Before I was blogging here at Blisstree Green I was blogging at b5media’s Offbeat Homes (among other green-minded structure sites) so I have this long term love of green architecture going on.  From time to time I was thinking I’d share some killer green houses here. One, because I LOVE green architecture, and two, it’s good to see what’s happening in the green building realm.
There’s a notion, among folks I’ve met, that all green dwellings are weird, kooky, or minimal (read boring) but that’s not true at all. I actually do like the unique green dwellings, but many green homes …read more

I’m of the opinion that you can never have too much Tom Kundig. If you go too long without a little Kundig in your world, that’s just too bad. Today, I’m going to help you out.
Two structure. Both rolling. Both Kundig.
The first; Rolling Huts…

Rolling huts are, in the words of the Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects website, “Several steps above camping” – I’ll say. These sure beat a leaky tent. These lovely and unique huts were created for housing visiting family and friends. They also of course make stellar party conversation.
Hut construction is unfettered; a steel clad box on a …read more

[image via Highland Craftsmen]
I recently got the book, Bark House Style: Sustainable Designs from Nature from the library, and it got me thinking a lot about bark in design. I used to think of bark design as more just a rustic beach house look, but this book was cool; it shows a lot of different ways in which bark can be used for home design; from rustic to contemporary. I also didn’t know how sustainable bark could be. Of course there are ways it might be unsustainable, but if you work with a decent company, you could have a home …read more

Talk about using the tree to it’s fullest:

This home is made of a redwood, and is located in the parking lot of Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum in St. Augustine, FL. Actually, being that I’m so obsessed with redwoods, I’m surprised I’ve never run across this cool structure. Of course, I wouldn’t be caught dead in Florida, so maybe that’s it.
See the inside of the log house.
[image via Waymarking]

If life as a little crab or fish or any ocean creature sounds like fun to you, then you have to check out the offbeat beauties from Senosiain Arquitectos.
The Nautilus House, is one of the more odd abodes I’ve seen lately, and is a literal shell of a house.

The home is a little hard to comprehend at first, but if you look at the layout it makes more sense.

If undersea mammals are more your style then the Mexican Whale home might suit you better.

Do you believe that this is a house? It surely is. It has a stunning interior you …read more

Just some quick shots, because I love this little house so much, I’ll never be quiet if I get going. That said, this was built by cobworks.com and cob cottage. Once you see the interior this home just gets better and better. You can check out a multitude of wonderful photos of the home above at cobworks.com, not to mention that you’ll see many other beautiful structures. If you’re really impressed (and have some free time) you might want to check out cobworks.com’s summer workshops.
See this was a quick shot, and I’ve said too much. But do check out the …read more

In the last post we saw the amazing Wilkinson Residence by Robert Harvey Oshatz. We also looked at some of his design approach. Now we’re going to see such a cool house, you’ll adore it 100% guaranteed.
The Fennell Residence is a floating house in Portland, Oregon, that was designed beautifully to match the floating aspect. Curved glue lam beams, huge glass facade and curved lines are perfectly suited to life on the water. When I first saw this, I had no idea it was even a floating home it was a neat surprise. What I did notice were the tear …read more

If you haven’t seen the work of Robert Harvey Oshatz, then you’re in for a huge treat, because he’s our only guest here at Offbeat today. He’s that cool. He gets the whole day. Although really he’s so cool he should get the month. But I digress.
Oshatz has designed many an amazing structure in my home state – Oregon and in other areas as well, as far reaching as Japan. His work is a mix of commercial, residential, religious, and more. What I love is how his work is entirely unique yet somehow manages to fit into the landscape so …read more

Bamboo Living Homes is a company that builds and ships bamboo homes – like a container bamboo house. It’s an interesting concept, with some odd building codes mixed in – i.e. it could take you a while to get your permit to actually use one as a home. On the plus side bamboo is a nice sustainable material and strong.
What I found a little odd was that Bamboo Living Homes notes that many bamboo homes in Japan have been standing for 200 years plus; but the homes they ship are made of the same same species of untreated bamboo poles …read more

Would you live inside a big rock? Apparently some will. This summer, this rock home below sold for £100,000; up four times over the asking price of £25,000. Wow; no electricity or water either, I believe.

Read more about the home itself, and see more pictures, at Metro or the Daily Mail, or learn more about the final sale and watch a video at the BBC News.
Personally, I think it might be chilly. Although, it is slightly charming, in a very old world sort of way.