Homes with glass walls

Located in a clearing once occupied by the Kalamazoo farmers market, this home’s striking facade is enveloped by its wooded setting. The bold, inky exterior is balanced by a minimalist interior, allowing the home’s organic surroundings to draw the eye outward through large-scale glasswork.

Homeowners Liz and Kevin Hoekzema, both residential builders and designers, have plenty of experience with the construction process. Yet, when designing their own home, the duo followed an instinct to do things differently. “We’re always thinking about how we can bring in little surprises—taking a space that would otherwise be ordinary and giving it a little twist and a creative spin,” says Liz.

As a residential designer, Liz is driven to create spaces that are both unique and playful—a philosophy she wholeheartedly embraced when building a new home for her family.

The couple gave a lot of thought to the materials used and the relationship they wished to create with nature. “We wanted a minimal, modern interior that just flows outside,” comments Kevin. “We also wanted to focus on the view through to the outdoors—increasing the connection with nature and having natural light stream in,” adds Liz. One way the couple accomplished this goal was by maximizing sightlines to the greenery outside with large-scale windows and doors from Marvin. 

An aerial shot of the property showing the house nestled in a clearing. The dense wooded surroundings inspired the couple to prioritize exterior views in the home’s design.

Throughout the home, large picture windows frame views of the greenery outside, including glimpses of a 150-year-old oak tree the couple worked hard to save.

With four active kids, large expanses of glass throughout the home’s open floor plan also allows Liz and Kevin to have open sightlines. “We love that in the design of this home we were able to factor in ways to see our kids whether they are in the yard or upstairs,” says Liz. “We wanted to design a unique house plan that would allow us to stay connected to them,” she adds.

“When it came to designing the inside of the home, we wanted to have your eye continue on through the glass instead of landing on a lot of details,” comments Liz.

The large windows continue into each of the bedrooms, where they frame picturesque views of the landscape.

The couple incorporated other unexpected views of the outdoors, including a glass-encased floating breezeway that connects the garage and main house. The everyday experience of walking across the walkway is enhanced by floor-to-ceiling windows along both sides. “When you get really intentional about directing the eye in a certain way, it feels like you are painting a picture with the nature that’s there,” says Liz. 

A small breezeway connects the garage with the main house. The ground is dug out underneath this part of the structure to give the appearance of it effortlessly floating across.

One of Kevin’s favorite rooms is an indoor-outdoor area he calls the ‘screen room.’ With a full-width retractable screen across one wall, the space is a modern take on an all-season screened porch.

The goal to keep her family connected with nature is also what attracted Liz to the streamlined style of the selected windows and doors. “The design is so sleek and simple that it’s not stopping your eye from carrying forth into the view of nature,” she says. As a local builder, Kevin also knows that energy efficiency is an important consideration. “Especially in our harsher climate where it can be -20° up to 100° F, as well as really humid, dry, and windy, Marvin has just been a really solid choice,” he adds.

Large slider doors from Marvin allow easy access to the patio. The couple chose
long rectangular stepping blocks in the exact width of the slider to further enhance the view outward. 

“We wanted to make sure we could be inside or outside all the time, with open windows, open doors—all flowing right outside to the pool area,” says Kevin. Liz also loves how the entire family has embraced the indoor-outdoor lifestyle: “The kids open the slider door and go right out to the pool, basketball court, or wherever, and it really feels like we are home.” 

Any chance they get, the active family takes a dip in the backyard pool,
often with a running start from sliding doors in the living room. 

After living in the house for almost a year, the couple realizes how much the space inspires them in their everyday work. “Our clients are able to see how we were adventurous in designing for ourselves, and how there’s a lot of joy in that. Now, they feel more comfortable taking risks themselves,” adds Liz.

Project Credits: 

Architect & Builder: KLH Custom Homes / @klhcustomhomes 

Interior Design: KLH Custom Homes / @klhcustomhomes 

Photography: 22 Waves Creative / @22_waves

Balinese Wantilan Rumah Purnama in Ubud renovated by Studio Jencquel

Balinese Wantilan Rumah Purnama / The House of the Full Moon
Interior Designer: Maximilian Jencquel of Studio Jencquel
Interior Stylist: Lisa Scapin
Location: Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Photographer: Tommaso Riva

Interior Designer: Maximilian Jencquel. Interior Stylist: Lisa Scapin. Location: Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. Photographer: Tommaso RivaInterior Designer: Maximilian Jencquel. Interior Stylist: Lisa Scapin. Location: Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. Photographer: Tommaso RivaInterior Designer: Maximilian Jencquel. Interior Stylist: Lisa Scapin. Location: Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. Photographer: Tommaso Riva

Shop Arket Homeware Collection

100% Seagrass Household Hardware Flat Handmade Basket, made in MoroccoLarge Handmade soda-lime glass Vase in GreenGlazed Stoneware Textured Plate in Dark BrownAfroart 100% Palm Leaf Raffia Basket in Beige, made in MadagascarInterior Designer: Maximilian Jencquel. Interior Stylist: Lisa Scapin. Location: Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. Photographer: Tommaso RivaInterior Designer: Maximilian Jencquel. Interior Stylist: Lisa Scapin. Location: Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. Photographer: Tommaso RivaInterior Designer: Maximilian Jencquel. Interior Stylist: Lisa Scapin. Location: Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. Photographer: Tommaso RivaInterior Designer: Maximilian Jencquel. Interior Stylist: Lisa Scapin. Location: Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. Photographer: Tommaso RivaInterior Designer: Maximilian Jencquel. Interior Stylist: Lisa Scapin. Location: Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. Photographer: Tommaso RivaInterior Designer: Maximilian Jencquel. Interior Stylist: Lisa Scapin. Location: Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. Photographer: Tommaso RivaInterior Designer: Maximilian Jencquel. Interior Stylist: Lisa Scapin. Location: Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. Photographer: Tommaso RivaInterior Designer: Maximilian Jencquel. Interior Stylist: Lisa Scapin. Location: Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. Photographer: Tommaso Riva

Design Objects to Decorate Your Home

Raawii Alev large eathenware vaseRabitti 1969 Jota small leather basketPendleton Sierra Ridge wool-blend blanketR+D.LAB Luisa Bonne Nuit carafe and tumbler setBalinese Wantilan Rumah Purnama in Ubud renovated by Studio JencquelInterior Designer: Maximilian Jencquel. Interior Stylist: Lisa Scapin. Location: Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. Photographer: Tommaso RivaInterior Designer: Maximilian Jencquel. Interior Stylist: Lisa Scapin. Location: Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. Photographer: Tommaso RivaInterior Designer: Maximilian Jencquel. Interior Stylist: Lisa Scapin. Location: Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. Photographer: Tommaso RivaInterior Designer: Maximilian Jencquel. Interior Stylist: Lisa Scapin. Location: Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. Photographer: Tommaso RivaInterior Designer: Maximilian Jencquel. Interior Stylist: Lisa Scapin. Location: Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. Photographer: Tommaso RivaInterior Designer: Maximilian Jencquel. Interior Stylist: Lisa Scapin. Location: Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. Photographer: Tommaso RivaInterior Designer: Maximilian Jencquel. Interior Stylist: Lisa Scapin. Location: Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. Photographer: Tommaso RivaInterior Designer: Maximilian Jencquel. Interior Stylist: Lisa Scapin. Location: Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. Photographer: Tommaso RivaInterior Designer: Maximilian Jencquel. Interior Stylist: Lisa Scapin. Location: Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. Photographer: Tommaso RivaInterior Designer: Maximilian Jencquel. Interior Stylist: Lisa Scapin. Location: Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. Photographer: Tommaso RivaInterior Designer: Maximilian Jencquel. Interior Stylist: Lisa Scapin. Location: Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. Photographer: Tommaso RivaInterior Designer: Maximilian Jencquel. Interior Stylist: Lisa Scapin. Location: Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. Photographer: Tommaso Riva

Eco-friendly Fireproof House by the Colo River

Colo Crossings House by Benn + Penna Architecture is located 100 kilometers northwest of Sydney’s CBD and the site sits on a steep slope on the banks of the Colo River. The owner analogizes this house as a place of ‘isolation’ from city life because the environment around this residence is a river and open nature which is still filled with forests.

Landscapes of rivers, forests, and mountains are the main sights of houses built in 3 dimensions. This geographical condition is the key to smooth internal circulation that circulates air and light throughout the house. In addition, some of the walls of the house are made of glass which functions as openings and can balance the temperature of the house, especially in the morning and evening.

This house, which is on the bend of the Colo River, has a U-shaped floor plan with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, an open kitchen, and a living room with glass walls that lead to the outside view. Physically, this building combines 3 natural color schemes that blend into the landscape. A black platform is applied to the blackened stone shelves, followed by bush green shipping containers, and a silver roof that reflects the clouds on a sunny day.

The condition of the site which is on a rock slope has been carefully considered by the architect. The existing sandy bedrock provides a natural foothold to support buildings in areas prone to landslides. The steel structure anchored into the rock is designed to withstand the masses for years to come. The interior of the house uses concrete and plywood floors which are meant to declare an eco-friendly home. It is supported by container walls and a double insulated roof, while new concrete slabs are poured into each side to facilitate thermal mass through several north-facing windows.

An advantage because of its location adjacent to the river and open nature, this house has a very sufficient water supply. The peaked roof and water tank function as a container to accommodate consumption water, while the main attraction pool protects in the event of a fire one day.