Living on the Edge: Houses Adapted to Extreme Weather Conditions

In each region of the globe, vernacular constructions of the most varied kind emerged, whether buried underground, inside caves or even built with stones, wood and fabrics. Shelter solutions were based on available materials and weather conditions. The architecture arises from the development of these shelters, built to protect people from predators and the weather.

Veldhuis House / LMNL office

Located on a historic road lined by old farms the Veldhuis seeks to be a contextually relevant modern home with traditional references. The typical Dutch barn typology, brick walls with a thatch roof, is modified to fit the needs of the family. The shape of the Veldhuis is an archetypal Dutch farmhouse, of which the height and width are lessened at the rear, allowing three stories in the front part of the house (bedrooms, study, and attic) and one in the rear (living and dining).  

Theros All Suite Hotel / Mastrominas ARChitecture

Theros All-Suite Hotel is a blissful mystic world where childhood memories of a carefree summer are brought to life by the scents of jasmine, the swaying of palms in the Meltemi, and the rustling of reeds. Meaning SUMMER in ancient greek, THEROS is the epitome of slow living, a holistic experience of well-being, based on the ancient greek philosophy of “Ef-Zin” and the greek ideal for hospitality. Its modern design is based on the principles of traditional architecture and local history.

BENT Annexe II House / Bent Architecture

Imagine if your home could feel like living in a garden pavilion. At BENT Annexe II, it does! By retaining the character-rich front section of the home and creating a new, light-filled addition to the rear, this family of four plus Pippa the groodle are surrounded by lush greenery and can effortlessly utilize their backyard. As is the case with many period homes, the existing house was charming with high ceilings and ornate details. As is also the case with many period homes, the living areas felt disconnected from the backyard due to a series of rooms, such as the kitchen, storage rooms, and a toilet which were tacked onto the back in a lean-to. We resisted the temptation to knock down the lean-to and add a new open-plan living area stretching from boundary to boundary to the back and opening onto the garden for two key reasons.

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