Bring the Outdoors In. The Cristal Box, a Modern Pergola from Gandia Blasco.

above: Cristal Box 1

Looking for a modern sanctuary?
Gandia Blasco, makers of high end outdoor funishings have just introduced the Cristal Box, an outdoor pergola system made of anodized or thermo-lacquered white or taupe aluminum frames. Available in four different sizes/configurations, the inside flooring is wood made of plant and plastic fibres which requires little or no maintenance. The ceiling is made from phenolic plate and the outer roof is galvanized sheeting.

Cristal Box 2:



Cristal Box 3:



Cristal Box 4:



Note: Glass not included.

320 x 320 x 250h cm / 630 x 320 x 250h cm / 940 x 320 x 250h cm / 630 x 630 x 250h cm
126''x126''x99''h / 248''x126''x99''h / 370''x126''x99''h / 248''x248''x99''h

The Cristal Box for Gandia-Blasco designed by José A. Gandía-Blasco
Price available upon request

Modern London Suburban Studio with Sedum Roof and Heated Paddling Pool by Ashton Porter.

North London architecture firm Ashton Porter added this fabulous modern studio with rooftop garden, heated paddling pool, full kitchen and more to a suburban home.





The studio is located in a typical Victorian suburban garden. Its main facade which faces the garden floats above a glass panel and forms a screen to separate the work space of the studio from the domestic garden.




The typical green suburban garden is replaced by a folded timber landscape characterized by a pop up landscape of activities including a heated paddling pool, a sand pit and a fire pit.





The materials of the studio make reference to the suburban context; timber cladding echoes domestic fencing, corrugated aluminum refers to inter-war prefabricated garages and a former Anderson shelter.




The studio is super-insulated and benefits from a sedum roof; heating is provided by Apple Macintosh computers with very occasional recourse to underfloor heating.







The main facade is unsupported along its full length and rests on cantilevered side walls. The wall construction is entirely from stressed ply composite panels with no hidden steel supporting frame.





Ground was first broken in September 2005 for footings and to install water, electrical, gas and communications services. The studio was ready for occupation in April 2008. Since then the garden as completed and the main house has been refurbished with a new rear addition and remodelling. This was completed in Spring 2010.




all images courtesy of Ashton Porter and photographed by Riddle Stagg

ashton porter are an architectural practice based in the North London suburbs.

Modern Wood Outdoor Pavilion With Stainless Steel Shutters

Originally designed as a full-service tea-house, this private commission for an outdoor pavilion is like a super cool modern fort made of planed larch wood with window shutters of high-polished stainless steel.





The outdoor structure has unusual niches and angular walls that function as built in seats when seat cushions are added.




Over time the wood will age and weather as the high polish stainless steel shutters act like mirrors reflecting the surrounding landscape.



A ladder leads up to the rooftop which acts like a sundeck:


all images courtesy of Baumhauer Architecture

Materials: larch wood, OSB, High luster polished stainless steel
Designed by Philipp Baumhauer with Karoline Markus

a special thanks to Florence Deau of Reflexdeco for bringing this to my attention