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      Eight converted-barn interiors that reveal echoes of their pasts

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      An “unprecious” restaurant, a sculptor’s studio and a handful of holiday homes are among the converted barns in our latest lookbook, which explores how to transform the interiors of these agricultural buildings.

      Traditionally, barns are farm buildings that house livestock or store resources such as grain or hay.
      But around the world, architects and designers have renovated these spaces – often hundreds of years old – to create homes or for them to be used for other contemporary purposes.
      While the insides of some barns have been entirely remodelled, others purposefully celebrate their original features such as timber beams and gabled roofs.
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration, see previous lookbooks featuring minimalist kitchens, pyramidal ceilings and eclectic hotels.

      Photo by José HeviaRelámpago House, Spain, by H3O
      Barcelona practice H3O transformed an old barn in Sant Just Desvern, Spain, into a one-storey home with an unusual interior layout.
      The studio created zigzagging walls for Relámpago House in to reference an old family legend told by the homeowner, whose ancestors are said to have survived a lightning bolt that struck the barn and entered the building through the chimney, narrowly avoiding the family members sheltering under the dining table.
      Find out more about Relámpago House ›
      Photo by Rory GardinerRedhill Barn, UK, by TYPE
      A dilapidated barn in Devon, southwest England, was transformed into a secluded house that has retained its 200-year-old stone walls.
      London architecture studio TYPE used neutral hues for the interiors, designed to complement the barn’s original stone and lime plaster walls and columns.
      The studio also created a new Douglas fir floor and roof structure that was chosen to evoke the rhythm and simplicity of traditional agricultural buildings.
      Find out more about Redhill Barn ›
      Photo by Alex BaxterBarn at the Ahof, the Netherlands, by Julia van Beuningen
      Designer Julia van Beuningen added a plywood spiral staircase to this thatched barn in Gelderland, the Netherlands, which she converted into a holiday home.
      The staircase’s smooth timber and sinuous curves contrast the ceiling’s rustic wooden beams. A slender steel kitchen island also features on the ground floor and imbues the 19th-century barn with a contemporary touch.
      Find out more about Barn at the Ahof ›
      Photo by David BarbourCroft 3, UK, by Fardaa
      Set within an abandoned basalt barn, Croft 3 is a gabled restaurant on Scotland’s Isle of Mull by emerging studio Fardaa.
      “Unprecious” interiors characterise the eatery, which features salmon-hued, exposed plaster walls and long communal tables carved on the island from a single Douglas fir tree.
      Find out more about Croft 3 ›
      Photo by Lorenzo LandriniWraxall Yard, UK, by Clementine Blakemore Architects 
      The Wraxall Yard complex is a series of holiday homes in Dorset, southwest England located in formerly derelict stone barns.
      Clementine Blakemore Architects designed the project, accessed via a curved pathway, with accessibility in mind. Brick and timber accents characterise the interior, created to feel homely rather than clinical.
      Find out more about Wraxall Yard ›
      Photo by Thomas HeimannLandhaus, Germany, by Thomas Kroeger Architekt
      Landhaus – or Country House – is a holiday home and guest annexe in a converted 140-year-old barn in Uckermark, Germany.
      Designed by Thomas Kroeger Architekt, the building has a double-height large hall at the centre of the former barn. A statement red-brick fireplace with integrated seating on its sides features on one side of the paved courtyard.
      Find out more about Landhaus ›
      Photo by Brigida GonzálezKressbronn Library, Germany, by Steimle Architekten
      Also in Germany, Steimle Architekten converted a former barn into a library and community centre for the village of Kressbronn am Bodensee.
      The vertical wooden slats that clad the building allow diffused daylight to enter the interior, which features concrete flooring and an open gallery tucked beneath the preserved timber trusses.
      Find out more about Kressbronn Library ›
      Photo by Jim StephensonArt Barn, UK, by Thomas Randall-Page
      Architect Thomas Randall-Page designed an artist’s studio and airtight archive space for his sculptor father, Peter Randall-Page.
      The project is a converted barn in Devon with a largely open interior except for a cosy “winter studio” contained within a cork-clad structure positioned on timber supports. The space underneath the studio creates a lounge area with a wood-burning stove.
      Find out more about Art Barn ›
      The main image of Art Barn is by Jim Stephenson.
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration, see previous lookbooks featuring minimalist kitchens, pyramidal ceilings and eclectic hotels.

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      Locally produced tiles clad walls and table in Blue Bottle Coffee shop in Nagoya

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      Japanese studio Keiji Ashizawa Design sourced local materials for the design of Blue Bottle Coffee cafe in Nagoya, Japan, which features tiles across its surfaces and lamps made from pottery plates.

      The studio used tiles across the walls, floors and tables of the cafe, which were all produced by local manufacturer Ceramic Olive Bricks.
      “This cafe is located in the Chukyo area of central Japan, an area that excels in manufacturing, so we decided to make the most of it,” Keiji Ashizawa Design’s founder Keiji Ashizawa told Dezeen.
      Tiles cover the walls in this Blue Bottle Coffee cafe in Nagoya”We used a lot of tiles on the walls this time,” Ashizawa added.
      “Inspired by Blue Bottle Coffee’s philosophy of valuing the local, we decided to use tiles that are produced in the Chukyo area,” he continued.

      “These tiles are used to cover the structural walls of the building that exist as pillars to create three frames.”
      A table at the centre of the space is also tiledAs well as cladding the walls in tiles, the studio used them to demarcate seating areas and created a tile-clad table as a centrepiece of the 311-square-metre space.
      “We designed the table specifically for the space,” Ashizawa explained. “The tiles used are different from the wall tiles but are from the same tile manufacturer, glazed for easy cleaning.”
      Wooden furniture is used throughout the space”We thought that the cafe, which often serves as a lounge in a large building, needs to have a central space where everyone can remember,” Ashizawa added.
      “When deciding to create a large centre table, we thought a tiled table would be both iconic and appropriate for this space.”
      Tiling also lines parts of the floor of the cafeThe cafe features wooden furniture throughout and is decorated with rounded wall sconces and pendant lamps made from pottery plates.
      “The pendant and wall lamps are made of pottery plates from the same region as the tiles, and are also used as tableware in the store,” Ashizawa said.
      “The surface gives a soft, diffused light, where the light hitting the slightly uneven edges of the plate adds a touch of craft.”
      Above the counter is a brass lamp that references Nagoya CastleIn addition, the studio drew on a local monument for the interior design. Above the main tiled table, a mobile adds an extra decorative touch.
      “The lighting on the counter finished in brass colour was created in homage to the famous ornaments on the top of Nagoya Castle,” the designer said.

      Blue Bottle Coffee Qiantan references greenhouses and Shanghai’s brick architecture

      “The mobile that looks like a tree branch was designed by an architect friend who also designed the Blue Bottle Coffee Fukuoka cafe,” continued Ashizawa.
      “Depending on how the light hits, it appears as if it is a lighting fixture. The delicate mobile, named In the Sky, made of brass subtly defines the place and creates a charming atmosphere.”
      A slim mobile hangs above the main tableThe interior has an earthy colour palette with pink-coloured tiles.
      “The elegant pink color of the tiles, the gray floor and walls, added with the natural wood and textiles of the furniture were chosen to work in harmony with one another,” Ashizawa said.
      The cafe is located in Nagoya’s Chunichi BuildingThe Chunichi Building, in which the cafe is located, is a well-known Nagoya landmark that was formerly a theatre and now houses a hotel. This also influenced how Ashozawa thought about the design of the space.
      “The cafe was conditioned to be on the ground floor of the building that is familiar to the locals with its historical existence and the newly constructed hotel floors,” he said.
      “I had the inspiration to somehow add value to the place by making it not just a cafe, but more of a lounge space in a hotel that provides a sense of comfort.”
      The Blue Bottle Coffee shop is the seventh designed by Keiji AshizawaThis is the seventh Blue Bottle Coffee cafe designed by Keiji Ashizawa Design, with others including a shop in Shanghai’s Qiantan area with a glazed facade and another in Kobe’s Hankyu department store that takes advantage of its display windows.
      According to Ashizawa, the studio aims to tailor the different designs to suit their surroundings.
      “For all of them, it is always a pleasure to have discussions about local, landscape, and the culture of the place and country to be utilized in designing the store,” he concluded.
      “Indeed, this is what makes them a challenging project as every store has its own character and constraints.”
      The photography is by Tomooki Kengaku.
      Project credits:
      Architect: Keiji Ashizawa DesignProject architect: Keiji Ashizawa and Chaoyen WuConstruction: TANKTiles: Ceramic Olive IncFurniture: Karimoku and Karimoku CaseLighting design: Aurora and Yoshiki IchikawaPendant, wall lamp shade and logo plate: Juzan

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      Miriam Barrio creates “organic and natural” interiors for Barcelona curly hair salon

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      Barcelona-based Miriam Barrio Studios has transformed the interiors of a modernist building into Curly Lab, a curly hair salon incorporating curved shapes and copper-toned surfaces.

      Located at the base of a gothic and modernist building designed by Catalan architect Enric Sagnier in 1895, Curly Lab is situated at Diputación in the Eixample district of Barcelona.
      Miriam Barro has designed curly hair-informed interiors for Curly Labs salonMiriam Barrio Studios designed Curly Lab’s 65-square-metre-interior to convey an “organic and natural language”. The space, previously occupied by a real estate agency, now features rich textures that contrast the surrounding architecture.
      Continuous microcement surfacing was used across the salon’s light-toned floors and its terracotta-toned wall to create a distinct backdrop. This microcement was locally sourced and manufactured within the vicinity of Barcelona.
      Microcement was used for the light-toned floors and terracotta-hued wallsNew elements include curved shapes that form the structure of salon countertops, furnishings and lighting fixtures, creating pathways and routes across various workstations.

      “The organic shapes were a match because in the modernist world they symbolised beauty and were entirely aligned with the DNA of curly hair,” designer Miriam Barrio told Dezeen.
      Polished copper tiles decorate these countertop bases, coexisting with historical features also on display.
      Copper-toned tiles furnish the bases of workstation countertopsRemnants of the previous interior are still visible throughout the renovated space. They include exposed brick walls and a Catalan vault ceiling with original floral paintings, which the studio preserved in their current state.
      This process involved a thorough cleaning. The studio then unified the ceiling backgrounds using plain colours, followed by a matte and transparent patina application.
      “The colour of the original ceiling drawings, they were pure inspiration!” Barrio said.
      “A great find and a stroke of luck since there is nothing more natural and special than copper tones,” she added.
      “We wanted to choose a colour derived from the tones of the ceiling and make it the protagonist. It needed to be warm and deep at the same time, neither too feminine nor too masculine. Based on that colour, all the materials for the project were chosen.”
      Preserved features include exposed brick walls and a Catalan vault ceiling with original floral paintingsThe lighting in the space was arranged to highlight the interior’s key architecture and design components, creating an eye-catching display at night when viewing the salon from outside.
      “The lighting in the main space with high ceilings needed to serve two functions: technical lighting for work and decorative lighting to set the atmosphere and enhance the architecture,” Barrio said.

      Nieuwe Instituut’s New Store 2.0 turns free haircuts into textiles in Milan

      “They were positioned at mid-height to illuminate the ceilings from the same element. Curved track lights were designed to flow in the space in the same way as the other elements,” she added.
      Barrio used black metal for the majority of the fixtures besides lighting, including oval-shaped mirrors on dressing tables and Color Bar furniture. Other notable accessories include ceramic lamps and velvet sofas.
      Lighting fixture positioning accentuates the architecture and design of the space”I think it is important to feel beautiful in a salon, for the space to be a fitting companion,” Barrio expressed.
      “We want [consumers] to feel welcomed and inspired, close to feeling like they are in a special temple. In a place of care on all levels.”
      Curly Labs combines new and old shapes and colours to create an “organic and natural” atmosphereOther innovative salon interiors across the globe include the Buller and Rice in London designed by Anita Rice and Stephen Buller, Koda in Sydney by Arent & Pyke and Treadwell by Gin Design Group.
      The photography is by Salva López.

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      Highstay designs Paris holiday apartments for Olympics visitors and holiday makers

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      Hospitality brand Highstay has brought a contemporary spin to these 19th-century Parisian apartments, which its team has renovated to offer accommodation during the Olympic Games and beyond.

      The holiday apartments are intended for short- and long-term stays of up to one month, offering an alternative to hotels “for those coming to the city this summer for the Olympics”, Highstay said.
      Highstay’s has created holiday apartments within historic buildingsThe apartments are spread over four central Paris locations: Champs-Elysées, Saint-Honoré, Louvre and Marais.
      The majority are located within historic Haussmann-era buildings typical of the French capital and were designed by Highstay’s in-house team to retain their character while offering a contemporary twist.
      Each apartment is designed with a neutral palette and contemporary furniture”Our interior designers combine the quintessential Parisian style of 19th-century architecture with contemporary materials and modern equipment,” said the Highstay team.

      “The association of natural stones, elegant woods and high-quality fabrics shapes the atmosphere of a room and best connect our guests to the spirit of a place.”
      Parquet floors, bronze mirrors and marble accents are common throughoutRanging from one to three bedrooms, the apartments are decorated in a neutral palette, combining classical mouldings with minimally detailed stone and pale wood surfaces.
      Common materials and elements found in most of the interiors include arched architectural features, parquet flooring, travertine surfaces and dramatic marble used across fireplaces, bathrooms and kitchens.
      The buildings’ classical mouldings were retained”Each high-end pied-à-terre positions the kitchen area as the focal point and central hub, inviting conviviality while suite-style bedrooms offer a warm and intimate ambience through carefully selected wood materials, varied fabrics and textures,” said the team.
      Unique features tailored to the different contexts of each location range from large-scale upholstered or wooden headboards to full-wall panelling, bronze-tinted mirrors and various contemporary furniture and artworks.
      The kitchen area is positioned as a focal pointIn the two-bedroom Louvre I apartment, which overlooks the famous museum on Rue de Rivoli, a grand salon room contains the kitchen and living area.
      A ring-shaped light hangs over the centre of the tall space, which is vertically emphasised by the kitchen millwork and full-height windows.

      Laurent Taïeb transforms Louvre Post Office into Hôtel Madame Rêve in Paris

      Arched niches display decorative items on either side of the dark stone fireplace, from which the TV emerges at the touch of a button.
      The primary bathroom is wrapped almost entirely in richly veined black-and-white marble accented by black fixtures while the second is clad in warm-toned travertine.
      Highstay’s Louvre I apartment includes a bedroom with dark walnut panellingParis is gearing up to host the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games over the summer and is preparing by renovating many of the city’s iconic sites and landmarks including the Grand Palais, which is set to host the fencing and taekwondo events.
      Only one permanent new sporting venue – a timber Aquatics Centre by VenhoevenCS and Ateliers 2/3/4 –  is being constructed for the event, in a bid to minimise its carbon footprint.
      Louvre I also has a bathroom with walls and floors lined entirely in dramatic black and white marbleOther accommodation options across the city for design-minded travellers include the Canal Saint-Martin hotel designed by Bernard Dubois, Hôtel de la Boétie by Beata Heuman and Hôtel Madame Rêve by Laurent Taïeb.
      The photography is by Thomas de Bruyne.

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      Red staircase anchors Diesel store in Miami Design District

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      Fashion brand Diesel has debuted a retail design concept at its store in the Miami Design District, featuring raw metal surfaces and a red lacquered spiral staircase.

      Designed under the creative direction of Glenn Martens, who joined the brand in 2020, the industrial-style store is intended to reflect “the brand’s signature bold attitude”.
      Diesel’s new store in Miami Design District debuts an industrial-style retail concept”Envisioned as a fresh, powerful expression of Diesel’s design edge and identity, the store is anchored by a glass facade framed in signature Diesel red with the brand’s red-and-white Biscotto logo,” said the design team.
      Red was also applied selectively to interior elements, including a statement spiral staircase and a wall behind at the back of the store.
      The store’s focal point is a red lacquered-metal spiral staircaseThe helical lacquered-metal form has solid balustrades and steps with a diamond-plate texture for added grip.

      It leads up to a second level where another red wall with floating shelves is used for product displays.
      The staircase has solid balustrades and steps with diamond-plate texture for added gripAcross the two floors, the 1,900-square-foot (177-square-metre) store presents the full Diesel collection.
      Bags, shoes, accessories and fragrances are presented on the lower level, while areas dedicated to denim, ready-to-wear apparel and footwear can be found upstairs.
      The upper level also has a red display wall that stands out against the concrete and metallic surfacesExposed concrete floors and ceilings, and walls covered in riveted raw metal panels and mirrors create a monochromatic backdrop that allows the red elements to stand out.
      “Throughout the space, minimalist red leather couches and streamlined silver fixtures create a strong sense of structure with a touch of softness,” said the team.

      Space-age design informs Nodaleto shoe store by Rafael de Cárdenas

      Vitrines for displaying accessories on the ground floor sit atop crinkled metal bases, though the sales counter opposite is flat and sleek.
      Both levels have floor-to-ceiling glass across the street facade, and at night, fluorescent lighting throughout the store gives off a harsh white glow.
      The ground floor features vitrines atop crinkled metal basesFollowing the Miami store unveiling, the interior concept will be rolled out to global Diesel locations.
      The brand was founded in 1978 by Italian entrepreneur Renzo Rosso, who still serves as its president.
      The Diesel store joins many luxury fashion brands in Miami Design DistrictMiami Design District is home to the stores of many luxury fashion labels, each of which has exterior and interior treatments designed to reflect its distinct brand identity.
      Other examples include Louis Vuitton’s menswear space, which Dutch studio Marcel Wanders wrapped in a patterned facade informed by the brand’s monogram, and a Christian Louboutin boutique that’s covered in tree bark.
      The photography is courtesy of Diesel.

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      Eight minimalist kitchens where materials provide the decoration

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      For our latest lookbook, we’ve compiled eight functional kitchens that prove that conventional construction materials have their place in domestic interiors.

      The kitchens featured in this roundup utilise common construction materials, including wood, metal and concrete, to create an atmosphere of durability and serenity.
      Combining these materials creates a balanced interior scheme, with wood providing a sense of warmth, while metals such as stainless steel and concrete add an air of functionality.
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration, see previous lookbooks featuring interiors punctuated by red accents, homes with internal windows and spaces energised by colourful window frames.
      Photo by Iñaki DomingoMadrid apartment, Spain, by Leticia Saá

      An open-sided kitchen island flanked by a duo of three-legged stools features in this kitchen in a Madrid flat by architect Leticia Saá.
      A shelf-like surface holds the cooktop and a simple coat of white paint covers the walls and ceilings, creating a casual and bright kitchen area.
      Find out more about Madrid apartment ›
      Photo by Maxime DelvauxNormandy farmhouse, France, by Studio Guma
      Vast picture windows and a blush pink concrete island characterise this kitchen, which sits inside a rural farmhouse in northern France designed by Studio Guma.
      Original rustic beams and a stone wall compliment the minimalist kitchen, in which the designers chose to forgo conventional wall cabinets in favour of a slimline shelf.
      Find out more about Normandy farmhouse ›
      Photo by Asier RuaCasa Olivar, Spain, by Matteo Ferrari and Carlota Gallo
      Rustic and industrial design motifs are combined in this kitchen inside Casa Olivar, a two-storey apartment in Madrid renovated by designers Matteo Ferrari and Carlota Gallo.
      A wooden table and uneven floor tiles contrast with sleek stainless steel cabinets, imbuing the space with a sense of balance.
      Find out more about Casa Olivar ›
      Photo courtesy of SABO ProjectSacha apartment, France, by SABO Project
      Plywood cladding, storage and furniture define the interior of this Parisian apartment by SABO Project.
      White walls and flooring tie the abundant use of warm-toned wood in with the concrete ceiling above.
      Find out more about Sacha apartment ›
      Photo by Cathy SchuslerPenthouse M, Australia, by CJH Studio
      CJH Studio covered the walls of this kitchen in small square tiles when renovating Penthouse M, an apartment in Gold Coast, Australia, that dates from the 1980s.
      A wooden bar flanked by tall bar stools is positioned in front of floor-to-ceiling windows, and a bright, cool-toned colour palette creates an atmosphere of calm.
      Find out more about CJH Studio ›
      Photo by Maja WirkusK916 and K907, Poland, by Thisispaper Studio
      A slatted wooden partition wall and a concrete ceiling generate a textural backdrop for the kitchen and dining area of this flat in the Polish capital of Warsaw.
      Thisispaper Studio furnished the space with purely essential furniture – a plain kitchen unit and a functional dining set – to give the room an aesthetically peaceful appearance.
      Find out more about Thisispaper Studio ›
      Photo by Max Hart NibbrigBolívar House, Spain, by Juan Gurrea Rumeu
      Local architect Juan Gurrea Rumeu added dark wooden cabinetry to the kitchen in his Barcelona house, creating a warm and grounding effect.
      Exposed wires attached to lighting add an industrial edge, and the presence of concrete on the walls and floors provides an interplay between warm and cool tones.
      Find out more about Bolívar House ›
      Photo by Rory GardinerMossy Point house, Australia, by Edition Office
      Metal countertops and backsplashes give a utilitarian edge to this plywood kitchen installed in a home in Australia.
      Local studio Edition Office installed smooth-fronted cabinets to keep clutter out of sight, allowing select ceramics and coffee paraphernalia to take centre stage.
      Find out more about Mossy Point house ›
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration, see previous lookbooks featuring interiors punctuated by red accents, homes with internal windows and spaces energised by colourful window frames.

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      Olivier Delannoy creates mirrored “English garden” for Daroco Soho restaurant

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      Paris-based restaurant group Daroco has opened a London outpost with mirrored, curving interiors designed by French architect Olivier Delannoy.

      Delannoy, who has worked on Daroco’s previous projects, reproduced the mirrored ceiling from its two Paris restaurants for the Daroco’s latest location in Soho.
      “Though the layout maintains an orderly appearance, the reflection of the mirror creates an anarchic, enchanted dimension to the space,” he told Dezeen.
      The restaurant ceiling is covered with a large mirrorA wide range of designer lighting was placed throughout the restaurant, with arm wall-mounted lights by Penta, flower-shaped wall-mounted lights by Leucos and suspended glowing discs by DCW Édition. Together they were placed to create a softly lit interior that complements the mirrored ceiling.
      “We approached this project with the aim of mirroring an English garden,” Delannoy explained. “In evoking the garden, the lighting fixtures were inspired by plant motifs such as flowers, water plant stems and tree branches.”

      “The curved resin light tubes were designed to resemble the stem of a phosphorescent water plant,” he continued.
      Suspended glowing discs by DCW Édition illuminate the dining space

      The English garden concept was extended to other design elements such as a large pizza oven covered in blue butterflies and the flooring.
      “We designed the floor to be inspired by the undulation of the first raindrops on a landscaped pond,” said Delannoy.

      Tom Dixon completes Éclectic restaurant in Paris

      Within the restaurant’s dining areas Delannoy used a diverse range of materials with marble and wooden table tops paired with crushed-velvet seats.
      The colour composition of the fabric used on the seating is intended to “evoke the flowers, earth and vegetation of the water’s edge”.
      A large pizza oven is decorated with blue ceramic butterflies
      Delannoy also drew inspiration from the Italian Renaissance for the restaurant, which serves Italian food.
      The mirrored ceiling bounces light around the interior and creates the illusion of a larger space, “such as that of a renaissance hall,” he said.
      Visitors are met with brass arches informed by the structure of Florence’s basilicas and a large counter that directly references the Baldachin – a large bronze canopy in St Peter’s, Vatican City.
      Looping acrylic light tubes and brass arches conjure evokeDelannoy co-founded Reinh Agency in 2016 and its completed projects include a Parisian cocktail bar and a restaurant in a former Belgian brewery warehouse.
      Other restaurant interiors recently featured on Dezeen include a pizzeria in a Finnish ski-resort,  a |cathedral of fried chicken” and an art-deco informed restaurant in New York.
      The photography is by Julie Spicy.

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      Eight interiors with pyramidal ceilings that create dramatic depth

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      For our latest lookbook, we’ve brought together eight houses from Mexico to Norway featuring pyramidal ceilings that reveal their structure and create a sense of depth.

      Similar to domed and vaulted ceilings, pyramidal ceilings have four panes that angle upwards towards a central point. Because of their depth, they often conform to architectural elements visible on the exterior of a structure.
      The ceilings can have skylights on their apexes to bring in light and provide a sense of height to structures that are often single-storey.
      While it can be rendered in a variety of materials, the feature often conforms to the wall material used throughout the house. Sometimes a building will feature more than one pyramidal ceiling, creating a peak-and-valley effect with interesting light patterns.
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration, see previous lookbooks featuring houses that have vaulted ceilings and rooms with decorative plasterwork.

      Photo by by Einar AslaksenWeekend House, Norway, by Line Solgaard Arkitekter
      Norweigan architecture studio Line Solgaard Arkiteker created a house that sits under a single zinc-clad pyramidal roof topped with a massive skylight that filters light through the whole home.
      Because of the need for room dividers, the pyramid is only viewed in parts, as seen in the living space above with its slanted ceilings clad in stepped oak slats that make its angle even more dramatic.
      Find out more about Weekend House ›
      This photo and top photo by Joe FletcherFour Roof House, United States, by TW Ryan Architecture
      This home in rural Montana features not one but four pyramidal roofs, each with a skylight that casts sunlight on the white-walled interiors – a dramatic contrast with the hardy Corten steel of the exterior.
      Because of the potential for overexposure inside, the studio placed reflective panelling below each of the skylights to diffuse the direct sunlight.
      Find out more about Four Roof House ›
      Photo by Alice ClancyHouse at Kilmore, Ireland, by GKMP Architects
      Another house with a single pyramidal roof, this home in the Irish countryside was designed to be compact, so the higher roofs made the spaces seem larger and more airy.
      Instead of a central skylight, smaller ones were laid out across the four faces of the home and a series of glulam beams were left exposed, as seen in the home’s kitchen.
      Find out more about House at Kilmore ›
      Photo by Casey DunnRiver Bend Residence, United States, by Lake Flato 
      This house in Texas has multiple volumes topped with pyramidal skylights, each with its own distinct cladding to create different light environments for different usages.
      The home was designed to “sit lightly on the land”, so the studio decided to arch the ceilings up to create a sense of cosy height in the gathering and workspaces.
      Find out more about River Bend Residence ›
      Photo by Joe FletcherPlover House, United States, by Fuse Architects
      Another house that sits under a single pyramidal roof, this California project features a pyramid that rises gradually and terminates at a large skylight at its centre.
      The project is a renovation of an existing house, and one of the main objectives was to peel back elements that had blocked the light from the skylight – which sits over the kitchen – from reaching the other living spaces.
      Find out more about Plover House ›
      Photo by César BéjarThe Avocado, Mexico, by Práctica Arquitectura
      The house near Monterrey has a structure made almost entirely out of concrete and features a large pyramidal ceiling at its centre, making the dining area a sort of inner sanctum of the otherwise low-lying structure.
      Standing 4.5 metres above the floor, this skylight gives the space a sense of depth and the cut-out allows inhabitants to realise the thickness of the concrete that makes up the walls, echoing the forms of ancient pyramids found in the country.
      Find out more about The Acovado ›
      Photo by Timothy SoarThe Tin House, United Kingdom, by Henning Stummel
      This red-clad house in London contains multiple pyramidal forms with skylights in order to create light-filled spaces in a dense part of the city.
      In the kitchen, a strip of paint separates the red panelling of the walls from the plaster pyramidal ceiling, adding a sense of elongation and depth to the space.
      Find out more about The Tin House ›

      Hollowed Out House, Australia, by Tribe Studio
      Instead of conforming exactly to the shape of the roof the pyramidal ceilings in this Sydney house function like voids in the thick roofline.
      The interior pyramids stretch upwards in “distorted” angles, allowing light to enter in a way best suited to the site.
      Find out more about Hollowed Out House ›
      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 interior windows that maximise light, creative guest rooms that accommodate visitors in style, and home interiors brightened with colourful window frames.

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