The Ross Street House, was recognized as Wisconsin’s first LEED for Homes Platinum rated residence in July 2009. The home has captured the attention of green enthusiasts throughout the country for far exceeding the requirements to achieve the highest LEED rating of Platinum.

Brought to you by Modern Zen Architect Thailand…

Read full article at ArchDaily.com

The design dmvA made for the office of XfactorAgencies, as an extension to the house, was relentlessly rejected by local building regulations.

Used to working with limitations and blurring these boundaries at the same time, dmvA answered by designing a mobile unit, a blob.

Brought to you by Michael Earle, Modern Zen Architect…

Find original article here… http://bit.ly/8qrgY8

Sala Phuket Restaurant is a main restaurant for a resort in Phuket, Thailand. Because of its pristine surrounding, the design is intended to respond to the sensational dimension of experience embodied within the area—beauty, simplicity, and silence. Taking advantage of its tropical climatic conditions and its beachfront location, the restaurant is designed to operate as an open-air pavilion. With 50 indoor and 70 outdoor seats, the restaurant offers its patrons with island breezes that beautifully accompanied by unimpeded views and sound of the sea in front

Read full article from Archdaily.com

This blog post brought to you by Michael Earle, Modern Zen Architect…

Why not come over here, and experience the lifestyle for yourself?!

Leave it to the Chinese to expand on a great idea. Here they’re mixing Light with Ice Sculptures to a whole new level–a much grander level then we’re used to seeing. It’s amazing to me to see a country, not so long ago regarded as a third world country, near the cutting edge of art and design. Do you all remember when the African status quo was greater than that of South Korea? I wonder how much China will surpass the rest of the world too…

Brought to you by Modern Zen Architect, Michael Earle.

Although it may not necessarily be fuel efficient, it sure is a head turner. This behemoth of an RV resembles a house more than it does a vehicle. This “camper”, complete with a luxurious living room and even more lavish driver’s seat may seem a bt outlandish, but for those who wish to explore their country what better way to do it than to cruise around in this. Granted, its large size may limit its maneuverability, but with a push of a button that problem is solved. Hidden beneath the camper is a mobile garage so to speak, holding a small car. We here at Modern Zen loves the idea of parking this ride near a beach in Phuket and taking the small car out for a nice spin around town.

Brought to you by Modern Zen Architect, Michael Earle.

Brought to you by Modern Zen Architect, Michael Earle.

Here is a link to the story.
http://www.yankodesign.com/2009/12/17/wind-powered-m6-speedster/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+yankodesign+%28Yanko+Design+-+Form+Beyond+Function%29

Brought to you by Modern Zen Architect, Michael Earle.

Check out this modern villa design by A-cero architects in Spain. It includes great use of material and really comes together as a modern villa. We like this design a lot.

Here is a link to a more detailed story about this modern villa.

http://www.contemporist.com/category/architecture/

Brought to you by Modern Zen Architecture.

Brought to you by Michael Earle, Modern Zen Architect

Brought to you by Modern Zen Architect, Michael Earle.

If you were to look at the new bench designed by Alexandre Moronnoz, you would think that it is not very comfortable. However, it would take only a moment after sitting down on the bench to realize it is not only comfortable, but it is pleasing to the eye as well. The design would fit nicely indoors with contemporary design or outside with the landscape. Although the hefty asking price of 19,500 pounds means only a lucky few will be able to afford this piece.

Source: http://www.designspotter.com/blog/p/4

Brought to you by Modern Zen Architect, Michael Earle.

Michael Earle, Modern Zen Architect, recommends… There are millions upon millions of shipping containers used daily to transport goods throughout the world.  But a new trend emerging is finding a different use for these steel compartments.  As seen in the images below, these boxes are being converted into makeshift homes and offices.  We (Michael Earle) at Modern Zen Architect, first saw this done in Boston, Massachusetts with the new Puma flagship store.  It appears that the trend is definitely catching on.

Source: http://weburbanist.com/2009/12/01/cargo-shipping-container-house-home/

Modern Zen Architect, Michael Earle, recommends… This modern designer and critic, Paul Goldberger has come out with a new book, Why architecture matters.  It is an interesting read and worth picking up for its information about Modern architecture.

Here is a Link to a review: http://newamericanvillage.blogspot.com/2009/11/why-architecture-matters

Brought to you by Modern Zen Architects

See more here:

http://weburbanist.com/2009/12/08/snow-sculptures/

Brought to you by Modern Zen Architecture

Read the full article here:

http://www.residentialarchitect.com/industry-news.asp?referer=rss275&sectionID=275&articleID=1134115

Brought to you by Modern Zen Architecture

Michael Earle, Modern Zen Architect recommends… Architects Anton Žižek and Marjan Poboljšaj have been winning awards for their designs ever since they graduated in 1997.  Having formed their own architectural firm, Superform, it doesn’t appear like they will be slowing down anytime soon.  One of their latest projects for a private client in Slovenia deserves some recognition as well.  Combining two houses together to create one, Superform fulfilled their client’s wish.  They were able to unite the traditional architecture of thei first house with the modern design features of the second, no small easy feat to achieve.

Source: http://www.thecoolhunter.net/architecture

Modern Zen Architect, Michael Earle, recommends… Although not much has been written yet about Villa Vals, Modern Zen Architects feels the new design by Search warrants mentioning.  Located in Switzerland, the dwelling Villa Vals is aptly described as a “mountain home.”  Not because it is built among the mountains of Switzerland- it is because it is built in the mountains of Switzerland.  It is almost reminiscent of the bomb shelters built in the 50’s in the US, only this one has class and style.  A full article about the house will be published in Abitare 499 in January, and we at Modern Zen eagerly anticipate more information on this design by Search Architects.

Source: http://mocoloco.com/fresh2/2009/12/01/villa-vals-by-search.php

Michael Earle, Modern Zen Architect, recommends… MIT Stata Centre, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA (2004). “Another eyepopping assemblage of curvy silos and angled towers”.