dreaming of other places

ÁPH80 series by architectural firm ÁBATON.

the ÁPH80 series of prefabricated homes can be transported by road & placed almost anywhere.  ideal for use as forest cabins & small private retreats, these minimal dwellings retain the proportions of a larger house, as they are designed to provide a sense of spaciousness & comfort since the architects have managed to include a living room/kitchen area, a fully equipped bathroom & a double bedroom in the 27 sq. meters of indoor space.
the house is actually lighter than it looks, since solid timber has been used for the structure & interior surfaces, while the outside has been covered with gray cement wood boards that also function as window shutters. when closed, the grey panels can seal the house completely, making it appear like one solid sculptural volume.
ÁBATON was founded by camino alonso, carlos alonso & ignacio lechón in 1998 & was awarded the torre sostenible prize in 2009 in recognition of its commitment to sustainability & protecting the environment.
if only i could run away......

dreaming of other places

casa klotz (house for the architect's mother) by architect mathias klotz. playa grande, tongoy, chile. swoon.

dreaming of other places

kawachi fuji gardens, japan

swoon

dreaming of other places

dreaming of other places

cinque terre, italy

let's go!

tequendama falls & the haunted hotel

in 1924, the luxurious hotel (refugio d)el salto was opened on the cliff facing the tequendama falls in columbia. (about 30 miles from bogota) due to contamination of the river water, the hotel was closed in the early 90s. today the hotel is abandoned & reportedly haunted but that hasn't stopped tourists who stop there & are offered grilled meat skewers by locals. i soooo want to go there!!

dreaming of other places

dreaming of other places

house in cabo polonio, eastern coast of uruguay....le sigh!

dreaming of other places

babylonstoren, south africa.
babylonstoren is one of the best preserved werfs (farm yards) in the cape dutch tradition. not only the manor house from 1777, but pioneer structures all the way back to the founding of the farm in 1690. the koornhuis (for storing wheat & hay) and the old cellar are exceptionally fine. an ornate fowl house, pigeon loft, leaning bell tower & historic gates embellish a traditional courtyard surrounded by a low, whitewashed wall.
babylonstoren lies in the drakenstein valley betweenf ranschhoek & pearl. surrounded by the simonsberg, du toitskloof & franschhoek mountains, babylonstoren is in the heart of the cape winelands - about 60km from capetown.