I stumbled across my first Morphosis building during a brief stint on the L.E.S earlier this year. Although still under construction, the new Cooper Union site was awe inspiring. The facade reintroduces a sense of drama to the street scape as it crashes to the pavement in a series of fractured folds sucking in the past and spitting out the raw architectural talent that the Cooper Union is renowned for.
The guys at DearDesign produce commercial interiors that resonate the ethos of the brands they display. Their recent work for Spanish fashion label Lurdes Burgada plays on ideas of the handmade to create a beautifully facetted wall element that curves its way through a warehouse like space. Each of the beech panels is individually numbered to facilitate construction but also to allude to the individual nature of each piece.
Has marble ever looked so good? I’m a sucker for stone so this bar at Mexico City’s Distrito Capital hotel makes me want to pack my bags and move in. There’s no superfluous detailing, no attempt at creating “new” forms, just an honest use of the material.
Galilu Olfactory Perfumery by Marcin Kwietowicz recently opened its doors in Warsaw and exudes a certain mid-century charm. The space is essentially simple, allowing the focus to be on the nose as opposed to the eyes. The use of the classic Jean Prouve Standard Chair seems to sit well alongside the rich timber finishes and classic parquetry floor too. With all too many retail spaces opening with sensationalist fit-outs of late it’s refreshing to see a space thats honest in its execution.
I saw this House at the Interior Design awards this year and was impressed by the attention to detail and warm minimalism expressed through its finishes. Yarra House was designed by Leeton Pointon Architects and features some of the most carefully considered details I’ve seen in a local project for some time. The connection with the landscape and the way in which the spaces are crafted is of particular note. If I was lucky enough to live alongside the Yarra I imagine this would be the place to do it.
In terms of theatrical spaces, this loft in Amsterdam by UXUS Design sets the stage. “Before the renovation the loft was not set up as a residence and was an empty void. Curtain “walls”, lighting and a kitchen were added to make what was an old industrial empty space livable.” UXUS have maintained the integrity of the space and only inserted element s which were deemed truly necessary. The standard partition walls are removed also and in their place curtains are draped, temporarily defining zones within the void.
6A Architects have just completed a dynamic new retail space for K-Swiss in London. “The brief was to produce a retail space that located new and classic K-Swiss products alongside other culturally related objects (CD’s, books…) representing similar brand values. The key function of the space was its ability to transform at a moment’s notice from a working retail space into an open, unbranded space for music or art events.”
By re-appropriating a Library style archival system, the designers have created a system which responds to the needs of the user, not the other way around.
This amazing loft in New York is courtesy of Charoonkit Thahong and delicately mixes mid century furniture with flourishes of Hollywood regency. This combination seems to sit well within the high exposed ceilings and rich timber floors providing a nice contrast.
Im not sure whether its the bright red Thonet chairs or the beautiful teal lining to the book case but I’m feeling this loft by BSC Architecture in New York. The double layering created by the book case also provides some acoustic support for when you’re trying to work.
This home/studio is by Japanese group Eastern Design Office and is sited in Gojo, Japan. “Designed for a craftsman making crests for clothing, the residence comprises a workshop, living room and bedroom with two courtyards in between.” Im particularly drawn to the simplicity of the space. Reduced to its barest essentials in terms of furniture and materials the space embodies a sense of honesty and attention to craft which I find refreshing.
