This week's MoCo picks.

+ Architect Nonya Grenader, Danny Samuels + Rice University Building Project's Extra Small (XS) House, "a dwelling of 500-square feet with a projected budget of $25,000 ... a modern interpretation of the shotgun-style structures that are disappearing from the area and serves as a prototype for use in various Houston communities.". Via materialicious and tinyhouseblog.

+ ... and another affordable, long and narrow house, Jorge García and Daniel Rojo's Casa Biehl at Plataforma Arquitectura.

+ Sean Godsell’s Glenburn House, an "environmentally sustainable design [with a] building skin which is an identifiable part of our work includes solar collectors for power and hot water.". Via Inhabitat and Arch Daily.

+ Mark Koehler's monolithic IJburg House in Amsterdam at Frame, "The first floor houses three bedrooms, a small bathroom, toilet and a hall, whereas the second floor is used for living, cooking and eating. This part of the house is flooded with daylight. The hall on the first floor connects the small garden in front with the garden in back of the building.". Via Dezain.

+ Aleks Istanbullu's 855 sq. ft. Coldwater Canyon guesthouse at the Los Angeles Times, a "playful cube-shaped structure resembles a large jack-in-the-box from which a clown might pop at any moment.". Via Land+Living.

+ Teddy Luong's House Within A House, a small aquarium modeled after a contemporary home at DESIGNSPOTTER.

+ Coway's Daan Air Purifier, "a cylindrical unit styled to look more at home amongst contemporary furnishings. The air purifier separates into 3 units that can be carried into other rooms and placed onto independent stands, it also features a mood lighting function--not a bad thing.". Via Core77 and Engadget.

+ Nicolette Brunklaus' Catharina & Cornelis lights, the first set in a series of portrait lamps representing famous Amsterdam citizens. Via Hemfeber.

+ Mathias Hahn's Scantling floor and pendant lamp for OKAYstudio, "Without the need for any counterweight this light’s adaptability relies on a hidden mechanism that uses friction without the usual self-loosening.". At Dezeen.

+ Sherwood Forlee's lamp inspired SANAA's The New Museum in New York. Via designboom and Hippopocampe.

+ RCA's Platform 12 student projects, "One of the Design Products platforms of the Royal College of Art, this one seems to be tech driven (till now), the tutors are Sam Hecht, Durrell Bishop and Andre Klauser.". Via designboom and Wallpaper*.

+ Landscape architect Jay Griffith's reclaimed wood fence in Venice, CA at Apartment Therapy.

+ Monocle opens a newsstand, "a branded newsstand in Fitzrovia, London. The shop is done up in full Monocle style, offering a clean and stylish way to browse the latest publications.". At PSFK.

+ Phillipe Starck Uses His Super Powers For Good Instead of Evil.