GRAPHĒ

They Used Family Farm Equipment to Build a Prefab Home in Spain

Architect Clara Crous designed modular timber-frame structures that she and her partner pieced together using his relatives’ heavy machinery.

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: Vilamacolum, Spain

Architect: Clara Crous Arquitectura / @claracrousarq

Footprint: 2,260 square feet

Photographer: Montse Capdevila / @montsecapdevila_

From the Architect: "Architect Clara Crous and her partner Carles acquired the last available plot on a street in Vilamacolum, a triangular site framed by the agricultural landscape that has shaped the Alt Empodà region and Carles’s own roots in farming. Carles, who works in digital fabrication with wood and plastic, comes from a family of local farmers, granting him access to a range of machinery for handling large-scale materials. This context made it possible for Clara and her team to conceive the project from the very beginning with self-construction in mind, integrating design, technical resources, and construction timelines.

"The build itself followed the rhythms of the land. Construction began at the end of the corn harvest, when local labor was available to actively participate in the project. What might have seemed a practical coincidence became a guiding principle, linking agricultural cycles with the pace of construction. The house is structured around a light timber frame, prefabricated in the workshop to optimize time and effort. From this framework, Casa Al Pradet unfolds as a series of modules of varying shapes and heights, echoing the vernacular outbuildings traditionally added to Catalan manor houses as families grew.

"Raised almost four feet above the ground due to its location in the lowest part of the village, where rainwater naturally flows toward a river below the site, the house is positioned to shield itself from the tramontana wind. Its staggered volumes respond to the triangular geometry of the plot and the fragmented layout of traditional country houses in the area (masias), blending naturally into the rural landscape.

"Local and natural materials define the project: cork, lime mortar, adobe, hydraulic tiles, and handmade ceramics are used throughout floors, skirtings, exterior surfaces, and small architectural details. Inside, wood shapes both structure and furniture, creating a sense of continuity and warmth. Traditional elements meet modern solutions: shutters have been motorized and are controlled by a smart system that adjusts them according to sun exposure and wind. Outside, a perimeter of ceramic gravel aids drainage, completing a construction approach where every decision balances practical knowledge and technical skill."

See the full story on Dwell.com: They Used Family Farm Equipment to Build a Prefab Home in Spain
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No Less Than 17 Paint Colors Fill Every Inch of This New York Town House

After being displaced by a fire, homeowners Michelle Erfer and Theresa Mershon returned to beloved shades for their new pad and added some bold hues, too.

In the 27 years they’ve been together, Michelle Erfer, a booking agent who works with venues including New York’s Paragon and Knockdown Center, and tech executive Theresa Mershon have never been afraid of color. Just two years after they completed a many-hued renovation of their apartment in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn, they were displaced by a fire in the building. After two years bouncing between friends’ apartments, rentals, and hotels, they landed in East Brooklyn, just over the border with Queens, buying a two-story 1910 town house in Cypress Hills. Naturally, it was time to pour in the color.

Theresa Mershon and Michelle Erfer brought their shared passion for color to the recent renovation of a 1910 town house in Queens, New York. Working with architect Luki Anderson of Studio Officina and color consultant Holly Faulkner, the couple employed a total of 17 shades in the 2,073-square-foot home, including Fruit Fool in the dining alcove and Vardo in the parlor. The velvet Tegan swivel chairs are from Interior Define. The Twin wall sconce is by Karen Gilbert for SkLO.

To help, they brought on Studio Officina’s Luki Anderson, an architect known to use eye-catching hues. They used some of the beloved colors from their old Flatbush apartment and worked with new shades, too.

"When we started working on this house, I was still in love with those colors," says Theresa. Anderson helped figure out exactly where to bring them in and encouraged the couple to be bold with their new selections. While most renovators leave paint discussions until later in the process, color was the first thing they decided on, settling on more than a dozen shades before any construction even took place.

In the upstairs guest bathroom, a Heritage Tiles pattern designed by Anderson pairs with wainscoting painted in Arsenic and a tub finished in Pink Drab, both from Farrow & Ball.

The kitchen cabinets are covered in a softer green, Teresa’s Garden by Farrow & Ball. The couple used Wimborne White for the rest of the kitchen. The Frost mosaic backsplash is from Fireclay Tile, and the countertops are from Mondial Tiles. The Eames wire stools are from Design Within Reach. The appliances are from Thermador and Fisher & Paykel. The Axor Starck faucet is from Ferguson Home. The Aura pendant lights are from Ladies & Gentlemen Studio.

See the full story on Dwell.com: No Less Than 17 Paint Colors Fill Every Inch of This New York Town House
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Steely Interventions Finish Off This Renovated Family Home in Australia

A stair, an awning, and more metal elements reference the cottage’s industrial neighborhood.

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: Brunswick, Australia

Architect: Office Fora / @office.fora

Footprint: 1,625 square feet

Builder: Nook Construction

Structural Engineer: Keith Long & Associates

Photographer: Tom Ross / @tomross.xyz

From the Architect: "The project explores the dialogue between industrial and domestic architecture on a corner site in Brunswick. The themes of reuse, economy of construction, and doing more with less are central to the design approach, where site and budget constraints became opportunities for invention. The project repositions a dark and cramped cottage with little connection to the garden into a light-filled, spacious home for a young family connected to the landscape and the neighborhood. The two-story addition creates a new urban presence that mediates between the historic cottages and industrial buildings, enriching the neighborhood’s architectural narrative while respecting its unique character. Windows along the street and rear facades provide glimpses of activity within, creating a dialogue between private and public life.

"The design carefully negotiates multiple contextual relationships. The rhythmic board-and-batten facades and angled roofline extend the language of the existing building while responding to the scale of buildings along both streets. Industrial elements like galvanized steel awnings reference neighboring workshops, complicating the domestic character of the exterior. Oversize windows proportionally echo the existing double-hung windows, subtly signaling the building’s evolution. A new living space opens directly onto the garden. Entrance glazing spills light into a widened gallery hallway with views of the garden beyond. The pairing of upstairs rooms supports a range of uses, which enjoy views over Brunswick rooftops through a glazed screen running along the stair void. The bathroom’s practical division allows simultaneous use, where robust yet delicate bath and basin furniture sit within a tiled room, with hues that mirror surrounding factories.

"Close collaboration with builders and fabricators was essential to the project’s success. Industrial fabricators adapted standard processes to create bespoke elements like the galvanized steel stair, stainless-steel kitchen island, and bathroom furniture. These collaborations yielded elements that are both pragmatic and refined, maintaining manufacturing authenticity while achieving sophisticated design outcomes.

"Built during COVID, the project exemplifies doing more with less. Budget constraints became opportunities for invention in the design and construction. Raw material expressions and exposed construction processes, such as weld lines, exposed steel connections, and stainless-steel carcasses without linings, eliminated superfluous finishes while creating an architectural character rooted in its place.

"The project prioritizes longevity through flexible spaces and robust materials used in their natural state. Locally sourced timber plywood flooring provides warmth and durability while remaining economical. Existing and new rooms accommodate a multitude of uses and are deliberately lacking in built-in joinery, providing flexibility as the family’s needs shift. Upgraded insulation and glazing throughout the existing home, and a large solar array powering heat pump systems, ensure year-round comfort with minimal environmental impact."

See the full story on Dwell.com: Steely Interventions Finish Off This Renovated Family Home in Australia

For Fans of Italian Brutalism, This €2.5M 1970s Villa Has It All

Designed by architect Francesco Castiglioni, the monolithic Milan home has a bold concrete facade, glass-encased living areas, and nearly an acre of green space.

The villa is built primarily with concrete, an unusual choice for a residence during the 1970s.

Location: Cusano Milanino, Via Ippocastani, Milan, Italy

Footprint: 7,534 Square Feet (4 Beds, 8 Baths)

Price: €2,500,000 to €3,500,000 (exact figure available upon request)

Architect: Francesco Castiglioni

Year Built: 1970

From the Agent: "This villa was conceived and built by architect Francesco Castiglioni in the early 1970s, and is still remarkable today thanks to its forward-thinking external forms and magnificent interior spaces. Located in one of the most residential areas of Cusano Milanino, less than half an hour from Milan, the villa is surrounded by greenery. Castiglioni chose reinforced concrete as the construction material. The main villa offers roughly 6,997 square feet of space distributed over three levels, plus a semi-basement floor featuring a large, heated indoor swimming pool and service areas (laundry, ironing room, cellar, and storage rooms). The unexpected use of glass and concrete in the interiors, along with the large living room featuring full-height windows, defines the asymmetrical silhouette of the rear facade overlooking the garden. Covered terraces host additional outdoor living areas, offering pleasant views over the greenery of the garden, which extends to approximately 40,903 square feet. The property is completed by a caretaker’s house of about 753 square feet, as well as a covered garage of approximately 681 square feet that is directly connected to the main residence."

The villa is built primarily with concrete, an unusual choice for a residence during the 1970s, particularly in Milan. — The villa is made primarily from concrete—an unusual choice for a residence in Milan.
Photo by Italy Sotheby’s International Realty

A double-sided fireplace keeps the interior and exterior in constant dialogue. — A double-sided fireplace warms the living area and a shaded outdoor patio.
Photo by Italy Sotheby’s International Realty

See the full story on Dwell.com: For Fans of Italian Brutalism, This €2.5M 1970s Villa Has It All
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From the Archive: A Modernist Beach Shack in East Hampton That Cost Only $150K to Build

To give the small space the best views possible, early retiree Ken Kuchin and his architect Preston Phillips placed the home and its surrounding deck seven feet above grade.

Welcome to From the Archive, a look back at stories from Dwell’s past. This story previously appeared in the August 2002 issue.

It started out as an experiment: Ken Kuchin wanted to build a cabin on his empty beach property for only $150,000. This early retiree and his architect, Preston Phillips, moved a stand around to test the views before choosing a site seven feet above grade. Phillips’ original, rather ambitious scheme was scaled back to what he now calls a "butterfly-roofed shoe-box." That it ended up beautiful proves Charles Eames dictum that "design depends largely on constraints."

"I’m not going to put art in the house because the windows frame the art," says collector Kuchin. Though Kuchin and his partner, Bruce Anderson, spend most weekends at their larger home across town, he comes by every morning to walk on the beach. "The way the house sits up high on the pilings is my favorite aspect," says Anderson. "I think it looks very safe and secure." To furnish the house, the pair chose unique furnishings like the Hans Wegner chairs.

"The house fits within the modernist vein of East Hampton houses I studied when I was in architecture school," Phillips explains. "They were modern and used cheap materials." Phillips continued this tradition with PVC pipe railings and plywood interior finishes straight from Home Depot. The house’s top windows have a sensor that closes them automatically when it rains—a concession to the only luxury building material, the natural cork floor.

See the full story on Dwell.com: From the Archive: A Modernist Beach Shack in East Hampton That Cost Only $150K to Build
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In the Kitchen With Golde Cofounder Trinity Mouzon Wofford

The recently minted cookbook author takes us inside her largely DIY’d Hudson Valley home, where creative thinking brings the space closer to its Victorian roots.

Trinity Mouzon Wofford thinks about the intersection of food, home, and well-being a lot. She founded the superfood brand Golde with her husband Issey Kobori in 2017, and is the author of the recently published cookbook Eating at Home: The Nourishing Practice of Everyday Cooking, an ode to unhurried and intentionally prepared meals. Mouzon Wofford also writes the newsletter "From Home", where she muses on Upstate New York life as an entrepreneur and mom to two young daughters. To her, home—and the kitchen specifically—is where her heart is.

Mouzon Wofford and Kobori landed in the Hudson Valley in 2021. The move happened to coincide with the pandemic, but the couple, former high school sweethearts, grew up an hour north in Saratoga Springs. Mouzon Wofford herself comes from a fourth-generation Upstate family, so returning to rural roots felt natural after the couple wrapped up their time in Brooklyn. They found a "real proper Victorian style home" built in 1865, says Mouzon Wofford, "which makes it the oldest house on our street."

Mouzon Wofford’s Hudson Valley house is reminiscent of the Victorian houses in her hometown of Saratoga Springs, NY.

The facade of the house was enchanting, and it reminded the couple of the homes they were raised in. Mouzon Wofford describes Saratoga as "basically a Victorian city, where all the houses are meticulously preserved." Once these kinds of homes are registered historical, homeowners aren’t even allowed to choose their own paint colors; that’s how strict the rules are.

But their Hudson Victorian had not been historically preserved. While there are reminders of 18th-century charms, the interior had already been gutted and flipped two owners prior. "I was heartbroken by how much of the house was sterile-white and didn’t have the character our neighbors had told us [about] later on," says Mouzon Wofford. The kitchen had bare walls, dreaded boob lights installed above, and standard cabinets and storage. "There was a lot of grief on my end of these decisions that were made," she continues.

The silver lining Mouzon Wofford came around to embracing, however, was that since everything had been altered before her and Kobori’s time, they were unburdened by any desire or need to further renovate; it’s as if they stepped into a clean slate. The couple decided to keep everything as is and make DIY changes that purposefully made their kitchen feel more lived-in and vintage—bringing in richer tones, adding antique pieces, and filling in the nooks and crannies with personal knickknacks—to remove that feeling of "walking through a condo."

The secondhand antique cabinet is filled with food preservation projects, as well as her most prized cookbooks.

Mouzon Wofford also found ways to make the kitchen more functional for her slower-paced cooking practice, such as dedicating a space for an indoor herb garden (ideal during the winter months) and a fermentation station (to relish the process of creating ingredients deliberately), and finding ways to display and have commonly used items within reach (rather than store them away every time).

Since "cooking and making space for mealtime gives me a sense of spaciousness," Mouzon Wofford says, it was important for her to inject as much of herself into the kitchen. Opting out of fancy or modern upgrades, and bringing in almost exclusively secondhand or storied pieces, has been "a nice reminder that you can make a space very much your own without tearing everything out," she says. Ahead, Mouzon Wofford walks us through how she and Kobori aged up their renovated kitchen to better suit its Victorian lore.

She is unafraid of countertop clutter, and keeps her most used utensils and serveware out in the open, making the cooking process more intuitive.

See the full story on Dwell.com: In the Kitchen With Golde Cofounder Trinity Mouzon Wofford
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Every Day Feels Like Vacation at This $3.5M Turks and Caicos Beach House

The island getaway comes with 180-degree ocean views, a large oculus, and a curvaceous infinity pool.

Location: Villa 5 at The Summit, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands

Price: $3,500,000

Footprint: 5,315 Square Feet (3 Bed, 3.5 Bath)

Lot Size: 0.34 Acres

Year Built: 2024

From the Agent: "Welcome to the first-ever resale opportunity at The Summit. Villa 5 is a 5,315-square-foot single-story estate privately set approximately 118 feet above sea level. Located in coveted Blue Mountain, with 180-degree ocean views from both its living area and all three en suite bedrooms, Villa 5 delivers indoor/outdoor island living with a refined interior package from Restoration Hardware. The layout includes an open-plan living room with a dramatically curved ceiling rising to over 14 feet and floor-to ceiling windows with panoramic ocean views across a curvilinear infinity pool and terrace equipped with an outdoor shower. Other key features include a state-of-the-art rooftop solar system by Renu Energy, private access to The Summit’s future ocean path, a living roof custom-designed by world-renowned expert Jörg Breuning, impact-resistant certified high-efficiency floor-to-ceiling windows and doors with recessed LED lighting, dramatic hallway skylights, a professional kitchen, and a private gated entry and security system. Villa 5 also benefits from The Summit’s ‘dark sky’ exterior lighting protocol and eco-sensitive landscaping."