The Clay Domes Anchoring This Japanese Home Are Basically a Life-Size Ceramics Project

The owner architects and their parents kiln-fired clay sourced on-site to form the domes, which they use as bedrooms and workspaces.

Houses We Love: Every day we feature a remarkable space submitted by our community of architects, designers, builders, and homeowners. Have one to share? Post it here.

Project Details:

Location: Kanagawa, Japan

Architect: AATISMO / @aatismo

Footprint: 1,420 square feet

Builder: Yukari Kensetsu

Structural Engineer: Tectonica

Lighting Design: Daisuki Light

Table Production: Sasaki Research Institute

Plastering: Imajo Sakan

Photographer: Shinya Sato / @shinyasato_hello

From the Architect: "Haniyasu House is a two-family residence designed for our parents, who are ceramic artists, and for ourselves as architects. About 15 years ago, our parents moved to Kamakura in search of an environment where they could fully devote themselves to working with clay. The house is located at the edge of a valley called Yato, surrounded by steep cliffs into which horizontal cave tombs known as yagura are carved—an environment where the presence of the earth is strongly felt. In order to confront and respond to the way this land exists, we took earth, humanity ’s most ancient material, as our central theme and brought the architecture into being.

"As a place suited to all of us, whose lives revolve around making, we envisioned a primordial dwelling—one from a time when living and creating were not yet separated. We stripped away the walls and ceiling of the existing house to form a single large space connected to its surroundings, and added new rooms at its four corners, their forms evoking masses of earth emerging from the ground. Within the added volumes, each person works and sleeps in a cave-like, enclosed space, while gathering in a central, plaza-like area to converse and share meals. We imagined a way of life akin to that of a small settlement.

"The name Haniyasu House derives from a deity in Japanese mythology who governs earth, soil, and pottery; hani is an archaic Japanese word meaning clay. As if offered to this deity, the house seeks to unite with the land through earth as a medium, while transcending the frameworks of land, architecture, and pottery—becoming a vessel in which living and creating can remain inseparable.

"We crushed clay-rich soil from the land, fired it in my father’s kiln, applied glazes, and scorched it with burners—repeating numerous experiments in an attempt to use the colors of the earth itself as a material. In the final process, we bisque-fired discarded clay generated through my father’s making process, layered it over the soil from the site, and then poured a plaster mixed with iron and copper powder—byproducts from a metal workshop—over the exterior walls of the extensions in multiple layers, like glaze, allowing oxidation to produce color through rust."

Photo: Shinya Sato

Photo: Shinya Sato

Photo: Shinya Sato

See the full story on Dwell.com: The Clay Domes Anchoring This Japanese Home Are Basically a Life-Size Ceramics Project
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In Los Angeles, ADU Designers Are Doing "The Electric Slide"

Overhead power lines coursing through the city’s backyards are forcing some to shift plans around, sometimes with out-of-the-box solutions.

Like true love, the practice of architecture doesn’t always run smoothly. But Ben Warwas faced a sizable hitch when designing a backyard house, or ADU, in L.A.’s Mar Vista neighborhood: the power lines overhanging the rear lot line. Since the architectural designer’s clients were committed to converting their garage into a two-story ADU, placing it in proximity to the L.A. Department of Water & Power’s height restrictions, Warwas now had to find a way to work around the lines.

Though overhead power lines pose a challenge to architects and designers around the U.S., they’re especially problematic in L.A., where more ADUs are being built than anyplace else. Since grounding power lines can be prohibitively expensive, and require a coordinated effort between utility providers and neighbors, designers and builders of ADUs across the Southern California city are instead coming up with novel workarounds for lines coursing through backyard airspace.

Often it requires clever positioning of a unit or adjusting the massing in some way—something architect Melissa Shin calls "the electric slide." She encountered her own utility issue on an ADU currently under construction on L.A.’s West Side, a standalone, two-story unit designed to take advantage of California’s reduced rear and side yard setback requirements for new detached ADUs.

Shin Shin designed a 715-square-foot ADU in Westwood that responds architecturally to the overhead power lines. The roof is contoured by the lines, and a stair frames them. The blue fascia color was chosen to match the sky, creating an illusion of greater distance between the lines and the roof.

Photo: Ye Rin Mok

Since there was a power pole at the rear of the property, Shin, the principal at Shin Shin, had to apply for an encroachment permit with the DWP’s Real Estate Services division. After four months she received notice the application had been rejected. "Our first submission was for an ADU set as far back as we could go, but they came back and told us we either had to move it or reduce the height," she says. "At that point, the building was already approved through plan check, so to go back and shave off five feet, you’re basically starting over."

Instead, she just moved it. Since the pole sat on the property itself, Shin ended up with a nine foot, six inch overall setback. "So even though the minimum allowable ADU setback is four feet, which is significantly less than any other type of construction, we couldn’t take advantage of it."

Architect Hunter Knight, founder and principal of Weather Projects, remembers a far simpler process before the current ADU building boom. "Four or five years ago, a DWP clearance for building near electrical lines wasn’t required. But with ADUs being so close to lot lines, people would start construction, and they’d call DWP and say they needed a meter spot [where the utility company verifies where you can install your new or upgraded electric service panel]. And DWP might come out and say, ‘Your building’s too close to the power lines. It’s a safety issue.’ And you’d say, ‘Whoops, we didn’t know.’ And they’d say, ‘You were supposed to contact us.’ And we’d say, ‘We were? We went through the whole Building & Safety plan check—we thought we were good.’ So they made it a clearance in Building & Safety."

Though there are only two ways to bring power from utility infrastructure to an ADU—overhead or underground—homeowners connecting power to an ADU via an electric service drop from the pole still have to underground the line between the unit and the primary residence. But Knight warns that if the overhead connection for the drop is too far from the transformer, the solution is costly, in terms of both money and time. "And if the overhead line is routed over a habitable area, you have to pay for DWP to engineer that, and you pay for the underground routing from the pole," he says. "That’s where things get really expensive. That almost got triggered for an ADU I designed in Cypress Park, but in the end, the DWP decided they didn’t need to underground the line after all."

An ADU by architect Hunter Knight sits adjacent to high-voltage lines in L.A.’s Cypress Park neighborhood. The L.A. Department of Water & Power nearly required him to pay to bury the line from the pole, but in the end he was able to get a secure electrical drop to the unit. "They’ll tell you to keep construction away from power poles, but they don’t talk about soft walls or retaining walls," he says. "And if you already have these things planned and they’re an integral part of your design, you either have to modify your design or move their elements. Moving a power pole is a lot of money."

Photo: Emanuel Hahn

To avoid having to reduce his clients’ ADU in Mar Vista to one story to avoid its proximity to the power lines behind the property, architectural designer Ben Warwas reworked the plan by creating a large deck at the rear and a deep overhang above the front door. "In the end, all these potential problems are opportunities for more interesting design," he says.

Photo: Taiyo Watanabe

See the full story on Dwell.com: In Los Angeles, ADU Designers Are Doing "The Electric Slide"
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It Took a Major Tune-Up to Turn Two Garages Into a £2.3M London Home

Arya Douge overhauled the Notting Hill property with a sculptural staircase, crisp interiors, and a pair of bedroom suites.

Location: Colville Mews, Notting Hill, London, United Kingdom

Price: £2,250,000 (approximately $2,978,831 USD)

Year Built: Mid-1800s

Renovation Date: 2026

Renovation Architect: Arya Douge

Footprint: 1,327 square feet (2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths)

From the Agent: "A pair of garages have been entirely reimagined by architects Arya Douge, who opened up the footprint to create an extraordinary sense of volume. Inside, the house is organized around a dramatic double-height living volume, with a sculptural central staircase rising through the space and linking the two levels. Bedrooms sit more quietly to the rear, with fluted internal glazing allowing borrowed light from the main living volume while maintaining privacy. The palette is calm and considered: earthy Paint & Paper Library tones paired with darker joinery and antique bronze metalwork for depth. Functionality is also seamlessly integrated. Custom storage, a plant room, and a downstairs cloakroom ensure the aesthetic remains uncluttered."

The street-facing multipaned windows are oriented south, drawing in ample natural light. 

Photo courtesy of Domus Nova

Photo courtesy of Domus Nova

The site originally held a coachhouse and stables for the properties at Colville Terrace to the north.

Photo courtesy of Domus Nova

See the full story on Dwell.com: It Took a Major Tune-Up to Turn Two Garages Into a £2.3M London Home
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You Enter This Brazil Retreat Through Its Mountain Bike Workshop

An empty nester couple cared less about having space to host than a home that would support their hobbies.

Houses We Love: Every day we feature a remarkable space submitted by our community of architects, designers, builders, and homeowners. Have one to share? Post it here.

Project Details:

Location: São Paulo, Brazil

Architect: Estúdio HAA! / @estudiohaarquitetura

Footprint: 11,636 square feet

Structural Engineer: Miqueletto Engenharia

Landscape Design: Jair Pinheiro Paisagismo

Lighting Design: LabLuz

Photographer: Pedro Kok / @kokpedro

From the Architect: "This project began with long conversations with the clients: a middle-aged couple whose children have grown and left home. They weren’t looking for a typical countryside house designed to host groups of guests. Instead, they asked for a true refuge—a place designed around their own habits, rituals, and pleasures. Not a house built for special occasions, but a home that supports the everyday moments that matter most to them.

"Weekends at Refúgio Mirzé start early with mountain bike rides through the mountainous region, one of the reasons the couple chose this particular plot of land. Afternoons are spent opening a cold beer, cooking a late lunch, and simply being present: watching the sunset from the porch, listening to the sounds of the forest, reading a book, or falling asleep to the sounds of the Atlantic rainforest.

"The first space one encounters in the house is not a traditional living room, but a fully equipped bike workshop. Every square foot of this home was intentionally designed for daily use, with no excess and no underutilized rooms. We carefully studied the psychological scale of comfort for the couple, ensuring the home would never feel empty, nor cramped, but always intimate and just right.

"The landscape itself—lush, vibrant, and ever-changing—is the home’s most powerful element. On one side, tall Atlantic forest trees filter dappled light into the interior; on the other, a dense and humid forest envelops the house in its natural sounds.

"The facade features a ventilated system made of black slate panels and ebonized reforested wood, which, combined with double-insulated glazing, provides thermal stability and ensures indoor comfort throughout the seasons."

Photo: Pedro Kok

Photo: Pedro Kok

Photo: Pedro Kok

See the full story on Dwell.com: You Enter This Brazil Retreat Through Its Mountain Bike Workshop

For $1.3M, You Can Scoop Up a Mint-Condition Bay Area Eichler

The 1965 post-and-beam home has blue-green accents, refreshed interior finishes, and a sunny central courtyard.

Location: 4024 Salem St, Concord, California

Price: $1,275,000

Year Built: 1965

Architects: Claude Oakland and Kinji Imada

Developer: Joseph Eichler

Renovation Date: 2026

Footprint: 1,811 square feet (4 bedrooms, 2 baths)

Lot Size: 0.17 Acres

From the Agent: "This is a beautiful Eichler located in charming Rancho de los Santos, thoughtfully refreshed with authentic midcentury details and modern upgrades. Inside, enjoy seamless indoor/outdoor living and classic post-and-beam architecture that Eichlers are renowned for. This midcentury gem offers versatility with four bedrooms plus a bonus laundry/office space. Ideally located near BART, major freeways, and all of life’s necessities, this move-in-ready Eichler is ready to welcome its next owners."

Photo courtesy of Theresa Lee Real Estate

The home has been held by the same family for 47 years.

Photo courtesy of Theresa Lee Real Estate

Photo courtesy of Theresa Lee Real Estate

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Live Like Royalty in This Palatial Montevideo Mansion Seeking $2.9M

Built in 1898, the sprawling Palacio Delucchi combines belle époque details with opulent Italianate decor.

Location: Montevideo, Uruguay

Price: $2,900,000 USD

Year Built: 1898

Architect: 

Footprint: 26,490 square feet (8 bedrooms, 4.5 baths)

From the Agent: "Erected in 1898, Palacio Delucchi embodies the fusion of Italianate decorative splendor and the opulence of Uruguay’s belle époque. Nestled in the heart of Montevideo, steps from Plaza Cagancha, this urban mansion has impeccably preserved original interiors. Shielded behind a neoclassical facade, the property remained in the hands of one family for over a century and lay dormant in recent decades. Venetian stucco walls, a monumental Carrara marble staircase, hand-carved boiseries, and cedarwood joinery bear witness to an untouched legacy of exquisite craftsmanship. On the piano nobile, highlights include a grand reception salon with original moldings, a library clad in fine wood paneling, and a stately formal dining room—all orbiting a central winter garden bathed in light from an expansive skylight. Four bedrooms, including a principal suite with a bath adorned by French Sarreguemines tiles, are complemented by a sprawling rooftop terrace of immense potential. The ground floor houses three commercial spaces, generating permanent rental income and ensuring the entire complex is financially self-sufficient."

Built in 1898, the sprawling Palacio Delucchi combines belle époque details with opulent Italianate decor.

Photo courtesy of Sotheby's International Realty

Photo courtesy of Sotheby's International Realty

One of the most striking features is a grand staircase carved in Carrara marble.

Photo courtesy of Sotheby's International Realty

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Before & After: How Two Brothers Turned a Cavernous Candy Factory Loft Into a Sweet Pad

"We loved the place because it was big and open, but it’s not very livable to have complete open space," says Sean. "There was no door to the bathroom; it was just open, too."

When Scott and Sean Meyer, two brothers who are both software engineers, set out to buy a Denver condo together in early 2020, they had clear criteria in mind. For starters, they wanted to be able to walk to work and other amenities in minutes, due to the local climate. "We set a boundary based on how long a comfortable walk is in snowy weather," says Scott. (Under 20 minutes was ideal.)

They also wanted three bedrooms—one for each of them, and an extra for visiting friends or family. "Since we’re two brothers living together, we didn’t want one person to have a significantly nicer bedroom than the other," adds Sean. They were relocating from the outskirts of the city to a downtown building, and there were things from the suburbs that they didn’t want to give up: "Like being able to bring a muddy bike inside without having to go through a super nice lobby," says Sean.

They ended up finding a 2,150-square-foot one-bedroom loft in a converted candy factory in the LoDo (Lower Downtown) neighborhood. Built in 1909, it was once home to the Brecht Chocolate and Candies company, before it was converted into lofts into the 1990s. Their commute by foot would be about five minutes, and it even had its own street entrance and interior access to a parking garage for bike storage.

The only problem? It was open—very open. There was a single lofted bedroom in the mezzanine overlooking the living space below, and there was no door to the bathroom. "It was just open, too," says Sean. 

Before: Entrance 

Before: The front door of this Denver loft opened to the kitchen, which was set on an elevated platform. The clients and the team at Helios Design Group wanted to make the kitchen the same level as the rest of the living areas.

Courtesy of Helios Design Group

After: Entrance 

Interior designer Ariel Roth kept the entry elevated and added a coat closet and half wall, which caps the kitchen on the other side.

Dane Cronin

After: Kitchen 

In the kitchen, Unfold pendants by Muuto hang above a Silestone countertop and Svelti stools by Article.

Dane Cronin

See the full story on Dwell.com: Before & After: How Two Brothers Turned a Cavernous Candy Factory Loft Into a Sweet Pad
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