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

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      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

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

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      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.

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      Eight soothing cabin interiors to retreat to this autumn

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      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.

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      Gachot Studios refreshes lounge at The Metropolitan Opera in New York

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      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.

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

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      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.

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

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      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.

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      Birdhouses informed by skyscrapers and modernism feature in Dwellings exhibition

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      Andu Masebo and Rio Kobayashi are among 23 designers who have created birdhouses for an exhibition held at South London Gallery that aimed to unpack “what it means to build a house for a bird”.

      Conceived by design studio Computer Room and birdwatching collective Flock Together, the Dwellings project focused on shared themes of sanctuary and exploring our relationship with nature.
      The Dwellings exhibition was held at the South London GalleryThe exhibition held in the Orozco Garden and Clore Studio at South London Gallery from 31 August to 1 September 2024 comprised an eclectic series of 22 objects and images, ranging from practical solutions to expressive conceptual responses.
      The varied contributions encapsulated the unique thought processes and skills of makers including ceramicists, glassmakers, architects and photographers.
      It aimed to unpack “what it means to build a house for a bird”Many of the designers created their own takes on conventional birdhouses, which are typically made from wood and feature a hole just large enough to provide an entrance for the nesting birds.

      Other participants opted for a more abstract approach, such as artist and designer Moe Asari’s site-specific project exploring the attempts to reintroduce black kites to a Dutch nature reserve.
      Various materials were usedThe show’s co-curator Masebo, who runs the Computer Room design collective alongside Jesse Butterfield and Charlie Humble-Thomas, developed a birdhouse via a remote collaboration with his uncle Dan O’Conell – a trained carpenter based in Ireland.
      Without conversing throughout the process, Masebo and O’Connell sent materials back and forth between London and Ireland, each making their own alterations until an object with the form of a birdhouse emerged.
      Each design was “chosen to be good for birds”Butterfield’s contribution to the exhibition is a wooden structure informed by skyscrapers and modernist architecture. Bird Metropolis provides space for eight nesting house sparrow couples within a tower carved into organic, tree-like forms.
      London and Copenhagen-based designer Daniel Schofield’s birdhouse uses renewable cork bark as an alternative to wood, which he suggested is an odd choice of material as it requires cutting down a bird’s natural home to create an artificial one.
      “The form and proportions were chosen to be good for birds,” said Schofield, “but also simple to produce industrially and locally, hopefully giving more chance of these being made en-masse, and giving the best opportunity of making more homes for birds in our urban landscape.”
      Timber featured throughoutKobayashi’s playful response to the brief called The Guest House For An Ostrich is elevated to an appropriate height so an ostrich could hide its head inside rather than burying it in the ground.
      The birdhouse features an aerodynamic form and details that reflect the ostrich’s ability to run at great speeds. Its front surface is scorched to give the impression that aerodynamic friction has set the wood alight.

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      Ceramicist George Baggaley created a birdhouse in his signature organic style, which is embellished with glazes that accentuate its undulating surfaces.
      Ovulo by Jaclyn Pappalardo features a welded form reminiscent of shapes found in nature. The curved profile with a hook at one end for suspending it from a tree branch was produced using a process that involves inflating metal using water.
      Dwellings focussed on shared themes of sanctuary and exploring our relationship with natureOliver Hawkes worked with a charity called Global Generation to build birdhouses using material offcuts donated by eyewear brand Cubitts. The project aimed to engage young people in the making process and educate them about issues relating to the environment and bird cohabitation.
      Many of the pieces created for the exhibition were available to purchase, with all proceeds helping to support South London Gallery’s communities and learning programmes.
      The photography is courtesy of Computer Room and South London Gallery.

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      Paris apartment merges “minimalism with the grandeur of Napoleon-era architecture”

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      French architect Joris Poggioli has renovated his Paris apartment, aiming to preserve its historic features while integrating modern design elements.

      Poggioli sought to renovate the apartment located in a mansion that was once Napoleon Bonaparte’s office, while preserving its “historic soul”.
      Joris Poggiolio has renovated his apartment in Paris”It was an opportunity to merge my passion for minimalism with the grandeur of Napoleon-era architecture,” Poggioli told Dezeen.
      “The goal was not just to restore but to allow these historical elements to shine once more in a contemporary context, while also bringing forth the voice of our generation, our era, through my intervention.”
      The apartment is located in a mansion where Napoleon Bonaparte had an officePoggioli aimed to restore the 90-square-meter apartment’s original features, which had been obscured by years of modifications.

      “When I first stepped inside, it was like entering a fortress with layers of flooring, insulation, and makeshift walls,” explained Poggioli.
      “Slowly, I peeled away these layers, revealing original parquet, mouldings, and architectural details that had been hidden for decades”.

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      Influenced by Napoleon’s historical connection to the building, he sought to honour its heritage while introducing a modern touch.
      To achieve this, Poggioli focused on subtly highlighting features of the apartment, including the grand proportions, the flow of light through large windows, and the overall sense of space.
      “I wanted my design to feel like it was embracing the historical skeleton of the building, enhancing its spirit rather than competing with it”.
      It has high ceilingsThe 4.2-metre-high ceiling, a focal point of the apartment, heavily influenced his design choices.
      Elements like an oversized headboard in the bedroom and a mezzanine-like upper floor were introduced to accentuate the tall ceiling.
      “The soaring ceiling height was one of the most striking features of the apartment,” explained Poggioli. “It immediately influenced how I approached the design, giving me room to think on a grander scale”.
      “The void, the space itself, became necessary for thought—it allows mental images to escape and flow freely,” he continued.
      The bedroom features an oversized headboardThe apartment also features sculptures borrowed from a client, a collector of Amerindian art, whose pieces have been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
      Puiforcat also lent a series of bowls designed by American artist Donald Judd, while the other pieces come from Joris’ collection.
      “These pieces were selected because they represent a bridge between tradition and modernity, much like the apartment itself,” said Poggioli.
      “Amerindian art brings a sense of deep-rooted culture and craftsmanship, while the Puiforcat bowls, with their sleek, timeless design, add a layer of refinement,” he continued.
      “Together, they create a balance that reflects the overall philosophy of the space—a harmonious coexistence of the past and the present, each enhancing the other.”
      Various sculptures can be found in the apartmentOther apartment renovations recently featured on Dezeen include an apartment in Barcelona by architect Raúl Sánchez and a brutalist apartment in Canada by architect Jean Verville.
      The photography is by Alice Mesguich.

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