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      Ten homes with characterful exposed wooden floorboards

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      In this lookbook, we collect 10 homes from the Dezeen archive that use exposed wooden floorboards to give spaces a homely feel.

      Timber floorboards have been a popular choice for centuries thanks to their relative durability and warming aesthetic.
      The 10 examples below showcase how floors made from different woods can work in a wide variety of settings, from bright and colourful spaces to moodier ones.
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring homes with parquet flooring, terrazzo flooring and wood-clad kitchens.
      Photo is by Ståle EriksenER Residence, UK, by Studio Hallett Ike

      Studio Hallett Ike preserved the existing wooden floorboards in the living room of this renovated Victorian flat in London, sanding them down to expose more of their natural grain.
      The floor is combined with pale grey plaster on the walls and black metal furnishings “to create an overall impression that is minimal and timeless, exuding an assured and understated elegance”, the studio said.
      Find out more about ER Residence ›
      Image courtesy of PauzarqApartment in Bilbao, Spain, by Pauzarq
      Spanish studio Pauzarq integrated the original wooden floorboards of this Bilbao apartment into its broken-plan redesign.
      It extended them out of the kitchen-living area into an adjacent corridor and dressing room, creating a stripy transitional section where the old and new, lighter-coloured boards meet to soften the contrast.
      Find out more about this apartment in Bilbao ›
      Photo is by Cristobal PalmaHouse in La Pedrera, Uruguay, by Alejandro Sticotti
      Lightly distressed wooden floorboards mirror the board-formed concrete ceiling in the living room and bedroom of this holiday home on Uruguay’s Atlantic Coast, designed by Argentinian architect Alejandro Sticotti.
      Combined with bookshelves, two long desks and a large expanse of glass with views out to the ocean, these features come together to give the space a sheltered, serene feel.
      Find out more about this House in La Pedrera ›
      Photo is by Iñaki DomingoApartment in Lavapiés, Spain, by Leticia Saá
      Concrete flooring appears throughout most of this minimalist apartment in Madrid designed by architect Leticia Saá, apart from in the living room.
      Here, to signal a change of mood to something “cosy and natural”, the worn-brick and white-painted walls are complemented by wide, smooth oak floorboards.
      Find out more about this apartment in Lavapiés ›
      Photo is by Louise DesrosiersApartment G, France, by Anne-Laure Dubois
      Local architect Anne-Laure Dubois restored the existing wooden floorboards in this Paris apartment to their original tone as part of a renovation.
      She offset them with a restrained palette defined by dark-blue cement tiles on the kitchen floor and contrasting pale poplar-plywood cupboards.
      Find out more about Apartment G ›
      Photo is by Ståle EriksenMarylebone apartment, UK, by Jonathan Tuckey Design
      In this London flat, overhauled by architecture studio Jonathan Tuckey Design, wooden floorboards contrast with curving pastel-coloured walls of pink, green, blue and cream across the different rooms.
      The combination creates a fresh and contemporary look, while also retaining a classic feel in keeping with the home’s Regency-era origins.
      Find out more about this Marylebone apartment ›
      Photo is by Wu YongchangA Woodwork Enthusiast’s Home, China, by ZMY Design
      ZMY Design wanted this cavernous home, in a converted cement factory in the port city of Xiamen, to evoke a complete sense of calm.
      To achieve this effect in the dramatic living room, the austerity of the pale-grey powder-coated walls and original concrete ceiling is balanced with wide and richly toned oakwood floorboards.
      Find out more about A Woodwork Enthusiast’s Home ›
      Photo is by Richard WoodButterfly House, UK, by Biasol
      Teal-coloured units with golden details are helped to pop by contrasting white walls and original timber floorboards in the kitchen of this London townhouse with interiors by Australian studio Biasol.
      The designers used the same colour-splash technique in the living room, where the floorboards sit below a navy sofa, a blue illustration by British artist Tracey Emin and pale pink dining chairs.
      Find out more about Butterfly House ›
      Photo is by André NazarethHouse in Samambaia, Brazil, by Rodrigo Simão Architecture
      House in Samambaia, designed by Brazilian architect Rodrigo Simão for himself and his family, is an example of how wooden floorboards can also help to make outdoor spaces feel more homely.
      Seven-centimetre-thick wooden planks sourced from a demolition project make up this decking area, which acts as an outdoor living room and is the home’s main spot for socialising.
      Find out more about House in Samambaia ›
      Photo is by French + TyeMo-tel House, UK, by Office S&M
      London studio Office S&M set the pale timber floorboards in this Georgian townhouse renovation against an abundance of brightly coloured elements, from coral-pink bannisters to royal-blue radiators.
      Unusually, the floorboards are laid diagonally across the open-plan space, emphasising the contrast further and adding to the playful feel.
      Find out more about Mo-tel House ›
      This is the latest in our series of lookbooks providing curated visual inspiration from Dezeen’s image archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring homes with parquet flooring, terrazzo flooring and wood-clad kitchens.

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      Studio Noju creates intimate colourful spaces within open-plan Seville apartment

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      A pop-up guest bedroom features in this open-plan apartment by Studio Noju, which was renovated to create the illusion of having separate spaces and dressed in colours that nod to its Seville location.

      Casa Triana is a 60-square-metre apartment renovation in the Triana neighbourhood of Seville, southern Spain.
      It is the debut collaborative project by architects Antonio Mora and Eduardo Tazón, who co-founded their firm Studio Noju – a shortening of “not just”.
      Casa Triana is Studio Noju’s debut projectSpread across an open-plan area, the apartment features a bedroom for a single occupant, as well as a separate living space with living and dining areas and a kitchen. A bathroom is also included in the dwelling.
      “Our main strategy was to create the illusion of having several independent spaces within the open floor plan,” Mora and Tazón told Dezeen.

      A flexible curtain can create a pop-up bedroom in the living spaceIn line with this objective, an additional pop-up bedroom for guests can be created in the living space thanks to a retractable blue curtain, which is either stowed away or deployed to make a rippled partition.
      The main bedroom also includes a walk-in wardrobe that is separated from the rest of the space in the same way.
      The main bedroom’s walk-in wardrobe is also concealed by a curtainEach area of Casa Triana is distinguished by its own jagged colourful alcove made from readily available and low-cost roof ridges, known as “cumbreras” in Spanish.
      The ridges are typically used to cap gabled roofs in traditional construction projects. Studio Noju placed the horizontal V-shaped ridges next to each other vertically to delineate these distinctive spaces.
      “We created the alcoves with the idea of ‘architectural texture’, which gives them a distinctive three-dimensional backdrop, creating an interesting play of light and shadows while giving depth to the space,” said Mora and Tazón.
      Roof ridges define the texture of each alcoveThe alcoves’ colours create a lively contrast with each other, such as the cool lime green kitchen unit and the adjacent dining space dressed in a peaceful orange hue.
      “Triana is charged with a myriad of colour references that are distinctly part of the architectural heritage,” explained the architects.
      “The apartment’s design references some of these swatches, which are unmistakably Sevillian colours, such as the ‘albero’ yellow, a type of sand that covers some of the city’s streets and parks.”

      Retroscena is a colourful apartment renovation by La Macchina Studio

      Casa Triana features a mix of bespoke furniture by Studio Noju and pieces sourced from a range of other interior designers.
      A pale grey Delaktig Sofa by Tom Dixon for IKEA was placed in the living space, as well as a matt-lacquered wooden bar cabinet and gradient rug, both custom-made by Studio Noju.
      Delicate black Drop Chairs by Arne Jacobsen and Fritz Hansen frame a sleek bespoke table by Studio Noju in the dining area.
      Drop Chairs frame a custom-made dining tableWhile Mora and Tazón explained that Casa Triana’s design intends to avoid feeling like a “characterless loft,” they emphasised the importance of making the most of available space in a one-bedroom apartment.
      “Increasing real estate prices are making it very difficult for young people to access the property market, who are mostly bound to smaller apartments, such as this one,” the studio said.
      “From a design perspective, there is a need to answer to this reality, and in this case, we wanted to create the feeling of a more spacious home for the owner.”
      The kitchen area has a lime green colourStudio Noju was founded in 2020, although Mora and Tazón began collaborating on Casa Triana in 2019.
      Other small apartments with creative interior designs include a home in Athens within a semi-basement storage space by Point Supreme and a New York apartment by Martin Hopp with a retractable dining table.
      The photography is by Studio Noju. 

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      “Fake fruit is just as absurd as fake meat” says commenter

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      In this week’s comments update, readers are discussing a low-impact alternative to “unsustainable” avocados and other top stories.

      Central Saint Martins graduate Arina Shokouhi has invented an avocado alternative called Ecovado, which is meant to wean people off the resource-intensive imported fruit.
      “This could be one solution of many”
      Readers had mixed feelings about the Ecovado, which contains a pale green, creamy foodstuff made from a combination of local ingredients that has been packaged in a fake avocado skin fashioned from wax.
      Tabitha Poppins is keen to give it a go: “I hope they make it to a local market so I can try one,” she said. “If they taste good and cost similar or less, I’ll switch in a heartbeat.”

      However, others were unsure. “Why imitate the form when you can offer a totally new alternative to avocado?” said Indrė Butkutė. “Food is a culture, not a product.”
      “Fake fruit is just as absurd as fake meat,” added Lena Feindt.
      DesignGeek thought that the design could contribute to reducing the impact of our diets.
      “It’s sad to see how much time people have on their hands to sit their asses down and criticise. This could be one solution of many that takes into consideration current food trends and tries to re-make them more locally and sustainably.”
      Would you try Ecovado? Join the discussion ›
      Foster + Partners unveils “iconic” supertall skyscraper in Kuwait”The inside areas of the uppermost floors are quite astonishing”
      The distinctive supertall skyscraper that Foster + Partners has created for the National Bank of Kuwait Headquarters in Kuwait City has sparked conversation among readers
      “Actually quite like the look of it and the quality of execution seems to be on point,” said KLM. “Evil villain vibes? Maybe. But it could equally be a superhero HQ.”
      Bsl agreed: “This building embraces what it is: an edifice of corporate vanity, but an elegant one at that,” the reader added. “There are interesting interiors and the materials will age well.”
      “The inside areas of the uppermost floors are quite astonishing,” added Simply Indulgence.
      What are your thoughts on the building? Join the discussion ›
      Michael Maltzan Architecture completes Ribbon of Light bridge with swooping arches in LA”Reminds me of Terminator 2″
      Readers are discussing the new Sixth Street Viaduct in Los Angeles, also named the Ribbon of Light for its multiple concrete arches lit from below.
      John loves it: “I drove by it this morning and it is beautiful,” he said. “Once all the parks and landscaping are finished around/under it, this will be even more incredible.”
      [email protected] is not so sure: “I like the integral design of the stairs but I’m concerned that there’s no railing. The approach needs to be upgraded to match the now-beautiful viaduct.”
      “Reminds me of Terminator 2,” said Logorithm. “Terminator 7 should be shot here.”
      Do you think the bridge is a good addition to LA? Join the discussion ›
      Styles and eras mingle inside “unfinished” diplomat’s home in Rome by 02AUnfinished apartment in Rome is “exquisite” and “stunning” say commenters
      Readers are impressed with a diplomat’s intentionally unfinished one-bedroom flat, which is located on the ground floor of an early twentieth-century building in Rome’s Flaminio district.
      “Highly calibrated,” commented JZ. “Really well done spatial moves. The shower with the plants!” he added. “This feels like the architectural equivalent of tattooing your body: each tattoo represents an event, a memory, something unique, held together loosely because of the poetics of the body.”
      “Exquisite. I’m impressed,” said Zea Newland.
      “Stunning. Every corner has its very own strong personality, even within the same room,” agreed Lndcntmpry. “A treasure trove of an apartment.”
      Do you like it, too? Join the discussion ›
      Comments update
      Dezeen is the world’s most commented architecture and design magazine, receiving thousands of comments each month from readers. Keep up to date on the latest discussions on our comments page.

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      Ten Zaha Hadid Design products that go “beyond a simple translation from sketch to object”

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      Zaha Hadid Design co-directors Woody Yao and Maha Kutay have selected 10 highlights from an exhibition of the design studio’s objects at Roca London Gallery.

      Called Everything Flows, the exhibition presents a variety of objects created by Zaha Hadid Design (ZHD) over the last 15 years and was curated by Yao and Kutay.
      The pieces on show at the Zaha Hadid Architects-designed Roca London Gallery range from objects from ZHD’s own collection to those made in collaboration with brands including Lacoste, Bulgari and Japanese furniture manufacturer Karimoku.
      “Amongst the large array of pieces currently exhibited at the Roca London Gallery, we have chosen 10 items very different in scope, materials, and price yet sharing the same common denominator in terms of having a truly intertwined design and fabrication process,” Yao and Kutay told Dezeen.
      “All of these pieces are perhaps some of the best examples of the genuinely collaborative effort between ZHD, our clients and the manufacturers we work with: a process that goes way beyond a simple translation from sketch to object, it is a two-way system that allows for continuous and mutually benefitting exchange of ideas, methods and solutions,” the directors added.

      Zaha Hadid Design and Odlo launch activewear collection for women

      The late British architect Zaha Hadid founded her eponymous design studio in 2006, following the success of her architectural studio.
      Zaha Hadid Architects created Roca London Gallery’s showroom, which features undulating walls that take cues from the shapes of water, in 2011.
      To mark 10 years of the sculptural space at Roca, the site itself has now become an exhibition space for objects from the ZHD portfolio, featuring furniture and other home accessories as well as fashion, jewellery, carpets and lighting.
      Read on for 10 of Yao and Kutay’s highlights:

      Duna Chandelier for Lasvit
      “Launched in 2017, this chandelier is inspired by dune formations defying traditional Cartesian geometries: a three-dimensional, asymmetrical, pair of intersecting glass forms.
      “The striated surface of the crystal glass produces ever-changing effects of reflection and refraction.”

      Zephyr Sofa by ZHD
      “Made by Cassina Contract, this piece was launched in 2013. Its design is informed by natural erosion processes occurring in rock formations.
      “The formal language gives the sofa increased ergonomic properties without compromising the design’s fluidity or proportion; translating into a concept that allows for multiple seating layouts.
      “Zephyr’s quality highlights Cassina Contract’s unrivalled technical experience and longstanding tradition of artisan excellence.”

      B.Zero1 for Bulgari
      “Continuing a collaboration between Bulgari and ZHD that started in 2012, the B.Zero1 was launched in 2017 and has been a commercial success ever since.
      “Over the years, the design has evolved into a full jewellery collection including earrings, pendants and various iterations of the ring itself.”

      Eve Chandelier for Lasvit
      “Fifteen glass pieces arranged in one intriguing ensemble, Eve is a chandelier with sculptural qualities: suspended at varying heights, the glass bodies gracefully float in space and create an impressive play of light and shadow. The product was launched in 2017.”

      Node Vessels by ZHD
      “This is a limited-edition range launched in 2018, designed to be versatile and be used either in a composition or as stand-alone pieces.
      “From above, the three pieces appear to fit together organically, yet in profile, the differences in height and scale emerge and they stand apart as a composition.
      “Again, another example of how acrylic can achieve a great degree of subtlety in texture and tone.”

      Royal Thai Rugs Collection 
      “This is a collection spanning 22 designs, inspired by four themes that feature prominently in ZHD’s aesthetics: striated lines, fluidity, pixelated landscapes and organic references.
      “Patterns within each ‘family’ capture ZHD’s masterful use of interweaving, layering and play with light and shadow.”

      Lalique Collection
      “Our collaboration with Lalique dates back to 2014 with the launch of the Visio and Manifesto vases – marking the birth of the Crystal Architecture collection – followed by the Fontana bowl, inspired by the rhythm of rippling water.
      “Recently, Lalique has presented the latest iteration of the collection, which is now available in crystal, black, pink and now also midnight blue.”

      Aria & Avia Chandeliers for Slamp
      “Aria and Avia are lamps combining dramatic architectural features with the intrinsic weightlessness of the material.
      “Composed of 50 individual layers of Cristalflex, a techno-polymer patented by Slamp, Aria and Avia convey an idea of lightness combined with playful luxury. Both lamps are available in a range of different colours and sizes.”

      Seyun Collection for Karimoku 
      “Seyun is a small yet comprehensive furniture collection of wooden furniture pieces, our latest collaboration.
      “We love working with Karimoku: their uncompromising quality standards, achieved through the implementation of the most advanced technologies and handcrafting processes, highlight and enhance the purity of the design.”

      ZHD Serenity Bowl
      “A limited-edition piece taken from ZHD’s own collection, the subtle design freezes the moment when a gentle disturbance interrupts a state of tranquillity.
      “We are amazed by the versatility of this material; unfairly considered a ‘cheap’ option for way too long, acrylic actually proves to be one of the best polymers available, because of its ductility during the fabrication process as well as in terms of overall quality of the final result.”
      Everything Flows is on show at Roca London Gallery from 24 May to 22 December 2022. See Dezeen Events Guide for an up-to-date list of architecture and design events taking place around the world.

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      Renesa uses contrasting terracotta and terrazzo materials to create all-day cafe in New Delhi

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      New Delhi-based architecture and interior design studio Renesa juxtaposed terracotta and terrazzo materials to design a space that acts as a cafe by day and a bar by night.

      The eatery, which is called Rosie and Tillie, was named by its owners – chefs Anukriti Anand and Vicky Mandal – who wanted to create a hybrid open-plan brunch and cocktail bar.
      Curved booths run down the middle of Renesa’s cafe in Delhi”The cafe expatiates on the dichotomy of a woman who goes by the name Rosie in the morning and Tillie in the evening,” Renesa head architect Sanchit Arora told Dezeen.
      “While chef Anukriti Anand, an expert in bakery, wanted a space that could be called a daytime cafe with cakes and coffees and beverages, they also wanted something that could serve yet another mood; one of night, exclusivity and sombreness,” he added.
      The studio implemented a contrasting rust and white colour paletteNestled in a former Indian restaurant in a shopping mall in New Delhi’s Saket neighbourhood, the cafe features terracotta, warm white terrazzo and curvilinear architectural motifs.

      Customers enter Rosie and Tillie through an outdoor seating section that is decorated in the same materials and colour palette as the cafe’s interior.
      Once inside, guests are welcomed by a row of rust-coloured and creamy white booths upholstered with plush white seats, which run through the centre of the 1,700 square-foot space. These add texture and warmth as well as privacy for diners.
      Booths and walls are clad in the same tilesRenesa, which recently completed a brick-clad showroom interior in Delhi, made the sculptural “spine” that divides the space into different zones the focal point for the mixed-use site.
      “We took an axis as the starting point for our project,” said Arora. “A curvilinear spine divides the space not just spatially, creating efficient zones, but also metaphorically, animating the personalities of Rosie and Tillie.”
      The studio threaded white terrazzo throughoutEach booth has a circular table in its middle where customers can dine on menu items such as french toast, buffalo chicken burgers and American-style pancakes.
      During the evening, they can sip cocktails while sitting on high stools at the main bar counter towards the back of the room.

      Renesa creates green granite interior for restaurant in Punjab

      One half of the room is lined in pale flooring and has an earthy red paint applied overhead, while the other half of the room is decorated in the opposite colours.
      Red brick tiles along the walls envelop the space while industrial looking metal lights hang overhead along the length of the plan, uniting the two sides of the space.
      The space has a mixture of traditional table seats and bar counter options”The perimeter of the floor plan is dotted by dining nooks that make way for communal dining in intimate groups illuminated by bespoke luminaires that are artistic installations in their own right,” explained Arora.
      “The hybrid of experiences ranging from the daytime bistro-esque identity morphs effortlessly into the moody lounge by evening via the vocabulary of materiality and lighting that render the venue in a binate mien void of physical demarcations,” he added.
      Other recent cafes featured on Dezeen include a serene eatery in Melbourne called Au79 cafe by Australian studio Mim Design and the Connie-Connie cafe at the Copenhagen Contemporary art gallery which Danish studio Tableau and designer Ari Prasetya filled with wooden chairs by designers.
      Photography is by Niveditaa Gupta.

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      Frederick Tang Architecture turns Brooklyn building into restaurant celebrating owners’ Lebanese roots

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      Architecture and interior design studio Frederick Tang Architecture has transformed a 19th-century building into a Lebanese restaurant in Brooklyn with “an abundance of textures”.

      Named Nabila’s, the restaurant opened in May 2022 and was designed in collaboration with restaurant co-owner Mike Farah. The renovation transformed a formerly dark, segmented space into a restaurant that aims to reflect the heritage of its owners – a mother and her son.
      The renovation transformed the old building into a bright, colourful space”The client wanted to create an authentic food experience, one that reflected his Lebanese background and that evoked the spirit of his mother’s dinner parties.” Frederick Tang Architecture (FTA) director of interior design and branding Barbara Reyes told Dezeen.
      “The result is an abundance of textures, patterns, lush colours, and hints of Middle Eastern moments while celebrating his mother’s home cooking.”
      Accents of colour and patterns call upon Middle Eastern designNabila’s takes up the ground floor of an 1886 Queen Anne corner building in Cobble Hill, a Brooklyn neighbourhood where restaurant co-owner Farah grew up.

      Frederick Tang Architecture transformed the existing structure into a bright space with curving architectural motifs.
      Through the use of rich materials and colour palettes, the studio sought to nod to the Lebanese roots of the owners whilst embracing aspects of the existing building that would work with the new design.
      The restaurant was renovated from an existing corner building in Cobble Hill”Our favourite projects are ones with some historic contexts when we can create something that’s both old and new,” said FTA director of design Frederick Tang. “We loved playing with some original details and inventing new ones that work with them.”
      “Before we started the project, the space was occupied by a popular gastropub style restaurant,” Tang told Dezeen.
      “It was a neighbourhood staple, so the client felt pressure to maintain some history while being true to the roots of this project,” Reyes added.
      FTA painted the timber-clad ground floor black and added green awnings”The interior was more like a moody library with lots of dark wood and it had a lot of character but we knew we wanted to make it feel much lighter,” Tang continued.
      The upper floors of the Cobble Hill building are made from brick, whilst the ground floor is clad in timber with ornamental mouldings. The facade has now been painted black, with curved forest green awnings referencing the interior.

      Pita bread shop interior by Studio Roslyn is based on bad food photography

      Upon entering, guests are met with a curving quartz counter that arcs away from the entryway.
      The counter is used to display dishes in a way that aims to reflect the abundant spreads of food at the owner’s dinner parties which inspired the design.
      A feast-like display of food acts as a visual menuThe wall behind the counter is covered in fish scale cement tiles. Pendant-style lights from Kelly Wearstler’s Tableau collection hang from the ceiling above.
      Beyond this, patterned finishes that the studio felt reflect Lebanese art, architecture and foliage become visible.
      The studio used plants and patterned wallpaper to bring in themes of foliage”We started with some source imagery of Middle Eastern themes, and we knew we did not want to imitate or create a pastiche, but we wanted to reference it with a lighter touch – it came in the rounded corners, the arches, the colours, and the patterns,” said Tang.
      A teal and cream tile floor by French architect India Mahdavi lines the long interior, stretching through a series of arches that organise the space.
      The seating booths next to the entrance are decorated with brightly coloured accentsNext to the storefront window, seating booths are formed by two recessed arches painted with purple accents whilst additional arches on either side of the counter contain shelving.
      The booths are covered in a floral pattern by Hella Jongerius, while a patterned wallpaper coats the ceiling in the back of the restaurant.
      The colour scheme is carried into the seating area at the back of the restaurantAs Nabila’s welcomes guests, the studio envisions this back section with warm light, rich colours will host many lively neighbourhood meals.
      Other Lebanese restaurants featured on Dezeen include Studio Roslyn’s restaurant based on bad food photography in Victoria, Canada and a Lebanese snack bar by architect David Dworkind featuring an array of ash-wood furniture.
      The photography is by Gieves Anderson.

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      Weathered rocks inform interior of Orijins coffee shop by VSHD Design

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      Interiors studio VSHD Design has added a curved ceiling and boulder-like marble counters to this minimalist coffee shop in Dubai.

      Located on the street level of the Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC), the Orijins coffee shop is sparsely decorated using muted colours and natural materials.
      Slim metal furnishings fill the interior of VSHD Design’s Orijins coffee shop in DubaiVSHD Design, which was founded by local interior architect Rania Hamed in 2007, designed the cafe to mimic the “beautiful imperfections found in nature” and in particular a collection of water-smoothed stones picked up from the shores of the Red Sea.
      Orijins’ desaturated colour palette references sand, shells, stone and wood, while the dramatic curved ceiling and the seven uneven marble blocks that form the coffee bar lend a weathered quality to the 105-square-metre space.
      A curved ceiling and plastered walls mimic the surface of stonesThe marble blocks with their abstract shapes were drawn by hand but cut by automated CNC machines, creating a mixture of smooth and rough edges.

      These heavy forms are contrasted with slender metal furnishings and tactile textiles such as fur, boucle and heavy weaves, which were selected to complement the interior’s raw finishes.

      Ras Al Khaimah’s minimalist Hoof cafe is designed to recall horse stalls

      Plaster walls and polished concrete floors provide a neutral backdrop for the scheme.
      The cafe is lit by a slim LED strip that runs along the length of the space, highlighting the gentle curve of Orijins’ ceiling. Spotlights are positioned over the bar area and a brushed-aluminium sconce custom designed by VSHD decorates one of the walls.
      Seven uneven marble blocks form the coffee bar”Orijins represents the design firm’s interpretation of what it means to be calm, to sit still and to observe the beauty that can be found even in our flawed, everyday reality,” said VSHD Design.
      “It’s the feeling of calm and serenity one gets when sitting on a rock by the sea.”
      All of the furnishings are held in neutral tonesOther cavernous coffee bars include the Blue Bottle Coffee shop at the Shiroiya Hotel in Maebashi, Japan, where Keiji Ashizawa paired brick floors with a warm colour palette.
      The photography is by Oculis Project.

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      Emil Eve Architects retrofits own office in brutalist building in Hackney

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      London studio Emil Eve has retrofitted its Hackney office to include a striking green-painted floor and modular birch plywood furniture designed to be “reconfigured or adapted as the needs of the users change”.

      The architecture firm created the studio space, which it shares with design practices OEB Architects and Material Works, in an existing brutalist building with an exposed concrete structure in Hackney, east London.
      The studio was renovated so that no alterations were made to the buildingCalled Regent Studios, the office was carefully designed so that no changes had to be made to the fabric of the building, according to Emil Eve.
      Instead, the firm created a “family” of modular, CNC-cut birch plywood furniture that fits into the space without having to be fixed to the existing structure.
      A vivid green-painted floor defines the space”The furniture is freestanding so that it can be reconfigured or adapted as the needs of the users change,” Emil Eve co-founder Emma Perkin told Dezeen.

      As well as linoleum-lined desks and small shelving units, this group of furniture includes a standout floor-to-ceiling “sample library” where the architects display and interact with a range of material samples.
      Emil Eve created a floor-to-ceiling “material library”Shallow upper display shelves are combined with deeper, lower storage compartments to create a unit that takes cues from the design of kitchen cabinets.
      “We knew we wanted the material library to be the main focus of the space, with everything visible to hand,” said Perkin, who designed the system to replace “inefficient” stacked boxes.
      Desktops are lined with linoleumThe architect also explained why the firm used the CNC process to create the furniture, which was fabricated by Natural Buildings Systems.
      “The process enables complex shapes to be cut from sheet materials,” she said. “Here, we used slits cut into the shelves to create an interlocking design that creates a hierarchy between framing, horizontal and vertical elements, which brings a rhythm to the whole.”

      Urselmann Interior renovates own office using recycled and biodegradable materials

      Emil Eve chose bold green paint for the flooring, which was used for its cost-effectiveness and ability to transform the mood of a space, according to the firm.
      This colour was also decided upon to complement the windowsill herbs and various potted plants scattered around the studio, as well as to contrast with a cluster of bright yellow chairs positioned around a communal work table.
      Yellow chairs contrast with the green floorAs a small design agency, Emil Eve explained the benefits of sharing a co-working space with other design companies in the interest of sharing collective resources – a decision the architects called “economical as well as sustainable”.
      “It’s always more fun to make things rather than buying furniture off the shelf if you can!” added Perkin.
      Visitors are invited to touch the materials on displayEmil Eve Architects was founded in 2009 by Emma and Ross Perkin. The firm has completed a number of architecture projects, including many in London.
      Recent projects range from a monochromatic pale pink loft extension and a timber-framed residential extension filled with light.
      The photography is by Mariell Lind Hansen.

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