Dramatic, modern and comfortable. Mexico

Manuel Herrera runs a building company with his brother, based in Mexico City. He chose the leafy and elegant suburb of Bosques de Santa Fé for his own house, and called in the architect firm of Guzman y Ogarrio. He wanted a house which would be dramatic, modern, comfortable as well as a hub and entertaining space for his many young friends and colleagues. The rather austere and geometric front entrance is softened by the pond lined with flowers and lemon trees, as well as the double height window and the use of different materials – wood and red bricks interspersed with the pale coloured rendered cement. At the rear, much of the wall is opened up with spacious, windows, overlooking a delightful garden with a long lap pool. Inside, a series of colourful and elegant rooms are arranged as living and dining area, looking out onto the garden but shaded form the harsh Mexican sunlight, although the use of gold leafed panels and doors help to bring the warmth of the sunshine indoors. Upstairs is the private area – with the bedrooms, a private lounge and relaxing area with television, and the bathrooms. A series of ceramic hands decorate the shelves that traverse the span of a window, and the sunlight is also allowed to create streaks of light and shade through the skylight punctuated by wooden slats in the master bathroom... view feature

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Palm Tree House. USA

This example of modern architecture takes its name from the large palm trees that surround it, and whose rich fronds intrude into the house itself. This is the home of Todd and Lisa, and located at the head of a canyon in San Diego in Southern California. Todd, a machine tool broker, wanted a building made out of recycled materials which he himself could source, mainly sheet metal and wooden beams, and he called on the services of the experienced architects Safdie-Rabines to create a three storey home on a plot which had already several mature palm trees. Todd’s wife Lisa, a fashion photographer, was also fully involved in the project, lending her eye to the style as well as helping the ingenious solutions of the architects of how to build and support the structure amidst and around, and without compromising, the trees. Brightly coloured yet simple in design, the home fully lived up to its expectations – it is an environmentally conscious structure, fully immersed within and respecting its natural surroundings, which give not only give it its unique quality but also offers the floor to ceiling windows and open terraces on each storey some privacy from the street above and from across the canyon. The interiors are simply laid out with modern furnishings and bright colours as well as with local cactus plants, which both complement and enhance the sunny and airy feel of the house. This is living with nature in the middle of a major city... view feature

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Aussie Rules

When Jill Martin and David Webster wanted to enlarge their listed two-bed Bath cottage, they drew on Antipodean flair to create an ultra-modern extension that is filled with light. Over the years the couple have made small-scale renovations, but this one was more substantial resulting in a home of two halves: the original compact two-bed cottage to the front, with a contemporary kitchen, study and linear living and dining area harnesses to the back. We wanted to create a space at the back that was light and open, and maximise the views of the garden, fields and valley... view feature Pin It Now!

Good Vibrations

As dream homes go, it’s got the lot: stunning proportions stylish modern-country interior, idyllic countryside location, the list goes on. Even the kid goats frolicking in the back garden are adorable. Built over three storeys, with its single, impressive staircase linking the floors, each level is flooded with natural light from the numerous and often enormous windows. A liberal application of white paint and natural woollen carpets throughout provides a soothing, neutral backdrop... view feature Pin It Now!