Markus Andrews

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    AHMM to transform office into co-living space next to London’s Barbican estate

    Developer HUB and investor Bridges Fund Management have revealed plans to convert a 1950s office building in London into Cornerstone, a co-living residential scheme designed by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris.

    Located on the edge of the Barbican estate, the Cornerstone project will draw from the iconic Barbican architecture to transform 45 Beech Street into 174 co-living residences along with street-level commercial spaces and amenities.
    “Building on the success of our previous London projects with HUB, we are joining forces again to transform an underloved office building in the heart of the city,” Allford Hall Monaghan Morris (AHMM) director Hazel Joseph said.
    AHMM has revealed plans for a co-living retrofit next to London’s Barbican estateAHMM’s proposal aims to re-use as much of the building’s existing structure and facade as possible, taking a “retrofit-first approach” to minimise the need for new building works.
    The studio will also primarily work within the geometric parameters defined by the original envelope, while updating the rectilinear language to create uniform apertures for each co-living apartment.

    Referencing the Barbican estate, a series of arched, double-height extrusions will be introduced across the crown of the building to house additional co-living apartments.
    The design will adapt the existing building’s form and insert a series of arched spaces at the top”The architectural approach has been carefully considered, responding sensitively to the much-loved Barbican context, completing the northern frontage of the estate,” Joseph said.
    The arches will be partially set back from the building’s facade and lined with an asymmetric patchwork of glazed and tile panels underneath the curved overhangs.

    Plans for Barbican concert hall by Diller Scofidio & Renfro axed

    At street level, warm red panel accents will contrast against the building’s neutral concrete finishes to highlight commercial and collective functions.
    The scheme will integrate a public cafe, a co-working space and community-focused amenities at its lower levels to improve the public realm for those who live and work in the area.
    “The existing structure of 45 Beech Street will be re-used and extended, creating a new residential community with shared amenities and breathing new life into the local streetscape,” Joseph explained.
    At street level, new commercial and public amenities will seek to activate the ground planeAccording to HUB and Bridges Fund Management, AHMM’s proposal was developed in collaboration with the community – including Barbican residents – who were consulted through a series of workshops and events.
    A website was also established to solicit viewpoints about the redevelopment, reiterating the design vision to establish a “vibrant community” that will adapt the original building and holistically contribute to the neighbourhood.
    AHMM was established in 1989 by Simon Allford, Jonathan Hall, Paul Monaghan and Peter Morris in London. The studio has previously converted a 1930s block into New Scotland Yard’s headquarters in London and completed a mixed-use building in Southwark with interlocking flats.
    Also adjacent to the Barbican estate, Diller Scofidio & Renfro’s proposal for a pyramidal music centre was recently scrapped when the City of London Corporation revealed its plans for a “major renewal” of the Barbican.
    The images are courtesy of HUB and Bridges Fund Management.

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    ICA Stop supermarket designed as a “culinary dream come true”

    Swedish studio Westblom Krasse Arkitektkontor and design agency Snask have revamped a supermarket in Täby, adding pastel hues and materials such as terrazzo and wood to “turn shopping into an experience”.

    The design was intended as a facelift for the store, which is part of Sweden’s ICA supermarket chain and had been given many smaller additions over the years without an overall design direction.
    Together, Snask and Westblom Krasse Arkitektkontor redesigned the 2,200-square-metre store outside of Stockholm, refreshing its interior by creating multiple themed stations.
    A pink juice bar welcomes visitors inside Täby’s ICA StopThese include a pink juice and smoothie bar, a “vegan butchery” station, a seafood and champagne bar and a bar for delicacies, designed to give ICA Stop the feel of a market hall.
    “Our main goal was to create a more personal shopping experience,” Snask creative director Freddie Öst told Dezeen.

    “We did this by modernising the brand and giving it a concept as the culinary dream come true.”
    Snask and Westblom Krasse Arkitektkontor used colours that would enhance the produceTo create clean sightlines inside the shop, which also has a restaurant space at the front, Westblom Krasse Arkitektkontor and Snask used rounded shapes throughout the interior.
    “This wasn’t just about keeping the store from turning into a sardine can,” Öst said. “It was about giving everything and everyone room to breathe – and look fabulous doing it – even products that would otherwise be blocking one another.”
    Fruit counters have ribbed sides and perforated metal shelvingFor both practical and aesthetic reasons, the bars and counters were given a ribbed effect that adds textural interest to the store interior.
    “It’s like putting pinstripes on a curve – it adds just the right amount of flair without messing with the flow,” Öst said.
    “[It’s] a classy shout out to those fluted columns from the architectural playbook,” he added. “We made store design not just functional but fashionably sleek, with a wink and a nod to the ancients.”
    Terrazzo was used for the tabletops in the restaurantThe studios used materials not usually associated with supermarkets for the interior, including lacquered wood, stainless steel and terrazzo, which was used for the tabletops in the restaurant section.
    Counters were wrapped in thick medium-density fibreboard (MDF) and fortified with steel rods to protect them against “rogue shopping carts”, while the fruit and vegetable shelves were constructed from perforated lacquered metal.

    Wine and Eggs is a colourful Los Angeles grocery with a European feel

    “We made sure to blur the lines between a regular supermarket and the nirvana of a chef, turning shopping into an experience,” Öst said.
    As the store remained open while it was being refurbished, the studios had to plan the change of the interior in different stages.
    Stainless-steel counters “pop like a comic strip”They chose to use pastel colours throughout the stores for the shelving and bars to keep the focus on the food itself.
    “We fine-tuned the entire space against a new backdrop of soothing soft blue allowing for the fresh produce to become the leading actor with its rainbow hues,” Öst said.
    “The stainless steel counters add a pop like a comic strip,” he added. “The market hall slithers like a friendly serpent, presenting an array of cheese, meats and cold cuts, guiding you through the culinary wonderland without disturbing the colours of food and packaging.”
    Snask redesigned the logo and branding for the storeAs well as the refreshed interior, Snask also worked on the branding for ICA Stop.
    “The logo was redrawn and we also added the S symbol, making it a recognizable brand marker,” Öst explained.
    “Per usual, we threw away the old ways of doing things and dialled up both colours, typography, design, architecture and fun.”
    The colourful store is located in Täby outside of StockholmThe unusual interior of the store, which is now open to customers, has divided opinions.
    “Most customers adored the change, while others… not so much. But hey, that’s the result of flipping the supermarket game on its head,” Öst concluded, adding a quote by graphic designer Tibor Kalman: “When you create something no one hates, no one loves it either”.
    Other creative grocery store designs include Wine and Egg in Los Angeles, which was designed to have a “European feel”, and the stripped-back and simple interior of supermarket Consum’s Benicàssim store.
    The photography is by Mikael Lundblad och Jesper Westblom.

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    Chai Guys Portobello cafe interior evokes “the colour of spices”

    Local studio SODA has used warm colours and natural materials to create the first store for tea brand Chai Guys on Portobello Road in London’s Notting Hill neighbourhood.

    The studio drew on the “informal nature” of drinking masala chai tea when designing the interior for the cafe – the first one for the Chai Guys brand, which has previously operated from market stalls.
    The Chai Guys cafe is located on Portobello Road in London”We wanted to keep true to the informal nature of drinking chai by creating a grounded space with low-level seating where there is always room for one more by pulling up a stool,” SODA interior designer Matilde Menezes told Dezeen.
    “The counter was kept quite low, too, to showcase the act of serving chai, which is quite theatrical.”
    The interior has plaster walls and boucle seatsThe Chai Guys Portobello cafe comprises a seating area and a front-of-house desk where the tea is prepared, as well as a bakery at the back that sells pastries.

    As many of the visitors will be getting takeaway drinks, Menezes says she wanted to provide “an impactful impression that was simple and subtle at the same time”.
    Timber panelling clads part of the wallsThe studio also aimed for the 55-square-metre space to be a peaceful refuge from hectic Portobello Road and to reference the Chai Guys branding.
    “The brand is a modern take on chai with its black dynamic typography layered over clean and minimal design,” Menezes explained.

    SODA creates contemporary MYO offices inside 1970s London building

    “We wanted the colour palette to sit back and let the branding and product be the main event in moments such as the counter, the shopfront, and the retail shelving,” she added.
    “In areas where the branding wasn’t present, we wanted the palette to evoke the colours of the spices and standalone as a direct but understated reference to chai.”
    SODA used natural materials like leather and wood for the cafeThe studio chose to work mainly with natural materials for the interior, which features walls in Clayworks plaster.
    “Clayworks is non-toxic, has low embodied energy and carbon, is breathable, passively regulates humidity and is produced in the UK,” Menezes said.
    “On top of this, the handmade quality of each stroke and lived-in quality complemented the aesthetic we were trying to achieve.”
    A counter serves Chai tea and pastriesSODA also clad the walls in timber panelling and chose boucle and leather for the seating, adding to the store’s tactile feel.
    “Timber has its innate grain and richness, leather ages and provides sheen and the boucle appeals to the touch and is quite striking in the Masala tone,”  Menezes said.
    “All these tactile touchpoints were selected to be resilient in a high-traffic commercial space.”
    Other recent projects by SODA, which was founded by Laura Sanjuan and Russell Potter in 2012, include a colourful interior for The Office Group and a theatre with a revolving auditorium.

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    Ivy Studio installs colourful marble in Montreal’s Hayat restaurant

    Montreal-based Ivy Studio has chosen a variety of dramatic marble to outfit a Middle Eastern restaurant, which features a colour palette influenced by “the earthy tones of the Syrian deserts”.

    In Montreal’s Old Port neighbourhood, the 1,500-square-foot (140-square metre) Hayat restaurant is designed to reflect the cuisine served by chef Joseph Awad.
    The marble host stand at Hayat sets the tone for the restaurant’s Middle Eastern-influenced colour palette”This Middle Eastern restaurant’s colour palette was inspired by the earthy tones of the Syrian deserts and their surrounding greenery,” said Ivy Studio.
    Upon entering is a screen of black hammered-glass panels, which also conceals the kitchen in the far corner.
    In the main dining space, banquette seating runs along two walls below a fabric ceiling installationIn the main dining room, built-in benches form an L along two walls, while a pair of U-shaped booths sit against another that arches over them.

    The seat backs are upholstered in mauve velvet and the cushions are wrapped in contrasting deep green leather.
    Private booths are positioned below an arched ceiling and behind a partition of black hammered glassCloser to the kitchen is another small, semi-circular booth built into the walnut millwork.
    Here the cushioned seats are covered in ruby-toned velvet, and a metallic light fixture is suspended above.
    The bar is made from a dramatic marble variety with streaks of teal, pistachio and cream coloursIvy Studio selected a wide variety of striking, richly veined marbles, “each contributing their own touch of colour into the space” according to the team.
    The bar is made from a dramatic stone with teal, cream and pistachio striations, while the host stand and dining table tops in the main area are purple and white.
    A red-hued semicircular booth is tucked into the walnut millwork close to the kitchenThe building’s exposed brickwork is painted cream to match the other walls, while the original historic stone between the large windows is left exposed.
    “The ancient stone walls at the front and rear facades were left intact to showcase the building’s history,” Ivy Studio said.

    Ivy Studio renovates fire-damaged Piatti restaurant in Montreal

    Curved layers across the ceiling, which hide indirect lighting, are designed to evoke the smooth landscapes of the Middle East.
    A fabric installation suspended above the dining tables curves around more strips of lighting, diffusing the light to create a warm glow.
    The bar is made from a dramatic marble variety with streaks of teal, pistachio and cream coloursWalnut, stone and cream walls are also found in the bathrooms, which echo the colour and material scheme throughout the restaurant.
    “The overall intention of the palette was to bring together the worlds of Middle Eastern nature and Old Montreal construction,” the studio said.
    The same material palette continues in the moody bathroomsIvy Studio has completed several interiors across Montreal that include colourful marble.
    These include the Italian restaurant Piatti where the dark green stone contrasts the building’s rough walls and co-working office Spatial where purple surfaces pop against mint green millwork.
    The photography is by Alex Lesage.
    Project credits:
    Architecture and design: Ivy StudioConstruction: Groupe Manovra

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    Eight tranquil interiors where oversized windows frame lush views

    This week’s lookbook explores eight peaceful residential interiors that feature expansive glazing and floor-to-ceiling windows framing verdant views.

    These eight projects all use oversized or unusually shaped windows in clever ways, creating interiors that embrace nature and forge welcome connections to the outdoors.
    Among this list of projects is an urban home renovation in Sydney offering scenic views over a plant-filled roof terrace, a curvaceous home that wraps around mango trees in a forest near Mumbai, and a mid-century home renovation sat beside a hillside in California.
    This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring interiors that embody the “bookshelf wealth” design trend, living spaces that feature metal furniture and offbeat homes with indoor slides.
    Photo by Fabian MartinezCasa Tres Árboles, Mexico, by Direccion

    Neutral calming tones feature throughout this revamp of a weekend retreat in Valle de Bravo, completed by Mexican studio Direccion.
    Designed to “convey a sense of refuge and retreat”, lush courtyards at either end of the home serve as a backdrop to the calm interiors and are visible through floor-to-ceiling windows and French doors.
    Find out more about Casa Tres Árboles ›
    Photo by Tom FergusonHidden Garden House, Australia, by Sam Crawford Architects
    Located within a conservation zone, this Sydney home was reconfigured by Sam Crawford Architects to transform the space into an urban “sanctuary”.
    A sloped terrace on the upper floor is filled with plants to create an “urban oasis” outside the house and offers a scenic yet private bathing experience for the residents.
    Find out more about Hidden Garden House ›
    Photo by Nils Timm12221 Benmore , US, by Ome Dezin
    This mid-century home renovation in California by US studio Ome Dezin features a tonal colour palette and has oversized openings to maximise views of the lush hillside.
    Originally constructed in 1960 by architects A Quincy Jones and Frederick Emmon, the renovation aimed to revive the home’s original charm and its connection to the outdoors.
    Find out more about 12221 Benmore ›
    Photo by Syam SreesylamNisarga Art Hub, India, by Wallmakers
    Nisarga Art Hub, a family home located in Kerala, doubles as a community arts centre for hosting workshops and events, as well as musical performances that are held on the structure’s innovative roof design.
    A central space features earthy, natural interiors with built-in seating that is fronted by oversized windows looking out over the neighbouring paddy fields.
    Find out more about Nisarga Art Hub ›
    Photo by Jim StephensonPoet’s Corner House, UK, by Oliver Leech Architects
    UK studio Oliver Leech Architects added a four-metre-wide skylight to this extension of a Victorian terrace house in south London.
    Tasked with opening up the home’s dark interiors, the extension offers views of a wildflower meadow roof along with views out to a rear courtyard.
    Find out more about Poet’s Corner House ›
    Photo by Inclined StudioAsmalay, India, by Blurring Boundaries
    This curvaceous home near Mumbai completed by Indian studio Blurring Boundaries was designed to wrap around five of the surrounding forest’s mango trees.
    Large, oval-shaped windows line the home’s interior and draw daylight in as well as provide views out towards the leafy forest.
    Find out more about Asmalay ›
    Photo by EvenbeeldWell House, Belgium, by Memo Architectuur
    Belgian studio Memo Architectuur renovated this dilapidated row house in Mortsel to accommodate a single-family home.
    The home’s bright, leafy interiors are lit by floor-to-ceiling rear openings that provide a picturesque backdrop to an open-plan kitchen and upper-floor balcony.
    Find out more about Well House ›
    Photo by Robin HayesHouse Dokka, Norway, by Snøhetta
    Two stacked timber-clad volumes comprise this home designed to resemble a “floating treehouse” in Kongsberg, Norway, completed by Snøhetta and Tor Helge Dokka.
    Optimising its location perched on a hillside, large windows finished with black frames look out onto the surrounding rocky landscape.
    Find out more about House Dokka ›
    This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring interiors that embody the “bookshelf wealth” design trend, living spaces that feature metal furniture and offbeat homes with indoor slides.

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    Post Company imbues Mollie Aspen hotel interiors with earthy hues

    New York studio Post Company has designed warm, wood-filled interiors for a boutique hotel in Aspen, Colorado, which offers a pared-back take on the Arts and Crafts style.

    Mollie Aspen occupies a new timber-clad building designed by CCY Architects and developed and operated by HayMax in the mountain city’s downtown area.
    With an open fireplace as a backdrop, the lobby lounge at Mollie Aspen features earth-toned furniture and a gridded wood ceilingPost Company was tasked with creating the interiors for the 68-room hotel, combining contemporary Scandinavian and Japanese design elements for a serene take on Rocky Mountain luxury.
    “Mollie is designed for those with a natural curiosity and appreciation for connection and offers visitors a unique, welcoming respite in the bustling mountain town,” said the hotel’s team.
    An all-day cafe in the lobby serves pastries and beverages from a walnut-wrapped counterAn abundance of wood can be found throughout the different spaces, with numerous varieties creating a layered effect of different colours and grain patterns.

    The timber is crafted into elements like gridded wall and ceiling panels with built-in lighting, which evoke an Arts and Crafts aesthetic, as well as fluted counterfronts and a range of furniture pieces.
    Burl wood counters and displays present goods in the hotel’s retail spaceThe majority of the materials used in Mollie’s construction were sourced from the Western United States to reduce waste, according to the team.
    Meanwhile, other accents like earthen ceramics, hand-dyed textiles and sand-casted brass add to the cosy atmosphere.
    Guest rooms offer an even more pared-back take on the neutral decor palette”These materials are incorporated throughout the hotel to mimic the area’s rough-hewn mountains while large windows frame views of the surrounding landscape and bring an abundance of light into the hotel,” said the team.
    The lobby lounge is designed as a cosy gathering space for guests and the public, with a large open fireplace providing a backdrop.
    Beige plaster walls and textured carpets complement the wood ceilings in the guest roomsChunky leather, velvet and boucle sofas and armchairs in a range of earthy hues form comfy conversation nooks.
    At one end of the room, the black-topped bar spans the full width and is illuminated by a row of globe-shaped pendant lights suspended from thin brass bars.
    Black leather furniture in the larger suites offers a contrast to the other furniture pieces and snowy mountain viewsA repeated geometric pattern across the pale counter front is also found on door panels leading to other hotel areas.
    An all-day cafe at the opposite end of the lobby serves pastries and an assortment of beverages from a walnut-wrapped counter, and the restaurant
    Dark green tiles in the bathrooms match the spruce trees outsideIn the adjacent retail space, burl wood counters and displays with curved edges, some of which are topped with glass vitrines.
    On the third floor is a roof terrace with a bar and a spa pool set to open in Spring 2024, while a fitness facility and flexible meeting space are located at ground level.

    Giampiero Tagliaferri lines Aspen coffee bar with green marble and faux fur

    The guest rooms continue the soft, neutral palette in a more pared-back style.
    Beige plaster walls, textured carpets and green-grey curtains complement the wood ceilings and built-in furniture, while black leather chairs add contrast.
    Mollie Aspen is located within a newly constructed building by CCY ArchitectsDark green stacked tiles that line the bathrooms match the spruce trees outside and freestanding tubs beside the windows allow guests to enjoy the view while soaking.
    “Guests are left with a sense of Aspen’s cultural and recreational history, providing a lens to appreciate its contemporary personality and influence,” the team said.
    The building was constructed largely from materials sourced from the Western USAspen is a renowned destination for winter sports and affluent vacationers, and CCY Architects has designed several private residences in and around the town – among them an extension to a Victorian house, a residence nestled in a grassy valley and a retreat that overlooks the dramatic mountainous scenery.
    Formerly known as Studio Tack, Post Company’s previous hotel projects include the Anvil Hotel in Wyoming, The Sandman in California, and Scribner’s Catskill Lodge in New York.
    The photography is by Nicole Franzen.

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    Eight closed staircases in tactile materials and sculptural shapes

    For our latest lookbook, we’ve gathered eight stylish closed staircases, ranging from a winding wooden spiral staircase to a light-filled “stairway to heaven”.

    Closed staircases – stairs that have been framed so that the threads and risers aren’t visible from the side – have become a popular search term on Dezeen’s Pinterest board.
    While they create heavier volumes in a room, when done well closed staircases can add a monumental, almost sculptural feel to an interior.
    In the eight examples below, architects and interior designers used the style in different creative ways to turn staircases into statement pieces made from materials including steel, patterned wood and micro cement.
    This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration, see previous lookbooks featuring “bookshelf-wealth” interiors, living spaces with metal furniture and interiors punctuated by structural columns.

    Photo by Alex BaxterBarn at the Ahof, the Netherlands, by Julia van Beuningen
    Architectural designer Julia van Beuningen created a spiral staircase made from plywood for this barn conversion in the Netherlands. The beautifully patterned staircase sits at the heart of the floorplan and contrasts against the barn’s rough-hewn wooden beams and pillars.
    “It’s something you either love or hate, but it’s definitely a statement,” Van Beuningen told Dezeen.
    Find out more about Barn at the Ahof ›
    Photo by Gokul Rao KadamClermont House, India, by FADD Studio
    This apartment inside a high-rise development in Bangalore comprises two flats that were fused, with an expressive closed staircase connecting them.
    “It has a sculptural feel with the addition of multiple curves, carved into each riser’s deep red marble,” the studio said of the staircase, which was covered in white micro cement that has a soft sheen finish.
    Find out more about Clermont House ›
    Photo is by Noortje KnulstMatryoshka House, the Netherlands, by Shift Architecture Urbanism
    A steel-clad volume encases an electric-blue staircase and runs along the side of the living space in this Dutch house that has been converted into two apartments.
    The volume conceals a toilet, storage space and kitchen equipment, creating a clean and simple kitchen interior to which the colour adds a playful feel.
    Find out more about Matryoshka House ›
    Photo is by Pierce ScourfieldParis apartment, France, by Johanna Amatoury
    Gently curved plaster forms in soft white hues define this Parisian apartment, including the staircase in its entryway.
    Interior designer Johanna Amatoury aimed to create a holiday-house feel in the home, which was designed as an homage to the architectural vernacular of Greek islands.
    Find out more about the Paris apartment ›
    Photo by The IngallsAustin Proper Hotel, USA, by Kelly Wearstler
    Interior designer Kelly Wearstler gave the Austin Proper Hotel in Texas her signature bohemian touch, as seen on the closed staircase she created as an eye-catching centrepiece.
    Wearstler chose to work with white oak wood to create the striking staircase, which has a ziggurat design that lets it function as a display case for a collection of glazed earthenware pots and vases.
    Find out more about the Austin Proper Hotel ›
    Photo by Brotherton LockNithurst Farm, UK, by Adam Richards
    Described as a “stairway to heaven”, British architect Adam Richards created this staircase based on one in the film A Matter of Life and Death, in which a pilot gets a second chance at life after a crash.
    It ends by facing a full-height window, creating a striking light effect that makes the staircase live up to its name.
    Find out more about Nithurst Farm ›
    Photo courtesy of Rubén Dario Kleimeer and Lagado ArchitectsWorkhome-Playhome, The Netherlands, by Lagado Architects
    This townhouse in Rotterdam was revamped by its owners, the founders of studio Lagado Architects, to create more versatile living spaces.
    Called Workhome-Playhome, the home has a closed staircase in an eye-catching baby-blue colour that matches other touches of colour in the house, including its bright green kitchen chairs.
    Find out more about Workhome-Playhome ›

    Tommy Rand House, Denmark, by Tommy Rand
    Perhaps the most monumental of the staircases in this roundup, the spiral staircase designed by architect Tommy Rand for his own house in Denmark was constructed from 630 pieces of CNC-cut plywood.
    “It is very beautiful from all angles,” said Rand. “It is like a snail house, which opens up more and more as you go up to the first floor.”
    This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration, see previous lookbooks featuring “bookshelf-wealth” interiors, living spaces with metal furniture and interiors punctuated by structural columns.

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    Totem-pole colonnade encloses Istanbul Airport restaurant

    A stone and glass fountain, totem pole-like columns and gilded arches characterise the Kaimakk bar and dining space by local studio Sanayi313 inside Istanbul Airport.

    The 600-square-metre space was created by Sanayi313 as a place of refuge from the bustle of the airport.
    “The challenge of this project was to create a place where people would feel secluded and relaxed in the hectic environment of one of Europe’s busiest airport terminals,” Sanayi313 founder Enis Karavil told Dezeen.
    Kaimakk is an Istanbul Airport restaurant designed by Sanayi313Two large, L-shaped serving counters with canopies above enclose the seating space inside. Between the counters, an archway with intricate metalwork gates leads to a “frozen” fountain at the centre of the project.
    The fountain was made from traditional travertine stone with individually made, mouth-blown glass pieces.

    A fountain made of stone and glass sits at the centre of the spaceCompleted in two stages, the fountain was first carved and assembled before contemporary Turkish glass artist Derya Geylani crafted the glass pieces to create the “frozen” expression.
    According to Kaimakk’s Lian Beraha, the fountain “took shape from the idea of life, joy, abundance and the eruption of cream”.
    Mouth-blown glass pieces were made by Turkish glass artist Derya GeylaniSurrounding the fountain, a series of tall archways are supported on sculptural, totem-pole-like  columns that form a colonnade enclosing the restaurant.
    “The studio stacked a variety of recurring forms into totem-like pillars with gold discs between them and placed arched blocks on top, as if playing with Lego,” Karavil explained.

    Softroom creates “world’s-longest” parametric wall inside Istanbul Airport

    “Each arched unit is equipped with built-in blinds made of translucent material to diffuse the light transmitted into the space at different times during the day,” he continued.
    “Coated in micro-topping, the four-metre-high structure pays homage to the architecture and stoneworks in the Turkish city of Mardin.”
    Large sculptural columns and arches are a recurring motif throughout the projectThis idea of drawing upon heritage was central to the concept behind the project, which, according to Beraha, “draws inspiration from the traditional Mesopotamian culture” of places in southeastern Turkey like Mardin, Diyarbakır and Gaziantep.
    “One of the key features of the project is the handcrafted mosaic floors incorporating an intricate geometrical pattern with stars,” Karavil described.
    “It draws inspiration from the One Thousand and One Nights – a collection of Middle Eastern folktales also known as Arabian Nights.”
    Sanayi313 used a colour palette of beige, cream and goldBuilt-in booth seating is positioned alongside barstools and a mixture of both round and rectangular marble-topped tables, with views out over the airport runway.
    Other projects in Istanbul include Renzo Piano’s Istanbul Modern museum wrapped in a facade of “evocative fish scales” and an Apple Store by Foster + Partners that is characterised by two travertine walls.
    The photography is by İbrahim Özbunar.

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