Inspiration

“There’s a convergence between the artificial world and the biological one,” says Carlo Ratti. “Our buildings, our cities, can start to respond to us as if they were living beings.”

By using in-house design to imagine and erect these inspiring spaces, the following eight architectu re firms took on a task that is just as challenging as it is exciting.

The Shore Hotel on Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica, California, is not just a clever name. Designed by Gensler, the U-shaped building affords equal views of the Pacific Ocean — directly across the street — from all 164 guest rooms. It serves as a fitting reminder of the boutique hotel’s commitment to environmental stewardship. In…

At each one of these homes, consideration is taken in order to create peace, lightness and serenity — the color white is used as an intentional tool in achieving such ends.

Here’s a sneak preview of the designs you’ll be voting for this year!

These photos of ice-engulfed lighthouses are sure to send shivers down your spine. Formed under very specific circumstances, these pasty kraken emerge annually on the shoreline of Lake Michigan each winter. Their alluring formations are enough to entice the hot-weather-loving photographer, Tom Gill, to photograph their sculptural encasings every year. To grow your very own…

Bergmeisterwolf designed double glazed panels that sink magically into the ground.

Grounding architecture, pure forms and geometry structure ideas on space, sequence and light. Repres entative of totality or movement, circles imply infinity and cyclical patterns as a sacred shape across cultures.

Lora Teagarden is a practicing architect at Ratio in Indianapolis and the founder of L2 design. Her website and blog offers a unique insight into professional practice together with inspiration and tips for young architects. Many times the supporting stage hands in life don’t get the publicity that the actor does come awards season. This…