We continue the series dedicated to the 2009 AIA Housing Awards with this great looking house from Ehrlich Architects.

According to the architect, the objective for this eco-friendly residence in Venice, California was to design a high-performance home that dissolves the barriers between indoors and outdoors; utilize raw, honest materials appropriate to the bohemian grittiness of the surrounding community; and have the smallest carbon footprint in balance with lifestyle.

Nestled amidst a neighborhood of single story bungalows in Venice, California, the Solar Umbrella Residence boldly establishes a precedent for the next generation of California modernist architecture. Located on a 41’ wide x 100’-0” long through lot, the Solar Umbrella addition transforms the architects’ existing 650 square foot bungalow into a 1900 square foot residence equipped for responsible living in the twenty-first century.

Inspired by Paul Rudolph’s Umbrella House of 1953, the Solar Umbrella provides a contemporary reinvention of the solar canopy—a strategy that provides thermal protection in climates with intense exposures. In establishing the program for their residence, which accommodates the couple and their one child chose to integrate into the design, principles of sustainability that they strive to achieve in their own practice.

Another project within our series featuring the recipients of the 2009 AIA Housing Award. According to the Architects, his primary challenge was to design for the needs of a yet-to-be-determined client.

Another significant issue was how to root the house to the earth; the nearly flat site in a young growth forest offered no footing. The architects responded by reshaping the topography, establishing the first level slightly below grade and sculpting the surrounding terrain into a gentle rise.

Photographs by Michael Moran Photography, Inc.

Australian Architects McBride Charles Ryan like to push the creative enveloppe on each project they design. This house called Letterbox is no exception, flirting with the senses in more ways then one. We felt that the architects explained quite well their thought process, as they describe their concept.

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"It’s like a half space, half enclosed, half open. Neither in nor out – a new version of the good old Aussie verandah."

Another great design from the series dedicated to the recipients of the 2009 AIA Housing Award.

The house treads lightly on its lush site, and evokes the feeling of living outdoors. The long, one-room-deep floor plan gives each room windows and porches overlooking Shem Creek. A modern interpretation of Charleston’s historic shutters provides protection from harsh weather and summer sun.

The U-House (Maison en U) opens onto an inner courtyard- shutting out urban chaos.


Situated near a railway line on the outskirts of a trendy Montreal neighbourhood, the design of the U House responds to a harsh urban context, respectfully shutting out the outside world by concentrating services around the periphery. Space along the inside of the U is thus liberated and attention is focused towards the inner core.


Constructed with the precision of fine cabinetry, the articulated panels of wood, glass and steel that line the courtyard open and close to invite the outside in and the inside out with seasonal regularity.

One of the recipients of the 2009 AIA's Small Project Awards, the Accessory Building was designed for small office use in a residential neighborhood in the District of North Vancouver.  The building is categorized as a Non-Parking Use Accessory Building and at 269 sf is the maximum size and height for the neighborhood zoning.


The building contributes to an emerging model of infill mixed-use within established residential neighborhoods and specifically addresses the potential of the home-office. The building was designed to transition over time and is currently used as an art studio for the owner’s young family.

This another project in our series dedicated to the recipients of the 2009 AIA Housing Award. Set in the remote and harsh high desert landscape of Idaho, Outpost is an artist live/work studio and residence for making and displaying art.


An important aspect of the complex is the protected “paradise garden,” which is separated from the wild landscape by thick masonry walls.