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The relationship between architecture and the environment is crucial to the success of any project

A view of a wooden staircase. lights, architecture, daylighting, house, interior design, stairs, gray — A view of a wooden staircase. lights, polished concrete flooring, white walls.

The underlying theme of the house is the estate, home, house, interior design, property, real estate, room, window, wood, gray

The physical presence of the bath and the architecture, bathroom, floor, home, interior design, real estate, room, gray, white

A view of the master bathroom from the architecture, ceiling, courtyard, daylighting, facade, home, house, interior design, real estate, window, white

A view of the indoor and outdoor flow architecture, chair, dining room, furniture, house, interior design, real estate, table, window, gray, brown

An exterior view of the indoor outdoor flow architecture, home, house, property, real estate, roof, swimming pool, white

An exterior view of the entrance way to architecture, building, daylighting, estate, facade, home, house, interior design, property, real estate, residential area, roof, window, blue

A view of the living room, polished concrete ceiling, interior design, living room, real estate, room, brown, white

An exterior view of the entire house. - architecture, elevation, estate, facade, home, house, property, real estate, residential area, sky, villa, teal

An exterior view of the home. - An apartment, architecture, condominium, daylighting, facade, home, house, interior design, property, real estate, window, blue

A exterior view of the home from the architecture, corporate headquarters, estate, facade, home, house, lighting, property, real estate, roof, sky, villa, blue

A view of the kitchen area, tiled floor, interior design, kitchen, real estate, window, white, brown

How a house will relate to its surroundings plays an important role not only in its eventual design, but also in how the occupants will interact with both. A harmonious relationship between the built and natural environments will permeate all levels.

But achieving a harmonious relationship isn't reliant upon conforming one environment to the other. Quite disparate elements can be brought together to create a unified whole much like this house, designed by architect Noel Lane.

"Disparity does not necessarily lead to conflict. The lineal nature of this house serves to make you even more aware of its free-flowing surroundings, and vice versa," says Lane.

"The formal relationship between the house and its location is heightened by the fact that architecture is as much about straight lines as it is about the wider context of setting and spatiality."

An exterior view of the home. apartment, architecture, condominium, daylighting, facade, home, house, interior design, property, real estate, window, blue — An exterior view of the home.

The setting, however, cannot be ignored, and has a more intrinsic role than just that of providing a nice view.

It is also a linking element contributing to the relationship on a subtle level. In this instance, it is the incorporation of water into the built environment that sustains the harmony.

Another relationship was formed from the property needing to fulfil the requirements of both a family home and boutique lodge accommodation.

"The desire to give the house a more intimate relationship with its surroundings raised point-of-arrival issues for its role as a lodge, and the need for privacy," says Lane. "Unlike the more typical open-plan arrival points of visitor accommodation, the public areas of this guest building are sheltered and enclosed. On the other hand, the private areas the suites themselves have been opened up to interact with the natural environment."

This means the full extent of the relationship between the house and its setting is unveiled only once guests enter their room.

The idea of constantly being on the edge of nature strengthens the harmonious relationship that has already been visually established, says Lane.

Story by: Trendsideas

01 Jul, 2009

New Home

Trendsideas

Home kitchen bathroom commercial design

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ESSENTIAL ELEMENT