architectural wonders

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Architecture has morphed throughout the centuries in the most beautiful ways.

We’ve gone from caves and stone houses to full-fledged, customized structures from a variety of materials. Of course, the advancement of knowledge and technology are to thank for this, and it only seems like an upward curve even in the future.

That being said, architecture has a lot to do individual preferences too, especially when it comes to one’s home.

Several new trends have come and gone with respect to architecture, but there’s also a few classics that never go out of style and some that are making a comeback, including the warm, inviting timber frame homes. The look and feel of your home both on the outside and the inside depending on how you want it to look and what style resonates with you.

In this article, we’re exploring some of the recent trends in architecture, and specifically the ones that use timber framing.

1. No more walls

open-space-timber-frame-house
Photo by Outsite Co on Unsplash

No, we’re not talking about no walls at all. The latest trend has been to minimize the number of walls internally in a home — timber frame homes specifically, because of the beauty and warmth timber adds to the space.

Earlier designs had different areas of the house as well defined, like the living room and the dining area for example.

Now, there’s merging happening, where the areas are all side by side and sometimes even converging, without any actual walls for separation. What this does is it creates the feeling of more space, increases the area for movement and makes your home look bigger, on the whole.

2. Kitchen matters

Timber frame home open layout kitchen
Photo by Aaron Huber on Unsplash

The kitchen is no more the area that’s hidden away from view, with only delicious foods coming out of there every now and then.

Kitchens have become a more immersive and collaborative area in a home, with open kitchen and extra counters where everyone can gather.

Also, there are no more barriers, and one can see everything in the kitchen, which is also why kitchen designs have become much more modern and trendy too.

3. Larger windows and doors

Large windows and doors are great for two reasons: one, they look much more majestic and beautiful and also allow you to go for more elaborate and large furniture, curtains, wallpaper and so on.

The second reason is more ventilation and more light entering the house, which again makes it feel spacious and airy. Today, since the primary trend in architecture is the allure of space and freedom of movement, large windows and doors go hand-in-hand with it.

4. Timber framing

timber-framing
Photo by Kyaw Tun on Unsplash

There’s been a misconception for a while that concrete is the best for the original foundation and framing of a home. However, recent trends have proven that might not be the case.

Enter timber, a material that is so versatile and easy to work with, and has become an absolute favorite for architects all over the world. Timber frame homes have become very popular, and for all the right reasons.

Timber framing is sturdy, durable, flexible and also doesn’t cost as much as people assume it does.

There are so many benefits to using timber, not just for framing but other structures in your home as well. With the right maintenance, timber can last for years together and can prove to be just as strong, if not stronger, than concrete.

Timber frame homes are also more environmentally friendly, and architects today have made it a point to keep eco-friendly structures in mind.

5. Flexible designs

If you have more land space and area for your home, that’s even better.

New architecture trends lean towards more flexible home designs, where there’s enough room to play around with spaces and also make additions/subtractions with ease.

For example, you can create a nice little picnic spot for you and your family by creating a foldable patio using timber. Even a timber gazebo in the backyard will be the perfect spot for an outdoor party area or play area if you have kids and pets. Adaptability is the new name of the game when it comes to modern architecture.

Photo by andres chaparro from Pexels

Similar to the ones we’ve mentioned, trends also differ from region to region. Regarding timber as a construction material, and timber framing quickly becoming a popular choice, we believe that it’s one that is here to stay.

The whole idea behind architecture today is to create designs that look stunning and also create maximum utility with the available space.

That, and keeping environmental factors in mind, timber framing is surely a top choice!

Source: fancypantshomes.com

Apache is functioning normally

Here’s a treat for architecture lovers everywhere: a mid-century masterpiece that bears the signature of architect extraordinaire, Frank Lloyd Wright, is now up for grabs in New Canaan, CT.

Known as Tirranna — a moniker inspired by an Australian Aboriginal word meaning “running waters”, as the home is cantilevered over a pond and overlooks a waterfall on the Noroton River — the property is one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s largest residential properties.

It was also one of the legendary architect’s last projects, built by Wright in 1955, just a few years before his death in 1959.

circular pool and an outdoor patio outside the Tirranna House, with columns supporting the structure
Photo credit: Udor Photography courtesy of Coldwell Banker Realty

But this isn’t just a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed property.

The architect also lived here while building the Guggenheim Museum — and even used some of the scalloped glass windows from the Guggenheim Museum project to complete the home’s south-facing greenhouse.

Now, the sprawling 7,000-square-foot Tirranna house is on the market, listed for $8 million with Marsha Charles and Albert Safdie of Coldwell Banker Realty. 

Inside an $8M Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home

The property, also known as the Rayward-Shepherd House or the John L. Rayward House, sits on 14 acres of protected land in New Canaan, Conn., a Fairfield County town that consistently ranks as one of the wealthiest towns in the country.

creek, stones and a small waterfall surrounding Frank Lloyd Wright's project, the Tirranna House in New Canaan, CT
Photo credit: Udor Photography courtesy of Coldwell Banker Realty

And while location is the name of the game when it comes to luxury real estate, this property has so many things going for it that the great location pales in comparison to some of its most enviable attributes.

Clocking in at a generous 7,000 square feet, the 7-bedroom, 8.5-bath home blends geometric complexity with nature’s flowing curves, in typical Frank Lloyd Wright style.

Throughout the home, the architect combined and contrasted soaring ceilings and open living spaces with cozy and cocoon-like mahogany-paneled bedrooms. 

mid-century interiors with large wood paneling, floor-to-ceiling windows and a wooden piani
Photo credit: Udor Photography courtesy of Coldwell Banker Realty
dining room with two dining sets and large floor-to-ceiling windows, everything made out of warm wood
Photo credit: Udor Photography courtesy of Coldwell Banker Realty

The living room and dining area opens to an expansive circular patio that overlooks the pool and nature reserve beyond.

Related: Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin house and its three (tragic) lives

The home’s functional wood-paneled and stainless-steel kitchen epitomizes the mid-century modern aesthetic, while each of the bathrooms are spa-like and adorned with spectacular wood panels and unique features.

wood-clad kitchen with stove and a small round window
Photo credit: Udor Photography courtesy of Coldwell Banker Realty
mid-century interiors with large skylight illuminating the room
Photo credit: Udor Photography courtesy of Coldwell Banker Realty
wood-paneled bedroom inside Frank Lloyd Wright's Tirranna house, with a bed in the center
Photo credit: Udor Photography courtesy of Coldwell Banker Realty

A 200-foot covered outdoor walkway leads to a greenhouse with caretakers/guest quarters, along with a carport. This is a full one-bedroom house with a lovely kitchen, cozy bedroom, and full bath.

covered walkway clad in wood
Photo credit: Udor Photography courtesy of Coldwell Banker Realty

There are a few other structures and amenities on the property, including a cozy guest studio with a full bath, a tennis court, a large barn, a wine cellar (which is actually a converted bomb shelter), a playhouse, and even a rooftop observatory complete with a telescope.

Public records show that the current owners/sellers bought the property in 2018 for $4,800,000. At the time, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Tirranna house had been listed for the first time in 20 years, and sported a similar price tag of $8 million.

A fusion of nature and architecture

From an architectural standpoint, Tirranna embodies Wright’s classic hemicycle design, seamlessly blending curved lines with rectangular angles, and combining geometric and spatial complexities for optimum functionality.

conservatory room covered with glass, wood and steel
Photo credit: Udor Photography courtesy of Coldwell Banker Realty

Standing as a perfect example of Frank Lloyd Wright’s organic architecture, which strives for a perfect balance between man, nature, and design, Tirranna reflects nature’s flowing curves and incorporates many of the architect’s staple design elements.

That includes low-slung roofs, Philippine mahogany walls, large windows, and Cherokee red concrete floors with radiant heat. It was built of concrete block and glass, trimmed with mahogany.

Related: Frank Lloyd Wright’s Ennis House also known as The Blade Runner House

The current owners have lovingly maintained the original architectural integrity, preserving details like built-in bookshelves, brass hardware, original lighting, cabinetry, and furnishings.

inside Frank Lloyd Wright's Tirranna House, where a warm wood-clad living room has a piano, sofa, chairs and lots of shelves
Photo credit: Udor Photography courtesy of Coldwell Banker Realty

But it’s not just the house that comes with an illustrious name attached to it.

The beautiful grounds of the property were thoughtfully designed by Frank Okamura, the landscape architect known for restoring the Japanese gardens at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden in the late 1940s. The Japanese-born American horticulturist is also known for helping popularize the cultivation of bonsai in America. 

open doors leading out to a patio with stone table and chairs, with landscaping behind it
Photo credit: Udor Photography courtesy of Coldwell Banker Realty

Along with Charles Middeleer, another famous landscape architect of the time, Okamura carefully designed the landscape to ensure privacy, making Tirranna the ideal sanctuary for those seeking a tranquil lifestyle.

round pool filled with water next to a stone and wood structure
Photo credit: Udor Photography courtesy of Coldwell Banker Realty

As the brokerage that holds the listing told us via email, “Tirranna is more than just a home; it’s a mid-century masterpiece that will transport you to another time and place.”

We couldn’t agree more.

More stories you might like

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin house and its three (tragic) lives
The Chemosphere House and 6 other striking John Lautner-designed homesFrank Lloyd Wright’s Ennis House also known as The Blade Runner House
The Remarkable Sheats-Goldstein Residence in LA: Past, Present and Future

Source: fancypantshomes.com

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We love unique, quirky homes.

But few can compare to the Falcon Nest home in Prescott, Arizona.

And while the property may also be known as The Palsolaral House, we’re going to keep referring to it as the Falcon Nest — a title fit for a villain’s lair, a rather appropriate potential role for this quirky house.

The 10-story home, designed by Phoenix architect Sukumar Pal, is a unique residence that once held the title of “world’s tallest home”, which it lost in favor of the South Mumbai home of business magnate Mukesh Ambani — a true high-rise, counting 27 stories.

And if you want a home that’s truly unique (and don’t mind relocating to the Copper State), know that the Falcon Nest home is headed for auction on May 25. That means you can snag the architectural wonder for considerably less that the $1.5 million price tag, with the bid starting at $750,000.

falcon-nest-home-living-room-fireplace
Image credit: Sotheby’s International Realty
falcon-nest-home-living-room
Image credit: Sotheby’s International Realty

10 Stories of Unique Living Space

The 6,200-square-feet of living space are neither common, nor forgettable.

Featuring expansive glass ceilings and striking views that stretch for miles, the Falcon Nest’s interiors are equally unique as its exteriors, making it a true architectural rarity.

With three bedrooms and four baths, the Palsolaral House also comes with an impressive 2,000-square-foot solarium, also equipped with two bedrooms, two baths, and a kitchen.

A hydraulic elevator provides access from the garage level to the sixth floor. With minimal energy consumption, a small footprint, and utilizing natural elements to heat and cool the home free from cost, the home exemplifies passive solar technologies and alternative power sources.

If you’re considering joining the auction that takes place on May 25, 2017 on Concierge Auctions’ mobile bidding app, here’s a photo tour of the unique property:

falcon-nest-home-ceilings
Image credit: Sotheby’s International Realty
falcon-nest-home-kitchen
Image credit: Sotheby’s International Realty
falcon-nest-home-dining-room
Image credit: Sotheby’s International Realty
falcon-nest-home-bedroom
Image credit: Sotheby’s International Realty
falcon-nest-home-by-night
Image credit: Sotheby’s International Realty

Source: fancypantshomes.com

Apache is functioning normally

Visionary architect Zaha Hadid — known as the “Queen of the Curve” for the modern, curving designs of her buildings — had a legendary career. Her striking structures grace the skylines of major metropolitan cities, while her product designs, including furniture, jewelry, lighting, and even shoes, can be found in homes around the world. 

She designed hundreds of award-winning buildings during her lifetime, from a metro station in Saudi Arabia, to the aquatics center for the 2012 London Olympics, to a city center in downtown Belgrade, all in her signature flowing style. The Iraqi-British architect left an indelible mark on the architectural landscape, building futuristic works of art such as Beijing’s Galaxy Soho, the Guangzhou Opera House, the One Thousand Museum in Miami, the Generali Tower in Milan, and many more.

But only one house.

The spaceship-like Capital Hill Residence in Russia is the only private residence ever to be built by Hadid, who regretfully passed away in 2016. And while Zaha Hadid never had the chance to see the house come to life, that’s all the more reason for us to take a moment and soak in the beauty of one of her final works.

zaha-hadid-house-capital-hill-residence
Image courtesy of The OKO Group

Capital Hill Residence — the spaceship home born on a napkin

The incredible home, known as the ‘Capital Hill Residence,’ is located in a forested area in Barvikha, Russia and is the private home of Russian real estate magnate and philanthropist Vladislav Doronin.

When Vladislav Doronin first approached Zaha Hadid to design the house, he had one wish: “I want to wake up in the morning and just see blue sky.” To which Zaha Hadid said “You realize you have to be above the trees?” Doronin said “Yes.” So Zaha Hadid took a napkin and started drawing.

That was more than a decade ago. After their first meeting, Doronin knew he had found the architect who understood his vision for the unique home he wanted.

After facing a few hurdles along the way — Doronin first had a city lot in mind for the house, only to find that zoning restrictions wouldn’t let him build his dream home in Moscow — the Capital Hill Residence was finally unveiled in 2018.

Like many of Zaha Hadid’s structures, the spaceship-like home is defined by fluid geometries emerging from the landscape.

Capital-Hill-Residence-Home-designed-by-Zaha-Hadid
Image courtesy of The OKO Group

The house spans over four levels, with the living room, dining room, kitchen, and entertaining spaces being located on the first two floors, that also provide access to the indoor swimming pool, and leisure facilities.

Capital-Hill-Residence-Home-designed-by-Zaha-Hadid
Image courtesy of The OKO Group
Capital-Hill-Residence-designed-zaha-hadid-interior
Image courtesy of The OKO Group

Capital Hill Residence sits on a north-facing hillside and consists of two main parts – a lower area which sits among pine and birch trees — and an upper part which rises 72 feet above the ground to give its residents spectacular views of the Russian forested landscape.

Unlike any other of Zaha Hadid’s structures, which were almost exclusively set in urban environments, the Capital Hill Residence is a neo-futuristic building that stands out in the thick forest of trees it’s surrounded by.

More architectural wonders:

Rare Frank Lloyd House Hits the Market in Nevada; Asks $500K
UFO-Shaped Palm Springs House (Once Owned by Bob Hope) Finally Finds a Buyer
Introducing North America’s Tallest Home, the Falcon Nest
This 4-Floor Penthouse Atop San Francisco’s ClockTower Asks $6.3 Million, Comes With the Actual Clock

Source: fancypantshomes.com

The Chemosphere House and 6 other striking John Lautner-designed homes

You don’t necessarily have to be an architecture buff or aficionado to be able to recognize a house designed by John Lautner. You might not know much about the man himself, but his works are instantly recognizable due to the fact that they’re so unique, so daring, so eclectic, and, as some might say, so […]

The post The Chemosphere House and 6 other striking John Lautner-designed homes appeared first on Fancy Pants Homes.

Is it Real? Richie Rich’s House is Actually the Biltmore Estate, America’s Largest Home

Richie Rich is one of those movies that mark your childhood – it’s fun to watch, the storyline is predictable enough not to truly worry about its brave little protagonists, and it teaches us that no amount of money can make up for true friendship. Starring Macaulay Culkin as the richest kid in the world, […]

The post Is it Real? Richie Rich’s House is Actually the Biltmore Estate, America’s Largest Home appeared first on Fancy Pants Homes.

This 4-Floor Penthouse Atop San Francisco’s ClockTower Asks $6.3 Million, Comes With the Actual Clock

If you haven’t yet had your daily kick of fancy living, here’s a treat for you: the massive penthouse atop San Francisco’s iconic ClockTower Building. And since it just dropped its asking to $6,250,000 (from $6.9 million), this seems like the perfect excuse to kill a couple of minutes drooling over this stunner of a […]

The post This 4-Floor Penthouse Atop San Francisco’s ClockTower Asks $6.3 Million, Comes With the Actual Clock appeared first on Fancy Pants Homes.

Rare Frank Lloyd House Hits the Market in Nevada; Asks $500K

Amid million dollar homes and posh celebrity cribs, every now and then we stumble upon a true gem that (surprisingly) comes with a six figure price tag attached to it.   Every other week, a new home joins our â€˜Fancy Pants Homes under $1 million’ club. But few quite like this one. Southeast of Las Vegas stands the town of […]

The post Rare Frank Lloyd House Hits the Market in Nevada; Asks $500K appeared first on Fancy Pants Homes.

The Domestead: A unique $1.725M geodesic dome house in L.A.

If you’ve ever dreamed of owning and living in an architectural masterpiece featuring your very own ‘Glass Onion,’ then look no further, because an incredible opportunity is on the horizon.  Molly Kelley and Susan Irving of Nourmand & Associates hold a one-of-a-kind listing of a property that you might not expect to find in glitzy […]

The post The Domestead: A unique $1.725M geodesic dome house in L.A. appeared first on Fancy Pants Homes.

Exquisite Birge Clark-Designed Mansion on the Market in Palo Alto

A whimsical French Riviera-inspired mansion designed by renowned Palo Alto architect Birge Clark is on the market for $16.8 million right in the heart of Silicon Valley.

The post Exquisite Birge Clark-Designed Mansion on the Market in Palo Alto appeared first on Fancy Pants Homes.