Known for their innovative use of traditional materials – namely brick – Atelier Zhanglei created this concrete urban design, the Slit House, as an ode to custom with an eye looking toward the future. This urban house design in Nanjing, China was modeled after the adjacent homes dating back to the 1920s, only with a cool, contemporary twist. In place of grey brick, the architect opted for concrete in an abstract form. Strips of wood two inches wide were used for the concrete formwork, giving the concrete a wonderful texture reminiscent of a fine textile. The 2,900-sq.-ft. house boasts a zigzag of glass that characterizes its urban exterior while illuminating the interior. Atelier Zhanglei
photo credit: Iwan Baan