Renovations

Subterms

    More stories

    • 100 Shares109 Views

      in Rooms

      Office of Tangible Space redesigns Brooklyn Museum Cafe

      by

      New York studio Office of Tangible Space has refreshed the interiors of the cafe at the Brooklyn Museum, ahead of the institution’s 200th anniversary next year.

      The Brooklyn Museum Cafe is located in the building’s light-filled entry pavilion, which was added to the original beaux-arts building in 2004 by Polshek Partnership Architects (now Ennead Architects).
      Furniture at the redesigned Brooklyn Museum Cafe is laid out like “islands and streams”Serving a menu by local restaurateur and sommelier André Hueston Mack, who runs the neighborhood restaurant & Sons, the redesigned cafe is intended for locals and museum-goers to enjoy light bites and drinks.
      “Playing off the mission of the museum, [we] envisioned the cafe as a Brooklyn stoop where all are invited,” said Office of Tangible Space. “The space embodies the playfulness, creativity, craft, and expression that make Brooklyn and Brooklynites so unique.”
      The cafe occupies a portion of the building’s light-filled entry pavilionThe locally based studio created a fluid layout that allows visitors to meander through the space.

      Furniture is arranged in “islands and streams” that can accommodate diners in varied group sizes, as well as those stopping for a casual coffee.
      Periwinkle-hued tables with angled sides form snaking shapes through the space”The space is anchored by large islands of seating and undulating streams of custom tables indicating the walking paths,” said Office of Tangible Space.
      Aluminium chairs with seats and backs perforated with large holes accompany tables, including circular wooden designs for up to six guests and dark green two-tops.
      Dark green two-top tables are accompanied by aluminium chairs perforated with large holesOther tables made from folded sheets of thin periwinkle-hued metal have angled sides, allowing them to form snaking shapes when lined up in a row.
      Round cushioned poufs upholstered in pale blue and green are placed around the perimeter, which is demarcated by a set of freestanding wooden dividers and potted plants.

      OEO Studio uses materials in a “playful way” for Designmuseum Denmark cafe and shop

      “The incorporation of bold color and material add to playfulness and tactility of the space,” the studio said.
      For the new space, the museum and Office of Tangible Space commissioned 10 local artists to design one-off stools that are peppered through the cafe.
      Large round poufs are provided for more casual seatingThe handcrafted wooden seats, manufactured by Sundays, have been customised by Minjae Kim, Chen Chen and Kai Williams, Ellen Pong, Kim Mupangilaï and more.
      “These handcrafted pieces not only complement the cafe’s design but also echo the philosophy that food, like art, is an immersive experience – engaging the senses, sparking conversation, and creating a connection between the creator and the audience,” said Office of Tangible Space.
      The cafe was redesigned ahead of the Brooklyn Museum’s 200th anniversaryThe Brooklyn Museum’s building, designed by McKim, Mead & White and completed in 1895, will host a variety of exhibitions and events planned to celebrate its bicentenary.
      These include Breaking the Mold: Brooklyn Museum at 200, a showcase celebrating the institution’s collection and legacy that opens in February 2025.
      Founded by Michael Yarinsky and Kelley Perumbeti, Office of Tangible Space was longlisted in the emerging interior designer of the year category of Dezeen Awards 2020.
      The photography is by Matthew Gordon.

      Read more: More

    • 138 Shares189 Views

      in Rooms

      Gachot Studios refreshes lounge at The Metropolitan Opera in New York

      by

      New York-based Gachot Studios has redesigned the patrons lounge at The Metropolitan Opera, imbuing the space with rich materials like textured wallpaper, black granite and brass accents.

      Gachot Studios transformed the Keebler J Straz Lounge while keeping the 1,861-square-foot space aligned with its ornate surroundings.
      The bar at the refreshed Keebler J Straz Lounge features a matte brass front and black stone topStudio founders and opera lovers John and Christine Gachot have a personal connection to the venue, which is part of the Lincoln Center complex designed by American architect Wallace K Harrison and opened in 1966.
      “Our son, who attended LaGuardia High School, would walk past The Met Opera every day on his way to school,” said the couple. “As New Yorkers, we value city institutions like The Met with its incredible history and cultural influence.”
      Wall-to-wall carpet in a rust hue complements the palette chosen for furnitureThe lounge was originally designed by late American decorator Billy Baldwin, and Gachot Studios referenced his layout and some of the furnishings as part of the redesign.

      “It had an intimate residential feel with various deep sofas defining seating areas,” said Gachot Studios. “The new furniture layout draws inspiration from Baldwin’s thoughtful arrangement with four lounge seating groups.”
      Brass accents including bar-top lighting are found throughout the patron’s loungeA series of upholstered screens that were once used to delineate the different lounge areas were reinterpreted as walnut-framed panels that direct guest flow from the entrance and conceal the back-of-house door.
      The arc-shaped bar is fronted by matte brass panels and topped with a curved slab of black granite.
      Seating and tables from Roche Bobois were customised to accommodate guests of all agesBronze-tinted mirrors in the back bar area reflect the room’s gold-painted ceiling and provide a mount surface for delicate shelving and a vintage clock.
      Sheer drapes are hung across the windows, and the wall are covered in textured wallpaper between vertical bands of polished brass.

      Gachot Studios creates cosy New York neighbourhood bar

      Rust-coloured wall-to-wall carpet provides a plush finish underfoot, and complements the palette of furniture pieces in cream, blush, caramel, oxblood, and various brown and black tones.
      The seating and tables from French brand Roche Bobois were customised “to accommodate for patrons of all ages” Gachot Studios said.
      Textured wallpaper sits between vertical strips of polished brassA dining area behind the bar is also provided for those wanting to sit more formally or use the space for meetings.
      Architectural lighting is kept to a minimum so as not to detract from the ceiling, while sconces, floor lamps and table lamps by Hudson Valley Lighting offer a warm glow.
      Black and white photos from The Metropolitan Opera’s history adorn the wallsThe majority of the furniture and decor can be rearranged to accommodate events beyond the use of the space before performances or during intermissions.
      “In a building that requires a balance between grandeur and practicality, the lounge is no different,” said the studio.
      Gachot Studios reinterpreted the screens originally designed for the lounge by Billy BaldwinElle Décor magazine collaborated with the opera and the studio to secure furnishings and fittings for the project.
      Founded in 2012, Gachot Studios has completed several hospitality and commercial projects across the US.
      These range from boutique hotels in Detroit and Washington DC, to the New York flagship store for cosmetics brand Glossier.
      The photography is by William Jess Laird.

      Read more: More

    • 100 Shares189 Views

      in Rooms

      FMA creates flexible offices within former Mexican convent

      by

      A meditation room and an outdoor work area are available to employees at this office in Mexico, which was remodelled by architecture firm FMA within a 17th-century convent.

      The GO Headquarters is located in the historic centre of Morelia, a city in the state of Michoacán, and is arranged around a cloister at the heart of the building.
      The GO Headquarters takes advantage of a cloister space that is used as an outdoor work and dining areaThis central courtyard offers employees a space to work or relax outside, while surrounded by five planters with orange trees set against the old stonework.
      “The primary challenge of the project was to honor the original architectural elements of the building while maximizing available space,” said FMA founder Francisco Méndez.
      A coffee bar wrapped in clay tiles anchors a space for employees to relax”Moreover, careful recognition of the alterations that the convent had undergone over time was needed, distinguishing between those that were appropriate and those that were not,” he added.

      All of the interior office space is on the level above, accessed from the main entrance via the courtyard and a stairwell.
      Larger rooms feature long conference tables for desk-style workingOn this upper floor, interconnected rooms open onto the colonnaded central space overlooking the verdant enclosed garden below.
      “Moving upstairs, the work areas were conceived as living spaces with a disruptive approach,” said Méndez. “While the architectural program remains straightforward, the diversity and multifunctionality of each area are striking.”
      A variety of clay elements made by local artisans are incorporated throughout the officesLarger rooms accommodate long oak tables that offer more traditional desk-style workspace and meeting areas.
      Meanwhile, a library with lounge furniture and a large shelving system the covers a full wall acts as both a reception and a casual work area.
      A library has a full wall of display shelving and casual furnitureAnother room features a horseshoe-shaped coffee bar fronted with clay tiles and a wooden ping-pong table, where team members can gather and socialise.
      There’s also a dedicated meditation room, nicknamed “the nest”, which acoustically optimised with oak panelling and a padded floor for comfort.

      RootStudio transforms former Oaxaca convent into culinary centre

      “This tranquil space is dedicated to introspection, providing a sanctuary for individuals to rejuvenate their minds and break away from routine, thus emphasising the significance of mental and physical well-being, ultimately enhancing the quality of life and productivity of workers,” Méndez said.
      Throughout the building, lighting was upgraded to an intelligent system that adjusts according to the circadian cycle and saves energy.
      Sand-coloured plaster walls and white oak stave flooring complement the historic buildingMaterials including sand-hued plaster walls, white oak stave flooring, and furniture in warm, earthy tones complements the existing building’s palette.
      Clay lamps, planters and decorative objects crafted by artisans from Michoacán are also incorporated.
      “An emphasis was placed on natural and regional finishes to sustain a sense of warmth and harmony within the project, as well as to support local artisans and commerce,” said the architect.
      Employees have access to a meditation room lined with white oak panelsCompanies and organisations across Mexico are finding a variety of new uses for abandoned or unused convent buildings.
      In Oaxaca, RootStudio converted a historic building into a centre for celebrating the rich culinary legacy of the region – earning the project a spot of the Heritage Project shortlist for the 2023 Dezeen Awards.
      The photography is by César Belio.

      Read more: More

    • 113 Shares199 Views

      in Rooms

      CLB Architects takes “residential” approach for Jackson Hole Airport

      by

      Fireplaces, warm lighting and large windows offering views of the Teton Range are among the features at the renovated and expanded Jackson Hole Airport in Wyoming, which is the only commercial airport within an American national park.

      Located in the mountainous Grand Teton National Park in the western part of the state, the airport dates to the 1930s and has undergone various changes over the decades.
      Jackson Hole Airport dates back to the 1930sAround 2009, it received a major update by the Denver office of global studio Gensler, with Jackson-based CLB Architects serving as the local associate architect.
      In more recent years, CLB has served as the design architect for a series of renovations and additions spanning five phases. Miller Dunwiddie, a Minneapolis firm, served as executive architect.
      The project was designed to tie into the landscapeThe project was designed to tie into the landscape and “facilitate the flow of 21st-century travelers”, while also adhering to strict area and height limits imposed by the national park.

      The facility is the only commercial airport located within a US national park, according to the federal agency that oversees the parks.
      A new restaurant/bar was included in the renovationThe work included a new restaurant/bar, an expanded holding area, two additional gates, a gift shop and an updated baggage claim area with retail space — all held within the L-shaped terminal totalling 125,000 square feet (11,613 square metres).
      “Design decisions facilitate an easy and stress-free travel experience, with open floor plans and clear sight corridors, as well as abundant glazing that frames the airplane runways and Teton Mountain range beyond,” said CLB Architects.
      Interior finishes are a mix of earthy and industrial materialsInterior finishes are a mix of earthy and industrial materials, including polished concrete, quartzite and timber – all meant to stand up to heavy use, as 800,000 travelers pass through the airport each year.
      For the structural system, the team paired lightweight steel with Douglas fir glue-laminated beams and rough-hewn log columns. The structural supports are meant to have “an elegant and minimal presence”.
      Fireplaces were incorporated to make the airport feel like a “residential space”In addition to the natural light that flows in through large windows, the terminal has downlights, uplights and LED accents that create a feeling of warmth.
      “Indirect up-lighting creates an evocative, atmospheric quality that contrasts with the usual cold, fluorescent lighting of institutional airport spaces,” the team said.
      CLB Architects created a “living room” for travellers awaiting their flightsThroughout the facility, the team blended elements of residential design into the travel hub.
      “It was our intent to make the experience feel more like a residential space rather than a commercial one,” the team said.

      CLB Architects creates trio of “tectonic structures” for Wyoming residence

      On the northern side of the terminal, where passengers wait to board their planes, the studio created a “living room” with comfy furniture, commissioned artwork and a monumental fireplace.
      Glazed walls are lined with polished concrete benches with leather seat cushioning, where visitors can watch aircraft take off and land. The waiting area also features a grab-and-go concessions counter and a casual restaurant with a fireplace.
      The terminal is designed to be highly flexibleThe terminal is designed to be highly flexible, so rooms can be reconfigured as needed. To that point, the airpot has an underground area of approximately 3,000 square feet (279 square metres) that was envisioned as a “versatile flex space”.
      CLB had two additional projects underway at the airport – a private terminal and three hangar structures.
      Other US airport projects include the ZGF-designed expansion to the Portland International Airport, which features a massive timber roof, and plans for a highly sculptural air-traffic-control tower in Columbus, Indiana, designed by Marlon Blackwell Architects.
      The photography is by Matthew Millman.
      Project credits:
      Design architect and architect of record for phases 3-7: CLB ArchitectsCLB team: Kevin Burke (partner), Cary Lakeman (senior project manager), Steve Jakub (project manager)Executive architect for phases 3-7: Miller DunwiddieInterior design: TruexCullins (restaurant and hold room)Contractor: Wadman CorporationCivil consultant: JviationGeotechnical engineer and well design: Nelson EngineeringStructural engineer: KL&AMechanical, electrical, plumbing, technology engineer: Michaud, Cooley, EricksonLighting: Helius Lighting DesignFood service: The Marshall AssociatesLife, safety, accessibility: Jensen HughesAcoustic engineer: Wave EngineeringClient: Jackson Hole AirportOwner’s representative: KLJ Engineering

      Read more: More

    • 125 Shares129 Views

      in Rooms

      Gold-leaf wall divides renovated Barcelona apartment by Raúl Sánchez Architects

      by

      Architect Raúl Sánchez has renovated a flat in a typical Barcelona apartment building, adding built-in cabinetry and furnishings in hues that echo the original mosaic flooring.

      The 85-square-metre flat was created following the subdivision of a larger apartment with aspects towards the Carrer d’Enric Granados on one side and a large internal courtyard on the other.
      Raúl Sánchez Architects has renovated a Barcelona apartmentSánchez’s studio was tasked with making the most of the available space, which is just six metres wide and needed to incorporate two bedrooms and two bathrooms along with a generous living area.
      Following the partitioning of the original apartment, this smaller flat was left with an entrance set within the building’s interior at one end and a gallery-like room overlooking the courtyard at the other.
      A wall covered in gold leaf separates the living area from the gallerySánchez chose to leave the main living area and gallery open to enhance the sense of space and connection with the view.

      The rest of the interior comprises private functions that are arranged along a hallway leading from the entrance to the living space.
      The gallery houses the dining room and overlooks the courtyard”I wanted to maximise the light throughout the apartment and make something special of the corridor that was necessary given the situation of entering at one end,” the architect told Dezeen.
      “Even though the apartment is small, there are different space situations like differences in height, materials, dimension or colour, which create a very rich experience inside the flat.”
      The kitchen features a pink marble splashbackThe hallway is lined with full-height cabinetry, incorporating doors that lead to the bedrooms on either side. Each bedroom receives natural light and ventilation from a window that opens onto an internal courtyard.
      Small annexes that serve as dressing rooms connect the bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, one of which is also accessible from the hallway. These spaces feature cabinets, shelves and handles made from water-resistant varnished MDF.
      The flat is styled with modern design pieces including a sofa from KragelundThe walls lining the hall feature a rose-gold finish, only interrupted by a pair of dark blue lacquered bookshelves roughly halfway along.
      Sánchez explained that the colour choices derive directly from the intricate mosaic floors, which were preserved and treated to restore them to their original condition.

      Red accents enliven social housing block on triangular plot in Barcelona

      Rooms where the mosaic had previously been removed now feature off-white micro cement floors.
      “Everything inside the apartment has a bit of that brownish-reddish-beige hue of the tiles,” he pointed out. “Even the blue of the shelves, which may seem a big contrast, can also be found in the tiles.”
      Full-height cabinetry lines the hallway of the flatThe hallway’s walls form a datum that extends through into the living space, where the original exposed ceiling beams create a differentiation in height that is emphasised by a subtle change in colour.
      The rose-gold hue used for the cabinets is echoed by a pink Portuguese marble splashback in the kitchen that was assembled from unmatched salvaged slabs.
      Small annexes connect the bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms from the hallwayAn existing structural wall separating the living area from the gallery space was covered with gold leaf in order to lighten its appearance and conceal its load-bearing purpose.
      “This imparts a more symbolic and abstract presence, serving as a connection element with the exterior, reflecting the light that falls upon it from the backyard,” said Sánchez.
      The flat’s furnishings echo the mosaic flooring of the original apartment designThe property is owned by a client based in Dubai, who will use it as a pied-a-terre as well as renting it out some of the time.
      It was styled with modern design pieces including a sofa from Kragelund, a chaise longue by Sancal and a cork stool from Vitra.
      Dark-blue lacquered bookshelves coexist side-by-side with the rose-gold cabinetryLocal gallery Víctor Lope Arte Contemporáneo provided the various artworks.
      Raúl Sánchez has lived and worked in Barcelona since 2005, where his studio takes on global projects across architecture, interiors, urbanism and design.
      The office was named emerging interior design studio of the year at Dezeen Awards 2022 and has previously completed projects including a townhouse with a four-storey spiral staircase and an apartment featuring a shiny brass wardrobe.

      Read more: More

    • 138 Shares129 Views

      in Rooms

      Bureau Tempo applies subtle tones and textures to renovated Brooklyn loft

      by

      Canadian studio Bureau Tempo has completed a “gentle redesign” of a loft space in Brooklyn, New York, which features a subtle pale green kitchen and fritted glass partition walls.

      The home faces the busy Atlantic Avenue thoroughfare that runs through the Brooklyn Heights neighbourhood and enjoys tall ceilings and large windows at either end.
      A mural depicting Prospect Park is painted above the loft’s den areaMeasuring 1,600 square feet (150 square metres), the loft is roughly divided into three sections.
      At the front are the primary bedroom – painted in a colour called Dead Salmon by Farrow & Ball – and an office space that is equipped with a foldaway Murphy bed that can be deployed for guests.
      The dining room features a large black table and matching Windsor chairsThis multifunctional space is separated from the living area by a partition of wood and fritted glass panels.

      Folding doors open to connect with the lounge and dining area, but the light can still reach these central spaces when closed thanks to the glass.
      The lounge is furnished with comfy sofas and armchairs, plus an oxblood-coloured coffee table”The addition of an operable wood and fluted-glass wall between the primary space and the Atlantic Avenue end of the home allows for an open office by day and an inviting and private quarters when hosting guests,” said Bureau Tempo.
      The lounge is furnished with comfy sofas and armchairs, plus an oxblood-coloured coffee table, all placed atop a rug by Armadillo.
      The office space can be opened up to the rest of the apartment with folding panelsBeyond is the dining area, where a large black table is accompanied by six Windsor chairs and a pair of stretched-fabric pendant lights that hang overhead.
      The final portion of the loft is raised up two steps, and contains a den area with more soft seating and the kitchen.
      A retractable Murphy bed allows the office to double as a guest roomAbove a section of bead-board panelling where the TV is mounted, a mural by artist and friend of the loft’s owners Melody Lockerman depicts nearby Prospect Park.
      “Painted in tones that compliment choices throughout, the mural adds a welcome touch of levity,” Bureau Tempo said.

      General Assembly exposes wooden beams inside revamped Brooklyn loft

      In the kitchen opposite, textured four-by-four-inch ceramic tiles create a subtle checkerboard pattern of pale pink and white across the floor.
      Millwork on the central island and lower cabinets was painted a very light shade of green and is accented with brass hardware.
      Fritted glass panels allow light from the front window to penetrate deeper into the apartment”These rooms share a direct connection with the intimate yet spacious and light-filled north facing terrace, which dramatically extends the perception of the home’s size,” the team said.
      The majority of the walls throughout the apartment are covered in a textured lime plaster finish by Bauwerk Colour, complementing exposed wooden ceiling beams in each room.
      The primary bedroom is painted in Dead Salmon by Farrow & Ball to contrast the lime plaster in other spacesMany of Brooklyn’s former industrial buildings now house chic apartments and lofts, many of which maintain nods to their past.
      At a residence in Gowanus, wooden structural elements were uncovered and retreated during renovations by General Assembly, while a home inside a former chocolate factory in Bedford-Stuyvesant has ductwork and services are left exposed.
      The photography is by Alex Lesage.

      Read more: More

    • 125 Shares159 Views

      in Rooms

      Studio Jean Verville Architectes adds “graphic dimension” to brutalist apartment

      by

      Bright yellow accents stand out against concrete and metal surfaces within this “creative laboratory” that architect Jean Verville has created for himself inside a residential tower in Quebec City.

      The Canadian architect, who is currently dividing his time between practice and teaching at the School of Architecture of Laval University in Quebec City, designed the 79-square-metre apartment as a space he can both work and reside in.
      A pair of bright yellow lamps extend over the commercial restaurant furniture in the live-work apartment’s kitchenVerville, founder of Studio Jean Verville Architecte, describes the project as “an architectural experiment orchestrating a space with a graphic dimension”.
      The 1970s tower in which the residence is located was designed by architect Marcel Bilodeau and faces the Plains of Abraham Park in front of the St Lawrence River.
      The stainless steel furniture blends with the raw concrete shell of the brutalist building”Like an observation post offering breathtaking views of the Laurentian Mountains, the urban landscape, and the St Lawrence River, the interior comes alive with an immutable body-to-body relationship between transparency and reflection, while transforming realities through distancing and multiplication,” said the architect.

      The residence was completely gutted to leave a raw concrete shell, with windows on the north and south sides ushering light into the deep space.
      Verville inserted a series of glass and mirrored partitions to divide up the space, allowing for various layout optionsInstead of solid walls, Verville installed a series of sliding partitions so he could open up or close off areas as desired.
      These glass and mirror panes are mounted on metal tracks and bounce the natural light through the apartment, allowing the compact unit to feel larger than it is.
      An area furnished as a living room contains a rust-coloured sofa and a black-lacquered chair”By addition or subtraction, this flexible system fragments the plan into six layout alternatives with undetermined functions, offering up to seven distinct sub-spaces,” said Verville. “Meanwhile, flexible blinds with a metallic finish allow the option of openwork borders, as well as total privacy.”
      Beside the south-facing balcony is a kitchen, which features stainless-steel commercial restaurant furniture that blends with the grey concrete shell.
      The partitions are mounted on metal tracks and can be opened and closed as desired to alter the layoutA central island is fitted with two sinks, each with a large balanced-arm lamp in bright yellow mounted on the wall behind.
      The lamps can be adjusted into position above any area of the kitchen counter to aid with food preparation.
      The concrete bedroom is solely furnished with a low bedRooms suggested by the partitions include a sleeping area furnished only with a simple low bed and a study where a simple metal desk faces a window.
      The living area is populated by a rust-coloured sofa and a black lacquered chair arranged around a pair of mirrored coffee tables.

      Jean Verville converts backyard shed into minimalist studio in Montreal

      “The strategic positioning of domestic equipment maintains constant physical and visual permeability to neutralise the compactness of the unit,” Verville said.
      Services, pipes and ductwork are all exposed throughout the apartment, demonstrating how it operates as a functional space.
      Verville considers the space a “creative laboratory” in which he can experimentOther eclectic items peppered through the residence give the feel of a creative laboratory, in which its occupant experiments with space and the act of living within it.
      “Glass vials of all kinds, models and various explorations, utilitarian objects, and plants rub shoulders on the shelves, revisiting the spirit of the cabinet of curiosities in a playful presentation of everyday life,” said the architect.
      Verville frequently inserts himself into the photo sets of his projectsVerville is known for its minimalist material-focused projects, as well as for playfully inserting himself into the photographs of completed – as evidenced in this set.
      He can also be seen wandering around in a cape through a Montreal apartment designed for a music composer, hanging out of a loft in a shed he converted into a workspace and balancing on the roof of an A-frame forest cabin.
      The photography is by Maryse Béland, Maxime Brouillet and Antoine Michel.
      Project credits:
      Studio Jean Verville Architectes team: Jean Verville, architect – lead designer; Gabriel Ladouceur, studio coordinator, professional and scientific MA architecture candidate; Guillaume Turgeon Solis, technical specialist; France Goneau, artistic advisor; Tania Paula Garza Rico, architectSpecial collaborations: Loïc Bard, art furniture; France Goneau, ceramic sculpturesContractor: Nomad Construction

      Read more: More

    • 113 Shares169 Views

      in Rooms

      Translucent and reflective surfaces ricochet light around Cologne apartment

      by

      German architecture studio Demo Working Group has removed all non-structural walls from this 1970s high-rise apartment in Cologne, creating a utilitarian open-plan interior.

      Named Kier after its address on Kierberger Straße, the apartment is set in a housing block built in 1972. Before the renovation, wallpaper covered its concrete shell and a myriad of dividing walls created dark, enclosed rooms.
      Demo Working Group has renovated a 1970s Cologne apartmentNow, a structural concrete wall in the middle of the floor plan is the only interior wall that remains, although Demo Working Group used a concrete saw to cut out a doorway and create a direct link between the living space and the bedroom.
      “We were interested in how these concrete structures can be transformed to enable new spatial options,” partner Matthias Hoffmann told Dezeen. “The new opening between the living and the sleeping area redefines the circulation in the apartment.”
      Soft furnishings and reflective finishes take the edge off the stark concrete wallsRaw concrete perimeter walls work together with the remaining central wall to create an industrial-looking backdrop, consistent throughout all areas of the apartment.

      “The high-rise structures of that era are typically built out of concrete,” the studio said. “We took off the wallpaper so that the building’s structure with its specific texture and character can be experienced inside the apartment.”
      Light is bounced around by glass and reflective surfacesThe newly liberated interior benefits from having windows on two sides, which the designers capitalised on by employing translucent, transparent and reflective surfaces throughout.
      Former internal walls were replaced with sheets of transparent and frosted glass, allowing light to penetrate further into the space and providing a contrast with the heaviness of the concrete.
      Like the rest of the apartment, the kitchen has a cool-toned colour schemeThis creates a free-flowing atmosphere in the space, which almost functions as a studio apartment as a result of the minimal, see-through divisions between the living space, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom.
      Mirrors and reflective surfaces are applied to other spaces, too. In the kitchen, cupboards are tucked below a window that casts light onto a full-height mirrored backsplash on one side.

      Archmongers celebrates “raw beauty of brutalist concrete” in Trellick Tower apartment refresh

      The green kitchen counter also reflects light and is made from a heavy-duty plastic, which Demo Working Group says is usually reserved for use in laboratories.
      Glossy white tiles line the kitchen and bathroom area while a built-in storage unit in the living space is clad in sheets of aluminium to level up the brightness of the interior.
      Three purple-upholstered cantilevered chairs surround a metal dining tableFurnishings follow a colour palette of blues, greens and purples, with the sofa and window frame in the living area picked out in a deep blue, referencing the accent colour found throughout the wider apartment block.
      Metal continues to feature in the furniture and fittings, from the legs of the dining set and bookshelf to a horseshoe-shaped light fixture on the bedroom ceiling.
      The shower enclosure is transparent and contains white fittings and fixturesDemo Working Group was founded in 2019 and works on architecture and interior projects throughout northern Germany.
      Other apartment interiors that have recently been featured on Dezeen include a refurbished art deco-style apartment in Milan and a flat in Kyiv that features colourful furnishings and glass bricks.
      The photography is by Jan Voigt.

      Read more: More