geometric forms

ANGLES AND ARCS ARE APPEARING ON CUTTING-EDGE NEW BUILDS AND EXTENSIONS – THESE PROJECTS SHOW HOW IT’S DONE

BEACHFRONT BEAUTY

The surrounding landscape of sand dunes and chalk cliffs inspired the form of The Stones, a seafront home designed by CZWG in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Kent. Truncated triangles intersect to create ‘irregular rhomboids’ that align with key views. The house sits beside a curved road, so curved salt-glazed brickwork screens the view; the rest of the property sees extensive glazing within timber cladding.

TILE TWIST

A twisting roof is just one of the standout features of Villa BW, a project by Dutch architects Mecanoo in North Holland. The shape was created by combining two overlapping designs – a gable roof on one side and a horizontal roofline on the other. The other key feature, of course, is the custom ceramic tile covering: a sheet of iridescent, multicolour pieces that represent the transitions of the dune and bolder landscapes surrounding the build.

ARTFUL ARCHES

Architectural curves are going nowhere, and Stephen Kavanagh Architects’ incorporation of structural brick arches into the design of this extended terrace in Camberwell, London is proof. The idea was borrowed from a triple arch on the existing street facade and adds character to the back of this overhauled property – while scalloped tiles on the roof addition create a shapely dialogue and contrast to the squared-off shape.

NATURE FIRST

Despite this Shizuoka villa’s angular appearance, it sits comfortably within the natural forest setting thanks to Japanese architecture practice Moriya and Partners’ careful design. Construction of the building was done without modifying the land or touching the boundaries of the forest, and the use of timber and extensive glazing helps reduce the visual impact of the building. Outside, the landscaping uses the existing forest and sloping site to create a park-like space for the community.