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    Studio Hinge creates library spaces beneath tree-like wooden columns

    Indian practice Studio Hinge has completed Forest of Knowledge, a library in Mumbai that sits beneath a tree-like canopy of latticed wood.

    The library was designed for the Cricket Club of India, a member’s club dating back to the 1930s that is housed in an art deco building in southern Mumbai.
    Columns were created to resemble tree trunksAdapting the third floor of this building, Studio Hinge looked to recreate the feeling of “sitting under a tree with a book” by reimagining the structure’s concrete columns as tree trunks.
    Alongside, a former Zumba studio has been updated to be used as a flexible space for book clubs, film screenings and workshops.
    Circular bookshelves sit underneath the “canopy””India experienced one of the harshest and most sudden covid lockdowns in the world, and a lot of the design of the library was developed during this time, during which it was clear that people were yearning to meet and share ideas in person again,” explained the studio.

    “On a conceptual level, the design draws from nature, in particular the notion of sitting under a tree with a book, and also borrows from the beautiful canopy formed by the ficus and gulmohar trees to be found in the adjacent street,” it continued.
    The shelves are connected by plank-covered steel framesA steel frame covered with small wooden planks lines each of the concrete columns.
    This integrates shelving and extends upwards to create arched forms across the ceiling that are then connected in areas with a wooden lattice.

    The Act of Quad converts Mumbai shed into studio with see-through facade

    Curving bookshelves have been organised in a circle at the base of each column, with seating areas at the edges of the floor plate creating a variety of different conditions and atmospheres for visitors.
    On the library’s floor, custom terrazzo tiles feature a pattern of green “leaves” with a circle of wooden flooring used at the base of each column.
    The floor was decorated with a leaf pattern”Care has been taken to ensure no bookshelf in the open space is taller than 1.2m,” explained Studio Hinge.
    “This allows maximum natural light to permeate deep into the plan and for most adults to have an unobstructed view whilst standing, while creating sheltered semi-private nooks to sit and read in,” it added.
    “It also provides a very different perception of the library for children, from whose vantage the space between the circular bookshelves is playful, almost labyrinthine in nature.”
    A ceiling of timber planks adds interest to the multipurpose roomIn the multipurpose room, the ceiling has been finished with an undulating pattern of timber planks and the walls lined with cabinets to maximise storage.
    Forest of Knowledge was recently longlisted in the workplace interior (small) category of Dezeen Awards 2023.
    Elsewhere in Mumbai, The Act of Quad recently converted a former library into its own interior design studio, with a see-through facade of perforated, white metal sheets and Malik Architecture transformed an ice factory into an events space.
    The photography is by Suryan + Dang.
    Project credits:
    Design team: Interior Architecture – Studio Hinge, Pravir Sethi, Chintan ZalavadiyaLighting design: Studio Trace, Tripti SahniMEP: ARKK Consultants

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    Less than 48 hours left to secure Dezeen Awards 2023 party early-bird tickets

    Early-bird ticket sales for this year’s Dezeen Awards party end tomorrow, Tuesday 31 October, at 11:59pm London time. Hurry up and secure your place at our reduced rate and join in the celebrations.

    Tickets for the event cost £175 + VAT. However, you can save 20 per cent and book your ticket for the special early-bird price of £145 + VAT if you order before tomorrow. You can also save a further 10 per cent if you book a package of 10 tickets or more.
    Early-bird tickets selling fast
    There is limited time left to save 20 per cent on ticket prices for this year’s dazzling event at Shoreditch Electric Light Station in London on Tuesday 28 November.
    We will celebrate the winners of Dezeen Awards 2023 with food, drink, live entertainment and music throughout the night – don’t miss out!

    Winners revealed at the party
    The winners of all 39 Dezeen Awards project categories will be revealed live at the event, as well the overall architecture, interiors, design and sustainability projects of the year.
    We will also be announcing the six Designers of the Year and revealing the winner of the inaugural Bentley Lighthouse Award.
    Introduced this year, the Bentley Lighthouse Award recognises designers who are curious and courageous in their approach, and whose work has had a beneficial impact on social and environmental sustainability, inclusivity or community empowerment.
    Book your Dezeen Awards 2023 party ticket now via Eventbrite: dezeenawards2023.eventbrite.co.uk
    Email [email protected] if you have any questions. Sign up to our Dezeen Awards newsletter to get updates on the winners party and future editions of Dezeen Awards. More

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

    Milanese restaurant group Sant Ambroeus has opened a coffee bar in Aspen, Colorado, where Giampiero Tagliaferri Studio has filled the space with vintage Italian furniture.

    The Sant Ambroeus Coffee Bar Aspen draws references from the Alpine design found across the popular ski town, as well as the heritage of the brand, which was founded in Milan in 1939.
    A retro atmosphere in the coffee bar is created by faux fur, green marble and walnut wall panelsMilan-born, LA-based designer Giampiero Tagliaferri aimed to combine the two, creating a cosy and intimate space that nods to the glamour of midcentury Italian design.
    “As a Milanese myself, and a Sant Ambroeus regular, I felt an immediate connection to this project,” he said. “I hope the space will become a staple for Aspen locals and visitors; a refuge where one can go in the morning for an espresso and croissant, or stop by for a quick lunch or a delicious hot chocolate after a day on the slopes.”
    Designer Giampiero Tagliaferri drew references from Alpine interiors and midcentury Italian design for the interiorThe designer selected a variety of vintage pieces by famous Italian designers to populate the coffee bar.

    Le Bambole sofas by Mario Bellini are upholstered in dark green velvet, while 1950s curved plywood chairs by Carlo Ratti accompany the small cafe tables.

    Ten eateries with nostalgic retro interiors

    A series of 1970s wall sconces add to the nostalgic atmosphere in the space, which is exaggerated further by Mongolian lamb faux fur panels affixed to the walls between sections of mirror and walnut.
    Richly veined Verde Alpi marble also clads portions of the interior and forms the snaking bar countertop that’s fronted with grooved concrete.
    Vintage furniture pieces sourced for the space include green velvet Le Bambole sofas by Mario BelliniBuilt-in bench seating with yellow corduroy covers runs along one side of the cafe, following the dark flagstones that span the length of the narrow room.
    Additional seating is positioned in the window overlooking E Hyman Avenue, a block away from the Shigeru Ban-designed Aspen Art Museum.
    Additional seating is tucked below the window of the Sant Ambroeus location in AspenThe Aspen location joins several Sant Ambroeus outposts in New York City, including a spot in the expanded Sotheby’s auction house, as well as those in the Hamptons and Palm Beach.
    The photography is by Billal Baruk Taright.

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    Ten rustic Italian interiors that evoke the history of the Mediterranean

    This lookbook collects 10 interiors in Italy with a distinctly rustic feel, including homes and hotels replete with wooden beams, cool stone and other rich textures.

    As well as being known for its contemporary furniture and lighting design, Italy is home to some of Europe’s oldest buildings and has numerous historic cities and villages.
    From a 17th-century house in Puglia to a hotel in a 1,000-year-old castle, below are 10 examples of projects that pay homage to the Mediterranean country’s history while catering to modern tastes.
    This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring chequerboard floors, lime plaster walls and Mediterranean-style interiors.
    Photo courtesy of Monteverdi HotelMonteverdi Hotel, Tuscany, by Ilaria Miani

    Restoration specialist and interior designer Ilaria Miani helped transform several crumbling buildings in Val d’Orcia into a boutique hotel that aims to balance the history of the area with contemporary design influences from Milan and Rome.
    In the bedroom suites, chunky exposed beams made from salvaged wood are complemented by natural colours and textures, while nearly all the furniture is handmade by local artisans.
    Find out more about Monteverdi Hotel ›
    Photo by Francesca IoveneCascina, Piemonte, by Jonathan Tuckey Design
    London-based Jonathan Tuckey Design was tasked with returning this 19th-century farmhouse in northern Italy to its original state following a heavy 1980s renovation.
    Stone walls and wooden beams now feature prominently, with a cool chalky palette offset by brass lamps and chestnut panelling and furniture.
    Find out more about Cascina ›
    Photo by Salva LópezCasa Soleto, Puglia, by Studio Andrew Trotter and Marcelo Martínez
    Parts of Casa Soleto in Puglia are more than 400 years old. Architecture firm Studio Andrew Trotter and its studio manager Marcelo Martínez renovated the building without making any structural changes, leaving the irregular walls in place.
    To give the interiors an authentic, natural feel, the designers used lime plaster for the walls, linen fabrics for the sofas and curtains, jute rugs, terracotta ceramics and antique furniture.
    Find out more about Casa Soleto ›
    Photo by Alex FilzMonastero Arx Vivendi, Trentino-Alto Adige, by Network of Architecture
    Network of Architecture applied rippled antique-effect plaster to the walls of this 17th-century ex-monastery near Lake Garda, which is now a hotel.
    The plaster is complemented by pale wooden floors, black iron furniture and earth-toned fabrics, while the original doors have been retained and restored.
    Find out more about Monastero Arx Vivendi ›
    Photo by Salva LópezCasolare Scarani, Puglia, by Studio Andrew Potter
    Casolare Scarani is a home created from the renovation of a long-abandoned girls’ school built in the style of a traditional Puglian villa – but still modest in size.
    The vaulted ceilings were kept intact and covered in lime plaster, while the rooms were finished with earthy tones and traditional stone flooring.
    Find out more about Casolare Scarani ›
    Photo courtesy of Hotel Castello di ReschioHotel Castello di Reschio, Umbria, by Count Benedikt Bolza
    Hotel Castello di Reschio occupies a 1,000-year-old castle in the Umbrian hills that was transformed by count Benedikt Bolza and his family.
    Rooms have been decorated with terracotta-brick or wooden floors, hand-stitched linen curtains, Italian fabrics and locally crafted marble and brass vanities alongside portraits sourced from nearby antique markets in a reference to the building’s rich history.
    Find out more about Hotel Castello di Reschio ›
    Photo by Davide Galli AtelierBrolettouno Apartment, Lombardy, by Archiplan
    Located in a building in Mantua that dates back to the 15th century, this apartment was overhauled on a budget by local design studio Archiplan.
    The studio decided to honour the interior’s timeworn aesthetic by retaining the distressed floor tiles and faded frescos, combining these features with functional light-hued wooden furniture.
    Find out more about Brolettouno Apartment ›
    Photo by Salva LópezCasa Maiora, Puglia, by Studio Andrew Trotter
    Another project from Studio Andrew Trotter, this villa is in fact a newly built project – but carries heavy rustic influences from traditional homes in the area.
    Flagstone floors, lime-washed walls and locally sourced antiques combine to create a soothing, timeless feel.
    Find out more about Casa Maiora ›
    Photo by Serena EllerG-Rough, Lazio, by Gabriele Salini
    Features showcasing the building’s 400-year-old history were juxtaposed with contemporary art and mid-century furnishings at this boutique hotel in Rome, Italy’s capital.
    The imperfections of age, particularly on the patina walls, combine with furniture inspired by modernist Italian designers like Ico Parisi, Giò Ponti and Piero Fornasetti for a rough-yet-refined aesthetic.
    Find out more about G-Rough ›
    Photo by Irina Boersma César MachadoPalazzo Monti hotel, Lombardy, by Julie Cloos Mølsgaard and Vipp
    A collaboration with Danish homeware brand Vipp saw interior designer Julie Cloos Mølsgaard create a pop-up hotel in a 13-century palazzo in Brescia.
    To keep the focus on the building’s many historic features, Mølsgaard took a minimalist approach to the furnishings, with mattresses sitting directly on the floor and artwork propped up against the walls.
    Find out more about the Palazzo Monti hotel ›
    This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring chequerboard floors, lime plaster walls and Mediterranean-style interiors.

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    Eight quiet luxury interiors from Biarritz to Stockholm

    Our latest lookbook focuses on quiet luxury and features projects including a French hotel and a Swedish Grace apartment that exemplify the trend for discrete, yet sumptuous interiors.

    Classic, hardwearing materials and simple, neutral colour palettes characterise these eight quiet luxury interiors, which convey an elegant feeling without being over-the-top.
    Gleaming marble decorates bathrooms and hallways, while polished wood and soft, tactile textiles add an exquisite touch to bedrooms and living rooms.
    To create these quiet luxury interiors, designers have focused on the contrast and texture of different materials and added details such as sprigs of flowers and timeless designer furniture pieces.
    This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring airy loft conversions, kitchen islands with waterfall countertops and art-filled living rooms.

    Photo is by Gokul Rao KadamClermont residence, India, by FADD Studio
    This multi-generational home in Bangalore, India, is a prime example of how the right material choice can make an apartment feel sophisticated without needing to splurge on many additional features.
    Designer FADD Studio clad the bathroom in veiny marble for a striking effect, underlined by the contrast with the dark wood floor of one of the six bedrooms.
    Find out more about Clermont residence ›
    Photo is by Yannick LabrousseRepublique apartment, France, by Hauvette & Madani
    While this Paris apartment has a striking wine-red kitchen, the rest of the colour palette was kept neutral, but clever material use has given it a decidedly upmarket feel.
    In the dining room, chromed cantilevered dining chairs have been combined with a marble table. A lustrous herringbone parquet floor adds a natural feel, while a playful modern chandelier in smoke-coloured glass completes the interior.
    Find out more about Republique apartment ›
    Photo is by Mr TripperRegina Experimental, France, by Dorothée Meilichzon
    Located in a Belle Epoque-era hotel in the French seaside town of Biarritz, the Regina Experimental hotel has a number of luxurious touches.
    In this bathroom, combining the colour of the doorframe and shelving with tiles in the same hue creates a coherent, stylish interior.
    Fluted panelling at the top of the walls, classic porcelain sinks and shell-shaped soap holders add a nautical vibe.
    Find out more about Regina Experimental ›
    Photo is courtesy of Note Design StudioHabitat 100, Sweden, by Note Design Studio
    A calm hallway with patterned marble floors welcomes visitors into Habitat 100 in Stockholm, which was designed to resemble the original interior of the 1920s apartment.
    Note Design Studio also used greyed wood and stained oak to create a quietly luxurious feel inside the flat, which is located in a building built during the Swedish Grace era, a romantic, refined style movement.
    Find out more about Habitat 100 ›
    Photo is by Felix Speller and Child StudioMayfair residence, UK, by Child Studio
    The interior of this Mayfair house was informed by fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent’s home and features a number of custom-made pieces.
    These are combined with mid-century modern furniture, including a glassware cabinet and coffee table in dark, glossy wood. A marble side table and a brass wall sconce add more interesting material contrasts.
    Find out more about Mayfair residence ›
    Photo is by Joe FletcherTwentieth House, US, by Woods + Dangaran
    Twentieth House, a three-storey home in California, features a bedroom with a material mix that conveys a sense of restrained elegance.
    Soft brown velvet seating along with a rug colour match the panelled wooden wall, creating a cohesive and relaxing interior. A modern chandelier adds a frivolous touch.
    Find out more about Twentieth House ›
    Photo is by Seth CaplanDumbo loft, US, by Crystal Sinclair Designs
    Interiors studio Crystal Sinclair Designs renovated this loft apartment in Brooklyn’s Dumbo neighbourhood (above and main image) to retain its industrial look while adding some “European flair”.
    The result is a home that feels both cosy and elegant, with a practical mezzanine floor and stylish details, including a rough-hewn vase and a classic mushroom-shaped Artemide Nessino table lamp.
    Find out more about Dumbo loft ›
    Photo is by Gavin GreenFisherman’s Cottage, Australia, by Studio Prineas
    This former fisherman’s cottage in Sydney was extended with a concrete tower. Inside the home, a mirrored bathroom feels both industrial and upmarket at the same time.
    Veined green marble was used for the deep bath, while minimalist white sinks and chrome taps add a modernist touch.
    Find out more about Fisherman’s Cottage ›
    This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring airy loft conversions, kitchen islands with waterfall countertops and art-filled living rooms.

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    Studio FB creates gallery-like interior for Frame store in Marylebone

    French interior design Studio FB and the co-founder of fashion brand Frame, Erik Torstensson, have designed a California-informed store for the brand in London.

    The store’s concept draws from the brand’s Californian origins as well as European influences, which is reflected in the lighting, furniture and materials.
    Studio FB designed a minimalist store for Frame”The Californian universe with these modernist architectures with a free plan, skylights and the opening of spaces to the outside was our inspiration basis,” Studio FB told Dezeen.
    “We imagined this new concept design layout as open as possible, which can be compared to a gallery.”
    The store is arranged round a large central pillarTo create a greater connection with the street, the studio redesigned the facade by adding a curved, full-height glazed wall, which was set behind the original piers.

    “We designed a long-curved glass like a contemporary insert which contrasts radically with the classic London pillars preserved,” said the studio.
    The studio aimed to create a gallery-like atmosphereWithin the store, the studio aimed to mimic the atmosphere of an art gallery with a polished concrete floor serving as a base for a central pillar constructed from stained birch wood veneer.
    The store’s rails were custom-designed with a distinctive hand-moulded abstract-shaped end-piece serving as the highlight
    With in the fitting room, the ceiling, walls and doors were upholstered in fabric by textile company Kvadrat.
    Custom-designed rails were created for the store”The rounded central wooden element was designed as a sculptural object, which gives a residential feeling from the 50s,” the studio explained.
    “The backspace invites the cabins and lounge area becomes more intimate all-in fabric and brings sophistication to the space. Pieces of furniture and artwork sublimate the atmosphere,” the studio continued.
    “The general atmosphere is similar to an art gallery with raw materials such as concrete on the floor and white walls.”
    The stores changing areas have fabric wallsFB Architects and Torstensson worked together to acquire artwork and collectable design pieces to reinforce the gallery atmosphere.
    “It was a thorough process to ensure the most unique response possible to Frame,” said the studio.
    “Erik had a precise vision of his brand, so we exchanged a lot together on many artistic fields to build the brand’s architectural DNA.”

    Traditional Korean pavilions inform open-sided Aesop store in Seoul

    A sculpture by Serbian visual artist Bojan Šarčević crafted from wood and limestone sits in the display window. Also in the store are two original 1950s Gio Ponti stools, crafted from wood and textiles.
    The store was decorated with wall-mounted fixtures designed by French lighting designer Jean Perzel, as well as geometric fixtures created by French architect Pierre Chareau, to create a soft and gentle lighting ambience.
    Artworks feature throughout the storeTorstensson used AI as a sketching tool to design custom objects for the space, such as large brutalist stone tables and chrome custom-made sculptures that were then realised by architecture studios including Bucktron Studio Sweden.
    “I’ve been learning and expanding my skills with AI for the last year, it creates a superpower when it comes to speed, as it allowed me to generate the visual concept at a greater pace and scale,” said Torstensson.
    “This creates exciting results and provides a new outlook on design. I simply use it to visualise my initial ideas in greater detail in order to bring my ideas to life.”
    The store is Frame’s second in the UKOther retail interiors recently featured on Dezeen include a stationery store interior made from white-oiled wood by Architecture for London and a store interior for Ms MIN in Shanghai, China, by Neri&Hu.
    The photography is courtesy of Frame.

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    Five days left to book early-bird tickets to Dezeen Awards 2023 party

    There are just five days left to save on tickets for the Dezeen Awards 2023 party. Book now to secure your place at our reduced early-bird rate and see this year’s winners announced.

    Early-bird tickets will be on sale until 23:59 London time on 31 October 2023. Save 20 per cent and book your ticket for the special early-bird price of £145 (excluding VAT) if you order before 23:59 on 31 October 2023.
    You can also save a further 10 per cent if you book a package of 10 tickets or more.
    Buy your early-bird tickets now!
    Taking place at Shoreditch Electric Light Station in London on 28 November, we will celebrate the winners of Dezeen Awards 2023 with food, drink, live entertainment and music throughout the night.

    The winners of all 39 Dezeen Awards project categories will be revealed, as well the overall architecture, interiors, design and sustainability projects of the year.
    We will also be announcing the six Designers of the Year and revealing the winner of the inaugural Bentley Lighthouse Award.
    Stay at One Hundred Shoreditch
    If you are travelling to London for Dezeen Awards 2023 you can save further on your stay with our hotel partner, One Hundred Shoreditch. Located just under a 10 minute walk away from the venue in the heart of Shoreditch, it is the ideal spot for your stay in London.
    Use the code Dezeen23 as a “rate access/corporate code” when booking to save an extra 20 per cent off the best available price.
    Book your Dezeen Awards 2023 party ticket now via Eventbrite: dezeenawards2023.eventbrite.co.uk
    Email [email protected] if you have any questions. Sign up to our Dezeen Awards newsletter to get updates on the winners party and future editions of Dezeen Awards. More

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    Tembo Tembo lodge hides among landscape of South African game reserve

    Rammed earth walls and an organic colour scheme help this South African family lodge designed by architecture practice Studio Asaï to blend into its natural surroundings.

    Tembo Tembo sits close to the Sabie River on the western edge of Kruger National Park – a sprawling game reserve that’s home to a wide array of flora and fauna, including what’s known as the “big five”: lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and buffalo.
    Tembo Tembo’s rammed earth walls blend into the landscape of the game reserveThis setting was a large point of inspiration for Paris-based Studio Asaï, which decided to construct the home from rammed earth, emulating the materiality of towering termite nests that can be seen across the reserve.
    “More locally, [rammed earth] is only used for singular walls in the house, thought of as a decorative object,” explained the studio. “For Tembo Tembo, we decided to use it as the main material for the entire house.”
    Dark wood lines the home’s moody entrancewayTo ensure the stability of the home, Studio Asaï worked alongside local architect Nicholas Plewman to develop a structural skeleton that could support the roof and walls.

    Locally sourced rammed earth was then applied to the structure, mixed with a sealant to make the material less porous and crumbly.
    A green sofa in the living area is meant to emulate the colour of the foliage outdoorsThe house was also built atop an 80-centimetre-high concrete platform to keep away lizards and other critters while minimising flooding from the heavy downpours that frequently occur in the region from September onwards.
    The property’s flat steel roof is meant to give the home a lower, more discrete profile.
    The dining area opens onto a shaded terraceInhabitants access the home through a moody entryway lined with dark wood panels. A papery, three-tier pendant light hangs from the centre of the space directly above a white marble table.
    The home’s rammed earth walls were left exposed in the adjacent living area, which is anchored by a modular green sofa that nods to the foliage of the South African bush.
    Cream plaster walls and a coffered ceiling can be seen in the home’s libraryTo the side of this space is a contemporary kitchen complete with dark wood cabinetry and a blocky breakfast island crafted from black Zimbabwean granite.
    In the corner of the room is a travertine marble dining table surrounded by chairs with woven seats. This is positioned directly next to an expansive glazed panel that, when slid back, lets inhabitants step onto a shaded terrace.
    Curtains help give the principal bedroom a tented safari-camp feelCreamy plaster walls appear in the home’s library, complementing the rustic beige fabric that was set into the room’s coffered ceiling.
    Studio Asaï revived the “bush” green of the sofa but this time in the form of a glossy work desk.
    The house’s rammed earth walls are revealed again in the guest bedroomDesigned to feel akin to a “modern safari camp”, the principal bedroom features a large bed that can be enclosed with gauzy curtains on all sides.
    There’s a cosier feel in the guest bedroom where Studio Asaï has once again left the rammed earth walls bare and installed a black metal fireplace for use in the cooler months.
    There’s also a striking bathroom that’s almost entirely lined in a flecked Namibian stone.
    Namibian stone covers surfaces in the bathroomTembo Tembo has made the shortlist of the home interior category at this year’s Dezeen Awards.
    It will compete against other projects such as Prior Barraclough’s Union Street House, which is entirely lined in Australian hardwood, and Keiji Ashizawa Design’s Hiroo Residence, which is decked out in muted tones to amplify the space’s sense of light.
    The photography is by Adrien Dirand.
    Project credits:
    Interior design and architecture: Studio AsaïArchitecture: Nick Plewman ArchitectsLandscape design: Green Inc

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