Rooms

Subterms

    More stories

    • 88 Shares179 Views

      in Rooms

      Dezeen’s Global China exhibition spotlights cultural collaboration

      by

      Models, sketches and photos of works by architects and designers including Neri&Hu, Büro Ole Scheeren, Paul Priestman and FOG Architecture feature in Dezeen’s Global China: Connecting The World Through Design exhibition in Shanghai.

      Taking place during the World Design Cities Conference (WDCC) in Shanghai last month, Global China: Connecting The World Through Design showcased work by both Chinese and international architects and designers that bridge east and western ideologies.
      The exhibition space is designed by FOG ArchitectureThe exhibition features the work of six architecture and design studios, which were selected by Dezeen to demonstrate the breadth and depth of interesting work being completed in China.
      Featuring models, sketches, photography and films, the exhibition aims to demonstrate how international collaboration and cultural exchange can foster innovation while showcasing China’s influence as a growing design power.
      FOG Architecture presented a model of To Summer flagship store in BeijingThe exhibition space, designed by FOG Architecture, featured a series of architecture models on a central table, with hanging graphic boards hanging from a curved rail for visitors to look through.

      Three models from Chinese architecture studio Neri&Hu occupied the centre of the table, including Waterhouse at South Bund, Tsingpu Yangzhou Retreat and Nantou City Guesthouse, that focus on adaptive-reuse and historic preservation.
      Neri&Hu presented three of their most well-known projects”We believe that urban fabric and architectural memory should be preserved with a critical approach that exemplifies the zeitgeist within the specificity of context,” said the Shanghai-based studio.
      “Our built works show the possibility of creating unexpected spatial experiences in historic buildings, giving them new life.”
      The twisted Tencent Helix is one of Ole Scheeren’s highlighted projectsBüro Ole Scheeren also presented three models, the Axiom, Tencent Helix and Shenzhen Wave, that best represent the studio’s futuristic vision for China’s urban landscape.
      AIM Architecture created AIM City, a curated collection of the studio’s projects that form an experimental city concept for renewal and innovation.
      AIM Architecture created an utopia urban city focused on renewal and innovation”Every street and building are reimagined, offering unexpected moments and fresh possibilities, embodying our vision of continuous urban evolution,” said the studio.
      “Past, present, and future merge in a dynamic landscape of regeneration and sustainability.”
      Paul Priestman showcased his latest Viewpoint conceptBritish transport designer Priestman presented his latest work Viewpoint, a sightseeing ship where all passengers would have undisrupted views of cityscapes. Also on display are hydrogen powered locomotives concept Inter-Freight as well as his previous designs for China high-speed trains.
      Chinese furniture designer Min Chen presented a bench called A Piece of Wood, that used Chinese traditional kite frame made of bamboo with the shape informed by airplane wings. His work is known for its modern expression in traditional materials and craftsmanship.
      Min Chen presented a bench that utilises Chinese craftsmanshipFOG Architecture presented ToSummer Flagship in Beijing Guozijian, which was crowned Interior Project of the Year at Dezeen Awards China last year. Others on display are HCH Showroom for Shanghai Fashion Week and Cycle Cycle Portable Bakehouse, which was longlisted at this year’s Dezeen Awards.
      The photography is by Xiaobin Lyu.
      Global China: Connecting The World Through Design exhibition ran from 27 to 30 September on the third floor of Dingbo Building as part of World Design Cities Conference 2024. See Dezeen Events Guide for an up-to-date list of architecture and design events taking place around the world.
      Media partnership
       
      Dezeen curated the Global China: Connecting The World Through Design exhibition for WDCC as part of a media partnership. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.

      Read more: More

    • 138 Shares129 Views

      in Rooms

      Luca Guadagnino transforms Roman palazzo “steeped in history” into boutique hotel

      by

      Film director Luca Guadagnino’s interior design studio has turned a historic palazzo in Rome, Italy, into a luxury hotel.

      The hotel, named Palazzo Talia, is the first hospitality project from Guadagnino’s Studiolucaguadagnino.
      Originally built in the 16th century, the palazzo was previously a school for children from less privileged backgrounds.
      Studiolucaguadagnino has converted a 16th-century palazzo in Rome into a hotelThe institution, called Nobile Collegio del Nazareno, eventually became more prestigious and taught children of aristocrats. It closed down in 1999, but is now being restored by the Federici family of real estate development firm Gruppo Fresia.
      The firm brought on board Studiolucaguadagnino to create its public spaces to guide the look and feel of the hotel.

      “The most exhilarating aspect was pondering how to intervene in a place so steeped in history and tailor it to a completely different, bespoke garment to breathe new life into the palace,” Studiolucaguadagnino project manager Pablo Molezun said.
      A floral carpet leads to the Magna HallAt the forefront of the hotel’s public spaces is a 248-square-metre hall called the Magna Hall, decorated with 18th-century frescoes. These frescoes were originally painted by Italian artist Gaspare Serenario.
      The studio installed a “monumental” floral carpet in the reception lobby. The carpet leads guests to a central staircase and the frescoed hall.
      The hotel features 18th-century frescoes painted by Gaspare SerenarioThe design of the hotel relied heavily on the use of a wide range of colour hues to achieve a “balanced decorative effect”, Molezun said, describing this as “chromaticism”.
      “Chromaticism guides the entire project, as does our close collaboration with artisans,” he told Dezeen.
      “This aspect allowed us to experiment with various techniques. The project itself is the result of a process aimed at achieving this balanced decorative synthesis.”

      Archiloop converts 12th-century Italian monastery into hotel Vocabolo Moscatelli

      Centuries-old frescoes also adorn the ceiling of the Bar della Musa, the hotel’s own bar. Its walls are clad in textured blown-mirror panels, which reflect the frescoes.
      Along with the public programme, Studiolucaguadagnino also designed the Terrace Suite on the top floor. The suite, capped with a sloping roof, is lined with peach wood panelling and features an alcove bed.
      The walls of the bar are covered in textured mirror panelsA 66-square-metre terrace extends from the suite, overlooking the inner courtyard of the hotel.
      Landscape artist Blue Mambor curated a selection of tropical foliage for the inner courtyard, transforming it into an “urban oasis”.
      Studio Luca Guadagnino also designed the Terrace SuiteThe remaining 25 rooms and suites were designed by architect Marianna Lubrano Lavadera, founder of MIA Home Design Gallery and designer Laura Feroldi.
      Each room features unique furniture pieces that were designed to blend classic and contemporary styles.
      Tropical foliage lines the inner courtyardStudiolucaguadagnino was founded in 2017. The studio previously created an interior design exhibition at the 2022 Milan design week to mark its public launch.
      Elsewhere in Rome, designer Patricia Urquiola has transformed a palazzo into the Six Senses hotel and American entrepreneur Ian Schrager has converted a bank into The Rome Edition.
      The photography is by Giulio Ghirardi.

      Read more: More

    • 125 Shares189 Views

      in Rooms

      World’s 49 most striking interiors shortlisted for Dezeen Awards 2024

      by

      Dezeen has announced the interiors shortlist for this year’s Dezeen Awards, which includes interiors by Keiji Ashizawa, India Mahdavi, Mesura and Unknown Works.

      The 49 shortlisted studios, which are in the running for awards in nine different interior project categories, are located across UAE, Sweden, Hong Kong, Canada and Portugal.
      The top five represented studio countries are Japan with eight shortlisted entries, followed by the United Kingdom with five and the USA, Spain and Australia tied with four shortlisted entries.
      The shortlist featured several projects with tile-clad interiors, including a cafe utilising an earthy colour palette with pink-coloured tiles in Japan and a public bathhouse featuring turquoise tiling in the suburbs of Tokyo.
      Other shortlisted projects include a restaurant with striking concrete arches in Spain, a menswear store sprayed with recycled newspaper pulp in London and a minimalist showroom featuring sculptural furniture in Barcelona.

      Dezeen Awards 2024 shortlists revealed this week
      Dezeen Awards 2024, in partnership with Bentley, will reveal all shortlisted projects this week. The architecture shortlist was announced yesterday and the design shortlist will be announced tomorrow followed by sustainability on Thursday.
      This year’s nomination-based Designers of the Year and Bentley Lighthouse Award shortlists will be announced this Friday and next Monday respectively.
      “This year’s interiors shortlist displays incredible quality,” said Chris Cooke, head of design collaborations at Bentley, who is one of this year’s interiors judges. “Innovative, contemporary designs which are smart, impactful and timeless top this year’s list.”
      “There also continues to be a focus on sustainability and it’s encouraging to see designers embrace this responsibility,” he continued.
      Top: Austa Restaurant by Studio Gameiro. Photo by Daniel Schäfer. Above: Naïve Bookstore by Atelier Tao+C. Photo by Wen StudioThe shortlisted projects were scored by our interiors jury which includes interior designer Bobby Berk, Patricia Urquiola and Brigette Romanek, architect Shushana Khachatrian and product designer Amechi Mandi.
      All shortlisted interiors projects are listed below, each with a link to a dedicated page on the Dezeen Awards website, where you can find an image and more information about the project.
      The winner of each project category will be announced live at our annual Dezeen Awards party on Tuesday 26 November at Hackney Church in London. All nine winners will then compete for the title of interior project of the year.
      Buy your Dezeen Awards party tickets now!
      Tickets for the Dezeen Awards 2024 party are now on sale. The event will be a chance for everyone who entered this year’s Dezeen Awards to celebrate their achievements alongside fellow nominees, winners and our esteemed Dezeen Awards judges.
      Click the link here to find out more and secure your tickets before they sell out!
      Read on for the full interiors shortlist:
      Capitan Arenas by Miriam Barrio Studio. Photo by Salva LópezResidential interior
      › Casa France, Paris, France, by Dechelette Architecture› Capitan Arenas, Barcelona, Spain, by Miriam Barrio Studio› Mia’s Apartment, London, UK, by Studiomama› Mo Jacobsen, Melbourne, Australia, by YSG Studio› The Green Machine, London, UK, by SUPRBLK› The Lighthouse, Paris, France, by Toledano + Architects
      This category is sponsored by Graff.
      Browse all projects on the residential interior shortlist page.
      Daphne by Studio Paolo Ferrari. Photo by Joel EspositoRestaurant and bar interior
      › Austa Restaurant, Algarve, Portugal, by Studio Gameiro› Blue Bottle Coffee Nagoya Sakae Cafe, Nagoya, Japan, by Keiji Ashizawa Design› Daphne, Toronto, Canada, by Studio Paolo Ferrari› Early Bird, Berlin, Germany, by About Space› Restaurant MMC, Madrid, Spain by Zooco Estudio
      Browse all projects on the restaurant and bar interior shortlist page.
      Locke at East Side Gallery by Grzywinski + Pons. Photo by Nicholas WorleyHotel and short-stay interior
      › Ennea Hotel, Oaxaca, Mexico, by Comité de Proyectos› Hotel Elysee Montmartre, Paris, France, by Policronica› Locke at East Side Gallery, Berlin, Germany, by Grzywinski + Pons› Mollie Aspen, Colorado, USA, by Post Company› The Medallion Extended Stay Hotel, Wisconsin, USA, by Arno Hoogland› Trunk Hotel Yoyogi Park, Tokyo, Japan, by Keiji Ashizawa Design and Norm Architects
      Browse all projects on the hotel and short-stay interior shortlist page.
      Orato Offices lobby by The Invisible Party and Maarten Baas. Photo by Wouter van der SarWorkplace interior (small)
      › Cave Office, Mexico City, Mexico, by Senosiain Arquitectos› Land Over Water Office, Hoofddorp, the Netherlands, by Firm Architects› Link Lab Creative Offices, Kortrijk, Belgium, by Stay Studio› Orato Offices lobby, Amsterdam, Netherlands, by The Invisible Party and Maarten Baas› Today Design, Melbourne, Australia, by Studio Edwards
      Browse all projects on the workplace interior (small) shortlist page.
      Food52 Flagship Headquarters by Float Studio. Photo by William Jess LairdWorkplace interior (large)
      › Chancery House, London, UK, by Norm Architects› Edelman’s Francis House, London, UK, by Gensler› Food52 Flagship Headquarters, Brooklyn, USA, by Float Studio› Gigi Studios Headquarters, Sant Cugat del Vallès, Spain, by Isern Serra› Intermain, Alexandria, Australia, by BVN Architecture› Knotel at The Old Sessions House, London, UK, by Knotel and Acrylicize
      Browse all projects on the workplace interior (large) shortlist page.
      Tojiro Knife Gallery by Katata Yoshihito Design. Photo by Masaaki InoueRetail interior (small)
      › Aesop Diagonal, Barcelona, Spain, by Mesura› Aesop Kichijoji, Tokyo, Japan by Jo Nagasaka / Schemata Architects› Natalino Mortimer Street, London, UK, by Mooradian Studio› théATRE Concept Store, Beijing, China, by Kooo Architects› Tojiro Knife Gallery, Tokyo, Japan, by Katata Yoshihito Design
      Browse all projects on the retail interior (small) shortlist page.
      Melt Season Flagship by Mlkk Studio. Photo by MeltseasonRetail interior (large)
      › Jaipur Rugs, Dubai, UAE, by Roar› Marsèll Flagship Store, Milan, Italy, by Lotto Studio› Melt Season Flagship, Shanghai, China, by Mlkk Studio› Naïve Bookstore, Hebei, China, by Atelier Tao+C› Unmaking for IZA Tokyo, Japan, by Office Shogo Onodera
      Browse all projects on the retail interior (large) shortlist page.
      Massage & More by Atelier d’More. Photo by Linshan FilmHealth and wellbeing interior
      › Docrates Cancer Center, Helsinki, Finland, by Kohina› Hair Room Toaru, Saitama, Japan, by Ateliers Takahito Sekiguchi› Komaeyu, Tokyo, Japan, by Jo Nagasaka / Schemata Architects› Massage & More, Shanghai, China, by Atelier d’More› The Mineless Heritage, Taipei, Taiwan, by Divooe Zein Architects
      Browse all projects on the health and wellbeing interior shortlist page.
      Hydro 100R by Atelier Paul Vaugoyeau. Photo by Einar AslaksenExhibition design (interior)
      › 2023 Melbourne Winter Masterpieces, Melbourne, Australia, by India Mahdavi› Contemplative Spaces: The El Lissitzky Exhibition, Hannover, Germany, by Next Enterprise Architects› Energy Revolution Gallery, London, UK, by Unknown Works› Hydro 100R, Milan, Italy, by Atelier Paul Vaugoyeau› Modern Guru and the Path to Artificial Happiness, France, by ENESS› Temporary Storage Garden, Shanghai, China, by Semester Studio
      Browse all projects on the exhibition design (interior) shortlist page.
      Dezeen Awards 2024 in partnership with Bentley
      Dezeen Awards is the ultimate accolade for architects and designers across the globe. The seventh edition of the annual awards programme is in partnership with Bentley as part of a wider collaboration to inspire, support and champion design excellence and showcase innovation that creates a better and more sustainable world. This ambition complements Bentley’s architecture and design business initiatives, including the Bentley Home range of furnishings and real estate projects around the world. More

    • 163 Shares169 Views

      in Rooms

      Weiszblüth & Brown designs tiny Thai eatery in LA that “packs a punch”

      by

      Diners pack tightly into this informal Thai restaurant in Los Angeles, which local studio Weiszblüth & Brown has designed to echo the intense flavours of the food served.

      Holy Basil Market has 16 seats within just 90 square feet (8.4 square metres) of space in Atwater Village, following a highly successful first location Downtown.
      Holy Basil Market has space for just 16 diners, who are accommodated thanks to flexible furnitureChefs and partners Wedchayan “Deau” Arpapornnopparat and Tongkmala “Joy” Yuons tasked Weiszblüth & Brown with maximising the compact unit so that the restaurant would feel as bustling as a Bangkok street market.
      “Weiszblüth & Brown took cues from the chef’s tendency for bright, intense flavors and hard-edge branding,” said the studio. “The space, like the food, packs a punch.”
      The stainless steel service counter has a low shelf for guestsDue to the lack of floor area, the designers removed the visual barrier between back and front of house, continuing the stainless steel from the kitchen into the dining space.

      A metal service counter has a lower shelf for diners to perch against, while the same material appears as small chairs and stools.
      Red baskets are stacked to create bases for tables that can easily be moved or put awayBright red rectangular baskets are stacked along the wall to form shelving and act as bases for flexible tables that can easily be rearranged.
      Tops for these ad-hoc tables were specially designed to slot neatly over two boxes and are wrapped in vinyl that’s covered with imagery of food laid on a tablecloth.
      Stainless steel storage containers and utensils add to the restaurant’s informal vibeThe baskets can also be upturned and used at extra stools during busy periods, or stored to the side if more floor area is required.
      Additional seating is provided in a partially covered area outside the entrance, under a neon sign that spells out the restaurant’s name.

      Studio Tarea creates “90s fever dream” inside pink Richmond eatery

      Glass panels and doors fill an arched opening that provides views into to brightly lit space from the alley.
      “Eater LA described the space as ‘almost suffocatingly intimate’, and it’s a feat of hospitality that Deau and Joy are able to welcome so many into such a small space,” said Weiszblüth & Brown.
      The table tops are wrapped in vinyl that’s covered with imagery of food laid on a tableclothA trend for more intimate dining spaces appears to be gaining popularity in the US, evident in the launch of several restaurants that can seat just a handful of guests.
      An all-pink restaurant with 18 covers recently opened in Richmond, Virginia, while an omakase spot with room for only eight in New York began welcoming diners earlier this year.
      Additional seating is provided outside the entrance, which is via glass doors within an arched windowCeramicist Alex Reed and architectural designer Dutra Brown founded Weiszblüth & Brown after Dezeen published their Harvest Shop pop-up designed for lifestyle brand Flamingo Estate in 2020.
      The project was shortlisted in the small retail interior category of Dezeen Awards 2021, and the duo then formalised their collaborative practice that works from product to architecture scale.
      The photography is by Patcha.

      Read more: More

    • 113 Shares119 Views

      in Rooms

      Eight soothing cabin interiors to retreat to this autumn

      by

      Our latest lookbook collects eight cabin interiors united by their calming timber accents and escapist settings, ranging from an English conservation area to a private Norwegian island.

      Typically constructed with wood, cabins are common in rural locations and are often designed as temporary living quarters to provide calming retreats.
      As temperatures begin to drop in the northern hemisphere, we have rounded up eight examples of cosy cabins from across the globe.
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration, see previous lookbooks featuring self-designed homes by architects and designers, members’ clubs and conversation pits.
      Photo by Tom AugerCabin, Norway, by Rever & Drage

      Local architecture studio Rever & Drage designed this timber cabin in Norway’s forested Nordmakka region.
      A large angular window cuts through its otherwise traditional form, creating an illuminated interior dressed with simple wooden furniture and steel-topped kitchen counters.
      Find out more about this cabin ›
      Photo is by Raphaël ThibodeauLa Cime, Canada, by Naturehumaine
      La Cime, or The Top, is a woodland holiday cabin in Lanaudière, Québec.
      Canadian studio Naturehumaine designed the one-bedroom “micro chalet” with white-pine panelling on the walls and ceilings, which complements built-in plywood furniture.
      Find out more about La Cime ›
      Photo by Efe OnikinciMonocoque Cabin, UK, by Peter Markos
      Wrapped by an external skin similar to an eggshell, Monocoque Cabin is a self-build off-grid timber structure by architect Peter Markos.
      The cocoon-like Shropshire cabin is punctuated by translucent polycarbonate openings that draw daylight into the interior and illuminate simple but cosy living spaces.
      Find out more about Monocoque Cabin ›
      Photo by Raphaël ThibodeauFarouche Tremblant cabins, Canada, by Atelier l’Abri
      Four rental micro-cabins were built by Canadian studio Atelier l’Abri at the Farouche Tremblant agrotourism site in Québec’s Mon-Tremblant National Park.
      Characterised by traditional A-frame structures that nod to 1950s and 60s architecture, the cabins feature minimalist and neutral interiors.
      Find out more about Farouche Tremblant ›
      Photo by Einar Aslaksen Kjerringholmen, Norway, by Line Solgaard Arkitekter
      Also defined by minimalist, sandy hues, Kjerringholmen is a raised and ash-clad cabin on a small private island in Hvaler, Norway.
      Line Solgaard Arkitekter designed the cabin, which has a pared-back, wood-lined interior and features large rectilinear windows for taking in the dramatic surrounding landscape.
      “The basic concept was to create an escape from city life – a retreat into nature,” explained the studio’s founder Line Solgaard.
      Find out more about Kjerringholmen ›
      Photo is by Jim StephensonThe Hat House, Sweden, by Tina Bergman
      Spruce panels on the walls and end-grain spruce blocks for the floor were applied to the living spaces of this cosy but tall-ceilinged cabin in Tänndalen, western Sweden.
      A boxy, cushioned window seat provides a connection to the forested setting outside. Called The Hat House, the project was designed by London-based architect Tina Bergman.
      Find out more about The Hat House ›
      Photo by Tom BirdLooking Glass Lodge, UK, by Michael Kendrick Architects 
      Located in a conservation area in East Sussex, Looking Glass Lodge is a modestly sized cabin set on a sloping site and built without felling any existing trees.
      Inside, a wood-burning stove was designed with timber sourced from fallen trees nearby. A plump L-shaped sofa and low-slung armchair were positioned to take in floor-to-ceiling views of the wooded site.
      Find out more about Looking Glass Lodge ›

      Bruny Island Cabin, Tasmania, by Maguire + Devin
      Baltic pine lines almost every surface of this off-grid Tasmanian cabin, designed by architecture studio Maguire + Devin to feature only built-in furniture.
      Apart from a freestanding low table and a mattress, every element in the cabin is part of its frame. This highly crafted minimalist design was chosen to reference traditional Japanese houses.
      Find out more about Bruny Island Cabin ›
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration, see previous lookbooks featuring self-designed homes by architects and designers, members’ clubs and conversation pits.

      Read more: More

    • 138 Shares189 Views

      in Rooms

      Gachot Studios refreshes lounge at The Metropolitan Opera in New York

      by

      New York-based Gachot Studios has redesigned the patrons lounge at The Metropolitan Opera, imbuing the space with rich materials like textured wallpaper, black granite and brass accents.

      Gachot Studios transformed the Keebler J Straz Lounge while keeping the 1,861-square-foot space aligned with its ornate surroundings.
      The bar at the refreshed Keebler J Straz Lounge features a matte brass front and black stone topStudio founders and opera lovers John and Christine Gachot have a personal connection to the venue, which is part of the Lincoln Center complex designed by American architect Wallace K Harrison and opened in 1966.
      “Our son, who attended LaGuardia High School, would walk past The Met Opera every day on his way to school,” said the couple. “As New Yorkers, we value city institutions like The Met with its incredible history and cultural influence.”
      Wall-to-wall carpet in a rust hue complements the palette chosen for furnitureThe lounge was originally designed by late American decorator Billy Baldwin, and Gachot Studios referenced his layout and some of the furnishings as part of the redesign.

      “It had an intimate residential feel with various deep sofas defining seating areas,” said Gachot Studios. “The new furniture layout draws inspiration from Baldwin’s thoughtful arrangement with four lounge seating groups.”
      Brass accents including bar-top lighting are found throughout the patron’s loungeA series of upholstered screens that were once used to delineate the different lounge areas were reinterpreted as walnut-framed panels that direct guest flow from the entrance and conceal the back-of-house door.
      The arc-shaped bar is fronted by matte brass panels and topped with a curved slab of black granite.
      Seating and tables from Roche Bobois were customised to accommodate guests of all agesBronze-tinted mirrors in the back bar area reflect the room’s gold-painted ceiling and provide a mount surface for delicate shelving and a vintage clock.
      Sheer drapes are hung across the windows, and the wall are covered in textured wallpaper between vertical bands of polished brass.

      Gachot Studios creates cosy New York neighbourhood bar

      Rust-coloured wall-to-wall carpet provides a plush finish underfoot, and complements the palette of furniture pieces in cream, blush, caramel, oxblood, and various brown and black tones.
      The seating and tables from French brand Roche Bobois were customised “to accommodate for patrons of all ages” Gachot Studios said.
      Textured wallpaper sits between vertical strips of polished brassA dining area behind the bar is also provided for those wanting to sit more formally or use the space for meetings.
      Architectural lighting is kept to a minimum so as not to detract from the ceiling, while sconces, floor lamps and table lamps by Hudson Valley Lighting offer a warm glow.
      Black and white photos from The Metropolitan Opera’s history adorn the wallsThe majority of the furniture and decor can be rearranged to accommodate events beyond the use of the space before performances or during intermissions.
      “In a building that requires a balance between grandeur and practicality, the lounge is no different,” said the studio.
      Gachot Studios reinterpreted the screens originally designed for the lounge by Billy BaldwinElle Décor magazine collaborated with the opera and the studio to secure furnishings and fittings for the project.
      Founded in 2012, Gachot Studios has completed several hospitality and commercial projects across the US.
      These range from boutique hotels in Detroit and Washington DC, to the New York flagship store for cosmetics brand Glossier.
      The photography is by William Jess Laird.

      Read more: More

    • 138 Shares199 Views

      in Rooms

      Shaw Contract spotlights its top “sustainable and inclusive” interiors of 2024

      by

      Promotion: the interiors of a pet-friendly office and a wood-fired restaurant are among the five winning projects in this year’s Shaw Contract Design Awards.

      The winners of the 19th edition of the award programme, hosted by flooring manufacturer Shaw Contract, feature entries from around the world, also including a minimalist workplace in China to a nature-inspired apartment block in Canada.
      Top image: a wood-fired restaurant is among the winners of this year’s Shaw Contract Design Awards. Above: it features a corridor lined with firewoodThe Shaw Contract Design Awards programme takes place annually to “celebrate the optimism of design and its ability to positively impact our communities and our planet”.
      It focuses specifically on interiors that make use of Shaw Contract’s products and services, as well as those the brand believes embody its own ethos and sustainability focus.
      Another is a pet-friendly office in the US”These projects showcase the pinnacle of regional design excellence and align with Shaw Contract’s four core People Together Planet Forever ambitions: material health, circular economy, carbon impact, and diversity, equity and inclusion,” said Shaw Contract.

      “These criteria reflect our commitment to creating spaces that are not only beautiful and functional, but also sustainable and inclusive.”
      It was celebrated by Shaw Contract for its “unique pet-first amenities”This year’s top projects have each been awarded a prize called Best of Globe Winner. They were selected from almost 700 entries from 36 countries, whittled down to a shortlist of 43, each of which was named Best of Region Winners.
      The first winning project is the workspace of pet food company Hill’s Pet Nutrition in the US, designed by Perspective Architecture + Design for employees to enjoy with their furry companions.
      It was celebrated by Shaw Contract for its “unique pet-first amenities”, including an indoor dog park and snack stations, as well as its range of workspaces designed to cater to the different work styles of its employees.
      The office also participated in the Shaw Contract Reclamation programme, which involved removing the building’s existing carpet and sending it to the company for recycling.
      A minimalist office in China was another winnerNext is Kasian Architecture’s workplace in Calgary for Canadian law firm Stikeman Elliott, designed to encourage its employees back to the office after the pandemic.
      It was hailed by Shaw Contract for its “focus on sophistication” but also the use of durable finishes, reflecting a desire to adopt the principles of a circular economy. This included the use of the brand’s flooring ranges, including its carpet tiles.
      Another winning project in Canada is Upper West Side Condos, a 14-storey residential building designed by II By IV Design.
      Shaw Contract said it was selected for the way it seeks to blend “nature with contemporary luxury”, and for the use of the brand’s Mist carpet, which it described as being “reminiscent of a country lane on a rainy day”.
      Shaw Contract also recognised Upper West Side Condos in CanadaBar Kar is a small wood-fired restaurant in Malaysia by Spacemen, awarded for its cave-like interior that is dominated by warm terracotta tones and finished with wooden, metallic and stone details.
      In particular, the brand enjoyed a corridor lined with firewood, which the chef uses as storage for the wood that they use to cook inside the kitchen.
      “Its a locally natural material which can be replenished and reused at all times, which we have turned into a building material,” said Shaw Contract.
      Another Canadian winner was a workplace for law firm Stikeman ElliottThe last project is a small workplace interior in China by Guangzhou Jenmehome Design, selected for its clean-cut minimalist design.
      Guangzhou Jenmehome Design was praised for its use of “eco-friendly” materials, which Shaw Contract said included its carpet ranges.
      Each Best of Globe Winner is awarded a $2,000 (£1,497) donation in their name to the organisation of their choice in addition to a handmade trophy by Singapore crochet artist Kelly Limerick.
      To find out more about Shaw Contract and its design awards, visit its website.
      Partnership content
      This article was written by Dezeen for Shaw Contract as part of a partnership. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.

      Read more: More

    • 125 Shares119 Views

      in Rooms

      Japanese food replicas “trigger your memory and stimulate your appetite”

      by

      Gleaming sushi and an “earthquake-proof burger” are among the hyperrealistic food models on display at Japan House London as part of the exhibition Looks Delicious! Exploring Japan’s Food Replica Culture.

      Opening today, the show documents Japan’s history of food replicas, known as food samples or shokuhin sampuru in Japanese, which dates back to 1923 and continues as a contemporary trend.
      Looks Delicious! Exploring Japan’s Food Replica Culture opens today at Japan House LondonThe bespoke replicas are scale models of dishes from the country’s 1.4 million restaurants, produced by craftspeople for eateries wishing to advertise hyperrealistic versions of their menu items to prospective diners.
      Simon Wright, director of programming at Japan House London, explained that the meticulous detailing and bright colours synonymous with the world-famous replicas intend to “stimulate how delicious the food actually is”.
      The exhibition explores the country’s many food replicas”There’s a slight exaggeration to trigger your memory and stimulate your appetite,” he told Dezeen at the gallery.

      Among the works is a dedicated section revealing how the replicas are made, including moulds and stencils such as a screenprint stencil used to create fish scales, arranged in a factory-style layout atop colourful crates.
      Early replicas were cast from coloured candle waxThe display examines the shift from early replicas cast from coloured candle wax, which was historically poured into a box of agar jelly, to the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) replicas cast in silicon moulds that emerged in the 1970s and continue to be used today.
      “Even though the materials are different, ultimately, it hasn’t really changed,” said Wright.
      A contemporary “earthquake-proof burger” is included in the show”The process is exactly the same,” he continued, explaining that real food has always been used to create the moulds. “It’s quite analogue. It’s all handcrafted – there are no conveyor belts and automation.”
      “That means that there’s a versatility to making food replicas,” he continued. “Any restaurant or food establishment can have what it wants. So maybe your hamburger is just a little bit fatter than the one next door – you can give the craftspeople your fat hamburger, and they will make an exact replica of that.”
      Each of Japan’s 47 prefectures is represented by a replica of a local dish”Colours are also made according to actual food substances,” acknowledged Wright, referring to the selection of paints on display that are used to finish each replica, featuring names including pumpkin peel and croissant.
      Another section explores the evolution of food displays, highlighting how the introduction of heat-resistant materials allowed for more dynamic compositions – such as noodles being lifted from a handless fork or cheese oozing from a piece of airborne toast.
      The exhibition features a range of replicas displayed in myriad waysA playful, “earthquake-proof burger” formed from towering piles of artificial meat, relish and onions stands tall on one of the plinths.
      “When you display wax, it has to be flat, because it either melts in the heat or fades in the sunlight, which isn’t very effective as a marketing tool,” said Wright.
      “When PVC was introduced, you were able to tilt the dish by 45 to 60 degrees, therefore giving more exposure and more visibility to the outside of the model.”
      Applications of replicas beyond restaurant settings are also included in the exhibitionIn the centre of the gallery, a banquette-style table presents 47 models commissioned for the exhibition, created by leading food replica manufacturer Iwasaki.
      Arranged like a map, each model represents a dish from one of Japan’s 47 prefectures. There is zuwai-gani, shimmering orange snow crab served in the winter in Tottori, and “scattered sushi” from Okayama known as bara-zushi, arranged in a circular timber box.
      “We chose them for their variety, size, colour and shape,” said Wright, who explained that they consulted people across Japan when selecting the delicacies.

      Taste-Adjusting Chopsticks makes food taste saltier without adding salt

      Elsewhere, the first known food replica created for commercial purposes is on display. Completed in 1931 by Iwasaki Group founder Iwasaki Takizō, the model is a wrinkly yellow omelette topped with a dollop of red sauce and a replica of a dish that Iwasaki’s wife had just prepared in the kitchen at home.
      Applications of replicas beyond restaurant settings are also included in the exhibition, highlighting the expanding ways that people are using food models.
      Looks Delicious! Exploring Japan’s Food Replica Culture runs until 16 February 2025Mounted to one wall is a 3D chart produced for the Japan Diabetes Society classifying food groups according to their primary nutrients, while a “carrot preparation guide” for family caregivers and nursing home staff features a gradient of consistency – from finely cut vegetable rounds to a smooth paste.
      Visitors can also create their own bento box of replica food on a dedicated food assembly table covered with a red and white gingham tablecloth.
      Wright explained that wax food models were originally created in the early 20th century to introduce Japanese diners to less familiar cuisines imported from China and Europe, before restaurants began to commission replicas of local dishes.
      Today, the Looks Delicious! Exploring Japan’s Food Replica Culture is the first UK exhibition of its kind, and offers London audiences the chance to see handcrafted Japanese models up close.
      “In Japan, you’ll see exhibitions of competition pieces, but they only exist within a context of what people understand food replicates to be,” said Wright. “Whereas this kind of thing doesn’t really exist, and has never been shown before.”
      Elsewhere in London, social enterprise POOR Collective exhibited a collection of work by emerging local designers. Design studio Wax Atelier also presented an exhibition revealing how living trees can provide materials for design objects.
      The photography is courtesy of Japan House London.
      Looks Delicious! Exploring Japan’s Food Replica Culture takes place from 2 October 2024 to 16 February 2025 at Japan House London, 101-111 Kensington High Street, London W8 5SA.Visit Dezeen Events Guide for a guide to the festival and other architecture and design events taking place around the world.

      Read more: More