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      Wood and stone surfaces bring “rich texture” to Primrose Hill House interior

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      Architecture for London has updated a 1960s house in London, creating an open-plan interior filled with natural materials and an improved connection to the rear courtyard garden.

      The house is one of two detached properties set in a modernist estate in Primrose Hill that primarily consists of painted brick courtyard houses and small terraces.
      Primrose Hill House was designed by Architecture for LondonThe new owner asked Architecture for London to transform the interior into a modern layout that is better suited to their lifestyle.
      “The house had a very broken plan consisting of lots of small rooms,” the studio’s director Ben Ridley told Dezeen. “The client wanted to create a family house that was more open plan with better views of the garden.”
      The studio added a rooftop extension clad in white bricksThe remodelled interior improves the connection with the garden by incorporating a large picture window in the kitchen, along with sliding wood-framed doors in the living area.

      The ground floor also contains a smaller reception area next to the entrance hall, with folding doors allowing this space to be separated from the kitchen and dining area.
      Sliding wood-framed doors open the living room up to the gardenA bespoke blackened-steel staircase provides access to four bedrooms on the first floor, including a main suite with a juliet balcony overlooking the garden.
      Following a detailed cost and sustainability review, a decision was made to demolish all of the property’s interior walls and rebuild them in order to achieve the required spaces.
      The interior was finished in a rich material paletteThis solution also offered the best energy-efficiency potential, according to Ridley, with a layer of wall insulation added alongside a heat recovery ventilation system (MVHR).
      The home’s first-floor plate was replaced using steel beams and timber joists to enable the demolition of the ground-floor walls and the opening up of the interior.
      Flooring was used to define different zonesspThe project also involved the addition of a timber-framed rooftop extension, clad with white-painted brick to tie in with the rest of the house and set back so it’s largely hidden from view.
      The extension contains a flexible mezzanine space for yoga and meditation that is accessed from the main bedroom suite.

      Architecture for London uses natural materials to renovate studio founder’s home

      Throughout the home, Architecture for London applied a pared-back palette of natural materials that is intended to create a sense of calmness and connection with the garden.
      Internal walls treated with breathable lime plaster provide a neutral backdrop for furniture including a dining table made from locally sourced London plane trees.
      Doors and windows are framed with wood”We intentionally didn’t use a lot of colour so there’s a strong feeling of consistency,” Ridley said. “The choice of stone and timber brings a rich texture to the palette.”
      A reference image of a Portuguese manor house, featuring a tiled trompe l’oeil frieze around a doorway, informed the use of materials to define space within the interior.
      The shared living areas have an open-plan layoutIn the living room, stone floor tiles in different shades create a border around the room, as if an area rug has been placed on the floor to demarcate where furniture could be placed.
      Ben Ridley founded Architecture for London in 2009 following his studies at London’s Barlett School of Architecture. The studio aims to create places that improve how people live and work, with a focus on reducing their operational emissions.
      Wood lines the interior walls of the homeRidley’s own London house recently featured in our round-up of five UK house renovations designed to improve energy efficiency.
      “Ultimately we are going to have to accept some changes in the appearance of our traditional homes,” he said, speaking to Dezeen as part of a feature on architects who have retrofitted their own homes.
      The photography is by Christian Brailey.

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      Ten Spanish apartment renovations characterised by eclectic tiles

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      For our latest lookbook, we have collected 10 apartments in Spain that have been brought to life using decorative tiles, from preserved 20th-century features to speckled contemporary terrazzo grout.

      Known for its abundance of colourful tiles, Spain has many period apartments with original details including ornate archways and eclectic tiling.
      The following architecture and interior design studios have made the most of these traditions when renovating homes, which often involved refreshing the homes’ interiors while maintaining their history, or adding contemporary elements that nod to the past.
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring statement carpets, pop-up shops and homes with sliding doors.
      Photo is by José HeviaYurikago House, Barcelona, by Mas-aqui

      Architecture studio Mas-aqui opened up an apartment in Barcelona by creating multiple levels lined with slabs of exposed concrete, slatted wood and reddish ceramic tiles.
      The dwelling was named  Yurikago House after the Japanese word for a cradle, which references the shape of the timber structure that supports part of a new mezzanine that was created in the renovation.
      Find out more about Yurikago House ›
      Photo is by German SáizMadrid apartment by Sierra + De La Higuera
      Set within a 1940s building, interior spaces in this Madrid apartment were delineated with vibrantly hued Moroccan zellige tiles, from bold yellow accents in the living room to an emerald green kitchen.
      The tiles are defined by imperfect hand-moulded surfaces and feature throughout the home in the form of decorative skirting as well as flooring and cabinetry.
      Find out more about this Madrid apartment ›
      Photo is by Mariela ApollonioValencia apartment by DG Arquitecto
      During the minimalist renovation of a 1920s apartment in Valencia, local studio DG Arquitecto preserved the original mosaic elements – flooring that the firm called “typical” of the city.
      The studio paired mid-century rattan dining chairs and delicate timber elements with the colourful tiles while original mouldings and decorative arched doorways were also maintained.
      Find out more about this Valencia apartment ›
      Photo is by José Hevia1040 Unit, Madrid, by Studio Noju
      Working within Madrid’s iconic brutalist Torres Blancas tower, emerging practice Studio Noju created an apartment that balances contemporary details with the building’s brutalist history.
      Each of the dwelling’s three bathrooms were individually colour-coded with small geometric mosaics that nod to the green ceramic tiles that clad the apartment’s terraces.
      “The [mosaic] material allowed us to solve all the elements of the bathroom such as shower areas, vanities, walls and floors, referencing a similar material strategy used in the original design,” studio co-founder Antonio Mora told Dezeen.
      Find out more about 1040 Unit ›
      Image is courtesy of NarchBarcelona apartment by Narch
      Eclectically arranged decorative floors dating back to the early 20th century take centre stage in this Barcelona apartment that was renovated by Narch architecture office.
      Known as encaustic tiling, which is common in the city, each tile is created by pouring pigmented ceramics into moulds and pressing them to create a pattern.
      Elsewhere in the apartment, doors made from laminated glass screen off its bedrooms. This material was chosen for its neutrality in order to emphasise the space’s ornate flooring.
      Find out more about this Barcelona apartment ›
      Photo is by Asier RuaCasa Olivar, Madrid, by Matteo Ferrari and Carlota Gallo
      Casa Olivar is a two-storey apartment by designers Matteo Ferrari and Carlota Gallo, which is characterised by handmade terracotta floor tiles that complement the home’s muted colour palette.
      Created as a “sensorial refuge”, the dwelling includes two large windows in the living room that flood the space with natural light. Earthy-toned, simple materials feature throughout, including textured plaster finishes.
      Find out more about Casa Olivar ›
      Photo is by Judith Casas SayósBarcelona apartment by Parramon + Tahull
      Barcelona studio Parramon + Tahull added bespoke birch plywood joinery and continuous tiled flooring to an apartment in the city’s Gracia neighbourhood, in order to blend with the building’s original features.
      Created by Spanish manufacturer Wow, the terracotta tiles feature a mismatched geometric design that covers the entire apartment, including the kitchen and the bathroom.
      Find out more about this Barcelona apartment ›
      Photo is by José HeviaLaia and Biel’s House, Barcelona, by TEd’A
      Architecture office TEd’A used crushed tiles to create playful terrazzo grout in a renovated apartment that belongs to the owners of the Mallorcan tile brand Huguet.
      The grout was made from the original terracotta tiles that lined the home before its revamp, which were crushed into tiny pieces to form a reddish-hued aggregate that was mixed with existing white tile grout.
      “Our idea was to keep the best parts of the old flat we bought,” Biel told Dezeen, citing sustainability and honouring the apartment’s original design.
      Find out more about Laia and Biel’s House ›
      Photo is by Yago PartalEnd of the Roc, Barcelona, by Nook Architects
      Nook Architects redesigned another apartment in Barcelona while maintaining its distinctive historical details, including a striking mural-style wall that is over 40 years old, timber beams and intricately patterned floor tiles.
      “Our approach to End of the Roc revolved around the restoration and consolidation of the building’s original character,” said the architecture studio.
      Find out more about End of the Roc ›
      Photo is by Jordi FolchCasa Burés, Barcelona, by Vilablanch and TDB Arquitectura
      Interior design studio Vilablanch collaborated with TBD Arquitectura to refurbish all 26 apartments within Case Burés – a 20th-century building constructed by the late architect Francesc Berenguer i Mestres.
      The team selected “silent” contemporary furnishings to complement Case Burés’ original decorative features, such as stainless steel geometric cabinetry that was chosen so as not to “compete with” or “imitate” the colourful tiled flooring.
      Find out more about Casa Burés ›
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring statement carpets, pop-up shops and homes with sliding doors. 

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      Cruciform cabinet anchors The Loma Residence by Esrawe Studio

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      An oak “skin” wraps the interior of living spaces at this apartment in Mexico City, renovated by locally based Esrawe Studio.

      The two-bedroom Loma Residence in the neighbourhood of Lomas de Chapultepec faces sunset views over the forest, so Esrawe Studio reconfigured the layout to optimise this orientation.
      The Loma Residence was reconfigured so that living spaces could enjoy west-facing vistas and lightWalls and partitions were removed to create a more open living and dining space, where low furniture is arranged so as not to obstruct the vista or prevent the golden-hour light from reaching far into the apartment.
      To deal with a column and create separation from the rest of the apartment in a single gesture, the studio wrapped the structural element in oak and extended low consoles from both sides — forming a cross shape.
      Oak panels wrap a structural column and extend out to form low consoles”Its sculptural expression triggers the operative relationship of the space, defining the leading gesture of the project, and becoming the element that houses books, vinyl records, and a space for a turntable,” said Esrawe Studio, which was founded by Héctor Esrawe.

      Storage cabinets at the same height are continued along a nearby wall, forming part of a much larger expanse of millwork that extends to the ceiling and wraps around the living room.
      A granite island sits in the centre of the minimalist kitchen”The oak wood skin that runs through the space embraces the perimeter of the apartment,” the studio said. “This same skin integrates all doors and entrances to the service areas, creating a visual, warm, and tactile continuity that travels all the way to the master bedroom.”
      The kitchen can also be hidden from the living area by sliding partitions in the same material.

      Chloé Mason Gray utilises “masculine” elements for Mexico City renovation

      When open, these operable panels sit flush within the millwork, which curves in on both sides to also conceal the refrigerator and the access to the pantry, linen closet and wine cellar.
      In the centre of the kitchen sits a green-toned granite island that incorporates four gas burners, and the sink faces a long window that frames the verdant landscape.
      Oak wraps the perimeter of the apartment and continues into the bedroomsSurfaces that aren’t oak are marble, to “provide the space with a sober and contemporary atmosphere” according to the design team.
      The exception is the guest bathroom, which is lined in green quartizite and features a sculptural Tikal marble washbasin designed by EWE Studio — founded by Esrawe with gallerist and curator Age Salajõe, and designer Manuel Bañó to promote Mexico’s craft heritage.
      EWE Studio designed a sculptural Tikal marble washbasin for the guest bathroomEsrawe Studio was named Interiors Studio of the Year at the 2020 Dezeen Awards, and operates from a converted dancehall with an “honest industrial aesthetic” in the Mexican capital.
      The studio’s completed interior projects have ranged from a glossy bar at the city’s Auditorio Nacional to a restaurant informed by Samurai armour and Kanji characters.
      The photography is by Fabián Martinez.
      Project credits:
      Interior design and furniture: Esrawe StudioCreative direction: Héctor EsraweDesign team: Ángel Campos, Javier García-Rivera, Raúl Araiza, Jair Rocha, Viviana Contreras.Visualizations: Madián Alvarado

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      Ten homes with space-saving pocket doors that disappear into the walls

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      Our latest lookbook explores homes where pocket doors slide into gaps within the walls, as a way of saving space or giving a more open feel to an interior.

      A pocket door is a specific type of sliding door designed to slot into a wall cavity. This means that when the door is open, it is completely hidden from view.
      For homes where an open-plan layout is desirable but not practical, pocket doors offer a viable alternative. When open they are almost invisible, allowing adjacent rooms to feel more connected.
      Pocket doors can also be used for rooms where there isn’t enough space for a door to open outwards, or for locations where it makes sense for the door to integrate into surrounding joinery.
      Read on to see 10 different examples, in homes that include a courtyard house in Arizona and a renovated 1920s apartment in New York.

      This is the latest piece in our lookbook series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. Other recent editions showcase cabins with cosy interiors and homes that make the most of narrow spaces.

      St John Street, UK, by Emil Eve Architects
      Pocket doors slot in behind bookcases in the entrance lobby of this converted loft apartment in London.
      Emil Eve Architects designed various oak joinery elements to divide up the interior of the former industrial space. Pocket doors are made from the same wood, so they feel integrated.
      Behind the doors are two bedroom spaces and a bathroom.
      Find out more about St John Street ›

      Riverside Apartment, USA, by Format Architecture Office
      In this 1920s apartment in New York’s Upper West Side, recently renovated by Format Architecture Office, a pocket door separates the main lounge and dining room from an adjacent study.
      This means that, when the study is not required as a quiet workspace, it can become an extension of the day-to-day living space.
      The door sits within a deep frame made from Anigre wood – an African hardwood commonly used for furniture and cabinetry – which matches the design of the kitchen entrance opposite.
      Find out more about Riverside Apartment ›

      Logan Certified, USA, by Moss
      This converted bodega in Chicago serves as the home and workplace of Matt Nardella, founder of architecture and design firm Moss, and his wife and colleague Laura Cripe.
      The couple’s bedroom is located behind an oak-panelled wall. By installing a pocket door made from the same material, they have made the entrance feel more discrete.
      Find out more about Logan Certified ›

      Apartment in Föhr, Germany, by Karin Matz and Francesco Di Gregorio
      Pocket doors lead through to cabin-style bedrooms in this converted attic apartment on the island of Föhr, designed by architects Francesco Di Gregorio and Karin Matz.
      The doors are made from transluscent polycarbonate, giving them a soft glow that contrasts with the vivid blue-green colour of the walls.
      Find out more about Apartment in Föhr ›

      A Gabled Roof in Kawagoe, Japan, by Tailored Design Lab
      A popular use of pocket doors is to make a patio deck feel like a continuation of the indoor living space, as Tailored Design Lab did at this family house in Saitama Prefecture.
      The project features a three-panel pocket door system, allowing a four-metre-wide window to slot into a cavity that is significantly smaller.
      Find out more about A Gabled Roof in Kawagoe ›

      O-asis, USA, by The Ranch Mine
      This home for a musician in Arizona features a series of four glazed pocket doors that allow a combined living room, kitchen and piano room to be completely opened up to the elements.
      Two of the doors connect the room with a secluded courtyard filled with desert plants, while the other two lead out to a sheltered terrace overlooking a swimming pool at the rear.
      All four doors are full-height, making them feel more like moving walls.
      Find out more about O-asis ›

      Bank Street Apartment, USA, by MKCA
      An unusually shaped pocket door was required for this renovation of an apartment in New York’s West Village, by Michael K Chen Architecture (MKCA).
      The works included adding a continuous storage unit along one wall, extending from the lounge and kitchen into a small  home-office slotted in the corner.
      The pocket door slots around this unit, thanks to a rectangular cutaway in one corner, meaning one of the owners could work from home without being disturbed by their partner.
      Find out more about Bank Street Apartment ›

      Writer’s Studio, USA, by Eric J Smith
      Using a pocket door as a main entrance is less common but not impossible, as proved by this writing studio at the Connecticut home of poet John Barr.
      The glass pocket door is set behind a stone facade, protected by a sliding panel made of distressed oak. It aligns with the owner’s desk, allowing the breeze to easily flow through.
      Find out more about Writer’s Studio ›

      Hipped House, UK, by Oliver Leech Architects
      The dining room of this family home in Surrey is previously separate from the kitchen and living space.
      In order to create more spacious, open living spaces, Oliver Leech Architects replaced the old door with a much larger opening. A pair of pocket doors mean it the room can still be closed up if required.
      Find out more about Hipped House ›

      Yurikago House, Spain, by Mas-aqui
      Pocket doors are a favourable solution for en-suite bathrooms, where a standard door might get in the way of a basin, toilet or shower.
      In this house in Barcelona, the pocket door extends all the way up to the ceiling to enhance the sense of spaciousness when it is open.
      Find out more about Yurikago House ›

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      Dramatic gestures define Gallery Residence in Toronto by Burdifilek

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      Carved French limestone and rolling glass doors were used by Toronto interiors studio Burdifilek to create theatrical effects in this house that frequently hosts events, concerts and dinner parties.

      Burdifilek was tasked with creating the interiors of a 25,000-square-foot (2,300-square-metre) home for a family who regularly entertain large numbers of guests to support a variety of charities.
      In this house designed for entertaining, cast glass doors are rolled back to signal the start of dinnerSpilt over three levels, the sprawling Gallery Residence is named for its large art collection.
      Sourced from galleries and furniture showrooms in London, Paris and New York, the works include originals and limited editions by artists including Donald Judd and Vincent Dubourg.
      Padded silk walls help to dampen ambient sounds in the dining roomBurdifilek co-founder Diego Burdi, who travelled with his clients to source these pieces, then needed to find ways to integrate them into the home without it feeling sterile and lifeless.

      “One of the main challenges was ensuring the home maintained a level of warmth and comfort with or without guests,” said the studio.
      A sinuous limestone staircase spirals around a vertical glass light fixture that hangs nine metres from the ceilingOf the different beige-toned materials combined throughout the residence, the most prominent is French limestone.
      It covers the hallway floors and several walls and forms a variety of sculptural architectural features.
      Limestone continues through the home and is carved to form other architectural features, including a minimalist fireplaceThese include a pared-back fireplace with curved edges, which are echoed in the base moulding, and a staircase that spirals up to connect all three floors.
      Hardwood flooring in a slightly darker hue was laid in the main living room, where the walls are lined with cashmere and seating is configured to spark casual conversations.
      In the “great room”, seating is arranged to encourage casual conversation”When moving between rooms, a visual fluidity is revealed through a harmonizing palette of natural woods, quarried stone, milky hues and soft textures, many of which derive from the world of fashion,” said Burdifilek.
      A conservatory with a fully glazed front and roof is used as a reception area for welcoming guests, where large potted trees bookend seating areas.
      Burdifilek co-founder Diego Burdi travelled to London, Paris and New York with his clients to source the artworks for the homeCustom-made glass doors by Jeff Goodman Studio that glow at night are rolled back to reveal the dining room.
      In this space, padded silk walls help to dampen ambient sounds and high-gloss furniture pieces include four china cabinets placed in each corner.
      Blackened bronze doorways are aligned to create sightlines through the residenceAt one end of the dining table, an opening frames a view of the sinuous staircase and the cut-glass pendant light by designer Matthew McCormick that descends 30 feet (nine metres) through the central void.
      “The craftsmanship behind each piece of convex glass enables the fixture to cast dazzling patterns of refracted light,” Burdifilek said.

      StudioAC designs Toronto house “disguised as a gallery”

      Tall portal doorways and full-height windows are trimmed in blackened bronze, adding dark accents to contrast the expanses of beige.
      “Understated tones are countered with dramatic sightlines that lead toward particular works of art, and custom finishes give each room its own mood and uniqueness,” the studio said.
      The kitchen is designed for large-volume catering, and includes four sinks and quartzite countertopsThe kitchen is set up for large-volume catering, with four sinks and space for up to 40 platings on translucent quartzite countertops.
      The home’s private areas are spread across its three storeys, and include an indoor lap pool, a family room clad in black-stained pine panels, and a primary bedroom decorated with French blue walls, seating and linens.
      The home’s private areas include a den clad in blackened pine panelsBurdifilek was founded by Diego Burdi and Paul Filek, and the studio has completed a variety of interior projects in its home city, and internationally.
      In Toronto, these encompass stores for outwear brand Moose Knuckles and oil specialist TA-ZE, while projects abroad include the vast Hyundai Seoul shopping mall.
      The photography is by Doublespace.
      Project credits:
      Interior design firm: BurdifilekFounder and creative director: Diego BurdiFounder and managing partner: Paul FilekProject manager and studio director: Tom YipDesign team: Michael Del Priore, senior concept designer; John Seo, senior concept designer; Sean Li, intermediate designer; Tom Yip, design development; Anna Nomerovsky, senior CAD specialist and production; Anna Jurkiewicz, senior CAD specialist and production; Yoonah Lee, CAD and material library specialistArchitect and builder: Brennan Custom HomesStone fabricator: EDM CanadaMillwork: Erik’s CabinetsLighting consultant: Marcel Dion Lighting DesignArt consultant: Jane Corkin of Corkin Gallery

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      Direccion brings sense of tranquility to Casa Tres Árboles in Valle de Bravo

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      The designers at Mexican studio Direccion had “monastic sanctuary” in mind when revamping this weekend retreat in Valle de Bravo.

      The two-storey Casa Tres Árboles is designed to celebrate light and shadow contrasts, natural materials and calming colour tones.
      The double-height entrance hall features a floor of wood and black microcement”The goal of this project was to create a space in natural and warm tones, to convey a sense of refuge and retreat, of monastic sanctuary,” said designer Mariana Morales, founder of Direccion.
      Casa Tres Árboles was first built 25 years ago in the popular lakeside location, which is located two hours drive west of Mexico City, but the original design had become outdated.
      Pre-existing walls were removed to create a more open-plan living space”The client’s directive was to give the house a refreshed style, with updated finishes to accommodate more frequent visits, while maintaining the weekend getaway feel of the place,” said Morales.

      The renovation centred around opening up the interior, creating a more natural flow of light and movement through the different living spaces.
      Located below street level, the house’s entrance is a pivoting doorThis was achieved by not only removing walls, but also by adjusting the split-level floor so that the social spaces feel more connected.
      Key to the design was the entrance sequence. From the street, a staircase descends, leading around a tree and into a small sunken courtyard.
      A new wall screens the staircase, with an arched doorway leading through to a bedroomDireccion’s design enhances the sense of drama to this arrival. A former bathroom was removed to make space for a planter filled with leafy shrubs and ferns.
      From here, a pivoting door leads through to a double-height entrance hall topped by a glass dome and features a high-contrast floor-combing wood and black microcement.

      Matte-black house Las Golondrinas is a sanctuary for retirement in Valle de Bravo

      The space is framed by a new wall that hides away the previously open stairwell. An arched doorway leads through to a bedroom, while an aged wooden table presents a display of sculptural vases.
      “This decidedly sculptured hall is the prime space to pause and become surrounded by the material serenity of the house,” said Morales.
      A wooden seating bench runs alongside a 10-person dining tableThe kitchen, dining room and lounge space are all located beyond the hall, one step down, and now connect with a sundeck thanks to sliding glass doors.
      This open-plan layout was made possible by the addition of two structural columns, which take the place of load-bearing walls that previously divided the space.
      Dark walls help to create atmosphere in the bedroomsCasa Tres Árboles contains three en-suite bedrooms on the upper level, along with a small snug.
      Both these rooms and those on the ground floor are painted in dark shades that offer a natural counterpoint to the warm tones of the exposed wooden ceiling beams.
      A soft-red sofa located in the main living space is one of few splashes of colour.
      All four bedrooms have en-suite bathroomsArtworks are dotted throughout, including a painting by Mexican artist Beatriz Zamora, while dark crockery by artisanal craft makers Colectivo 1050 is displayed openly in the kitchen.
      “The colour palette integrates the flow of the elements and, with every piece and material carefully curated, creates a space for repose, meditation and balance,” added Morales.
      A snug is located on the upper levelValle de Bravo is home to some of Mexico’s best examples of housing design.
      Other memorable examples include the Y-shaped Casa de la Roca by Cadaval & Solà-Morales and the secluded Santana House by CC Arquitectos.
      The photography is by Fabian Martinez.

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      Ten residential interiors that make the most of narrow spaces

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      Including tight living areas, kitchens wedged into corridors and interiors in skinny Japanese houses, this lookbook features 10 homes that make clever use of narrow spaces.

      Projects on constricted urban sites or working within historical buildings often must contend with long-and-narrow interior layouts.
      Here are 10 examples of interiors where narrow spaces have been utilised to their full potential thanks to intelligent design.
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring mezzanine bedrooms, creative built-in furniture and homes that make a highlight of their corridors.
      Photo by Sobajima, Toshihiro1.8m Width House, Japan, by YUUA Architects & Associates

      As its name suggests, the rooms in this house in central Tokyo are just 1.8 metres wide, so Japanese studio YUUA Architects & Associates had to plan the interior with meticulous care.
      They used split-level floors to create natural partitions between different spaces, with a kitchen and dining area lined up along a single wall, while a dark colour scheme is intended to provide “a sense of depth”.
      Find out more about 1.8m Width House ›
      Photo by by Mariela ApollonioHorta Nord townhouse, Spain, by DG Arquitecto Valencia
      DG Arquitecto Valencia sneaked a kitchen into a passageway in this Valencian townhouse as part of a renovation project for a young family.
      White floor tiles and downlighting hanging from the high ceiling help the space maintain a sense of generous scale despite the narrow proportions.
      Find out more about this Horta Nord townhouse ›
      Photo by Colin Miller196 Orchard apartment, USA, by Alex P White
      American designer Alex P White created a model unit for a high-end condominium building in Manhattan’s Lower East Side characterised by exposed calming concrete ceilings, grey plaster walls and neutral-toned decor.
      In the narrow living room, a mix of shapes and textures combine with built-in furniture to provide added visual depth, from a series of ivory wall hangings by Los Angeles artist Mary Little to a large walnut shelving unit designed by White and a cardboard chair by Frank Gehry.
      Find out more about this 196 Orchard apartment ›
      Photography is by Lorenzo ZandriNotting Hill maisonette, UK, by Francesco Pierazzi Architects
      A petite plywood study space was nestled into a hallway in this London maisonette overhauled by Francesco Pierazzi Architects.
      To emphasise the home’s sense of height, the studio placed floor-to-ceiling doorways in all of its narrower rooms and left the brick shell exposed, offset by dark flooring.
      Find out more about this Notting Hill maisonette ›
      Photo by Texture on TextureSeochon micro guesthouse, South Korea, by Z_Lab
      Z_Lab’s serene interiors for this tiny guesthouse tucked down an alleyway in northern Seoul occupy a former traditional Korean home, otherwise known as a hanok.
      In the main space, long and rectilinear, different functions are lined up from a cosy reading area on a timber bench to a lengthy walnut table for enjoying tea that sits directly beside a sunken water bath.
      Find out more about this Seochan micro guesthouse ›
      Photo by Eric PetschekWest Chelsea Apartment, USA, by BoND
      This long and narrow apartment in New York’s Chelsea neighbourhood was overhauled by architecture studio BoND, which replaced partition walls with glass doors to allow more light to reach the middle section while also “celebrating the apartment’s elongated proportions and maximising the illusion of depth”.
      All utilities, including kitchen and bathroom fixtures, were moved to one wall to leave the other free for displaying art, while the direction of the floorboards and linear lighting fixtures help to emphasise the length of the interior.
      Find out more about West Chelsea Apartment ›
      Photo by Itay BenitBauhaus Tel Aviv apartment, Israel, by Amir Navon and Maayan Zusman
      A “safe room” was turned into a snug spare bedroom as part of a refurbishment of this Tel Aviv apartment by architect Amir Navon and interior designer Maayan Zusman, who worked alongside graduates Dana Sagive and Naama Tison Vilotsky.
      To compensate for a lack of width a light-toned oak herringbone floor was paired with pale colours, while two wooden plates with holes pierced in them to support brass hooks are a space-saving storage solution.
      Find out more about this Bauhaus Tel Aviv apartment ›
      Photo by by Koji Fujii Nacasa and PartnersLove2 House, Japan, by Takeshi Hosaka
      This Tokyo micro home designed by architect Takeshi Hosaka for himself and his wife gathers household amenities into a linear floorplan spanning just 19 square metres.
      Borrowing principles from the architecture of villas in ancient Roman villas, Hosaka divided up spaces for sleeping, bathing, eating and study using seven partitions that extend out from the concrete walls.
      Find out more about Love2 House ›
      Photo by Ståle EriksenBirch and Clay Refugio, UK, by Rise Design Studio
      By cutting shelving into one wall, retaining a generous window sill and subtly overlapping the chunky sink and bathtub, Rise Design Studio was able to make the most of limited lateral space in this bathroom.
      The room’s proportions were chosen to match an adjacent lightwell in the remodelled London flat, while the dark blue tadelakt walls and floor contrast with a birch plywood ceiling to convey an impression of solidity.
      Find out more about Birch and Clay Refugio ›

      La Odette, Spain, by CRÜ
      Architecture studio CRÜ was tasked with transforming this Barcelona apartment from a cramped three-bedroom home into a spacious two-bed while optimising the use of space.
      In the kitchen-living area, it removed the partition walls to create an open-plan space, with large terracotta floor tiles and white-painted brick walls.
      Find out more about La Odette ›
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring mezzanine bedrooms, creative built-in furniture and homes that make a highlight of their corridors.

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      Tria Arquitetura renovates São Paulo penthouse with sculptural staircase

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      A large variety of art and collectible design pieces populate this penthouse apartment in São Paulo, designed by local studio Tria Arquitetura, which also includes a sculptural staircase.

      The renovation of the 960-square-metre Frederic Chopin Apartment was led by architect Marina Cardoso de Almeida of Tria Arquitetura, who reconfigured the layout to make the most of the high ceilings and views.
      A sculptural staircase snakes between the levels of the duplex apartmentThe apartment is split over two floors and is home to an art-loving couple.
      Previously the owners of a large house, the clients chose to move to an apartment for convenience and security, but still wanted their space to feel open and expansive.
      Green furniture and rugs are highlighted against mostly neutral-toned materialsThe primary suite was moved to the upper floor, where the bed could be aligned with a floor-to-ceiling window that overlooks the cityscape.

      An intimate library was also created on this level, so that the whole floor is dedicated entirely to private space, apart from the patio and pool terrace, where the clients entertain guests.
      The couple’s contemporary art collection draws attention throughout the apartmentTwo employees’ suites were shifted to the lower floor, and a guest suite and home theatre were added in place of the closet.
      Connecting the two levels is a staircase with travertine treads and solid white bannisters, which snakes up a double-height space to appear like a piece of sculpture.
      Slatted wooden panels wrap the elevator block, the fireplace and the wall dividing the main living room from the guest areaThis sets the tone for the rest of the contemporary artworks and materials used throughout the penthouse.
      “The main concept in the choice of finishes and architectural solutions was to bring comfort but still leave a big void so that the works could dress the house,” said Tria Arquitetura.
      Stainless steel in the kitchen matches a wrapped column in the living areaIn the open living and dining area, colourful paintings adorn the walls, and furniture and rugs in shades of green and orange stand out against the otherwise neutral palette.
      “In the living room there were three large main volumes that should be highlighted to bring texture and more cosiness,” Tria Arquitetura said.
      The staircase features solid white bannisters and travertine treadsThese include the elevator block, the fireplace and the wall dividing the main room from the guest area, which are covered in thin vertical slats of veneered natural wood.
      Another column is wrapped in stainless steel to offer a cool, sharp-edged contrast to the wood and other warm tones in the living room.
      The primary bedroom was moved upstairs to face the best viewUpstairs in the library, wide-planked wood flooring is continued up the walls to make the room feel cosy, and provide a backdrop for a series of framed vintage maps.
      “It was only in the library that the architect chose to cover all the walls with the same wood as the floor to give more seriousness and highlight the environment from the others,” the studio said.

      Studio MK27 combines different textures in São Paulo apartment interior

      Updates were also made to the outdoor area, where the pool was reduced in size and re-edged to better integrate it with the landscaping.
      A pair of imitation classical pillars were also demolished, and a wood and glass pergola was added to cover the patio.
      Walls of an intimate library are panelled with the same wood as the floorThroughout the apartment, fully automated systems controlling the air conditioning, lighting, landscaping irrigation, and curtains and blinds were added during the renovation.
      The project took over two years to complete due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
      The project also involved adding a pergola and reducing the pool size on the terraceApartment living is commonplace in densely populated São Paulo, where architects and designers have used their creativity to add character to previously uninspiring spaces.
      Other recently completed examples include a residence by Studio MK27 that features furry upholstery, lace curtains and tactile rugs, and a renovation by Memola Estudio that exposed the building’s concrete structure.
      The photography is by Fran Parente.
      Project credits:
      Lead architect: Marina Cardoso de AlmeidaCreative team: Marina Cardoso de Almeida, Sarah Bonanno, Barbara Castro, Barbara Silva, Virginia CaldasEngineering: Steel ConstruçõesLandscaping: Alex HanazakiLight technician: Carlos FortesAutomation: TaagAir conditioning: Dealtec

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