Friday, April 26, 2013

Beach House No.12: The Squish Studio

Called the Squish Studio because of its "squished look", this 30 sqm ultra-sleek (beach)house-on-stilts has captured my imagination for a long time.  I stumbled upon this via several design blogs and could not stop conjuring a story or novel in my head worthy of an Academy Award. Read: modern-day epic love story ala Catherine & Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights, but starring Emma Stone & Daniel-Day Lewis. Haha. No questions, please.  

This can be in Batanes, or in Zambales...but this is in Fogo Island, Newfoundland, Canada. Designed by Saunders Architects.  Read on for its awesome earth-friendly design details: 







My favorite part of this trapezoidal design is that the tapered exteriors deflect strong winds.  Because of its off-grid location, the entire structure's electricity and small kitchen are powered by solar panels.  There is also a compost toilet and a wood-burning stove to meet daily basic needs.

"Recently designated as a national cultural landscape district, transient artists may immerse within the creative process amidst an isloated setting. The tall entry leads to an internal spatial compression and horizontal work room which directs attention outward, to nearby round head as well as the changing atmospheric conditions and crashing waves of the north atlantic. built-in storage is alternated with slits of windows, offering glimpses of the sunrise to the northeastern horizon."- designboom.com




I googled, and saw other versions of this house all over the Newfoundland coast.  







For me, the landscape is both terrifying and breathtaking. 
(Hello, have you seen "127 Hours"?!?)

 ok, erase erase erase. 
back to awesome, SAFE, Squish Studios...






Solar-powered electricity. Good job!



 I wouldn't mind having a little studio like this on a coastal property.  
Simple, sustainable, sophisticated. 






 Not bad for 30 square meters.  

Monday, April 15, 2013

Summer Corners





Pretty summer-y corners I saw this week, online at HGTV.com
The cool colors are just perfect!
Click here to see the 3D virtual tour of each room.

Friday, April 12, 2013

Surfboard Decor

This is our beach apartment in La Union.  I share this space with 6 other surfers...but come long weekends and holidays there are usually more than 6 who stay with us, turning the place into a massive (and sometimes, frenzied) storage place for surfboards, board bags, leashes, and fins.  




if only my car could talk. sigh. 

Marco, Nikki, & Joncy getting ready to wax on, wax off

 Jericho unloading our "toys"

typical holiday weekend in La Union

Surfboards crawling up the stairs
*all images from my Instagram account. Follow me at @nina_santamaria


But in spite of all those boards that are piled on top of one another, we don't mind that they take up so much space or that they are always in our way because at the end of the day (literally), they have given us so much joy.  They are our links to the ocean, varying lumps of epoxy, fiberglass, and wood that allow us to play with the sea.  

Some time ago, I wondered what would become of old, broken, damaged or outgrown surfboards.  Well, you could either donate them to the local surf community or to your favorite groms (short for grommets or beginner-surfers), or maybe use them around the house as.....interior decor! See images I googled up below:







Hang it or prop it up, fits right into any style of room, right? 


This is one of my faves because of the juxtaposition of classical and rugged elements


and this one too...Pollock-style surfboard art at home in a mod-retro setting





this is typical of homes along the coast of the US



water your plants & wash your surfboard at the same time, anyone?






I forgot what soap this was from. Cool board in the corner, though. 




Surfboards go corporate! This last photo was taken at my office/ design studio Grupo Santamaria, where Coast Thru Life had a 1-day pop up store. 

So before you throw away that old, warping, dent-ridden surfboard, or if you see one in surplus shops (usually costs 1,000 pesos in Japan surplus stores) just go back to this post and be inspired.

Happy Weekend!




















Monday, April 08, 2013

Go SurPH in La Union




I just came from the 1st National Go SurPH weekend in La Union.  I'd say it was a pretty fun event full of surfing lessons for beginners, a cool concert and jamming session on Saturday night, good weather, good company, plenty of sunshine and quality time with my friends.  Congratulations, Surfing Philippines!  (Check their website out here. Above pics from Stoked, Inc's Facebook page. )

As for me, after a 2-month absence from the local surf scene I was excited to be back to get some sun and sea.  To hang out with my best friends and see another La Union sunset. To play with dogs and babies, and to swim in the ocean.    











 


Now that I'm back in Manila, I could only think and say,
THANK YOU, it was good to be back.