Check out the impressive library! This house for a writer is situated on a beachside plot on the Caribbean coast (Cahuita, Costa Rica). Architect Gianni Botsford’s aim was “to respond to the environment – the high levels of sunlight and rain – using detailed analysis environmental software, and the culture, using local construction techniques and materials. As a result, the roof became the main element of design. A simple parallelogram was developed, relative to the sun’s path, ensuring complete shading throughout the day, yet open on the front and rear to allow sea breezes to naturally cool the house. All trees were retained with the house woven between them.”

Nice work from interior architect Albano Daminato. From top to bottom: interior shots of a 1950’s apartment in Singapore and the “Bathroom Vanity Mirror”, a mirror glass in pivoting stained solid timber frame.

Flexible coffee table with drawers on either side and a tray integrated in the upside. By Formstark.

This house (2004) by architect Sam Crawford is located at Bundeena Beach, on Sydney’s southern edge. The house is raised off the ground, set on steel posts driven into the dune, braced against a north-easterly sea swell that can, at times, send a surge of energy through the dune and into the building fabric. The house is designed to be both strong and flexible, built of a composite steel/timber frame.

Quite a stunning location (in the Skakafjördur fjord, less than 100km from the Arctic Circle - click on the picture to see it in full scale) for this “Hof” country residence. By Icelandic Studio Granda.

The Botanist series, designed by Brandon Lynne & Dario Antonioni, combines the precision of minimal honest design with the beauty of nature. Each piece starts with a single piece of aluminum, which is precisely cut, bent, and faced with either a high impact powder coat or an epoxy coated real wood veneer. Available in different colors.

Inspired by a bridge that spans England’s M5 motorway, the M5 table is elegant and strong, and unlike most bridges, easy to manufacture and construct. Made from just three sections, the table top and two plug-in leg units assemble in mere seconds.

No more screws or complicated instructions: this globe-shaped, translucent shade is designed to hook easily onto a bare, suspended bulb. Makes it easy to replace a lamp too. Available at Generate.

Stunning minimalist residence at Formentera by Spanish architect Marià Castelló. More pics and information at Arkinetia, a fantastic resource for contemporary architecture.

Music critics put her somewhere between Björk and PJ Harvey, but that’s a bit far-fetched. Though she may have Eskimo looks on some pics, she’s actually an American living in Paris. Brisa Roché played during about three years jazz standards in bars in Paris before striking a record deal withe Blue Note Records. Her song “Mystery Man” sparked my interest, and I have heard a few more promisings songs of her, but couldn’t get hold of the full album yet. Check out some of the tracks on her MySpace.

I have a weakness for natural wood furniture and this Cubus library by Austrian company Team 7 looks quite impressive.

A selection of projects by Spanish architect Alberto Campo Baeza. From top to bottom: Gaspar House, Ascenscio House, Centre B.I.T. and Blas House.

First designed (by Sori Yanagi) and produced in 1954 in Fiberglass, Vitra has reintroduced the Elephant stool in recyclable polypropylene. Works as a side table, step stool or portable seat. Lightweight, stackable, and suitable for outdoor use.

Cool table called Tavolo XZ3, by Italian design company Magis. Steel frame with an mdf-top in polymeric cover.

Stunning minimalist lighting with funny French names like éclair, meringue, tourte or flan. By Flame, a Japanese company.