In an economy flat-lined by a slumping real estate market, it is refreshing to look at modern architecture in Atlanta. Atlanta has been hit hard by the recession, but judging by the number of contemporary homes in the Atlanta area, when the recession ends, the capital of Georgia will once again be the crown jewel of the southeast.

Mack Scogin Merrill Elam Architects designed the Bailey House Studio in 2003.

About the Baily House Studio:

Building area:  2,200 square feet (house), 2,000 square feet (studio)

The site is a seven and one half acre hillside in southwest Atlanta. It is heavily wooded, except for a single 50í wide clearing dividing the lot into two halves. There are also several remnants from the Civil War, most notably an overgrown roadbed that led to Willis Mill. The new buildings are situated between these parallel linear cuts.

Just as the kitchen is the center of the modern home, the bedroom, and, by extension, the bed on which you sleep, is the center — the source — of your productivity and happiness.

Modern interior design continues to develop new, stylish beds, with superior comfort and structure as their headline. This is one from Niels Bendtsen. We’re getting sleepy, very, very sleepy.

The Frame Lo Queen Bed

About the Frame bed:

Frame is a wood bed of balanced proportions that is comfortable and inviting. It comes with an all-wood Frame or optional upholstered headboard. The beauty of Frame is found in its details. Precision mitered corners provide an exact fit while also emphasizing the grain of the wood. The bed sits close to the ground and has inset legs; creating an impression of floating, at the same time the position of the legs prevent tripping. A European wood slat system fits neatly into rail slots for stability and aesthetic appeal. The upholstered headboard has an easily removable cover, for cleaning or replacement. Fabrics come in a variety of colors to match any interior.

Santa Barbara is one of California’s most coveted zip codes. With beaches and a temperate climate, it attracts affluent people intent on living in homes that are representative of their lifestyle and means.

The architects behind the residential work here display the best of Santa Barbara’s modern homes.

The Quinta Isabella Residence

About Edwards-Pitman Architects:

Over the last 6 decades Edwards-Pitman has produced a significant number of distinctive Santa Barbara landmarks. The firm has been sought after by some of the city’s most “Client Testimonials” respected residents and celebrities alike for their professional guidance as well as to capture their individual architectural visions. Edwards-Pitman has an in-depth background in Santa Barbara’s Mediterranean and Spanish style architecture and given its long history, the firm fully understands the complex city and county policies which can be one of the most arduous aspects of getting a job completed.

Denver is the quintessential American city. It was a rugged western city, a pioneer vacation retreat, and now it has refashioned itself as a major 21st century metropolis. Denver’s contemporary homes and the city’s modern architecture reflect an appreciation for the environment and making use of sustainable materials. It also exposes the world to the many creative minds designing and building some of the most appealing modern architecture in Denver.

The Ozowa Residence:

This phased remodel transformed a typical 1950s suburban ranch house into a contemporary neighborhood icon. Definition was added to the low ranch by adding two tall “book end” volumes to each side. The project focused on defining form through materials that both compliment and juxtapose with the existing.

Phase I construction included a garage extension, exercise loft above a new 2 story family room and a 2nd level deck.

Phase II expand the master bedroom into a new master suite; a 2 story volume that captures day light from three directions while providing vistas of the distant lake and the private backyard.

About Roth Sheppard Architects:

Our collaborative design process stimulates exploration of the known and unknown to uncover opportunities. Through rigorous analysis, these opportunities provide the framework for transforming conventional problems into inventive solutions.

While problem solving addresses the pragmatic, innovation allows for discovery of the unknown. From regional police facilities to specialized residential, retail and restaurant environments, each solution ultimately creates unique experiences, strives for excellence and emotes the spirit of place.

The strain of climbing a steep hill is rewarded when you reach the top; the effort is recognized and the relief is appreciated. Imagine, then, climbing a hill in Boston, in Chestnut Hill, toward a home that is uniquely modern, structurally designed to caress the contours of a long hill, and environmentally sound.

You’d have the Chestnut Hill Residence, designed by Jonathan Levi Architects, and a testament to contemporary Boston homes.

From the Web site:

Occupying a wooded site in a suburban location, the maintenance of a number of large tress was a priority of the owners. This led to the formation of a narrow plan, which wraps and incorporates the largest specimen tree – a 42” maple located near the center of the site.

The form of the main building stretches diagonally both in plan and section, conforming to the sloped terrain and stepping back to allow each room a unique relationship to the south facing views. Careful placements of the detached garage and court provide privacy from the abutters as well as an intimate outdoor living space.

Spending countless hours at a desk can be painful or pleasant. It depends on where your style is. Judging from these images of the new BaObab desk, designed by Phillipe Stark, modern interior design — whether for leisure or work — is enjoying a period of growth and innovation.

About the BaObab Desk:

The BaObab desk, designed by Philippe Starck for Vitra, provides a refreshing approach to office furniture. It’s curved shape, created as a single piece, shields the user and provides a pleasant feeling of security. As a sculptural element, BaObab embraces the user, supports them in an unconventional manner in their work and ultimately gives the office a new feel. Its warm colors are inviting and its organic form challenges the conventional world of right angles and allows it to be positioned freely.

As a desk for the modern office, BaObab offers integrated cable management and the requisite storage space. It is ideally suited to businesses, retail outlets and home offices, as well as to established organizations that wish to create a fresh image.

Houston may reside near the bottom of the country, but in terms of modern architecture and cultural stature, it is quickly moving to the top. Jay Baker Architects is helping to establish that reputation, with elegant design and thoroughly modern features. The architecture put forth from Baker is remarkable in its ability to create a sense of place. The residences are indicative of Houston, as well as the architects’ that designed them understanding of the city.

About Jay Baker Architects:

Founded in 1991, Jay Baker Architects has produced a body of work recognized for design excellence at local, regional and national levels. For contributions as practitioner, teacher and volunteer in service of the built environment, Jay Baker was honored as a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects in 2002.

Berkeley, CA is a robust city, rich with culture, intellect and ambition. But architecturally speaking, it’s a bit of an anomaly, being at once traditionally conservative and boldly modern.

The San Francisco Chronicle reported on this phenomena recently, delving into one of Berkeley’s most contested debates. That of the “Berkeley Brown Shingle.”

From the article:

Berkeley architect David Trachtenberg is much more precise in describing how his use of brown shingles reflects the design philosophy of the First Bay Tradition, which has inspired his buildings throughout the Bay Area: “When you sheath a building in shingles,” he says, “it gives that building’s smallest gestures unique expression.”

Now he has applied this idea to three townhouses at 1350, 1352 and 1354 Neilson St. in North Berkeley, two of which have just come on the market.

Read more about architect David Trachtenberg.

Trachtenberg Architects was formed in 1991, six years after Trachtenberg graduated from Harvard with a master’s degree in architecture. His firm has designed homes and commercial buildings from Sonoma County to San Jose that have been praised for their aesthetic qualities by critics (including the late Allan Temko) and city planners. Among them: Berkeley landmarks Rose Grocery, Saul’s Delicatessen, Cody’s Bookstore on Fourth Street, Berkeley Bowl Market and the La Farine Building on Solano Avenue.

And, of course, if you’d like to view more of San Francisco’s modern homes, check out Sell Modern’s listings.

We’ve often said that something’s not truly modern unless it’s well-designed and environmentally sound. But this criteria is occasionally skewed. Perhaps we stumble upon a contemporary home with a wicked design, but that design is gorging energy resources; maybe there’s a super green loft overlooking the city of Los Angeles, and yet it lacks character and modern style. Ah well, we sigh. Another day.

But today’s snippet of modern design fits our model, and we’re eager to share with you.  It comes from Structured Green, makers of modern and eco-friendly furniture.

The Greenington Orchid Platform Bed

From the Web site:

Sick of going to bed at night knowing you are breathing toxic fumes from your bed. Its time for an eco-freindly platform bed. Need a mattress too, give us a call, we have eco-freindly mattresses as well. Classic bamboo furniture made by laminated material from milled squared edge bamboo slats. We offer two color choices- espresso and caramelized color. Caramelized color is made by our special carbonization process and the bamboo fiber is turned completely to the dark brown color through this process.