The Marvelous Villa Mayavee

Located on the west coast of Phuket, Thailand, Villa Mayavee was created by architects at Tierra Design through a singularity of vision to embody a multiplicity of contradictions, nuances and cultural typologies.

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Set upon a podium of granite cobbled walls on a remotely on a private estate, away from the well-trodden tourist tracks, the 3200 sq m build site is situated within the undulating terrain of the island. Soaking up panoramic views of the Andaman Sea and surrounding hills the home is also settled amongst a lush tropical landscape that has been sensitively established by the owner of the development.

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The design of the four level home plays with a combination of containment and expanse, using a ‘Z’ shaped form to form a series of divides that create distinct spatial experiences.

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A reflection pond is shadowed by the living span above to form a calming threshold between the entry forecourt and the cool expanse of ocean that stretches beyond. Adjacent wall cladding plays off the horizon of the sea with long runs of horizontal limestone and striped jointing.

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The living wing is connected to the watery forecourt via an expansive spiral staircase, encased in a cylinder of glass.

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Swanky Sales Office of Condominiums by the Sea

Standing tall by the beach at Hua Hin, Thailand, is the condominium development Baan San Kramm, designed by Somdoon Architects, and built by company Sansiri. The beach town complex has an adjacent sales office that acts as a front-of-house gateway, which provides potential homebuyers access to two impressive show units, and creates the opportunity for house hunters to fall in love with the beautiful seaside location.

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Large glass panels retract to allow the flow of sea breeze throughout the sales office, to keep the customers cool, comfortable and enjoying the prime location; the panels are completely concealed within the wooden walls for a truly inside-outside atmosphere, but allow the space to be enclosed and kept dry during the months of the raining season.

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An overhead wooden ceiling panel spans the 14 meter length, giving a framing effect on the sparkling seascape, which can also be enjoyed under the sky from a roof deck or from the modern, abstract form of the stepped landscaping designed by Sanitas Studio.

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The two mock-up units showcase architectural influence taken from sea, with a wave shaped balcony, and the sail-like curve of facade fins.

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The beach theme continues in the interior design of the apartments, with nautical memorabilia scattered over walls and display shelves, and the same blue and white color scheme we see begin at the sales office.

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Sansiri have several interesting building projects; we especially liked these themed houses that cleverly reflect the pastimes and professions of their residents:

Mountain Climber Theme House


Surfer Theme House


Sculptor Theme House


Hat tip: Architizer, Photographs: Wison Tungthanya, Videos: Sansiri

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Duplex Merge with Mesmeric Views

Belgian firm JUMA Architects have sent us these images of their duplex merge project, in collaboration with Minimum Arquitectura, with fresh interiors looking out over mesmeric ocean views. The renovation plan to convert the two existing houses entailed demolishing their external staircases and creating a brand new internal staircase, and taking advantage of the amalgamated outdoor space and increased views with the completion of an al fresco dining area and lounge, private swimming pool, and a stepped sun patio.

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Steel canopies and wooden sun terraces were installed to provide a visual fusion of the two original spaces. The decor style goes a step further in blurring the boundary between inside an out, with the same chairs used in each of the dining areas, and a bright white palette visible throughout.

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The simple interior design creates a holiday home ambience with its neutral scheme and open plan living areas. The sleeping quarters also take on a flowing layout with a wash area located directly behind the headboard; this layout allows the beautiful views visible from your bed to be viewable from your shower too-luckily there is a modesty screen to stop beach dwellers from having a view of you too!

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Lefevre House: An Imposing Abode Overlooking the Ocean

It is homes like these that make us wonder if we should create a special category titled 'James Bond Villain Abodes' and file this along with a few others in there. Located in Punta Misterio, Peru, the Lefevre house conspicuously integrates into a cliff and juts outs majestically to offer mesmerizing views of the sea from most of its rooms. The house is built right into the cliff with some rooms even sharing stone walls. The project was undertaken by Longhi Architects, (also from Peru) who took this up as a challenge to design a structure that represented the meeting of 'Desert' and 'Ocean'.

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Serene Caribbean Rental Villa

'Island Views' is an inviting Caribbean villa overlooking a calm ocean scene, and filled with fresh and simple décor, African sapele wood ceilings and artistic lighting.

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The impressive villa centers around a tastefully styled Great Room, furnished in a tropical fusion of rattan sofas, West Indian antique pieces and original art housed in custom bookcases built from andiroba wood along one entire wall. French doors have been situated on the ocean aspect to open the space up to St. Croix’s refreshing tradewinds.

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The Great Room leads out to a pool complete with built in waterfall and reclining Buddha, and spacious sun decks for peacefully topping up your tan, socializing in the sunshine, unwinding in the sunken hot tub or dining alfresco using the external gas grill and large teak table.

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Another outdoor lounging area is situated on the upper floor of the two level property to offer further appreciation of the sea vistas from cushioned chaise lounges-the perfect place for sipping cocktails as yachts sail by on the horizon.

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On the opposite side of the holiday hideaway, a kitchen with breakfast bar and an inside dining area are pierced with ever-present ocean panorama via large windows and french doors.

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For those who can’t ever fully switch off in vacation mode, a desk area complete with computer equipment can be utilized, or you can burn off excess energy in the air-conditioned, mirrored personal gym.

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