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      Maximalism to make way for “quiet refinement” in 2024 say interior designers

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      Interior design in 2024 will have a focus on individualism and see a backlash to the rise in AI design while colours will be informed by global warming, interior designers across the globe told Dezeen.

      While the trend for locally sourced materials and sustainable biomaterials looks set to become more pronounced, designers also believe that interiors will move away from the earthy hues and soft shapes seen during the pandemic years.
      However, the maximalist trend predicted by many to take off in 2023 appears to have given way to a more individualist take on interiors, with a focus on simplicity recalling the designs of US fashion pioneer Halston.
      Studio Becky Carter designed the interior of Cecchi’s restaurant. Photo by Joseph Kramm”I’m seeing a growing interest in post-industrial aesthetic and quiet refinement,” said Becky Carter, founder of the eponymous US studio.
      “Maximalism now seems out of touch,” she added. “Even the womb-like softness of the 1970s inspiration we’ve seen so much of is starting to feel heavy and overdone.”

      “There’s a refreshing air to Halston-esque modernity: simple, unfussy materials, elegantly arranged, detailed, but without excess.”
      “We foresee a shift in direction”
      Yohei Terui and Hiromu Yuyama from Japanese studio I IN also believe we will see a move away from earthy hues in interiors.
      “Over the past couple of years, the theme has revolved around earthy colour and simplicity through the use of natural materials,” the duo told Dezeen.

      Dezeen readers name Casa Tres Árboles best home interior of 2023

      “However, we foresee a shift in direction, trending towards a more ‘decorative’ approach, in contrast to the previous style,” they added.
      “We believe that this shift is driven by the prevailing desire of self-expression and individuality in today’s culture.”
      New Delhi-based interior designer Iram Sultan echoed the preference for more individual designs, saying we will see: “Emotional design, personalized spaces, a fresh approach towards materials, finishes and textures, and interiors that are easy, warm, comfortable and sustainable.”
      Interiors to focus on “real places” rather than AI-generated designs
      The rise in artificial intelligence (AI) in 2022 and 2023 was also on people’s minds, with several designers mentioning a backlash against digital designs.
      “Memorable and customised spaces that are not Pinterest- and AI-generated will be preferable, as the race against interior design and AI technology grows,” said UK-based designer Tola Ojuolape.
      The Standard in Ibiza was designed by Oskar Kohnen. Photo by Salva LopezIn 2024, interior design will be more about creating tangible spaces, according to London-based Oskar Kohnen Studio.
      “We want to see less digital dream houses of pandemic years, and go back to real places,” studio founder Oskar Kohnen said. “Forward-thinking conceptual interiors that create long-term value rather than effects.”
      Julien Sebban of French studio Uchronia agreed, saying: “The biggest trend will be very textured materials, cosy and comforting such as shearling or thick wool. As people need an antidote to digital they need to feel the physical world.”
      2024 may see “resurgence of the arts and crafts style”
      When it comes to material trends for 2024, designers are choosing to work with natural and local materials.
      “For me, natural materials with a strong connection to their placement have a profound bond with today’s design,” said Pedro Ramírez de Aguilar, co-founder of Mexican studio RA!
      “I believe materials such as wood and natural plasters play a crucial role in creating a sense of grounding.”
      Spacon & X designed Noma spinoff POPL. Photo by Bjørn BertheussenDanish studio Spacon & X partner Malene Hvidt argued that the materials used also affect the colours chosen for interiors, saying: “We also try to use colours that emphasise the natural appearance of the material itself, such as treating wood with tinted linseed to preserve the pattern of the grain.”
      This sentiment was echoed by Tim Greer, director at Australian studio TZG. “I’m hoping that we will see more natural materials with fewer complex and unsustainable finishes,” he said.
      “I think the drive towards sustainability will see the use of more natural materials and a resurgence of the arts and crafts style,” Sultan added.
      “There is a genuine return to solid bold colours”
      The colours of our interiors next year will range from pale fresh hues, such as pistachio, to stronger shades.
      “Palette-wise, I feel there is a genuine return to solid bold colours – be it a punch of emerald green, mustard yellow or Yves Klein-blue to provoke the visual energy. The expression of materiality and tactility is also a key focus for my studio this coming year,” said Hong Kong designer André Fu.
      “Customers are thriving for experiences to express their own personality and values – this has led to a greater awareness for the role design plays in the realms of hospitality.”

      Interior design trends for 2023 reflect “anger in the world” and post-covid community focus

      “I’m loving seeing light, lemon-lime yellow being utilized. I also think pistachio has yet to peak,” said Carter, while Ojuolape believes in “rich, pigmented and plaster colours”.
      “The colour and material trends will be very warm colours and more specifically orange as we need joy and to warm things up,” said Sebban. “With global warming more important than ever, that will be the colour we get used to.”
      “Embrace a bold departure from the ordinary as the world adopts warm, earthy tones inspired by landscapes and eclectic hues drawn from various cultural expressions, all crafted with sustainably sourced materials,” added Nigeria-based designer Titi Ogufere.
      Biophilia will continue to “be a staple”
      The designers Dezeen spoke to all said they were taking the subject of sustainability seriously. There is a need to create “lasting design,” said US-based designer Giancarlo Valle.
      “Sustainability cannot be separated from the world of building,” he argued. “The most sustainable thing one can do as a designer is to create something that someone will not want to take down after a short period of time.”
      Nordic Knots in Stockholm has an interior by Studio Giancarlo Valle. Photo courtesy of Nordic KnotsSpacon & X’s Hvidt added that customers are also increasingly demanding when it comes to sustainability.
      “Sustainability is fast becoming a key consideration when it comes to interior design,” she said.
      “Studios such as ours are always looking for new ways to become increasingly responsible – this is also what clients are expecting as we collectively become more aware of our impact on the planet, especially for future generations.”
      This focus is seen in the use of plants and trees indoors as well as outdoors to create biophilic designs – interiors that are more connected to the natural environment.
      “Biophilia will continue to be a staple in the design aesthetic as well as beautiful, natural and healthy surface finishes,” said Ojuolape.
      “The biophilic movement will remain strong,” agreed Sultan.
      “In the future, ‘high-end’ may mean local artisan work” 
      Ogufere added that sustainable design will draw on local communities.
      “Sustainability takes a global stage, with collaborative projects empowering local communities and embracing circular design principles, reflecting a collective commitment to environmentally conscious practices worldwide,” she said.
      “Personally, I believe that sustainability is about building with a local hand, using local materials to create a profound sense of community and reduce carbon emissions,” agreed RA!’s Ramírez de Aguilar.
      “Architects are becoming more aware of their immediate context and are losing the fear of only using ‘high-end materials.’ In the near future, ‘high-end’ may mean local artisan work.”
      Uchronia believes we will see warm colours like in its Paris coffee shop. Photo by Félix Dol MaillotFinally, designers were also planning to include technology in their interiors next year.
      “Technology will be used to enhance the quality of living,” said Sultan.
      Terui and Yayama from I IN, who see textiles as a strong trend next year, said: “Collaboration between the interior design and fashion industries can contribute to the development of new technology which in turn allows innovative spaces to be created.”
      Fu believes this can also help make projects more sustainable, saying: “I think considerations for sustainability is an integral aspect of my design approach, it’s all an organic and subconscious act – from the selection of materials to the integration of technology into the design without undermining the overall experience in mind.”
      Dezeen In DepthIf you enjoy reading Dezeen’s interviews, opinions and features, subscribe to Dezeen In Depth. Sent on the last Friday of each month, this newsletter provides a single place to read about the design and architecture stories behind the headlines.

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      Studio Gameiro draws on Algarve’s craftsmanship for Austa restaurant interior

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      A bench made from ancient rock salt, a carved stone bar and custom-made aluminium furniture were used by Studio Gameiro for the interior of Portuguese restaurant Austa.

      Located in the town of Almancil, Portugal, the studio drew on the craftsmanship of the surrounding Algarve region when designing the interior of the Austa restaurant and coffee shop, which also has a shoppable pantry.
      Studio Gameiro designed the interior of Austa”The inspiration behind the design of Austa was a fascinating journey rooted in the rich heritage and craftsmanship of a much underrated – and still unknown – area in the Algarve region of Portugal,” studio founder João Gameiro told Dezeen.
      “It has an extraordinary tradition in expertly crafted objects, from ceramics to weaving, iron and copper works, and even salt extraction, which ended up playing an absolute central role in the project.”
      A sofa made from rock salt is among the custom-designed furnitureStudio Gameiro used tactile materials for the restaurant, cladding its walls in soft lime stucco in earthy beige and tan hues.

      Much of the furniture was custom-built, including a four-metre-long bench and a collection of bespoke plinths made out of locally mined rock salt.
      “We learnt that right underneath our feet, in Loulé, there was a rock salt mine, 230 metres deep into the Earth, with 230-million-years-old salt,” Gameiro said.
      More than 200 salt blocks make up the bench”We had to do something with this incredible material and convinced the Loulé mine to collaborate with us to transform some of their leftover pieces into building blocks, and then ‘puzzling’ them out to form a completely original object,” he continued.
      “These blocks were carved in the same dimensions of the terracotta tiles used in several complementary projects, and arranged in a specific manner, extending the formal reference of the geometry patterns found in the local terracotta kilns.”
      Customers can shop the pantry section of AustaThe resulting bench was constructed from 230 geometric blocks made from the rock salt, which Gameiro said are “almost as strong as stone”.
      “In essence, the Austa project not only carries a story of design and craftsmanship but also embraces the strength and endurance of materials deeply rooted in the Algarve’s geological history,” Gameiro said. “Digging down to showcase something unique out in the open.”
      Aluminium chairs were made for the restaurantAusta’s founders Emma and David Campus and Studio Gameiro also worked with local artisans to create custom-made furniture for the store. This includes wooden stools informed by Portuguese cafe chairs, as well as locally made aluminium chairs.
      Stone was used for the main bar in the restaurant in another reference to the history of the Algarve.

      Portugal’s eight-room Dá Licença hotel offers a “more personalised” guest experience

      “The central bar showcases intricately carved moleanos stone blocks, a nod to the region’s mining heritage, complementing the light hues of the space,” Gameiro said.
      “Bespoke designed fixed equipment, including bathroom sinks, echoes the dimensions of terracotta tiles, paying tribute to the sea’s colours and textures.”
      Copper light pendants decorate the spaceCopper and other metals were chosen for decorative and practical accessories.
      “Our research on local craftsmanship led us to incorporate copper, gold and silver, echoing techniques dating back to the Roman and Arab periods,” Gameiro said.
      “Inspired by the art of making copper saucepans (still amply used nowadays), a nine-piece series of copper light pendants was designed to create a moody light feature, celebrating heritage, memory, and expertise, and the serendipity of all involved.”
      The bar was made from carved moleanos stone blocksAusta and Studio Gameiro will also release a limited collection of the furniture designed for the restaurant that will be available for purchase, making it a shoppable interior.
      Other notable interior projects in Portugal include an Algarve boutique hotel with vintage furnishings and a home with an interior that was informed by theatre spaces.

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      Moroni Ciovini and Ana Montero expose textured concrete walls in Buenos Aires shop

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      Local architecture studio Moroni Ciovini and designer Ana Montero have preserved the exposed layers of concrete wall for this bookstore and café in Buenos Aires.

      At just 247 square feet (23 square metres), Medio Pan cafe is just large enough to fit seating, a bar and bookshelves, which are located at the back and front of the store.
      Local studio Moroni++Ciovini and designer Ana Montero have completed a café and bookstore in Buenos AiresFor the shop’s interior, Moroni Ciovini (M++C) and Montero created a furniture unit of multilaminate guatambú wood that makes up the shop’s seating, bar and posterior bookshelf.
      A narrow bench runs along the length of the shop, facing the bar, so that visitors can get a closer look at the barista’s work, according to the team.
      The team preserved the original flooring and textured walls of the spaceStorage was integrated below the bench, while small wooden armrests were placed periodically and double as side tables.

      The seating runs directly into the bookshelf, which expands over the entrance to storage space at the back of the store. A chainlink fence extends from the top of the bookshelf to meet the ceiling.
      They created a wooden furniture system for the space that consists of seating, a bar and a bookshelfOn the opposite side of the bookshelf, a wider bench takes up the corner, providing a nook for visitors to more “calmly” enjoy a book.
      The cafe bar takes up the remaining space, with its front abutting the shop’s facade to double as a window counter.
      A soft green was used in tiles, paint, and textilesThe team created folding glass doors for the storefront, which can be arranged in a variety of positions. Small shelves were affixed to the doors, which display a changing parade of books held down by neon green elastic and small wooden pins.
      According to the team, the folding doors were created to evoke newsstands found throughout Buenos Aires.

      Florencia Rissotti uses curtains to organise Buenos Aires fabric shop

      The space was completed with soft green highlights, found in backsplash tile, cushioning and pillows that line the wooden seating, a curtain at the back of the store and Formica countertops.
      The layers and patterns of the textured concrete walls were kept largely preserved and covered with a transparent coating to display the space’s previous uses, while the team also decided to keep the original granite tile as a nod to the building’s history.
      The storefront was informed by newsstands found throughout Buenos AiresMoroni Ciovini is a Buenos Aires and Valencia-based architecture studio founded by Christian Moroni and Belén Ciovini.
      Elsewhere in Buenos Aires, designer Florencia Rissotti recently renovated a warehouse to host a fabric store and architects Julio Oropel and Jose Luis Zacarias Otiñano created a bio-art installation focused on fungi.
      The photography is by Fernando Schapochnik
      Project credits:
      Architecture: Moroni++Ciovini, Ana Montero Construction: Estudio KO

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      Dezeen Debate features restaurant with “rich details” in Detroit Book Tower

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      The latest edition of our Dezeen Debate newsletter features hospitality venues inside Detroit’s restored Book Tower by Method Co. Subscribe to Dezeen Debate now.

      As part of an extensive restoration of the 1920s neoclassical building by its developer and architecture studio ODA, design company Method Co was brought on to conceptualise and operate several restaurants, bars and a hotel within the Book Tower.
      Commenters were full of praise for the project, with one saying “those interiors are lavish – the rich details” and another noting its “incredible fresh 21st-century feel”.
      Bright yellow balconies enliven Melbourne apartment block by Austin Maynard ArchitectsOther stories in this week’s newsletter that fired up the comments section included an apartment block in Melbourne designed by Austin Maynard Architects, a food container system that reveals if something is safe to eat and the news that Saudi Arabian mega project Neom has revealed the Gulf of Aqaba yachting town by 10 Design.
      Dezeen Debate 

      Dezeen Debate is sent every Thursday and features a selection of the best reader comments and most talked-about stories. Read the latest edition of Dezeen Debate or subscribe here. 
      You can also subscribe to our other newsletters; Dezeen Agenda is sent every Tuesday containing a selection of the most important news highlights from the week, Dezeen Daily is our daily bulletin that contains every story published in the preceding 24 hours and Dezeen In Depth is sent on the last Friday of every month and delves deeper into the major stories shaping architecture and design. 

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      Method Architecture outfits its Houston office with vibrant mural

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      Texas studio Method Architecture has completed an office for itself in Houston with maximalist design, vibrant colours and a mural at its centre.

      The 8,612-square foot (800-square metre) studio was completed in 2023 with a reception area, open office plan, private and collaborative meeting spaces and staff lounges.
      Method Architecture has completed its self-designed studioLocated in the mixed-use East River development, designed by architecture studio Page, the office was designed to serve as an inspiration source for the studio’s clients.
      “Our approach was to pursue maximalism with the goal of creating an environment where our clients would feel safe expressing their bold and innovative ideas with us,” Ashley Bettcher, Research and Design Specialist with Method Architecture told Dezeen.
      The office was designed to serve as an inspiration source”Creativity has no limits and great design doesn’t necessarily need to cost more. Method’s new Houston office perfectly encapsulates that mantra.”

      The “ego-free” focus of the design is a nearly 50-foot multi-wall mural by local artist David Maldonado, known for creating nearly 20 pieces of public artwork throughout Houston.
      David Maldonado created a multi-wall mural for the studioWith pops of magenta, cobalt, and yellow, the mural features icons from the city and state like the skyline, a rocket for Johnson Space Center, a bluebonnet as the Texas state flower, and the neighbouring Buffalo Bayou.
      The artwork also slips in custom motifs representing the studio, such as Method’s rubber duck mascot.
      Light grey flower-like acoustic baffles hang from the ceiling”This feature piece of artwork helps set the tone for the remainder of the office including bold colors, geometric patterns and shapes and a secondary mural designed and installed by Maldanado featuring drip paint in mirroring colorways located at the back of the office,” the team said.
      The mural is complemented by a 3D-printed wall installation behind the reception desk composed of the studio’s signature “M” logo and the raw ceiling with exposed mechanical lines all painted a vibrant shade of fuchsia.
      Clients pass through a half-arched portalLight grey flower-like acoustic baffles hang from the ceiling adding to the maximalist design. Light blue bicycles are mounted on one wall as another unique installation.
      From the reception area lounge, clients pass through a half-arched portal – created with custom millwork and embedded lights – into the main office space which includes rows of desks over custom greyscale carpet.
      Hotel desk stations accommodate hybrid work stylesHotel desk stations accommodate hybrid work styles for both in-office and at-home work.
      “Cozy architectural work booths are nestled amid the bustling breakroom and office areas, offering a quiet refuge for more private work, private conversations or meals with coworkers,” the team said.

      Ten maximalist interiors that are saturated with colours and patterns

      The workspace is flanked by six meeting rooms: a large creative conference space, three medium-sized conference rooms and two smaller huddle spaces.
      The all-white conference room was left intentionally blank to showcase the client’s material selections with tunable white lights to adjust the light temperature for each project.
      An M-shaped window cutout opens the conference room to the rest of the officeAn M-shaped window cutout opens the conference room to the rest of the office.
      In the break room, bright blue suede fabric adorns the walls to provide an unexpected texture and pale blue lamp shades – reminiscent of the shape of inverted cupcake liners – serve as a geometric juxtaposition to the rounded banquette boxes.
      Bright blue suede fabric adorns the walls in the break room”Plush, psychedelic-inspired fabrics in meeting booths and distinctive light fixtures keep the space feeling light and fun to inspire creative design,” the studio said.
      In addition to being designed for flexible workflows and teams, the space features multiple sustainable and WELL features like ample daylighting, repurposed materials and ergonomic furniture.
      Other recently completed projects in Houston include Nelson Byrd Woltz’s grassed park that bridges a six-lane highway and Modu’s design for a wellness building with a self-cooling exterior.
      The photography is by Ana Larranaga, Method Architecture.
      Project credits:
      Architecture: Method ArchitectureMEP: Telios EngineeringGeneral contractor: Burton ConstructionFurniture: AGILE Interiors, MDI, OP,Flooring: Interface, Shaw ContractTile: Trinity Surfaces, La NovaTextiles: Knoll TextilesMasonry: Upchurch KimbroughDemountable partitions: DIRTTCountertops: CAMBRIAMural: David MaldonadoLighting: Lighting Associates Inc.Signage: ARIA Signs

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      There’s still time to be listed in Dezeen’s digital guide for Stockholm Design Week 2024

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      You can still be featured in Dezeen Events Guide’s digital guide to Stockholm Design Week 2024, which runs from 5 to 11 February.

      Dezeen’s guide will spotlight the key events taking place during the festival, which has a programme of exhibitions, installations, talks, fairs and open showrooms.
      Among the events is the Stockholm Furniture Fair, which presents established and emerging designers, as well as more than 150 brands, from 6 to 10 February 2024.
      The festival, which enters in 22nd year, predominantly takes place in central Stockholm, with some fringe events taking place further afield.
      Get listed in Dezeen’s digital Stockholm guide

      Dezeen offers standard and enhanced listings in its Stockholm guide.
      Standard listings cost £100 and include the event name, date and location details plus a website link. These listings will also feature up to 50 words of text about the event.
      Enhanced listings cost £175 and include all of the above plus an image at the top of the listing’s page and an image in the listing preview on the Dezeen Events Guide homepage. These listings will also feature up to 100 words of text about the event.
      For more information about partnering with us to help amplify your event, contact the team at [email protected].
      About Dezeen Events Guide
      Dezeen Events Guide is our guide to the best architecture and design events taking place across the world each year.
      The guide is updated weekly and includes virtual events, conferences, trade fairs, major exhibitions and design weeks.
      For more details on inclusion in the Dezeen Events Guide, including in our guide to Stockholm Design Week, email [email protected].
      The illustration is by Rima Sabina Aouf.

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      PL Studio applies Moroccan-inspired palette to London townhouse

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      Interior design office PL Studio has transformed an east London townhouse using colours and graphics that take cues from the Jardin Majorelle in Marrakesh.

      The three-storey, new-build house features similar shades of blue, green and yellow to the Morrocan villa that was once home to artist Jacques Majorelle.
      The home’s colour palette draws from the Jardin Majorelle in MarrakeshFurther green tones allude to the villa’s verdant garden, while soft pink hues bring a sense of overall “warmth and joy” to the palette.
      PL Studio designed the scheme for creative couple Tom Lalande and Julian-Pascal Saadi, who live in the house with their chihuahua puppy, Sasha-Lee.
      A green shade was applied to the main bedroomThe studio founders, couple Sabrina Panizza and Aude Lerin, felt the design should reflect their clients’ love of colour.

      “Although we admired the architecture and loved how the townhouse was beautifully filled with natural light, we felt that overall, the property was lacking character and positivity,” said the pair.
      “We wanted to create a home that reflected our clients’ personalities and joyful spirit, a home filled with positive energy.”
      The reception room features cobalt blue walls and arch graphicsLalande and Saadi had recently returned from a trip to Marrakesh, which led this to becoming the starting point for the design.
      The reference is most evident in a reception room at the house’s entrance, which features cobalt blue walls, a colour-block rug, plants and a Tom Dixon Etch pendant light in gold-toned brass.
      The arch graphics feature on both walls and doorwaysThe effect is heightened by paint graphics that include arched openings – both real and illusionary – and stepped blocks that create the suggestion of extra staircases.
      As Saadi works as a psychologist, this room primarily serves as a waiting room for his clients.
      Picture-frame-style graphics provide a backdrop to the dining tableThe couple’s main living space occupies the uppermost floor, where an L-shaped room gives the pair a combined kitchen, dining area and lounge.
      Geometric wall graphics tie these three spaces together but also highlight the divides between them. The most striking of these is a triptych of picture-frame-style blocks that frame the dining table.

      Familien Kvistad brings colour to 1950s house in Oslo

      “Our clients didn’t have a clear idea of what they wanted, but they had a strong desire to be surrounded by pieces of art, colours and objects that would give them good energy, which is so powerful,” said Panizza and Lerin.
      “They were not afraid of mixing different shades and colour combinations, so we went for bright, bold, and fearless!”
      A guest bedroom features a striped ceiling akin to a market stall awningThe main bedroom, located on the middle floor, uses subtly different shades of green to create colour depth. This is offset with monochrome stripes and pops of pink and blue.
      Also on this floor is a guest bedroom that doubles as a dressing room, featuring a striped ceiling that looks like a market stall awning and a pink bathroom framed by black linear details.
      Arches feature throughout these spaces, in the form of mirrors and wardrobes as well as wall graphics.
      A pink bathroom is framed by black linear detailsSaadi’s ground-floor office takes the place of a third bedroom. This room has a different character from the rest of the house, with details inspired by surrealist art.
      Key features include a sculptural table in the shape of a hand and ceiling wallpaper depicting a cloudy sky.
      A ground-floor office takes cues from surrealist art. Photo is by Aude LerinPanizza hopes the “kaleidoscopic” project can serve to inspire people who see London’s new-build homes as characterless compared with the city’s older properties.
      “We want to show it is absolutely possible to create a home with lots of personality and character. It just takes a bit of courage,” she told Dezeen.
      The photography is by Taran Wilkhu unless otherwise indicated. Top image is by Aude Lerin

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      Michael Hsu converts 1900s Austin house into luxury office

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      Texas studio Michael Hsu Office of Architecture adapted a 110-year-old bungalow into an office for technology and bio-science investment firm 8VC in Austin.

      Completed in 2023, 8VC’s new Austin headquarters are located on a half-acre lot along South Congress Avenue, a busy entertainment district of the Texas capital.
      Michael Hsu Office of Architecture renovated an early 20th-century house in AustinOriginally constructed in 1912, the home was once a brothel and had many renovations, becoming the first building south of the city’s Colorado River to have power.
      “This project preserves one of the few remaining stately houses on South Congress,” Michael Hsu, founder of his eponymous studio, told Dezeen. “The design takes cues from its past by providing a fresh take on vintage inspirations and opens up the space to accommodate modern uses.”
      The design preserved many original detailsUsing the client’s desire for “an office that felt like a home,” the team revamped the two-storey house into a 4,845-square foot (450-square metre) workspace with multiple production, meeting, and gathering spaces — including a 557-square feet (52-square metre) clubhouse tucked at the back of the property.

      The preserved exterior of the building draws on the home’s original stately design but was updated and sealed in a dark matte finished stucco with low-profile dark window frames.
      The ground floor is oriented around hearth spacesRelocating the entry around the side of the property with a grand wrap-around plaza, the home’s original screened porch was traded for a glazed exterior corner that connects the exterior and interior spaces.
      The ground floor consists of multiple indoor and outdoor gathering spaces. The interior is organized around a central enfilade and two hearth spaces inspired by the original brick chimneys.
      The clients wanted a home-like feel to the interiorThe rich, warm-toned interior has a “sophisticated study-like atmosphere is achieved through the careful selection of materials and color-mapped palettes, including walnut wood floors, lime wash paint, striking wall coverings, plaster arches and marble finishes,” the team said.
      Plaster arched openings pass from the white central lounge to jewel-toned gathering spaces – one of which features a ribbed black fireplace that appears to melt into the floor in front of a marble coffee table.
      A mix of modern and antique furniture was used”The furnishings, a mix of vintage and modern pieces with luxe fabrics and textures, create a sense of intimacy.”
      Designed to be “luxurious but not ostentatious”, the office features textured and sculptural accents like a leather-wrapped reception desk by David Ambrose and a grand chandelier by Karen Hawkins that hangs in the centre of the staircase.

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      Above, the plan was reorganised with a large open desk layout in the southern corner along the glazed wall and private offices lining the northwestern and northeastern walls.
      “The interior was inspired to feel fresh but like it was original to the house,” the team said with “multiple moments of surprise and intrigue depending on where you are in the space”.

      Between the main office and the separated clubhouse is a large outdoor gathering area shaded by the heritage tree canopy that the team preserved during construction.
      “It was important to us that the building and its design reflect the values of our company and our mission,” 8VC founder Jake Medwell told Dezeen. “It took years to find and build out the right place and we are very happy with the outcome.”
      Recently, Michael Hsu Office of Architecture adapted a 1930s church in Austin into a studio for argodesign.
      The photography is by Chase Daniel.
      Project credits:
      Landscape: MHOAGeneral contractor: The Burt GroupMEP: AYSStructural: StructuresOwner’s rep: Darrell Arevalo, Urban TerraWaterproofing: ActonCivil: WGISignage: BIG

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