Site Size: 2,333 square feet Project Size: 1,023 square feet Program: The architects sought to create a unique two-bedroom residence for a family of four. Location: The house is located on the corner of a suburban Kyoto street. Solution: The architect drew inspiration from the tale of 'The Blind Men and the Elephant' in developing the house's diverse material palette. The story describes how, when you touch an elephant in darkness, you could feel a tree trunk, snake, fan, etc. Similarly, the house would provide a variety of sensations for its residents. The exterior of the squat, gabled structure is

Site size: 20 acres Project size: 4,986 square feet Program: A new residence on a working vineyard takes advantage of a magnificent country site and allows the owners to have greater involvement in the winemaking process. Location: A gently sloping knoll surrounded by 20 acres of vineyards for pinot noir grapes. Solution: The architects designed the rectilinear house with a double-height living-dining area overlooked by the family room on the mezzanine-like second level. A relatively opaque and private entry courtyard on the north side contrasts with the fully glazed south side, which includes large sliding doors that open onto a

Site size: 3,861 square feet Project size: 5,480 square feet Program: Two connected yet disparate structures'which had accommodated a flower bulb distributor for more than half a century'were converted into a single house for owners with a passion for music and entertaining. Location: A highly visible site on a busy residential thoroughfare in Toronto. Solution: With only a few, carefully placed windows on the street-facing fa'ade, the house provides shelter from the busy road. A long hallway leads from the entrance to the protected interior foyer. The architects organized the living spaces around the foyer and an interior courtyard. A

Site size: 1,620 square feet Project size: 2,134 square feet Program: The renovation of a 15-foot-wide row house that can adapt to the evolving needs of its owners, including space for a rental apartment. Location: A small site in urban Brooklyn, New York. Solution: The architects gutted the existing structure and extended the rear of the house. They carefully arranged the bathrooms and kitchens, as well as a second stair (highly unusual for a row house of this size) to allow the owners to rent out part of the second floor. As their needs change, the owners could quickly and