CONTEMPORIST just posted the trailer for Coast Modern. An Independent documentary film about West Coast modernism in architecture. Los Angeles to Vancouver and all points in between.

"The film by Vancouver, Canada based filmmakers Michael Bernard and Gavin Froome will take us on a journey through three generations of modern architecture on the West Coast of North America. From the early 20th century, through to the second wave of post-war America, to today’s current modernist renaissance. This film speaks with the architects and their patrons, and asks if Modernism’s time has finally come or did it ever really go away."

www.coastmodernfilm.com

These days, the much-abused abbreviation "eco" is relating to our pocket as much as our planet, and many of us are back to an appreciation of the 3 R's - regeneration, renewal, reformation. With this in mind, architects Jose Ulloa Davet and Delphine Ding teamed up to reform a family home in Tunquen, Chile, which had been built by a local architect in 1990. The resulting Metamorfosis 1, completed September 2008, is one of the more architecturally striking and simultaneously enticing timber reformations yet.

Ventilated timber 'skin' acts to seamlessly bind the old and the new, whilst providing structural elemental protection. Steps wind from the decked patio in escalation of the building via a secondary roof terrace towards the main terrace, which provides enviable panoramic and sea views. Fulfilling dual "eco" purposes, that of being ecologically sound and economically sensible,  this project promotes the global ethic to be less remorseful and more resourceful. Upholding a "less waste, more trees" stance, Metamorphosis 1 shows sustainable is not only beautiful, but makes a house a home.

View more images at Arch Daily

The Waters Edge Development is set at the heart of the Cotswold water park. Each of the homes offer completely unobstructed views from the large decks built directly over the lake.

The houses take cues from continental modernism, something still rare in the UK, with its stringent planning regulations (which somehow stop innovation under the pretext of making things in-keeping with the area, but allow the larger developers to fill the country with horrific mock Tudor and Georgian pastiche, built from plans that have probably been lying around since the late 70's)

The Cotswold Water Park is Britain's largest wetland nature reserve (It is man-made however, the lakes being former quarries)

While I personally think it is slightly disheartening that these are "second" homes, it's great to see contemporary house design being deployed on a slightly larger scale in the UK. One would hope this will help the case for individuals, architects and developers looking to build contemporary homes for family residence throughout the nation.

You can visit the developments website online at www.watersedgecotswold.com