeyed beach house finished in light blue boards and white windows and decking with extremely contrasted red storm shutters on the beachside.

A large beach house that fits in its environment seamlessly with the gorgeous pale blue exterior finished with white trim that sits amongst the white of the sandy beach and the tropical landscaping. Very nautical picture.

This beach house is a great example of a playful use of color giving the house a real relaxed beach feel with its multi color exterior and extensive yellow deck.

Other Architectural Homes You May Also Like:

Castle Rock Beach House
Fall House, Big Sur, California
Sardinera House on the Mediterranean
Sagaponack Family House

Tahoe Ski Retreat with Interior Design by Antonio Martins

Tahoe ski retreat showing living room, dining room area showing stairs and fireplace

A bachelor client, for whom Antonio Martins has worked in the past on two urban residential projects, hired him to create a fun and hip ski retreat in Tahoe. The above picture gives a great overall impression of the stunning living room, lounge and dining room area with the stairs in the background and the roaring fireplace to the right.

A floor-to-ceiling cold-rolled steel fireplace, highlighted by artist Jihoon Choi’s “Pixel Deer”, dominates the principal room. Floor-to-ceiling stacked wood adjacent to the fireplace becomes a design element and hides the entertainment center.

The seating area consists of a large leather sectional and a pair of 1960s swivel chairs by Thonet purchased by the client in Miami. Photography by Sharon Montrose and a mixed-media collage on a wood door created by Tim Weldon add a touch of whimsy.

Relaxed lounge area with thick leather corner sofa and large red floor rug

Kitchen and dining area with interesting decor features and ambiance.

The dining area has a 7-foot recycled wood square table surrounded by classic Cassina Cab armchairs, able to accommodate up to 16 guests.

The powder room features a live-edge floating shelf, a mirror Designed by Jacques Adnet and custom Union Square wallpaper by Crezana.

The corridor leading to the bedrooms showcases 19th century albumen photographs of the Tahoe region.

The above pictures shows this beautiful double bedroom with a dark wall color, timber slatted feature wall and grey carpet

The above bed has a padded leather headboard, dark feature wall and unique bedside lamps that complete this masculine bedroom.

The other end of the bedroom above showing the foot of the bed area with the countryside outlook and a unique relaxing ceiling hung chair.

A rustic bedroom with feature log-end wallpaper and carpet flooring

Rustic double bed in a bedroom with white book cabinet as the headboard

A simple bedroom with mattresses on a steel platform with shelves in between

Each of five bedrooms (all pictured above) was given its own personality: the burlap bedroom; the log bedroom; the grey bedroom; the antler bedroom; and the master, with a circular metal hanging chair overlooking the unobstructed view of the mountains. A large vintage “hotel” neon sign in the master bathroom adds nostalgia to the space.

The perfect mountain retreat: a casual and inviting house to welcome the owner’s many guests.

Who is Antonio Martins?

Antonio Martins studied hotel management in Switzerland, and worked for 11 years building a successful hotel career in Asia. From Hotel operations to Hotel design, he put his marks in some of the finest venues in Hong Kong, Bangkok, Argentina and most recently Chicago.

His Residential Career began in San Francisco, while obtaining a Masters of Fine Arts in Interior Architecture and Design. An artist at heart, Antonio brings an eclectic approach to interior design, with an interesting mix of antiques, modern artwork and contemporary furniture.

ANTONIO MARTINS
I N T E R I O R D E S I G N
San Francisco, USA
www.antoniomartins.com

Ensuite bathroom with character filled rustic furnishing and decor

Other Architectural Homes You May Like:

House K Stocksund, Stockholm
Biscayne Bay Residence, South Florida
Castle Rock Beach House
Fall House, Big Sur, California
Mirror House Project, Poland
One Wybelenna, Brisbane, Australia