Lookbooks

Subterms

    More stories

    • 88 Shares179 Views

      in Rooms

      Ten residential interiors illuminated by statement skylights

      by

      A New York townhouse with elliptical openings features in our latest lookbook, which collects 10 residential projects brightened up by skylights.

      A skylight is a window placed on a roof, which is generally positioned at an angle so that natural light from the sky can illuminate the interior space below it.
      Architects and designers often use skylights in their projects as an alternative to traditional windows, whether it is for the purpose of giving a building a greater sense of privacy or simply as a decorative source of light.
      A similar effect can be reached by installing clerestory windows, which are windows that sit very high up on walls.
      From a weekend retreat in Norway to an Australian island home, we have collected 10 residential interiors with striking skylights.

      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks showcasing compact bedrooms, innovative room dividers and self-designed studios by architects and designers.
      Photo is by Michael MoranOculi House, USA, by O’Neill Rose Architects
      Local office O’Neill Rose Architects transformed this New York City brownstone, which was previously characterised by dark interior spaces, using two elliptical skylights.
      The curved openings were carved out of the property’s white plaster ceiling, while rectilinear glass doors also contribute to the home’s airy atmosphere.
      Called Oculi House, the project was shortlisted for a 2019 Dezeen Award in the house interior of the year category.
      Find out more about Oculi House ›
      Photo is by Einar AslaksenWeekend House Fredrikstad, Norway, by Line Solgaard
      The pyramid-shaped skylight that tops this coastal holiday home illuminates its interior spaces, including an oak-lined dining room with vast windows that look towards the sea.
      Norweigan studio Line Solgaard added darker cabinets and flooring to the kitchen, which contrast with the shafts of natural light that flood the space and create dramatic shadows.
      Find out more about Weekend House Fredrikstad ›
      Photo is by Peter ClarkeCasa X, Australia, by Branch Studio Architects
      A mid-century armchair and rounded Muuto coffee tables sit beneath clerestory windows at Casa X, a home on Australia’s Phillip Island by Branch Studio Architects that also has a number of large skylights.
      “Three ‘pop-up’ high-level windows or light-catchers allow northern light to penetrate deep into the house throughout the day,” explained the studio.
      Find out more about Casa X ›
      Photo is courtesy of Fala AtelierHouse in Lisbon by Fala Atelier
      Porto architecture firm Fala Atelier converted a windowless garage in Lisbon into a bright living space that was opened up by placing skylights on the roof and painting the walls white.
      Pops of colour brighten up the spacious interior. In the kitchen area, a teal-hued, funnel-shaped extractor fan is suspended above a long marble counter.
      Find out more about this Lisbon home ›
      Photo is courtesy of Yoshihara McKeePhotographer’s Loft, USA, by Yoshihara McKee
      Natural light enters this Chelsea apartment via an angled skylight that illuminates the dwelling, which is located on the ground floor despite its name, Photographer’s Loft.
      Architecture studio Yoshihara McKee removed the apartment’s existing full-height partitions in order to make the most of the skylight, which frames sculptural furniture in neutral shades.
      Find out more about Photographer’s Loft ›
      Photo is by James FlorioADU, USA, by Tres Birds Workshop
      Architecture firm Tres Birds Workshop created an operable skylight from dichroic glass in this accessory dwelling unit (ADU), which is located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.
      The multicoloured glass was added to the building’s triangular timber roof in a position that means that light is cast all over the interior spaces.
      “As the angle of the sun changes throughout the day and season, so do the visual effects within the living space, creating a vibrant show of coloured light throughout,” explained Tres Birds.
      Find out more about this ADU ›
      Photo is by Aryeh KornfeldMogro House, Chile, by Rodolfo Cañas
      Morgo House in Santiago features a protruding stainless steel volume with an oversized skylight that gave the property its nickname, Skylight House.
      Chilean architect Rodolfo Cañas also inserted a floating metal staircase into the volume, which leads to the roof. Monochrome furniture was chosen to mirror the palette of steel and exposed concrete used throughout the house.
      Find out more about Mogro House ›
      Photo is by Katsuya TairaHouse with a Light Void, Japan, by FujiwaraMuro Architects
      Privacy is achieved in this home in Japan by FujiwaraMuro Architects through a series of geometric skylights that replace traditional windows.
      Each of these openings is arranged above five cement-clad volumes that are positioned within the minimal project, which is aptly named House with a Light Void.
      Find out more about House with a Light Void ›
      Photo is by José CamposCasa Boavista, Portugal, by Pablo Pita Architects
      Casa Boavista is a Porto townhouse located on a busy street, which was renovated to include skylights on multiple levels to afford the property a sense of privacy.
      Pablo Pita Architects added an extension to the back of the house as well as a new storey on top of it, while a trio of skylights illuminate the neutral interiors in three different places.
      Find out more about Casa Boavista ›
      Photo is by Andy StaggHouse in London by R2 Studio
      A bold colour palette takes centre stage in every room of this Victorian London home that was livened up by local practice R2 Studio.
      Central to the renovation is one of two feature staircases, which has a bright orange hue accentuated by a skylight that adds warmth to the already colourful interiors.
      Find out more about this London home ›
      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 basement conversions, co-working spaces and residential interiors with plaster walls.

      Read more: More

    • 88 Shares159 Views

      in Rooms

      Ten living rooms with sculptural furniture pieces

      by

      For our latest lookbook, we have selected 10 living rooms from the Dezeen archive that feature sculptural furniture, from plump and rounded sofas to reclining wooden chairs.

      The interiors in this lookbook are filled with curved forms, soft angles and artistic shapes, giving them a gallery-like feel.
      Each living room has a unique collection of sculptural pieces, with some playing host to lightweight minimalist items that echo their pared-back interiors while others house fluffy, dense items that reflect the tactile home in which they belong.
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks of homes with welcoming terraces, sleek co-working spaces and well-organised bedrooms.
      Photo is by Scott Frances6A, US, by Brad Ford

      This double-height living room with expansive windows is situated within Cast Iron House, a historic building in New York’s Tribeca neighbourhood that is being turned into apartments by Japanese architect Shigeru Ban.
      Directly beneath a sculptural hanging mobile lies a low slung bench-style seat in tan leather and a low coffee table showcasing a selection of homeware items.
      One of 13 residential spaces inside the building, the show home is kitted out by interior designer Brad Ford who hoped to compliment Ban’s striking work with vintage furnishings and neutral tones.
      Find out more about 6A ›
      Photo is by Ishita SitwalaMumbai Apartment, India, by The Act of Quad
      In this high rise flat in India’s capital Mumbai, spherical curved tables and orbed shaped sculptures are dotted all over, punctuating the otherwise minimalist space.
      In the open-plan living room, a circular coffee table surrounded by curved benches provides a playful element that contrasts with the neutral-hued tones, wooden materials and soft curtains.
      Find out more about Mumbai Apartment ›
      Photo is by Sean DavidsonAmity Street Residence, US, by Sarah Akkari and Rawan Muqaddas
      Three pieces of seating furniture take centre stage in the living room of this apartment on the fourth floor of a building in Brooklyn, with a circular lamp and marble table acting as supporting characters.
      Architectural design studios Sarah Akkari and Rawan Muqaddas transformed what was once a neglected apartment into a “minimal but warm” residence typified by creamy colours and soft furnishings.
      Find out more about Amity Street Residence ›
      Photo is by Simone BossiMA House, France, by Timothee Mercier
      Architect Timothee Mercier built what he refers to as an “intimate refuge” for his parents in Vaucluse, France, in what was previously an old farmhouse.
      Tasked with converting the ruined and dilapidated building into a light and airy residence aligned with the rural landscape, Mercier chose rustic furnishings in neutral tones and natural materials like oak wood and raffia.
      In the central living room, he added a pair of cane armchairs with high backs and a round wooden coffee table that was sourced in a Parisian flea market.
      Find out more about MA House ›
      Photo is by Stephen Kent JohnsonOne Manhattan Square, US, by Jamie Bush
      American designer Jamie Bush packed this New York apartment full of eclectic furnishings in a kaleidoscope of styles, colours and textures.
      Bush’s mix of old and new elements is particularly evident in the living spaces where items such as a black 1972 Hoop chair by Piero Palange and Werther Toffoloni is paired with an undulating rust-coloured sofa.
      Find out more about One Manhattan Square ›
      Photo is by The Fishy ProjectThane Apartment, India, by The Act of Quad
      Thane Apartment was designed by The Act of Quad anf is easily distinguished by its cobalt blue accents seen on the furnishings and fittings.
      Located in the Indian city of Thane, the 101-square-metre home has a number of bespoke items including a grey L-shaped sofa, a padded swing and a quartz-topped dining table.
      The striking blue colour scheme is continued in the living room, where the shade crops up on rounded piping and bead-like attachments on the stools.
      Find out more about Thane Apartment ›
      Photo is by Paula Abreu Pita for Standard ArtsThe Bryant apartment, US, by Standard Arts
      Constructed inside British architect David Chipperfield’s residential tower The Bryant, this two-bedroom model unit is furnished with playful decor and colourful artwork.
      In the living room, curatorial firm Standard Arts added sculptural foam and plywood chairs and a curving, acrylic floor lamp from Objects of Common Interest. Like the rest of the interior, the studio wanted it to “appeal to the uniquely curious mind”.
      Find out more about The Bryant apartment ›
      Photo is by Sean DavidsonWest Village apartment, US, by Olivier Garcé
      Designed by New York-based interior designer Olivier Garcé, this contemporary show space is set within a pre-war brownstone building in the West Village, New York.
      The designer aimed to turn his apartment into a gallery space for his friends’ work, which includes a coffee table with three carved wood legs and Ian Felton’s Kosa Side Chair.
      Find out more about West Village apartment ›
      Photo is by Nicole FranzenAmagansett House, US, by Athena Calderone
      A cosy, intimate feel was incorporated into this mid-century Long Island dwelling Amagansett House by way of linen fabrics, vintage finds and plaster walls.
      New York designer Athena Calderone, who owns and lives in the apartment, revived the interiors with a pale palette and a combination of contemporary and vintage pieces that include sculptural ornaments, urns and candle holders.
      Find out more about Amagansett House ›
      Photo is by Denilson MachadoDN Apartment, Brasil, by BC Arquitetos
      A walnut coffee table with triangular legs framed by a curved sage green sofa is the focal point for this São Paulo apartment by Brazilian studio BC Arquitetos, which houses a collection of mid-20th century art.
      Designed for a landscape architect client, the 230-square-metre apartment is wrapped in natural walnut wood, interrupted only by original faceted concrete columns.
      Find out more about DN Apartment ›
      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 compact bedrooms, basement conversions and interiors with innovative room dividers.

      Read more: More

    • 138 Shares179 Views

      in Rooms

      Ten homes with welcoming terraces to spend a summer night on

      by

      For our latest lookbook, we’ve rounded up 10 homes from the Dezeen archive with inviting, inventive or unusual terraces each offering a pleasant place to while away a warm evening.

      Terraces can be an effective, low-maintenance way to provide an outdoor spot for relaxing or entertaining without requiring an abundance of space. Typically they take the form of a raised, flat outdoor area adjoining a building.
      The examples collected below range from the fairly familiar to the distinctly unconventional, including roof terraces, back garden terraces and enclosed terraces.
      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 homes centred around interior courtyards, interiors with conversation pits and buildings that make use of Mediterranean-style tiling.
      Photo is by Alex Shoots BuildingsTerrace with a House by the Lake, Poland, by UGO

      Sliding doors open onto a 120-metre-long wooden terrace enclosed by this U-shaped holiday home, designed by Polish architecture studio UGO to create the feeling of being immersed in the rural surroundings.
      “Its slightly raised platform was intended to allow the household members to commune with nature, without interfering with it,” UGO said of the terrace, which is lined with Siberian larch.
      Find out more about Terrace with a House by the Lake ›
      Photo is by Markus LinderothVilla MSV, Sweden, by Johan Sundberg Arkitektur
      This T-shaped house in southern Sweden, designed by Lund-based studio Johan Sundberg Arkitektur, has not one but three terraces around its living spaces so its users can follow the sun throughout the day.
      They are shaded by canopies made from zinc and larch with varying sizes and forms to respond to the direction of the sun, some with timber slats to filter light and others blocking it out completely.
      Find out more about Villa MSV ›
      Photo is by Marie-Caroline LucatMaison 0.82, France, by Pascual Architect
      A huge, round hole punctures the concrete roof above this terrace at a villa in southern France by Pascual Architect, causing a shaft of light to move across the space during the day.
      Wooden benches and a dining table occupy the patio, which wraps around the southern side of the house and is accessed by floor-to-ceiling glass doors.
      Find out more about Maison 0.82 ›
      Photo is by Ståle EriksenNorth London House, UK, by Cathie Curran and O’Sullivan Skoufoglou Architects
      As part of their overhaul of this house in north London, Cathie Curran and O’Sullivan Skoufoglou Architects added a roof terrace connected to the kitchen and dining room on the first floor.
      In order to retain privacy from the windows of neighbouring houses, the 18-square-metre terrace is lined on three sides with a series of solid-ash posts supporting opaque glazing.
      Find out more about North London House ›
      Photo is by Filippo PoliFuzzy House, Thailand, by SO
      Architecture practice SO topped this bunker-like concrete house in the Thai city of Chiang Mai with a stepped terrace where residents can sit and look out over the square below.
      Inside, the shape of the rooftop terrace forms a stepped ceiling peppered with skylights above the living area and bedroom.
      Find out more about Fuzzy House ›
      Photo is by Yasuhiro TakagiWeather House, Japan, by Not Architects
      External staircases wrap around two sides of this three-storey corner house in Tokyo designed by Not Architects Studio, creating multiple terraces linked to the home’s open-plan living areas by sliding doors.
      These outdoor living spaces are screened with chain-link wire mesh, up which plants will eventually climb to form a layer of vegetation offering privacy from the outside world.
      Find out more about Weather House ›
      Photo is by French + TyeAmott Road house, UK, by Alexander Owen Architecture
      Alexander Owen Architecture added a colourful terrace to the back garden of this house in London, attached to the kitchen by arched double doors.
      It was informed by the owners’ love of modernism and pop art including Jasper Johns, Peter Blake and Terry Frost, with geometric shapes and bold pigments.
      Find out more about this Amott Road house ›
      Photo is by Ivar KaalVilla Aa, Norway, by CF Møller Architects
      Villa Aa, designed by Danish studio CF Møller Architects, is a 375-square-metre home half-buried in a shallow hill on a Norwegian farm overlooking a nearby fjord.
      A pair of stepped terraces with almost double the footprint of the villa’s entire interior sit alongside the house. One is occupied by planted beds and seating and the other, lower terrace comprises a rainwater pool and a swimming pool.
      Find out more about Villa Aa ›
      Photo is by ONI StudioPortable Cabin, Poland, by Wiercinski Studio
      This 25-square-metre roof terrace emerges out of a portable house made from two shipping containers stacked on top of another two containers used for garden storage.
      Polish practice Wiercinski Studio decked the terrace, which has views over a nearby river, and wrapped it in a curved metal balustrade.
      Find out more about Portable Cabin ›
      Photo is by Adriâ Goulá.Curved House, Menorca, by Nomo Studio
      Architects Nomo Studio suspended this terrace in the top of a cube-shaped Menorcan villa which is arranged over six stepped levels on a small footprint.
      Two sides of the terracotta-tiled patio are fully glazed, allowing sunlight to flood down into the home’s interior while keeping the outdoor space sheltered enough to use for stargazing or open-air film screenings.
      Find out more about Curved House ›
      This is the latest in our series of lookbooks providing curated visual inspiration from Dezeen’s image archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks showcasing homes centred around interior courtyards, interiors with conversation pits and buildings that make use of Mediterranean-style tiling.

      Read more: More

    • 100 Shares119 Views

      in Rooms

      Ten social kitchen interiors with built-in seating nooks

      by

      For our latest lookbook, we’ve rounded up ten kitchens that integrated seating – from window seats with garden views to benches that double up as vinyl storage.

      Dezeen’s lookbook series provides curated visual inspiration from our image archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks showcasing textured plaster walls, sculptural staircases and basement conversions.

      Birkedal, Denmark, by Jan Henrik Jansen
      On the Danish island of Møn, architect Jan Henrik Jansen designed a cluster of nine cylindrical holiday homes covered in spruce logs in the hopes of bringing guests closer to their rural environment.
      Here, windows seats are nestled into the curvature of each cabin while pebbles collected from a nearby beach line the floors.

      Find out more about Birkedal ›

      Grove Park, England, by O’Sullivan Skoufoglou Architects
      O’Sullivan Skoufoglou Architects added a huge picture window to the kitchen of this gardeners’ home to provide varied views of the greenery and the wild woodland outside.
      A comfy seating nook is integrated into its deep-set frame, finished in the same pale ash veneer that panels the rest of the interior.
      Find out more about Grove Park ›

      AR Residence, England, DeDraft
      A concrete bench seat sits opposite the dining table in this London home, measuring just high enough to store the owner’s collection of vinyl records underneath.
      Materials throughout the interior follow a muted natural palette, featuring large-format concrete tiles, exposed Douglas fir roof joists and lacquered-pine window mullions.
      Find out more about AR Residence ›

      Coastal Retreat, USA, by Malcolm Davis Architecture
      Plywood covers the double-height interior of this holiday home, forming a seating nook with integrated shelving that connects the elevated kitchen to the living space beyond.
      Set in California’s Sea Ranch community, which is celebrated as one of the best collections of modernist architecture on America’s West Coast, the house was arranged around views of the rugged coastline.
      Find out more about Coastal Retreat ›

      Low Energy House, England, by Architecture for London
      Original Edwardian details including structural masonry walls and timber roof beams were retained and exposed in this renovation and extension project in London.
      This is complemented by a windows seat made from chunky limestone, which is placed opposite a kitchen counter honed out of the same material to make cooking a more social and communal experience.
      Find out more about Low Energy House ›

      Flitch House, Scotland, by Oliver Chapman Architects
      Timber steps with an integrated bench seat lead up to the kitchen and dining area in this garden room extension, which Oliver Chapman Architects added to a 19th century, Arts and Crafts-style home in Edinburgh.
      To the right of the steps, a sofa and bookshelf help to round off the reading nook with views over the Firth of Forth estuary.
      Find out more about Flitch House ›

      Mo-tel House, England, by Office S&M
      A pink timber volume shaped to look like a house works triple duty as a dining bench, seating nook and storage unit in this open-plan kitchen designed by Office S&M.
      The interior brims with bright colours and recycled materials, including lampshades made from crushed bricks and bathroom counters made of melted milk bottles and chopping boards.
      Find out more about Mo-tel House ›

      Landaburu Borda, Spain, by Jordi Hidalgo Tané
      Spanish studio Jordi Hidalgo Tané nestled this underground house extension into a hillside in the Navarra mountains so as not to disrupt its dramatic setting.
      A deep concrete sill covered with potted plants runs along the length of the structure and doubles as a seating area for admiring the views.
      Find out more about Landaburu Borda ›

      Dollis Hill Avenue, England, by Thomas-McBrien
      Thomas-McBrien inserted an oak-panelled volume into this London house extension, which hides a utility room behind a secret door as well as accomodating a small seating area with views over the garden.
      “The insertion of a deep seating alcove in the joinery offers a comfortable, sheltered enclosure – a perfect place to read and relax,” the studio explained.
      Find out more about Dollis Hill Avenue ›

      Victorian terraced house, England, Matthew Giles Architects
      White oak joinery and varied floor levels break up the open-plan ground floor of this Victorian terraced house renovated by Matthew Giles Architects.
      The owners now enter their sunken kitchen through a reading area with a built-in bookcase and a bench seat surrounded by railings.
      Find out more about this terraced house ›
      This is the latest in our series of lookbooks providing curated visual inspiration from Dezeen’s image archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks showcasing textured plaster walls, sculptural staircases and basement conversions.

      Read more: More

    • 88 Shares189 Views

      in Rooms

      Ten residential interiors showcasing exposed plaster walls

      by

      An award-winning council house renovation and homes with curved design elements feature in our latest lookbook, which collects ten interiors that celebrate the versatility of plaster walls.

      Plaster is a protective building material traditionally used to coat walls and ceilings, which are often then covered with decorative paint or wallpaper.
      But architects and designers can also leave a room’s plaster exposed to reduce the cost of a project or create a more rugged visual effect.
      From a bright cottage extension in Australia to a renovated rooftop apartment in Israel, here are ten examples of residential projects with textured plaster walls that complement the rest of their interior designs.
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks showcasing compact bedrooms, white kitchens and escapist holiday homes.

      Photo is by Eric StaudenmaierRadius House, USA, by Pentagon
      Curved plaster walls create a sculptural composition in Radius House, a residential project in Los Angeles’ Venice Beach designed by local studio Pentagon.
      Pared-back in colour but dynamically shaped, the walls intend to create an eye-catching backdrop for more contrasting interior elements, such as a walnut grand staircase.
      “The Venetian plaster walls give the residence a luminous continuity and a handcrafted quality throughout,” said Pentagon.
      Find out more about Radius House ›
      Photo is by Nicole FranzenLong Island home, USA, by Athena Calderone
      Walls covered in plaster by Kamp Studios join linen fabric and marble finishes to create this mid-century Long Island home’s pale interior palette.
      New York designer Athena Calderone owns and lives in the dwelling, which she updated to showcase a mixture of contemporary and vintage furniture.
      “The walls were just crisp white, and I wanted to make them plaster and a bit warmer and creamier, so that really changed the house a lot,” explained Calderone.
      Find out more about this Long Island home ›
      Photo is by Jim StephensonCouncil House Renovation, UK, by VATRAA
      Architecture studio VATRAA added dusty-pink plaster walls to this council house renovation in London that won a Don’t Move, Improve! award for its design.
      The warm-hued, textured walls feature British Gypsum Multifinish – a plaster that the studio defined as “banal” – which saved on the cost of paint and created an eclectic canvas for the occupant’s collection of art and design objects.
      Find out more about Council House Renovation ›
      Photo is by Tash McCammonPlaster Fun House, Australia, by Sans-Arc Studio
      Another residential project that celebrates white plaster walls, Plaster Fun House is a south Australian cottage with an extension characterised by terrazzo and playfully-arched windows and doors.
      Sans-Arc Studio took cues from the aesthetic of 1930s cruise liners by incorporating art deco and P&O architecture-style design elements into the extension, which intends to stand out against the neighbourhood’s more commonplace brown-brick houses.
      Find out more about Plaster Fun House ›
      Photo is by Karin MatzHB6B, Sweden, by Karin Matz
      Peeling plaster walls and crumbling bricks were left deliberately exposed during the renovation of HB6B, an apartment in Stockholm measuring just 36 square metres.
      Swedish architect Karin Matz refurbished the open-plan space for herself. It fits a kitchen on one side and a bedroom on the other, interrupted only by a central bathroom.
      According to Matz, HB6B’s peeling walls were designed to maintain “the previous layers and stories” of the apartment, which also features low-hanging lights at different levels.
      Find out more about HB6B ›
      Photo is by Gonzalo ViramonteMaricel’s House, Argentina, by Edgardo Marveggio
      Designed by architect Edgardo Maraveggio for his ex-wife, the thick, textured plaster that covers Marciel’s House in Córdoba also forms its brightly-coloured interior canvas.
      Vivid artworks and furnishings complete the living space, which reveals the yellow waffle-slab roof that tops the dwelling and extends over its front patio.
      Find out more about Maricel’s House ›
      Photo is by Dan BronfeldJaffa Roofhouse, Israel, by Gitai Architects
      The ancient limestone buildings of the Israeli city Jaffa informed this rooftop apartment renovated by Gitai Architects, which is characterised by three curved plaster walls that blend into pale floors.
      The walls were covered in plaster and shaped to soften Jaffa Roofhouse’s existing boxy shell. Their appearance changes from shades of gold to lavender as the sun rises and sets across the city.
      Find out more about Jaffa Roofhouse ›
      Photo is by Simone BossiHouse in a Park, Switzerland, by Think Architecture
      House in a Park is a collection of stone and plaster-lined volumes created by local studio Think Architecture atop a hill in Zurich.
      The home has lime-plaster walls designed to provide a minimal interior setting and focus attention on the surrounding forest views, which can be seen from rectilinear glass windows.
      Find out more about House in a Park ›
      Photo is courtesy of Antonio CardilloHouse of Dust, Italy, by Antonio Cardillo
      A band of craggy, textured plaster lines the upper walls and ceilings of this apartment in Rome to create an unusual visual effect.
      Italian architect Antonio Cardillo used the geometric ratio of the golden section to design a horizontal division that separates House of Dust’s living spaces with contemporary furniture from its statement plaster features.
      Explaining what informed the project, Cardillo said, “[I was] craving for primordial caverns, for Renaissance grotesques, for nymphaeums in Doria Pamphilj, for faintly Liberty facades in the streets off Via Veneto”.
      Find out more about House of Dust ›
      Photo is by Jack HobhouseSkip Stop House, UK, by Design Haus Liberty
      A group of London apartments was completed on a low budget by “using the palette that was already there”, according to Dara Huang of local studio Design Haus Liberty.
      Layers of paint and wallpaper were removed to expose patinated plaster, while the studio also used off-the-shelf materials to create industrial-looking but affordable interiors.
      “We used the palette that was already there but was hidden, so if we uncovered a wall and there was brick behind it we left it and tidied it up,” added Huang.
      “The things that were already there just needed to be uncovered and paired with the right materials.”
      Find out more about Skip Stop House ›
      This is the latest in our series of lookbooks providing curated visual inspiration from Dezeen’s image archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks showcasing plant-filled hotels, self-designed studios by architects and designers and interiors with room dividers in place of walls.

      Read more: More

    • 100 Shares179 Views

      in Rooms

      Ten home interiors animated by sculptural winding staircases

      by

      Sculpture-like concrete steps and a curving stair suspended above ground feature in this lookbook, which spotlights ten residential interiors with standout spiral or helical staircases.

      Winding stairways are found in two styles known as spiral or helical stairs. Though they appear similar and both make use of tapered treads, spiral staircases are arranged around a central column, while helical staircases encircle voids.
      Spiral staircases are also typically round in shape and used in interiors with limited space because they require less space than traditional linear stairs.
      Meanwhile, helical stairs require a larger floor area and are therefore more suitable when making a staircase the focal point of a room. These systems commonly have wider elliptical shapes than the spiral versions.
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks showcasing bedrooms with clever storage solutions, homes with decorative vaulted ceilings and offices with wooden bleachers.

      Photo is by Cristiano BauceLoft Diego, Brazil, by Arquitetura Nacional
      Arquitetura Nacional suspended this sculptural black staircase from the upper floor of an apartment in Porto Alegre so that its base doesn’t touch the floor.
      Crafted from folded steel and finished with plastic covering, the helicoidal structure helped the studio to transform the duplex into a more “fluid space”.
      Find out more about Loft Diego ›
      Photo is by Olmo PeetersRiverside Tower apartment, Belgium, by Studio Okami Architecten
      While renovating a duplex apartment in the brutalist Riverside Tower in Antwerp, Studio Okami Architecten introduced a pastel blue staircase between its two levels.
      The position and form of the spiralling stair were chosen to help maximise floor space in the dwelling, while its bright finish creates a striking contrast to the exposed concrete behind it.
      Find out more about Riverside Tower ›
      Photo is by Leonardo FinottiCasa Thomé Beira da Silva, Brazil, by Marcos Bertoldi Arquitetos
      Wooden panels line this helical staircase, which Marcos Bertoldi Arquitetos created as a sculptural centrepiece for the double-height living room at Casa Thomé Beira in the south of Brazil.
      Visible from the outside of the home, the staircase leads up to a series of bedrooms and is complemented by a wooden material palette that runs throughout.
      Find out more about Casa Thomé Beira da Silva ›

      Haus JJ, Germany, by NOWlab
      Colourful flooring and a rope balustrade animate this compact spiral staircase, which NOWlab designed to save valuable floor space in a small two-storey apartment in Berlin.
      Enclosed by walls at the centre of the dwelling, the structure has slender wooden treads that fan out from a central column and complement the surrounding herringbone floors.
      Find out more about Haus JJ ›
      Photo is by Juan SolanoCasa Blanca, Peru, by Martin Dulanto
      This self-supporting, fluorescent orange staircase twists up through the centre of the Casa Blanca residence in Lima to connect all three of its levels.
      Made from reinforced concrete with a concealed iron core, it is designed by Martin Dulanto Sangalli as the focal point of the house that has an otherwise muted colour scheme.
      Find out more about Casa Blanca ›
      Photo is by Mia MortensenTommy Rand’s House, Denmark, by Tommy Rand
      More than 600 pieces of CNC-cut plywood were glued together by hand to build this spiral staircase, located in the house that architect Tommy Rand designed for his family in Denmark.
      Visible from the exterior of the dwelling, the curved form has been placed against a concrete backdrop that draws attention to the intricacy of its design and adds warmth to the home.
      Find out more about Tommy Rand’s House ›
      Photo is by Ben HoskingOgimachi House, Japan, by Tomoaki Uno Architects
      A helical staircase with petal-shaped wooden treads breaks up the gridded layout of this skylit house in Japan.
      Resembling a flower when viewed from above, its form helps to save floor space while also providing access to four private rooms on the top floor.
      Find out more about Ogimachi House ›
      Photo is by Tim Van de VeldeHouse Dede, Belgium, by OYO Architects
      This wood-lined staircase sits at the heart of the cross-shaped plan of House Dede, which OYO Architects completed on the site of an old barn in Drongen.
      Winding upwards through a circular hole that punctures a board-marked concrete ceiling, it forms a sculptural yet functional centrepiece for the house.
      Find out more about House Dede ›

      Sacha, France, by SABO Project
      Thin slats of plywood and a bespoke baby gate that can be easily removed are key features of this cylindrical staircase, which is located in a refurbished apartment in Paris.
      It was designed as part of a quirky yet “child-proof” renovation project that was carried out by SABO Project for a young couple expecting their first child.
      Find out more about Sacha ›
      Photo is by Kazunori FujimotoHouse in Akitsu, Japan, by Kazunori Fujimoto
      This guardless staircase juxtaposes the cubic concrete forms of the House in Akitsu, which overlooks a seaside spot near the city of Higashihiroshima.
      The twisting form, which links the home’s bedrooms and living spaces, was engineered to negate the need for a central pillar and in turn, offers a sculptural look.
      Find out more about House in Akitsu ›
      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 bedrooms with clever storage solutions, homes with decorative vaulted ceilings and offices with wooden bleachers.

      Read more: More

    • 113 Shares179 Views

      in Rooms

      Ten basement conversions that make use of subterranean space

      by

      Our latest lookbook features 10 homes where basement conversions create extra rooms and more liveable space underground.

      Basement conversions can be a practical way of providing homes with additional space. They are often found in UK townhouses where floor space is at a premium, such as in Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian homes in London that were often built with basements to accommodate house staff.
      While their subterranean setting means these spaces run the risk of becoming dark, damp and unpleasant, smart solutions such as light wells and excavations can help to bring light into the space and turn them into useful extra living areas.
      In this lookbook, we’ve taken a closer look at a range of different basement conversions, including basements that are now host to swimming pools, kitchen diners and even entire apartments.
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks showcasing bedrooms with clever storage solutions, interiors that use mirrors to maximise space and compact bedrooms.

      Casa Fernandez, Argentina, by Adamo-Faiden
      This 1970s townhouse in Buenos Aires was refurbished by local studio Adamo-Faiden to include a large glazed enclosure at the rear. It extends to the home’s lowest level, which was converted into additional living space.
      The basement is connected to the home’s outdoor space by a gravelled patio that bridges the indoors and outdoors and forms an interior extension of the garden.
      Find out more about Casa Fernandez ›
      Photo is by Jake Curtis and Elliot SheppardPowerscroft Road townhouse, UK, by Daytrip
      Before a renovation that was completed by design studio Daytrip, the basement of this London townhouse was dark, damp and “unloved”. The studio excavated the lower level of the home to raise the basement’s ceiling height and added an open-plan kitchen-diner in its place.
      The interior walls of the converted basement were painted white to match the walls of the sunken garden, in order to create continuity and visually extend the interior.
      Find out more about Powerscroft Road townhouse ›

      Caroline Place, UK, by Amin Taha Architects
      Amin Taha Architects extended the basement level of this 1950s brick terraced home in London’s Bayswater neighbourhood, incorporating the home’s rugged concrete soffit within the design.
      Prior to the renovation, the home’s layout had been adapted and changed to reconfigure the original floor plan, which was informed by typical Edwardian homes.
      Amin Taha Architects updated the home to include open-plan living area framed by a number of different materials and finishes.
      Find out more about Caroline Place ›
      Photo is by Alexandria HallRydon Street, UK, by Moxon Architects
      A rear basement extension was added to this Victorian townhouse in London, which was gutted and renovated by British architecture studio Moxon Architects.
      The studio created a full-width white interior that opens up onto a similarly crisp-white sunken, split-level garden. White concrete brick walls and white resin floors were implemented across the lower level of the home to achieve a clean, minimalist look.
      Find out more about Rydon Street ›
      Photo is by Jim StephensonHouse in Primrose Hill, UK, by Jamie Fobert Architects
      Travertine-lined walls are host to a basement swimming pool, lit by a lightwell, that forms part of the two-floor concrete basement of a Primrose Hill home.
      Jamie Fobert Architects maintained the north London home’s traditional Victorian exterior, but completely renovated the interior using travertine, concrete and wood to create an open plan contemporary interior. The studio added an additional floor to the basement, which now hosts the stone-lined swimming pool.
      Find out more about House in Primrose Hill ›
      Photo is by Hey! CheeseHouse H, Taiwan, by KC Design Studio
      A dark and gloomy aesthetic was channelled by KC Design Studio when overhauling the formerly neglected basement of this apartment in Taipei.
      The studio carved several openings into the ceiling of the basement to filter light into the interior. One large rectangular opening at the front of the apartment allows light to funnel from the ground floor’s facade while also hosting a staircase, while an L-shaped opening at the rear was topped with gridded sheets to circulate air between the ground and basement floor.
      Plants were added below to create pops of colour.
      Find out more about House H ›
      Photo is by Jose HeviaApartment Tibbaut, Spain, by Raúl Sánchez
      Circular pine walls were used to divide and zone rooms in this vaulted basement of a Barcelona home that was converted into a subterranean apartment.
      Architect Raúl Sánchez fitted a stone and pine staircase at the entrance to the subterranean, 55-square metre space. Circular laminated pine walls weave between the vaults of the ceiling, while structural octagonal columns were used to separate and form the living areas and create a monumental look.
      Find out more about Apartment Tibbaut ›
      Photo is by Noortje KnulstMatryoshka House, the Netherlands, by Shift Architecture Urbanism
      Formerly a derelict four-storey residence, Matryoshka House was overhauled by Shift Architecture Urbanism after neighbours of the home were troubled by its neglected condition. The studio divided the home into two flats, one of which occupies the two lower levels.
      Shift Architecture Urbanism removed the rear walls of the home and replaced them with a full-height glazed wall that opens the basement level living areas onto the garden.
      It used industrial and raw materials throughout the renovation, incorporating concrete across the floors and unstained wood panels across the walls and inserting steel-wrapped volumes.
      Find out more about Matryoshka House ›
      Photo is by Alexander SeverinPaulus Hook Residence, US, by Fogarty Finger
      Located within a defunct industrial building in New Jersey, this single-family home was converted by New York studio Fogarty Finger.
      The studio transformed the home while preserving its original character which previously housed a propellers workshop. It converted the basement into a bright and liveable space fitted with a tranquil pool that adjoins a small courtyard.
      Find out more about Paulus Hook Residence ›
      Photo is by Ed ReeveMole House, UK, by Adjaye Associates
      This home in north London was once owned by a retired civil engineer, who was dubbed the Mole Man by the press for digging a labyrinth of tunnels and burrows beneath it. It underwent an extensive renovation by Adjaye Associates.
      The architecture practice converted the home into a live-work space for artist Sue Webster, which included a double-height basement artist’s studio.
      Find out more about Mole House ›
      This is the latest in our series of lookbooks providing curated visual inspiration from Dezeen’s image archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks showcasing bedrooms with clever storage solutions, interiors that use mirrors to maximise space and compact bedrooms.

      Read more: More

    • 125 Shares149 Views

      in Rooms

      Ten interiors that use innovative room dividers instead of walls

      by

      A pastel-pink wardrobe and a theatrical silver curtain feature in our latest lookbook, which highlights 10 creative ways to split a space into different sections by using room dividers.

      Whether they’re lightweight and movable such as screens, fixed yet adjustable like curtains, or built into the framework of a building like a shelving unit, room dividers can be a practical and inexpensive solution to break up a space and provide more privacy.
      The interiors in this lookbook, which range from homes in Spain and Australia to hotel rooms in Japan and exhibition spaces in Brasil and the US, showcase innovative solutions for how to partition a large room.
      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 homes with parquet flooring, compact bedrooms and self-designed studios by architects and designers.
      Photo is by Luis Díaz DíazReady-made Home, Spain, by Azab

      Pale blue curtains slice through the middle of this whimsical home in Bilbao, designed by architecture studio Azab.
      Challenged with a floor plan in the shape of a semi-circle, the studio decided to section off the two bedrooms and the bathroom using sheathes of the vibrant fabric, injecting a playful element into the apartment.
      Other colourful features include a pink extraction hood above the cooking stove, a yellow lacquered steel storage unit and an exposed wall.
      Find out more about Ready-made Home ›
      Photo is by Denilson Machado of MCA EstudioCasa Alma, Brasil, by Studio Melina Romano
      This exhibition space looks more like a cosy apartment than a traditional exhibition hall, thanks to an array of homely features including gauzy curtains, low-slung coffee tables and mossy gardens.
      Brasilian practice Studio Melina Romano hoped to create a sensorial atmosphere by using rounded elements and tactile materials for attendees of Casacor, São Paulo’s annual festival of architecture and interior design.
      Find out more about Casa Alma ›
      Photo is by Elsa YoungMetamporhic Wardrobe, UK, by Studiomama
      East London-based design studio Studiomama devised a pastel-coloured wardrobe called Metamorphic, which has a set of large doors that open out into a partition.
      The closet features a rail to hang clothes on, drawers in varying sizes and a set of doors that can be unfurled into a screen. The design showcases how room dividers made from furniture can be used as an innovative solution for creating private spaces in open-plan interiors.
      Find out more about Metamorphic Wardrobe ›
      Photo is by Yikin HyoK5 Tokyo Hotel, Japan, by Claesson Koivisto Rune
      A converted bank building in Tokyo, which survived bombing during world war two, was turned into a boutique hotel by Swedish studio Claesson Koivisto Rune. The practice aimed to transform the lodging into a warm, cosy place to stay by adding bespoke elements and furniture in deep brown hues.
      In each of the 20 rooms, delicate blue ombre curtains surround a wooden desk and cabinet, which guests can use as a private space for personal activities. Similar hand-dyed curtains in blue and white colours also frame the beds.
      Find out more about K5 Tokyo Hotel ›
      Photo is by José HeviaCasa A12, Spain, by Lucas y Hernández-Gil
      An indoor courtyard, bright orange furniture and a series of shiny silver curtains are some of the quirky features that Spanish studio Lucas y Hernández-Gil added to enliven the basement of this Madrid apartment.
      In an effort to counter the lack of light and space on the lower level, the studio painted the walls white and used dramatic full-height curtains that can be pulled back to seal off the bedroom suite.
      Find out more about Casa A12 › More