French tiny house builder Atelier Bois d’ici has unveiled its largest creation to date, and the Tiny XXL is challenging long-held assumptions about downsizing with children. Stretching 26 feet in length and 11.5 feet in width, this mobile dwelling offers 430 square feet of thoughtfully designed living space that actually feels livable for a family of four. Most French tiny homes measure just 8.2 feet wide, making them feasible for regular road travel but challenging for families seeking genuine comfort. The XXL breaks from this tradition with its extra-wide footprint, sacrificing easy mobility for the kind of space that transforms tiny living from a compromise into a legitimate lifestyle choice.

The trade-off requires a special permit for towing on public roads, which positions this home as a semi-permanent dwelling rather than a frequent traveler. That’s not necessarily a dealbreaker. If you’re planning to park it somewhere beautiful and stay put, the extra breathing room is worth far more than the freedom to move every few months. The layout addresses one of the biggest pain points in family tiny living, which is privacy. Two separate bedroom lofts sit on opposite sides of the home, giving parents and children their own retreats without the awkwardness of sharing one cramped sleeping area. The main floor dedicates generous square footage to a full kitchen and living area where the family can gather without bumping elbows at every turn.

Designer: Atelier Bois d’ici

Atelier Bois d’ici brings exceptional craftsmanship to every build, operating as much more than a construction company. Manager Jean-Daniel runs a sawmill and wood storage facility on the same property as the workshop, creating an integrated approach to tiny house building that starts with raw logs rather than processed lumber. This connection to the material allows the team to incorporate up to 12 different wood species into a single home, using redwood, chestnut, walnut, and beech to create depth and character throughout the space. Natural timber cladding wraps the exterior, creating warmth that carries through to the interior spaces with an eclectic aesthetic that feels worlds away from the clinical minimalism often associated with tiny homes.

The sustainability credentials run deep. Every piece of timber comes from within 30 kilometers of the workshop, sourced through local or short-circuit supply chains that keep the environmental footprint minimal. The team avoids all toxic chemical treatments, letting the natural properties of carefully selected woods provide durability and weather resistance. This philosophy transforms each build into a showcase of regional materials and traditional woodworking techniques that have been refined over generations. It’s a thoroughly French approach to construction, where quality and provenance matter just as much as the final product.

Practical amenities make daily life comfortable. A full bathroom includes a shower, sink, and composting toilet, while a washer/dryer combo machine handles laundry needs without requiring trips to a laundromat. The kitchen comes fully equipped for meal preparation, centered around a dining area that serves as the home’s social hub. A 50-liter electric water heater provides hot water throughout, and a wood-burning fireplace adds both ambiance and heating during colder months. The XXL sits on a rugged agricultural chassis built to handle the weight and stress of the larger structure, ensuring stability for decades of stationary living.

For families weighing the move to smaller living, the Tiny XXL offers proof that downsizing doesn’t require sacrificing comfort or personal space. It’s a home that takes the tiny house concept seriously while refusing to ignore the practical realities of raising kids in close quarters. The result is something that feels more like a real home than a temporary experiment in minimalism, built with old-world craftsmanship for modern sustainable living.

The post This French Tiny House Finally Makes Downsizing Realistic for Families first appeared on Yanko Design.

Big Freedom Tiny Homes has built a reputation for redefining what’s achievable within the compact and creative world of tiny living. Their newest model, recently completed and still unnamed, stands as a testament to the power of smart design. Measuring just 30 feet (9.14 meters) long, this tiny house manages to feel surprisingly spacious while remaining easy to tow. Built on a robust triple-axle trailer, the home is compact by North American standards yet far more generous than many European counterparts. This makes it a great fit for a small family looking for mobility and comfort without sacrificing style or functionality.

The exterior of the new tiny house is both attractive and durable. It’s finished in richly stained cedar siding, which gives a warm, rustic appearance, and is complemented by modern metal accents. The roof, also made of metal, adds to the home’s resilience against the elements while contributing to its clean, contemporary look. This careful blend of materials ensures the home is not only eye-catching but also built to last—whether parked in a forest clearing, by a lake, or in a suburban setting.

Designer: Big Freedom Tiny Homes

Entering through the glazed doorway, visitors step directly into the living room—a bright and welcoming space. Here, a large L-shaped sofa bed invites relaxation, providing enough seating for family movie nights or a comfortable spot for guests to sleep. A well-placed coffee table completes the setup, offering both functionality and style. The clever use of glazing and an open floor plan ensures the living area feels airy and inviting, rather than closed in, which is often a challenge with smaller homes.

At the heart of the home, the kitchen stands out for its practical design and surprising spaciousness. Unlike many tiny homes where the kitchen is squeezed into a corner, this one boasts full-sized amenities: a four-burner propane-powered stove, a proper oven, a fridge/freezer, and a sleek sink. Quartz countertops and extensive cabinetry provide ample storage and workspace, while a two-person breakfast bar serves as a convenient dining area or a flexible workspace. While the space isn’t intended for large dinner parties, it’s certainly equipped for everyday family meals and the occasional gathering of close friends.

The bathroom is thoughtfully located at the far end of the house, away from the main living area to maximize privacy. It’s equipped with a shower, a modern sink, and a flush toilet, ensuring all the comforts of a conventional home are present. Nearby, a stacked washer and dryer make laundry easy, a rare convenience in many tiny homes. This attention to daily living needs shows a commitment to making the home as livable as possible, even within a restricted footprint.

Sleeping arrangements are cleverly designed to make the most of vertical space. The secondary bedroom is a loft above the living room, accessed by a removable ladder, and is best suited for children or as extra storage. The master bedroom, larger and accessed by a staircase with built-in storage, sits above the bathroom. Both spaces have low ceilings typical of lofts, but the areas are efficiently organized. The master loft fits a double bed and offers additional storage, creating a cozy and private retreat. While the price of this specific model isn’t available, similar models from Big Freedom Tiny Homes start at $109,000. Based in Bellingham, Washington, the company continues to deliver innovative, comfortable, and stylish solutions for those seeking a smaller, more flexible lifestyle.

The post This Ingenious 30-Foot Tiny Home That Redefines Family Living In Compact Spaces first appeared on Yanko Design.

The tiny home movement has found its perfect ambassador in Australia with Forest Creek Tinies’ Caladenia, a single-loft design that’s capturing international attention for proving that downsizing doesn’t mean sacrificing style or storage.

Measuring 8 meters by 2.5 meters, the Caladenia strikes an ideal balance between European compact designs and North American spaciousness. This 26-foot home accommodates up to two people while delivering an unexpectedly generous living experience through clever architectural choices.

Designer: Forest Creek Tinies

Design That Defies Expectations

The Caladenia’s standout feature is its dramatic spatial contrast. While one end houses a mezzanine bedroom accessed by storage-integrated stairs, the opposite end soars to an impressive 3.2-meter ceiling height. This creates an expansive lounge and dining area that feels anything but cramped. The kitchen deserves particular praise for its functionality. Recent builds showcase configurations with 2-seater dining nooks, long hardwood benches, and ingenious retractable pantries.

Space provisions for a washing machine and a 450mm dishwasher prove that full-sized living is possible in a compact footprint. Eight strategically positioned double-glazed windows flood the interior with natural light while ensuring proper ventilation. The bathroom, although compact, features a shower, a mirror cabinet, and space for a composting toilet, ensuring comfort without compromise.

Customization Sets It Apart

What distinguishes the Caladenia from competitors is its remarkable adaptability. Recent media coverage highlighted a custom-built build in Central Victoria featuring an unusual multi-level ground floor with a sunken kitchen. This demonstrates how Forest Creek Tinies allows clients to reimagine the base design completely.

The exterior options reflect this flexibility, offering recycled corrugated iron for rustic charm or pre-painted Colorbond steel for contemporary appeal. An optional deck area can extend living space outdoors, as featured in recent New Atlas coverage.

Environmental consciousness runs deep in the Caladenia’s design. The standard build comes off-grid ready with a 16L instant gas water heater. While solar panels aren’t included in the base price, the electrical system is designed to accommodate them seamlessly, featuring a full 240V caravan setup with a safety switchboard and LED lighting throughout.

Starting from $135,000 including GST, the Caladenia represents significant value in the Australian tiny home market. The three-month build time from Castlemaine-based Forest Creek Tinies ensures quality construction without excessive waiting. For those seeking proof that small living needn’t mean small dreams, the Caladenia stands as compelling evidence that thoughtful design can deliver luxury living in any footprint.

The post This 26-Foot Tiny Home Fits A Washer, Dishwasher, & 10-Foot Ceilings first appeared on Yanko Design.

Australia’s tiny house movement has found its perfect ambassador in the Harper, a stunning 20-square-meter dwelling that redefines what small-scale living can be. Created by Gold Coast-based Black Clay, this compact home proves that downsizing doesn’t mean downgrading when it comes to style and comfort.

The Harper stretches eight meters long and 2.5 meters wide, built on a robust triple-axle steel trailer designed for full transportability. What immediately strikes visitors is the exterior’s sophisticated blend of curved Decobatten aluminum and Colorbond steel cladding. This combination creates a timber-like aesthetic that demands attention while requiring minimal maintenance.

Designer: Black Clay

Interior Design Excellence

Step inside, and the Harper reveals its true character through carefully selected materials and thoughtful design choices. Architectural birch plywood lines the interior walls, creating warmth against the rich timber oak flooring. The kitchen serves as the home’s centerpiece, occupying 2.5 meters of prime real estate with Caesarstone benchtops and Laminex cabinetry in Porcelain Blush and Coolum Sand finishes that add subtle sophistication.

Living spaces flow naturally throughout the Harper’s interior, with the built-in lounge featuring hidden storage drawers beneath the seating. The bedroom continues the home’s commitment to both comfort and style, incorporating a queen-size bed base with additional storage underneath and subtly curved walls that create an enveloping sanctuary feel. Floor-to-ceiling windows throughout flood the interior with natural light and create seamless connections to the outdoors.

Sustainability and Investment

The bathroom showcases modern design sensibilities with full tiling and a striking concrete basin, while environmental consciousness runs throughout the Harper’s design. Earthwool insulation in walls and ceiling ensures energy efficiency, and full off-grid options cater to those seeking complete energy independence. This sustainability focus aligns with the growing desire for more intentional living that respects environmental boundaries.

Black Clay founders Justin and Rachel have positioned their company around creating “thoughtfully designed tiny homes built for people to enjoy in beautiful environments.” Priced from around US$77,500, the Harper represents a significant investment that delivers luxury finishes and thoughtful design typically associated with much larger homes. The Harper tiny house demonstrates that small-scale living can embody sophistication, comfort, and environmental responsibility, offering a compelling vision of downsized luxury for those ready to embrace intentional living.

The Future of Downsized Living

The Harper’s versatility extends beyond personal use, positioning it perfectly for the growing short-term rental market and luxury retreat sector. Property investors are increasingly recognizing the potential of high-end tiny homes as Airbnb offerings, where guests seek unique accommodations that provide both novelty and comfort.

The Harper’s sophisticated design and premium finishes make it an ideal candidate for such ventures, capable of commanding premium nightly rates while offering guests an immersive experience in minimalist luxury. Its transportable nature also allows owners to relocate their investment to capitalize on seasonal tourism patterns or changing market demands.

The post This $78K Tiny House Has Curved Walls & Luxury Most Homes Never Get first appeared on Yanko Design.

In the arid heart of Phoenix, Arizona, a once hardworking horse barn has been quietly reborn, a poetic fusion of history and modern design. Reimagined by The Construction Zone, this 750-square-foot guest house is an ode to restraint, light, and material honesty. What was once utilitarian now breathes as a serene desert retreat, proof that thoughtful design can honor the past while creating something entirely new.

Approached through a winding path from the main residence, the guest house emerges as a sculptural volume nestled within the landscape. The journey itself is part of the experience, a slow reveal that ends in an outdoor gathering space defined by a bocce court, a jacuzzi, and native desert flora. The scene feels effortless, yet deeply intentional: a study in proportion, texture, and place.

Designer: The Construction Zone

The architectural language is quiet but confident. A flat roof stretches outward, forming generous overhangs that temper the desert sun while framing long horizontal lines against the open sky. Beneath it, warm Douglas fir eaves run continuously from exterior to interior, creating a seamless ribbon of wood that guides the eye and softens the transition between architecture and nature. It’s this gesture, simple, fluid, and tactile, that anchors the design.

Inside, restraint becomes luxury. The layout is compact, yet feels expansive thanks to full-height, north-facing glass that floods the space with soft desert light. The open plan connects a pared-down kitchen, living area, bedroom, and bath, each space flowing into the next with a quiet rhythm. The material palette is kept minimal: concrete, timber, steel, and glass. Every surface feels deliberate, every junction crisp.

The kitchen exemplifies functional minimalism, sleek cabinetry, essential appliances, and a slender bar table that serves as both dining spot and workspace. Just beyond, the lounge invites stillness: low seating, framed views, and the golden tones of late afternoon light bouncing off concrete and wood.

In the bedroom, a poured concrete wall doubles as the headboard, introducing a sculptural gravitas that contrasts beautifully with the surrounding warmth of timber. The tonal palette, gray, muted red, and honey wood, evokes the desert’s chromatic subtleties, balancing cool industrial precision with natural intimacy.

The bathroom continues this narrative of quiet refinement. Matte gray tiles, a matching concrete vanity, and precise wood detailing keep the mood grounded yet elevated, minimalist, not sterile.

Outside, the transformation feels almost cinematic. The barnyard’s past life lingers only in memory; its present is one of calm sophistication. The bocce court stretches into the horizon, the jacuzzi glimmers under a desert sky, and a curated garden of cacti and succulents completes the sense of place.

This is not just a renovation, it’s an act of design empathy. The Construction Zone has created a dialogue between heritage and modernity, between shelter and openness. By retaining the barn’s essence and reinterpreting its form through contemporary sensibilities, the architects have crafted a living sculpture, one that celebrates the desert not as backdrop, but as collaborator.

What began as a working horse barn now stands as a refined retreat, an architectural meditation on light, texture, and history. By preserving the structure’s spirit and introducing a language of calm modernity, The Construction Zone has definitely created a guest house, but also a living dialogue between past and present, between the rugged desert and the comforts of modern design.

The post The Construction Zone Transforms A Horse Barn Into A Guest House In Phoenix, Arizona first appeared on Yanko Design.

Baluchon has done it again. The French tiny house builder, widely regarded as the most innovative craftsman in the industry, has just revealed their latest masterpiece: Nouvelle Danse. This light-filled sanctuary represents everything that makes Baluchon the gold standard in compact living design. Custom-built for a passionate seamstress, Nouvelle Danse transforms the traditional tiny house concept into something extraordinary, seamlessly integrating a dedicated workspace into a surprisingly spacious two-bedroom layout that proves even the most specialized needs can be met within compact dimensions.

The exterior showcases Baluchon’s signature aesthetic mastery through high-contrast natural wood cladding that plays beautifully against matte black insertions flowing across the roof, door, and window frames. The entrance commands attention with modern glass doors framed in striking black paneling, ensuring the home turns heads whether nestled in a tiny house community or positioned in a remote natural setting. Natural light floods every corner of the interior, creating an atmosphere that feels anything but cramped while providing the perfect environment for creative work.

Designer: Baluchon

A Portfolio of Innovation

Nouvelle Danse joins an impressive roster of recent Baluchon creations that continue pushing boundaries in small space design. The Eden tiny house demonstrated how smart design maximizes functionality, serving as both a residence and a remote office, while the minimalist Avalon showcased the builder’s ability to create perfection through restraint, with sleek styling within an ultra-compact footprint. The recent Ivy model boasted 441 square feet of luxury, featuring innovative elements such as raised lounges and direct loft access from the bathroom. In contrast, Leila focused on homey comfort, with enlarged kitchen spaces and charming reading nooks.

The company’s attention to craftsmanship remains uncompromising across all builds, consistently using sustainable materials like red cedar construction, natural insulation including cotton, hemp, and linen, and predominantly natural wood finishes or eco-friendly dyes. These choices reflect a commitment to environmental responsibility without sacrificing aesthetic appeal. Industry observers consistently note that Baluchon homes never look plain or somber on the outside, while interiors maximize every square inch through clever storage solutions and multi-functional design elements.

Setting the Standard for Custom Design

What sets Baluchon apart in the crowded tiny house market is its refusal to create cookie-cutter designs. Every project begins with understanding the client’s specific needs, then crafting a completely personalized solution. The seamstress workspace in Nouvelle Danse exemplifies this approach perfectly, demonstrating how the builder’s reputation encompasses pure artistry and endless creativity. Each Baluchon creation tells a unique story tailored to its owner’s lifestyle, whether addressing accessibility concerns with single-floor layouts or incorporating specialized work areas for creative professionals.

As tiny house living continues gaining popularity worldwide, Baluchon remains at the forefront of innovation. Their latest creation proves that downsizing doesn’t mean compromising on style, functionality, or personal expression. Nouvelle Danse stands as a testament to the possibilities that emerge when masterful craftsmanship meets thoughtful design, creating spaces that truly enhance their owners’ lives rather than simply sheltering them. The French builder continues setting the standard for what tiny house living can become when imagination meets expertise.

The post This Tiny House Looks Impossibly Small Outside But Hides A Full Sewing Studio Inside first appeared on Yanko Design.

Renewable energy systems in commercial architecture often remain hidden behind facades or tucked away on rooftops, treated as necessary but unsightly additions to building design. This approach misses opportunities to celebrate sustainable technology as part of the architectural experience, particularly in industries like wine making, where connection to natural cycles and environmental stewardship could enhance rather than compromise the visitor experience.

The Solar Winds Wine Tasting Pavilion by Michael Jantzen takes a radically different approach to this challenge. This unbuilt concept transforms renewable energy gathering into the starring feature of a winery pavilion, creating a structure where solar panels and wind turbines become sculptural elements that enhance both the building’s beauty and its environmental mission.

Designer: Michael Jantzen

The pavilion’s form immediately captures attention with its flowing series of curved steel panels that sweep across the structure like frozen waves. These panels, formed with two different radii, create a dynamic, undulating canopy that echoes the rolling hills of wine country. The effect feels both organic and futuristic, as if grapevines themselves had inspired a piece of architectural sculpture.

The steel arches and horizontal supports underneath provide the structural framework, clad with glass panels that can automatically open and close for natural ventilation control. This adaptive system allows the pavilion to respond to changing weather conditions while maintaining the flowing aesthetic. An open-air version could eliminate the glass entirely, creating a purely shaded gathering space.

The renewable energy integration becomes part of the visual spectacle rather than hiding in the background. Many of the curved panels incorporate flexible photovoltaic material positioned for optimal sun exposure, generating electricity for both the pavilion and the main winery. Panels without solar cells are painted to match, maintaining the cohesive flowing appearance while providing essential shade for the interior spaces.

Of course, the vertical-axis wind turbine adjacent to the pavilion adds another layer of energy generation and visual drama. The turbine’s sleek profile complements the pavilion’s sculptural form, while the circular bench built around its base creates a contemplative spot for visitors to observe both the technology and the surrounding landscape.

The interior experience feels equally thoughtful, with the curved panels casting intricate, ever-changing shadow patterns across the floor. Visitors can enjoy wine tastings and special events while surrounded by the gentle play of light and shadow, creating an atmosphere that connects them directly to the natural forces powering the building.

That said, the symbolic inspiration runs deeper than mere aesthetics. The trellis-like structure references the fundamental relationship between grapevines and their supporting framework, suggesting that buildings, too, can grow and adapt in harmony with their environment and energy sources.

You’ll notice how this concept challenges conventional approaches to both winery architecture and sustainable design. Rather than treating energy systems as afterthoughts, Jantzen makes them central to the architectural experience, creating spaces where visitors can appreciate both fine wine and the elegant technology that powers their experience.

The Solar Winds Wine Tasting Pavilion invites us to imagine buildings that celebrate their energy sources as proudly as they display their contents. This approach suggests possibilities for architecture that educates, inspires, and delights while advancing environmental goals through visible, beautiful sustainability.

The post Solar Winds Wine Tasting Pavilion Imagines Architecture and Energy Flowing Together first appeared on Yanko Design.

Taiwan’s Jialeshui coastline is getting a major makeover, but you might not even notice the changes. That’s exactly what MVRDV had in mind when they designed “Nature Rocks!” – a tourism project that’s meant to look like it grew straight out of the dramatic rock formations that already define this spectacular stretch of coast.

Located in Pingtung County at Taiwan’s southern tip, Jialeshui has always been a magnet for visitors drawn to its wind-carved cliffs and ocean-sculpted stones. The problem is that the existing tourist facilities were falling apart, and the site needed better infrastructure to handle growing crowds without ruining what makes it special in the first place.

Designer: MVRDV

MVRDV’s solution is surprisingly simple: build new facilities that look like rocks. The Dutch architects, working with local firm HWC Architects, have designed a visitor center and three lookout points that mimic the site’s natural geology so closely they practically disappear into the landscape. It’s architectural camouflage at its finest.

The 140,000-square-meter project doesn’t just add buildings – it creates an entire experience. New pathways wind through the terrain like natural trails, connecting viewpoints at the waterfall, scenic overlooks, and stone viewing areas. Each stop offers something different, but everything feels like it belongs there. The old, crumbling structures get replaced with sleek new facilities that actually enhance the natural setting instead of competing with it.

What’s refreshing about this approach is how it flips the usual tourism development playbook. Instead of slapping down generic visitor centers and concrete platforms, MVRDV let the landscape call the shots. The rock-shaped buildings don’t announce themselves – they blend in so well that the coastline remains the star of the show.

This matters more than it might seem at first glance. Taiwan wants to turn Jialeshui into one of its premier geological parks, which means more visitors are coming, whether the infrastructure is ready or not. The choice isn’t between development and preservation – it’s between smart development and the kind that destroys what people came to see.

MVRDV’s design team, led by founding partner Winy Maas, clearly gets this balance. They’ve managed to create something that works for tourists while actually strengthening the site’s natural character. The new facilities improve accessibility and provide better amenities, but they do it without that heavy-handed approach that turns beautiful places into theme parks.

The project also arrives at a crucial moment for sustainable tourism. As popular destinations worldwide struggle with overtourism and climate impacts, Nature Rocks shows how thoughtful design can handle more visitors while protecting fragile environments. The real test, of course, will come when the project opens and people start using these spaces. But if MVRDV pulls this off as planned, visitors to Jialeshui might find themselves wondering where the buildings end and the natural coastline begins. For a tourism project, that confusion would be the ultimate compliment.

The post MVRDV’s Taiwan Tourist Facilities Are Designed To Disappear Into the Landscape first appeared on Yanko Design.

The Kohútka Cottage, designed by SENAA architekti, sits perfectly in the Javorníky range as if it always belonged there. But this isn’t just another mountain retreat trying too hard to look rustic. Architects Jan Sedláček and Václav Navrátil faced an interesting challenge. The owner of a local mountain complex wanted something that felt authentically Wallachian but worked for modern living. Instead of choosing one or the other, they created a house with two faces that each tell a different story.

Walk up from the east and you’ll see exactly what you’d expect from this region. Small windows, deep roof overhangs, and that classic log cabin silhouette that’s been keeping mountain families warm for centuries. It’s the kind of building your grandmother would recognize, built using forms that actually make sense in this climate.

Designer: SENAA architekti

But circle around to the west side and everything opens up. Huge windows frame views across multiple valleys, turning the interior into a viewing gallery for some of the most beautiful scenery in the Czech Republic. It’s a smart move that lets the house honor its roots while making the most of its incredible location.

What’s really impressive is how they built this thing. The entire structure uses prefabricated timber panels that were made down in the valley, then trucked up and assembled in just one day. That’s not just efficient – it meant minimal disruption to the mountainside. The house meets strict low-energy standards, too, proving you don’t have to choose between being environmentally responsible and building something beautiful.

The interior layout makes clever use of the sloping site. There’s a wellness area tucked under the main level with a sauna and relaxation spaces that get natural light filtering down from above. All the boring mechanical stuff gets hidden away at this lower level, keeping the main living spaces focused on those mountain views.

SENAA architekti clearly know what they’re doing. The studio has worked everywhere from Brno to Los Angeles, and that experience shows in how they approached this project. They didn’t try to reinvent mountain architecture – they just did it really well.

You won’t find trendy dormers or unnecessary skylights here. Instead, the design relies on basics that have worked in these mountains for generations. The steep roof handles snow loads and weather. The window placement gives you light without losing heat. Simple decisions that add up to something that just works.

The Kohútka Cottage proves something important about mountain architecture. You can respect local building traditions while meeting today’s standards for comfort and sustainability. The result feels both timeless and completely contemporary – exactly what good architecture should do.

The post One House, Two Faces: How This Mountain Cottage Nails Traditional & Modern first appeared on Yanko Design.

Créer un système d’exploitation complet from scratch pour s’amuser, c’est le genre de projet un peu foufou qu’on ne voit plus tellement aujourd’hui. Pourtant SkiftOS existe !

SkiftOS c’est un OS écrit entièrement depuis zéro, et pas un n-ième fork de Linux ou d’une distribution BSD. Non, c’est un vrai OS avec son propre kernel, son interface graphique et même les bases d’un moteur de navigateur web.

J’ai découvert ce projet en me baladant sur les Top GitHub et ça m’a rappelé cette époque d’avant ma naissance où créer son OS était un genre de rite de passage pour tous les développeurs passionnés. Sauf qu’ici, on n’est plus dans les années 70 et le projet utilise du C++20 moderne avec une architecture microkernel très propre.

Et malgré son statut de projet “hobby”, il fonctionne réellement. Il tourne pour le moment sur du hardware x86_64 et l’équipe travaille sur le support RISC-V.

L’architecture modulaire du projet est d’ailleurs particulièrement bien pensée. Chaque module a son petit nom, c’est rigolo. Hjert gère le microkernel avec les fonctions essentielles telles que la gestion mémoire, l’ordonnancement et l’IPC (Inter-Process Communication). Karm fournit la bibliothèque C++ de base sans dépendre de la STL (Standard Template Library) . KarmUI propose un framework d’interface réactive. Hideo s’occupe du bureau et de l’environnement graphique. Et Vaev ambitionne de devenir un moteur de navigateur web complet.

Pour compiler tout ça, l’équipe a également développé CuteKit, leur propre système de build qui gère les dépendances et la cross-compilation. Bah oui, quand on réinvente un OS, autant réinventer aussi tous les outils pour le construire.

Cette approche “tout fait maison” rend en tout cas le projet fascinant d’un point de vue pédagogique. Car oui le code source est disponible sur GitHub donc si vous voulez comprendre comment fonctionne un OS moderne sans vous perdre dans les millions de lignes de code de Linux ou de Windows (pour les vieilles versions qui ont leakée), c’est une excellente opportunité pour apprendre. Pas besoin donc d’être Microsoft ou Apple pour développer un système d’exploitation fonctionnel.

Faut “juste” de la motivation, du temps, des compétences en C++ moderne, et surtout l’envie de construire quelque chose de différent.

Vous l’aurez compris, SkiftOS ne remplacera probablement jamais votre OS principal, c’est clair mais pour les développeurs curieux qui veulent comprendre les entrailles d’un système d’exploitation, ou pour ceux qui cherchent un projet open source technique sympa où contribuer, c’est une sacrée mine d’or.

Et qui sait, peut-être que dans quelques années on parlera de SkiftOS comme on parle aujourd’hui des débuts de Linux…

Walking into Jaç Hi-Fi Café in Barcelona’s Avinguda Diagonal feels like stumbling onto something special. This isn’t your typical coffee shop with music playing in the background. Here, the music is the point, and everything else revolves around creating the perfect listening experience.

The concept comes from Japan’s jazz kissa bars, where people go specifically to listen to music on high-end sound systems. Designer Isern Serra took that idea and gave it a Barcelona twist. The name “Jaç” works on multiple levels – it references jazz, nods to Japanese listening culture, and means “to recline, rest, and let go” in Catalan.

Designer: Isern Serra

What immediately catches your attention is how different this place looks. The bar itself is actually a giant speaker cabinet made from walnut wood. It’s functional furniture and high-end audio equipment rolled into one. You won’t find speakers awkwardly mounted on walls here. Instead, custom Bloom Island speakers are built right into the furniture, so the sound feels like it’s coming from the room itself.

The materials feel warm and deliberate. Rich walnut wood covers most surfaces, contrasted with smooth beige microcement walls. Everything has this golden, honey-colored glow that makes you want to settle in for hours. The curved seating area in back is particularly clever – walnut-clad walls flow up into an arched ceiling, creating this intimate listening nook where you can actually focus on the music.

Serra clearly studied how Japanese jazz kissa works. These bars emerged in 1960s Tokyo as places where music lovers could experience incredible sound quality in a respectful, quiet atmosphere. But instead of copying that aesthetic exactly, he made it feel distinctly Catalan. There’s still that social, café-going culture Barcelona is known for, just with better attention to what you’re actually hearing.

The lighting helps set the mood, too. Midcentury fixtures create different zones throughout the space, so you naturally move from the more social bar area to quieter listening spots. It all feels intentional without being pushy about it. What’s refreshing is how seriously they take the audio experience. In most cafés, music is just atmospheric – something to fill the silence. Here, they’ve designed every surface and angle with acoustics in mind. The result is a sound that feels clean and present without being overwhelming.

This kind of place feels particularly relevant right now. We’re constantly surrounded by noise and distractions, so having a space dedicated to actually listening to music feels almost radical. It’s not trying to be everything to everyone – just really good at this one specific thing.

Jaç manages to honor both traditions without feeling like cultural tourism. It’s genuinely Barcelona meeting Tokyo, creating something that couldn’t exist anywhere else. Whether this signals some broader trend toward more experiential dining and drinking spaces remains to be seen. For now, it’s just a really thoughtful place to drink coffee and remember why you fell in love with certain songs in the first place.

The post This Barcelona Café Borrowed Japan’s Best Idea About Music first appeared on Yanko Design.

In a world where housing costs continue to soar and living spaces shrink, Dragon Tiny Homes has introduced a game-changing solution that proves bigger isn’t always better. The Sora, their newest and most compact model, is making waves in the tiny home community by packing an impressive array of features into just 16 feet of living space.

At 135 square feet, the Sora challenges conventional thinking about what constitutes livable space. This ultra-compact tiny home on wheels demonstrates that thoughtful design can create a functional environment for full-time living, remote work, and even entertaining guests. The journey begins at the glass door entrance, which opens directly onto a surprisingly well-equipped kitchen. The kitchen maximizes every inch with essential appliances, including a full-size fridge/freezer, modern induction cooktop, and functional sink, with additional space allocated for supplementary appliances as needed. The integrated breakfast bar offers intimate dining for two while also serving as extra counter space during meal preparation.

Designer: Dragon Tiny Homes

Intelligent Layout Design

The Sora’s genius lies in its strategic zoning of living spaces. Adjacent to the kitchen, the living room creates an open, airy atmosphere through generous glazing that floods the space with natural light. The comfortable sofa bed serves dual purposes, providing everyday seating while accommodating two overnight guests when needed. Climate control is achieved through a mini-split air-conditioning system, complemented by a ceiling fan, ensuring year-round comfort regardless of the weather conditions.

Tucked cleverly under the staircase, a small desk creates a dedicated home office space, perfectly positioned for remote work without interfering with the main living areas. This thoughtful placement demonstrates how vertical space can be maximized in micro living environments.

Complete Living Essentials

Despite its compact footprint, the Sora doesn’t compromise on essential amenities. The bathroom, positioned opposite the living room, efficiently incorporates a full shower, sink, and flushing toilet within its compact design. This layout ensures privacy while maintaining the home’s open flow concept.

The bedroom occupies the loft space, accessed via the staircase that doubles as storage integration. While featuring the typical low ceiling found in loft bedrooms, the space comfortably accommodates a double bed alongside built-in storage solutions, proving that even sleeping quarters can be both cozy and functional.

Exceptional Value Proposition

Perhaps most compelling is Sora’s price point. Currently available at a special inventory price of $39,750, down from the regular $45,000, this tiny home offers an accessible entry point into homeownership. For comparison, this price represents less than a typical down payment on a traditional home in most markets.

The move-in-ready status eliminates the lengthy construction wait times often associated with custom tiny homes. This immediate availability makes the Sora particularly attractive to those looking to transition quickly into tiny living or investors interested in rental property opportunities.

The post This 16-Foot Tiny Home Packs A Full Kitchen, Office, & Bedroom For Under $40K first appeared on Yanko Design.

Overlooking the lovely coastline of Vagator, Goa, sits something India has never seen before. Architecture Discipline’s Timber Residence breaks new ground as the country’s first mass timber home, proving that environmental responsibility and stunning design can work hand in hand. Architect Akshat Bhatt wanted to create more than just another luxury residence. The 8,650 square foot structure challenges everything we think we know about Indian construction.

The secret lies in eleven glulam portal frames, each one carefully crafted in New Delhi before making the journey to Goa. These aren’t your typical building materials. Glued laminated timber represents a completely different construction approach, where pieces get stronger when combined rather than weakened. The entire house operates like sophisticated building blocks that can actually be taken apart and moved elsewhere decades from now.

Designer: Architecture Discipline

From the outside, charred-wood cladding gives the home its stunning weathered appearance while protecting it from monsoon rains and coastal salt air. The linear design captures sweeping views of both the Arabian Sea and Chapora River, turning the house into a front-row seat for nature’s daily show. Inside, exposed timber beams steal the spotlight, their raw authenticity warming rooms finished with black granite floors and deliberately bare white walls.

The lower level houses something special: a glass-enclosed wood workshop bathed in natural light from clerestory windows above. This creative space opens onto a timber deck that feels more like an outdoor room than a traditional balcony. Instead of walls or railings, planters define the deck’s edges, keeping the connection to the surrounding landscape completely uninterrupted. The workshop becomes a bridge between indoor creativity and outdoor inspiration.

Building on a cliff in Goa means preparing for nature’s worst moods. Bhatt worked with engineers to ensure the structure could handle fifty years of typhoons and torrential rains without flinching. The glulam construction method does something remarkable: it removes carbon from the atmosphere during production. While concrete construction takes from the environment, this timber approach gives back, making each beam part of the solution rather than the problem.

International architecture publications have taken notice, recognizing this project as a catalyst for change across India’s building industry. The residence is proof that sustainable construction doesn’t mean compromising on quality or beauty. With India’s population demanding smarter housing solutions, this Goa home shows a path forward where environmental consciousness and architectural excellence aren’t just compatible but essential partners in creating the future of responsible design.

FAQs

1. What makes the Timber Residence unique in India?

This home is a real first for India, it’s the country’s debut mass timber house, built using glulam frames instead of the usual concrete or steel. What sets it apart is how it was designed: almost like a giant set of building blocks that can be taken apart and moved if needed. The focus on sustainability, adaptability, and a much lighter environmental footprint makes it a standout in Indian residential architecture.

2. Why use glulam (glued laminated timber) instead of concrete or steel?

Glulam is a bit of a game-changer. It’s incredibly strong, but much lighter than concrete or steel, and it can be prefabricated, which means less mess and faster building on site. The real bonus is that timber stores carbon, so using glulam helps the environment rather than hurting it. You get all the strength you need for a modern home, but with a much smaller carbon footprint.

3. How does the Timber Residence handle Goa’s harsh coastal weather?

Goa’s weather can be tough, think heavy rains, salty air, and the occasional typhoon. The Timber Residence was built with all that in mind. Its charred-wood exterior helps protect it from moisture and decay, and the engineered timber frames are made to last. Every detail, from the materials to the structure itself, was chosen to make sure the house stays comfortable and resilient, no matter what the weather throws at it.

The post India’s First Mass Timber Home In Goa Raises The Bar For Sustainable Living first appeared on Yanko Design.