Earlier this month I came across a dream villa in a dream location on the shores of Lake Geneva, designed by Olson Kundig Architects. I was so intrigued by it that I stalked them on their website and systematically worked my way through their portfolio. Alongside public buildings all over the world, they also have a knack for very modern private houses, with huge windows, in stunning locations, really allowing nature to mingle with the indoors. When I win the lottery (or a whole dozen of them, I think), you know whom I will employ to build me the dream home. All the photos are from their website
It all started with this view from the Chemin Byron villa on Lake Geneva.
Seamlessly going from the outside to the inside in this Californian home.
The sea can be heard and seen from this terrace/living room in Hawaii.
The forest is peeking into the house in this Canadian home.
This house in Rio has the jungle as a backdrop for the living room.
These wide open spaces are fine in summer – but what might they look like in the rain and snow of Washington State?
This is from another architecture firm, Villa Aquamarine by Mykarch in Mykonos, but I couldn’t resist adding it here as the perfect blend of indoors and landscape, and combining my favourite colours.
13 thoughts on “Friday Fun: Passion for an Architects’ Studio”
What fun to be an architect – I wish I had been one, but I expect you have to be very clever! I wonder how much you pay the window cleaners for these houses!
Hmm, of all the places I think the one I prefer is the same as Bea’s, the house in Mykonos—all the others I think are too vast, too easy to feel isolated in, whereas in the Mykonos studio I’d feel more insulated, more protected ‘if you know what I mean).
These are absolutely stunning, Marina Sofia! They are all so inviting, and those views! I love them all. I think I like the one in Mykonos the best, but the one in Hawai’i is a very close second…
I love this design idea that makes the transition from indoors to outdoors seamless, let alone the stunning landscapes in which these particular buildings were built. Good work Marina.
findingtimetowrite 
What fun to be an architect – I wish I had been one, but I expect you have to be very clever! I wonder how much you pay the window cleaners for these houses!
I decided years ago I’ll be an architect in my next life! the Mykonos house is an absolute dream…
These are all just breathtaking!
All gorgeous without exception. I love the idea of bringing the outside in.
Hmm, of all the places I think the one I prefer is the same as Bea’s, the house in Mykonos—all the others I think are too vast, too easy to feel isolated in, whereas in the Mykonos studio I’d feel more insulated, more protected ‘if you know what I mean).
I’d happily spend a few hours or years in the last one.
These are absolutely stunning, Marina Sofia! They are all so inviting, and those views! I love them all. I think I like the one in Mykonos the best, but the one in Hawai’i is a very close second…
Just glorious – very drawn to the Canadian one! 😀
I love this design idea that makes the transition from indoors to outdoors seamless, let alone the stunning landscapes in which these particular buildings were built. Good work Marina.
These were lovely to take in, the light, the simplicity and total lack of clutter. That at least is something to aspire to! x
Ha, ha… once upon a time, I too had a clutterless home!
So hard to choose! If I lived in anywhere with views as stunning I would do nothing but stand at the windows.
The Canadian one is my favourite.