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    YSG adds 1970s-style elements to Sydney’s Superfreak cafe

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    Australian studio YSG has added carpet-lined seating, cork flooring and high-gloss green paint to the Superfreak cafe in Sydney.

    Located in the city’s Marrickville suburb, the space was converted from an ice cream factory into a pilates studio, which is located at the rear and the Superfreak cafe on the street front.
    YSG has completed interiors with 1970s motifs for the Superfreak cafe in SydneyDrawing on a relaxed 1970s-style aesthetic, YSG opted for a colour palette of pale sandy yellows, avocado greens and deep earthy brown tones.
    Contributing to the retro feel are checked brown and green cafe curtains, as well as vintage furniture pieces including a low, tile-clad wooden table and timber dining chairs sourced from online marketplace 1stDibs.
    A semi-enclosed lounge-like seating area is off to the left of the entranceTo the left of the entrance, a large U-shaped timber banquette made with maple joinery marks out the main seating area It was upholstered in soft brown carpet material often associated with 1970s interiors.

    The deep wrap-around, bench-style seating has inbuilt storage and an integrated plinth containing a record player and vinyl storage cavity.

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    “Our clients wanted a space where locals felt like they could hang out,” YSG director Yasmine Saleh Ghoniem told Dezeen. “Also, they wanted to welcome pilates students to stretch out comfortably post-class.”
    “A key component was to build sunken lounge-like seating via banquettes that created a cosy enclosure,” she continued.
    Banquette-style seating with maple timber joinery is upholstered in a plush brown carpet materialReplacing the previously all-white decoration, YSG used glossy green paint for the walls and ceiling surrounding the timber service counter.  A statement lamp crafted by American artist Autumn Casey sits on top of the wooden counter.
    “Possessing a child-like expression of a classic Tiffany lamp, we granted it pride of place by the entrance beside the coffee machine,” said Ghoneim.
    Elsewhere, the cafe is illuminated by an array of rice paper lanterns and vintage sconces paired with an angular wall lamp by Olivia Bossy.
    The ceiling and walls surrounding the service counter are painted in a high-gloss greenThe same brown carpet material used for the lounge seating was also added to the exterior of an open kitchen counter and the tops of its high stool seats.
    Above the counter, the ceiling and suspended storage shelves were painted in a high-gloss green.
    Brown carpet material also lines the top of the bar stoolsA mural of a leafy green garden scene by Creative Finish was painted across concealed storage and refrigeration space behind the bar, with a gold-toned corner mirror feature off to the side.
    While the clients initially intended to continue the brown carpet for the floor, YSG opted for cork flooring instead due to the nature of the space as a hospitality setting.
    “Prioritising tonal and textural interest, we laid spongey caramel-hued sealed cork underfoot, also aiding the acoustics,” said Ghoneim.
    The facade of the building was also painted greenTaking cues from the interior concept, the building’s facade was painted green with a street-side coffee hatch cutout incorporated for takeaway orders.
    Other projects by YSG recently featured on Dezeen include a seaside home renovation in Byron Bay and a suburban home in Sydney finished with sumptuous materials intended to evoke a boutique hotel feel.
    Photography is by Phillip Huynh.

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      Buller and Rice salon is a showcase of plant-based materials

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      East London hair salon Buller and Rice has opened a new venue with an interior design palette that includes seaweed, algae, cork and mushroom leather.

      Buller and Rice Wanstead is a salon that doubles as a lifestyle store, selling products ranging from homeware to wine.
      Company founders Anita Rice and Stephen Buller designed the interior themselves, filling it with bespoke creations from designers and makers including Natural Material Studio’s Bonnie Hvillum and Copenhagen-based Jonas Edvard.
      Buller and Rice Wanstead is a hair salon and lifestyle storeRice told Dezeen their ambition was to use as many plant-based materials as possible.
      “We wanted to deep dive into what could happen with plant matter,” she explained.

      The collaboration with Hvillum – who won the inaugural Bentley Lighthouse Award at Dezeen Awards 2023 – resulted in latex-like curtains made from a yellow algae-based material.
      The yellow-toned interior includes paper and seaweed lamps by Jonas EdvardEdvard’s contribution is a series of yellow pendant lamps made from recycled paper and seaweed, similar to those he previously made for Copenhagen burger joint, POPL.
      Rice said she spotted them by chance while enjoying a burger there. “When it turned out they were made from seaweed, I knew they were perfect,” she explained.
      Latex-like curtains by Natural Material Studio are made from algaeOther plant-based details include a cork wall and seat pads made from algae-based foam, while cushions made from mushroom leather will be added in early 2024.
      The space is also filled with plants, with many installed behind the front windows.
      Seat pads in the waiting area are made from algae foamBuller and Rice Wanstead is the third venue that the company has opened in east London, following salons in Hackney and Walthamstow.
      Rice said the project represents the latest step in a journey of exploration into eco-friendly materials.

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      Initially, they focused on simple natural materials like wood and cork. They then started experimenting with materials made from recycled waste products, including a sheet plastic made from yoghurt pots.
      “Our primary interest is in finding innovative and sustainable building materials that we can work into an aesthetically pleasing approach,” Rice said.
      Yellow tiles feature throughout the interiorThe renovation involved a complete refit of a former Chinese restaurant that had been shut down for years.
      A yellow colour scheme features throughout, marking a departure from the pink hues of the two other Buller and Rice salons.
      This shade can be found on bespoke concrete pieces created by London-based maker Smith & Goat, including an orthogonal reception desk, a wall-hung washbasin and the column-like legs of two styling stations.
      Plants can also be found throughout the spaceStainless steel features on both walls and surfaces, offering a utilitarian feel that contrasts the warmth of the yellow. “Practicality had a hand in that decision,” Rice admitted.
      The space is completed by custom-made barber chairs, frameless arch mirrors, yellow tiling and speckled vinyl flooring from manufacturer Tarkett.
      The photography is by Megan Taylor.

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      EBBA Architects designs sculptural pop-up shop for Rotaro at Liberty

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      London-based studio EBBA Architects has channelled the environmental ethos of fashion rental platform Rotaro for its pop-up boutique at department store Liberty.

      The project aimed to show that beautiful and interesting spaces can be created for temporary use, while still considering the environmental impacts of materials and construction.
      “We are very aware of our environmental impact and we believe design should speak to this, while also trying to make a unique experience for the visitor,” EBBA founder Benjamin Allan told Dezeen.
      EBBA designed a pop-up shop for fashion rental platform Rotaro”Rotaro is all about fashion rental, as a response to waste in the industry,” he added. “Circularity is key to their ethos and we wanted to connect to this, both in the use of material and form.”
      Bringing definition to Rotaro’s space within the wider store, EBBA has demarcated the area with a pair of substantial columns, each with an elongated, semi-circular cross-section.

      “The position and shape of the columns create the sense of walking into an entirely new space within the historic context of Liberty,” said Allan.
      The studio demarcated the area with a pair of substantial columnsEntwining the two columns, a pair of metal rails have the dual function of creating a display area and introducing a sculptural element that further defines the space, with soaring, free-form curves.
      “The two rails rotate and wrap around each of the columns, while also simultaneously responding to the opposite rail, a bit like a choreographed piece,” Allan said.
      Cork is the project’s primary materialContinuing the theme of duality, just two key materials have been used in the space – cork and metal.
      EBBA was influenced by the work of artists Donald Judd and Carl Andre and their elevation of humble materials through detailing and construction.
      A pair of metal rails have a dual function”We always look to push the potential of a project, to make the most impact through the simplest of means and also address the need to be economical,” Allan said.
      “Essentially the design revolves around only two materials which, working together, give a sense of regularity in the layouts of the blocks, combined with the sculptural forms of the rails.”
      Curated garments hang from the railsCork was used as the primary material, cladding the two columns and creating the backdrops that zone Rotaro’s area.
      EBBA aimed to use a material that had an environmental quality, while using the standardisation of the blocks to set parameters for the design.

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      “We chose blocks of a specific dimension that could then be adapted to create both the walls and the columns themselves,” Allan said.
      “The cork is a natural material that has an inherent warmth and depth, while also being incredibly versatile and easily recycled,” he added.
      Texture characterises the pop-up shopBrushed stainless steel was used for the metalwork, with each rail comprised of a single piece of metal that was bent and sculpted to wrap around the columns.
      This rail’s curving form relates to the idea of circularity in Rotaro’s business model, while also bringing an adaptability to the space by allowing the garments to be shown in a variety of ways.
      Brushed stainless steel was used for the metalwork”The primary purpose is to display the continuously updated collection while also adding a sculptural aspect that helps to create a sense of space,” said Allan.
      Within the ornately-detailed Liberty store, the project offers a bold, contemporary response to the interior, while finding common ground with the wider building.
      The rail’s curving form relates to the idea of circularity”The tones and textures in the warmth of the cork, tie in with the timber and natural colours of Liberty’s interior spaces,” Allan said. “Detailing and decoration in the original columns relate to nature and vegetation, which also tie into the use of cork and its qualities.”
      Because the Liberty building has Grade II listed status, no fixings were allowed into the building fabric.
      “The benefit of the lightweight cork material meant we could also adapt the Rotaro space with minimal impact on the wider building,” he added.
      Cork was chosen for being lightweightTo create a plinth that provides a flat surface for displaying objects, EBBA used the same semi-circular form of the columns, but flipped onto its side.
      This element has been given an ultramarine blue coating to add a sense of playfulness and catch the attention of visitors, using one of Rotaro’s key colours to connect with the brand’s identity.
      A semi-circular plinth features an ultramarine blue coatingWhile the space has been designed as a pop-up, EBBA worked – through the quality of the materials and the construction of the walls and blocks – to give it a sense of permanence.
      “All of our projects aim to achieve a quality of permanence through the use of natural materials and the detailing of the construction,” Allan said.
      “We believe that this level of quality helps to create a design that feels purposeful, even for temporary uses.”
      Other recent projects by EBBA Architects include a shop for Cubitts in an old pie-and-mash restaurant and a house extension with brutalist-style materials.
      The photography is by James Retief

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      Gin Design Group creates radial layout for Treadwell barbershop in Houston

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      A cave-like cork lounge is hidden at the back of this barbershop in southwest Houston, by Gin Design Group, which also offers IV drips to cure customers’ hangovers.

      This second location of the Treadwell men’s salon chain in situated the Texas city’s Southside Place neighbourhood.
      Treadwell customers are greeted at a curved reception desk wrapped in white mosaic tilesPart of the Southside Commons development, the 2,697-square-foot (250-square-metre) space was designed to echo the first outpost in Houston Heights, but have its own distinctive character.
      The history of this area, as a once “meager” and overlooked suburb that slowly became a thriving community, guided some aspects of the design.
      The “cutting floor” has a unique radial layout”Taking cues from the cultural fibre of Southside Place, Treadwell’s second location will allude to the industrious nature of the area through the use of more industrial touches like steel and concrete,” said Gin Design Group, which is led by founder Gin Braverman.

      “While these materials speak to the strength of the community, they’re softened by clean mosaic tiles, wood, and woven rattan,” the team continued. “Paired with organic architectural elements, this diverse blend of materiality helps to create an illustrious, yet comforting, medley.”
      A central circular unit acts as the barbers’ stationCustomers are greeted at a reception desk fronted by square white tiles, which match the walls behind.
      They then proceed to the “cutting floor”, which has a unique radial layout. Six identical chairs face outward at lozenge-shaped mirrors suspended in the middle of white metal poles.
      At the back is a cave-like bar and lounge area lined entirely in corkA central circular unit forms a stand and incorporates storage for the stylists’ equipment. It wraps a wooden column, from which matching ceiling beams radiate like wheel spokes.
      Tucked away at the back of the salon is an area lined entirely in cork, which features a curved bar made from glass bricks.

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      The dark and moody lounge is completed with turquoise bar stools and custom 1970s-influenced furniture, “speaking to the history of the mid-century architectural style of Southside Place”, according to Gin Design Group.
      Other brighter rooms where the white mosaic tiles are continued include a hair-washing space, and another reserved for treatments including cryotherapy, pedicures, and IV drips intended to rehydrate the body and help alleviate hangovers.
      White tiles are continued in the space for washing hair”The overall interior design aesthetic marries the branding and concept to convey a cohesive design intent, felt in every detail,” said Gin Design Group.
      “Bridging minimalist materiality with optimal functionality, Treadwell will remain a clear expression of innovation for the men’s grooming industry.”
      The barbershop also offers treatments including pedicures and IV dripsOther unusual, design-forward barbershops around the world include a minimalist space by Ivy Studio in Montreal, a “brooding” men’s spa by Nicholas Szczepaniak Architects in Dubai, and a salon with greyscale interiors by Sivak & Partners in Odessa.
      The photography is by Cladia Casbarian for Julie Soefer Photography.

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      Ten interiors with textured cork-covered walls

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      From an artist’s studio in Devon to a coffee bar in a Beijing hutong, this lookbook rounds up ten interiors with tactile walls that are clad or built with cork.

      Cork is a natural and renewable material sustainably harvested from the bark of the cork oak tree.
      In architecture and interiors, it is commonly used in the form of cladding panels or building blocks. These are typically formed by heating cork granules, triggering the release of natural resins that bind them together.
      Cork is an increasingly popular material for exterior and interior walls as it is biodegradable, durable and insulating, and when left exposed, it adds warmth and tactility to a space.
      This is the latest in our series of lookbooks providing curated visual inspiration from Dezeen’s image archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks showcasing multi-generational homes, residential corridors and homes filled with decorative ceramics.

      Photo by Jim StephensonArt Barn, UK, by Thomas Randall-Page
      Cork cladding gives a sense of cosiness to this freestanding “winter studio”, which architect Thomas Randall-Page designed for his father and sculptor Peter Randall-Page.
      Elevated on timber supports with stone feet, it forms the centrepiece of a wider open-plan workspace and archive created for the artist within an old barn in Devon.
      Find out more about Art Barn ›
      Photo by Megan TaylorCork House, UK, by Nimtim Architects
      Nimtim Architects paired cork with bright pink window frames at this playful house extension in London.
      Exposed inside and out, the material was chosen to create a continuous textured surface that offers “a subtle counterpoint to the original brickwork” of the existing dwelling.
      Find out more about Cork House ›
      Photo by Eric Zhang and Yu ChengBig Small Coffee + B&B, China, by Office AIO
      Cork panels are among several materials that decorate this small coffee bar, nestled in one of Beijing’s hutong districts.
      Office AIO used the wall coverings to add comfort and tactility to the interior while absorbing sound, preventing disturbance to an adjoining guesthouse.
      Find out more about Big Small Coffee + B&B ›
      Photo courtesy of Matthew Barnett Howland with Dido Milne and Oliver WiltonCork House, UK, by Matthew Barnett Howland with Dido Milne and Oliver Wilton
      Lego-like blocks of cork were used to build this modular house in Berkshire.
      Left exposed throughout the interior, they provide a snug and earthy aesthetic for the house and also ensure its structure is easily recyclable at the end of its life. The material was decorated with brass, oak, spruce and black-stained Accoya wood details.
      Find out more about Cork House ›
      Photo by José HeviaThe Day After House, Spain, by Takk
      In this 110-square-metre Madrid apartment, several of the walls, ceilings and columns are covered in charred cork chosen for its heat-retaining and low-carbon properties.
      The front door is also covered by the blackened panels, disguised as part of a storage wall with built-in pinewood shelving.
      Find out more about Day after House ›
      Photo by Ioana MarinescuOlive+Squash, UK, by Neiheiser Argyros
      Neiheiser Argyros used the material in the dining space at the Olive+Squash cafe in London, which is concealed by a gridded metal structure dotted with potted plants.
      The cork visually separates the eating area from the white-walled serving counter below, while creating an inviting atmosphere that encourages visitors to “gather and linger over their meal”.
      Find out more about Olive + Squash ›
      Photo by Andrin WintelerHeart clinic, Switzerland, by Dost
      A 1960s restaurant was overhauled to create this heart treatment centre in Zurich, within which architecture studio Dost installed a series of cork-lined cubicles.
      The earthy tones of the cork juxtapose the more clinical white finishes in the rest of the space, avoiding the sterile appearance of a typical healthcare environment.
      Find out more about the heart clinic ›
      Photo by Hufton & CrowBiju Bubble Tea Rooms, UK, by Gundry & Ducker
      Cork cladding extends down from the walls to form tiered seating and flooring at the Biju Bubble Tea Rooms in London, creating a playful internal landscape for visitors.
      Architecture studio Gundry & Ducker selected the material for the fit-out as it is naturally occurring and echoes the cafe’s use of fresh ingredients for its drinks.
      Find out more about Biju Bubble Tea Rooms ›
      Photo by Richard ChiversSelencky Parsons office, UK, by Selencky Parsons
      Timber pegs that support models and hanging plants slot into this cork-covered pod in Selencky Parsons’ self-designed studio space in London.
      The workspace was designed to give a cosy character to the irregularly-shaped commercial unit while also providing privacy for staff from passersby.
      Find out more about the Selencky Parsons office ›
      Photo by Fernando GuerraEcork Hotel, Portugal, by José Carlos Cruz
      Architect José Carlos Cruz overlapped a series of different-sized cork slabs to create the feature wall of this restaurant in a hotel in Portugal’s Alentejo region.
      It matches the exterior of the building, which the architect designed “to promote cork as a cladding material” because it is insulating and recyclable.
      Find out more about Ecork Hotel ›
      This is the latest in our series of lookbooks providing curated visual inspiration from Dezeen’s image archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks showcasing multi-generational homes, residential corridors and homes filled with decorative ceramics.

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