Residential

Subterms

    More stories

    • 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

    • 100 Shares99 Views

      in Rooms

      Eight contemporary living rooms with sculptural coffee tables

      by

      Block-shaped, curved and wavy tables are among the unusual designs in this lookbook, which features sculptural coffee tables from around the world.

      In these homes. from India to Sweden, interior designers have used coffee tables with sculptural shapes to add a fun detail to the living room.
      While the designs may feel a bit quirky, the tables all manage to be practical as well as eye-catching, whether they’re made from glass, stone, wood or steel.
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration, see previous lookbooks featuring homes with pull-out furniture and dramatic circular openings and skylights.
      Photo by Joe FletcherTwentieth House, US, by Woods + Dangaran

      Floor-to-ceiling windows let light into the living room of this Australian home, which was designed around a decades-old olive tree.
      At its centre, a blocky rectangular coffee table made from polished brown stone complements comfortable lounge chairs in a matching brown hue.
      Find out more about Twentieth House ›
      Photo by Prue RuscoePalm Beach House, Australia, by YSG
      The striking stone coffee tables in this home look like solid blocks at first glance, giving them a monolithic effect that grounds the living room.
      Their marble patterning in beige and pinkish shades fit well into the room’s overall colour palette of faded rose and beige hues.
      Find out more about Palm Beach House ›
      Photo by Alice MesguichAmsterdam School house, the Netherlands, by DAB Studio
      The interior of this Dutch house was designed to reference the country’s Amsterdam School movement from the 1920s and 30s but with added contemporary touches.
      Among its many playful details is a sculptural coffee table made from glass that balances on a triangle and a rectangular block, its geometric shapes a nod to the many other angular furniture pieces in the room.
      Find out more about Amsterdam School house ›
      Photo by Jonas Bjerre-PoulsenForest Retreat, Sweden, by Norm Architects
      Copenhagen studio Norm Architects used peaceful colours and tactile materials for the interior of this holiday home in Sweden.
      Its furniture is similarly pared back, including a low-slung wooden coffee table with a decorative grainy surface that appears to float above the floor.
      Find out more about Forest Retreat ›
      Photo by David DworkindQuébec home, Canada, by Ménard Dworkind
      A steel table with an angular geometric shape adds a sleek, polished feel to the cosy rug and cushioned white sofa in the living room of this home designed by local studio Ménard Dworkind.
      The table’s steel top rests on stone blocks, creating a surprising material juxtaposition in the calm living space.
      Find out more about the Québec home ›
      Photo by Maarten WillemsteinHome Dijkhuis, the Netherlands, by Studio Modijefsky
      Named Dijkhuis for its setting next to a dyke in Amsterdam, this traditional home was designed by interior studio Studio Modijefsky.
      In its living room, a corduroy sofa in a muted forest green colour and a leather armchair provide seating around a vintage clover-shaped coffee table made from travertine and wood.
      Find out more about the Dijkhuis ›
      Photo by Ishita SitwalaMumbai apartment, India, by The Act of Quad
      This multigenerational Mumbai apartment, which even has its own temple, features orbs and circles throughout its interior, including in the living room.
      Here, a sculptural coffee table and bench are among the custom-made furniture pieces by Indian studio The Act of Quad. The table was designed to match the bench, with alternating brown and wood colour combinations.
      Find out more about the Mumbai apartment ›
      Photo by David MitchellTribeca loft, US, by Timothy Godbold
      New York interior designer Timothy Godbold created panels inspired by “a classic 1970s sci-fi series,” for this Tribeca loft, the studio said. Its living room features a pale rug with a pattern resembling a computer circuit board.
      Sofas with circular details add to the space-age feel, while an oblong-shaped coffee table with its own built-in plant pot contributes some greenery to the pale interior.
      Find out more about the Tribeca loft ›
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration, see previous lookbooks featuring homes with pull-out furniture and dramatic circular openings and skylights.

      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

    • 138 Shares199 Views

      in Rooms

      Nati Minas & Studio installs climbing wall inside São Paulo apartment

      by

      A bouldering wall in this São Paulo apartment designed by Nati Minas & Studio allows a sports-loving couple to scale their double-height living room.

      The 220-square-metre Musa apartment in the Itaim Bibi neighbourhood was renovated to reflect its residents’ active lifestyles.
      The Musa apartment includes a climbing wall in the living roomLocal firm Nati Minas & Studio added colourful hand and foot holds up one wall in the living room, reaching up to the pitched ceiling of the tall space.
      “The couple’s request for the top floor was to create a meeting place where they could welcome friends and family and spend quality time together,” said the studio.
      Colourful hand and foot grips allow the resident to scale the wallOverall, the renovation involved lightening up the residence, while adding texture in the social spaces with white trowelled-putty walls and porcelain floor tiles cut into shards.

      Beside the climbing wall, where the ceiling height drops, is a TV room tucked into a corner beside a long window and a bank of planters.
      A TV room is tucked beside a long window and planterAudio-visual equipment is housed against a wood-backed unit with a steel frame and metal-mesh shelves, which wraps around the staircase opening.
      On the other side, more pale-wood storage forms a bar that leads towards a sliding door, providing access to the glass-enclosed balcony.
      A glass-enclosed balcony accommodates a hot tub and a dining areaThis area features a hot tub, and a stainless-steel dining table alongside a built-in bench for enjoying casual meals cooked on the adjacent grill.
      The glazed roof and windows provide a panoramic view of the skyline, but can be shaded with a canopy of Roman blinds when it gets too bright.
      Roman blinds shade the glass roof and windows when conditions are too brightBedrooms and the kitchen are located on the lower floor, reached via a flight of slender, floating metal treads.
      “A new staircase was built to add more closet depth to the master bedroom, with a design that is half in depth and half overhanging, with light metal sheets,” said Nati Minas & Studio.

      Deferrari+Modesti designs rock climbing-themed staircase for villa in Tuscany

      The kitchen is separated from a lounge and games room by an arrival area lined with wood, into which cabinets and the front door were built.
      An amorphous wooden island projects from a stainless steel counter, which matches the lower cabinetry, while mesh-fronted storage overhead allows light from the window to pass through.
      On the lower floor is a games room featuring a green ebonised-wood tableAlthough neutrally decorated, the apartment is dotted with colourful furniture and artwork, including a bright-red bed frame in the primary suite.
      “Loose furniture always comes in as a spice to the atmosphere created as a base,” the studio said. “Here, there are neutral tones wandering between ecru, mint green, moss green, light wood and worked stones.”
      The kitchen is situated on the other side of a wood-lined arrival areaThis isn’t the first residence to include climbing apparatus inside and designers have come up with several ways to appease their active clients.
      For example, a villa in Tuscany features a blue staircase that doubles as a climbing wall, while a forest home in Finland is equipped with a climbing wall, gymnastic apparatus and a net covering a cut-out in one of the floors.
      The photography is by Carolina Lacaz.

      Read more: More

    • 88 Shares129 Views

      in Rooms

      Eight homes punctuated by dramatic circular openings

      by

      For our latest lookbook, we’ve gathered eight home interiors and exteriors that are crowned by circular openings and skylights.

      While often used to draw daylight into interior spaces, openings may also provide unexpected visual connections between a home’s spaces or – as shown in a project below – offer a structural frame through which trees can grow.
      Breaking free from the often rectilinear layout of a home, circular openings can add a sense of intrigue to an interior, while also casting dramatic rounded shadows across a space.
      Included among this list of projects is a holiday home in Tulum where a round window provides views of a swimming pool above and a series of homes in Puerto Escondido featuring circular openings cut into their slanted concrete roofs.
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration, see previous lookbooks featuring interiors that are stepped up by the addition of ladders, eclectic self-designed homes by architects and designers and living rooms characterised by bold statement rugs.

      Photo courtesy of 2305studioPink House, Vietnam, by 23o5studio
      Pink pebble-wash walls, geometric openings and planted patios define this home in Long Xuyen, Vietnam, by 2305studio.
      A large circular opening filters light over the ground-floor swimming pool and is topped with a planted balcony.
      Find out more about Pink House ›
      Photo by Asita YuliaJae Haala, Indonesia, by Wiyoga Nurdiansyah Architects
      This holiday home designed by Wiyoga Nurdiansyah Architects in a forested valley in Indonesia features an angular form made from dark-coloured concrete.
      The home’s living space is a covered garden, which is filled with plants and topped with a circular void that draws in natural light.
      Find out more about Jae Haala ›
      Photo by Rory GardinerPuerto Escondido, Mexico, by Ludwig Godefroy
      Architect Ludwig Godefroy cut circular openings into the slanted, concrete ceilings of a series of homes in Puerto Escondido.
      The openings create cave-like interiors with partially exposed pools and gardens that remain open to the elements throughout the year.
      Find out more about Puerto Escondido ›
      Photo by César BéjarVilla Cava, Mexico, by Espacio 18 Arquitectura
      A circular window reveals views of an above swimming pool within this holiday home designed by Espacio 18 Arquitectura.
      Located in Tulum, the concrete Villa Cava draws on brutalist architecture and is encased by the area’s surrounding greenery.
      Find out more about Villa Cava ›
      Photo by AndreaswidiHalo House, Indonesia, by Tamara Wibowo Architects
      Local studio Tamara Wibowo Architects integrated a series of circular voids and skylights into this home in Semarang, Indonesia.
      Large cutouts in the home’s flat concrete roof provide spaces for trees to grow through the structure, while thinner circular skylights provide lighting on the interior.
      Find out more about Halo House ›
      Photo by Adam RouseRound House, US, by Feldman Architecture
      American firm Feldman Architecture took a respectful approach while overhauling this 1960s circular house perched on a hillside near Silicon Valley.
      Modifications made to the floor plan included replacing an internal courtyard with a circular kitchen, which is lit by a round skylight above.
      Find out more about Round House ›
      Photo by David ZarzosoLa Casa de los Olivos, Spain, by Balzar Arquitectos
      Red-hued lime mortar coats La Casa de los Olivos, which Spanish studio Balzar Arquitectos added to an olive grove in Valencia, Spain.
      The home’s living area connects to a porch, which is sheltered by an overhang punctuated by a circular skylight.
      Find out more about La Casa de los Olivos ›
      Photo by Olmo PeetersSofie, Belgium, by Madam Architectuur
      A green-tiled extension built on a green-hued concrete base was added to this home renovation in Dilbeek, Belgium.
      Completed by Madam Architectuur, the extension is complemented by an external terrace, which is sheltered by a roof with a circular opening.
      Find out more about Sofie ›
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration, see previous lookbooks featuring interiors that are stepped up by the addition of ladders, eclectic self-designed homes by architects and designers and living rooms characterised by bold statement rugs..

      Read more: More

    • 125 Shares189 Views

      in Rooms

      Linda Boronkay selects bold shapes and colours for The Sessile

      by

      Former Soho House design director Linda Boronkay drew on her experience of members’ clubs when creating communal spaces at The Sessile, a rentable apartment block in north London.

      Created by contemporary rental brand Way of Life, The Sessile is a 310-apartment building in Tottenham Hale.
      Linda Boronkay has created the communal spaces at The Sessile in Tottenham HaleBoronkay designed the interiors for the building’s communal areas, which include a rooftop orangery and a private dining area as well as a gym, a yoga studio and a dedicated vinyl listening room.
      “We opted for bold colours and pieces with lots of personality,” said the interior designer, who founded her own practice in 2020.
      The rooftop orangery opens onto wide terraces”We also integrated vintage finds like we always do, so the ingredients and our approach were very similar to how we would work on a members’ club design,” she told Dezeen.

      The 10th-floor rooftop orangery is the largest of the spaces, opening onto planted terraces with sweeping views of the surrounding area.
      Marble and dark timber feature in the private dining roomBlack terrazzo flooring was paired with gleaming green and crimson tiles, which line the windowsills and a tall central fireplace. Boronkay chose a trio of spindly, ornate chandeliers to contrast with these colour-blocked accents.
      Large skylights illuminate an open kitchen and various seating areas encircled by textured armchairs. Bespoke rugs decorated with bright patterns add “a layer of art and graphic design” to the space, said Boronkay.
      Boronkay selected lighter hues for the yoga studioThe private dining room is more intimate, with sliding timber joinery that allows a graphic, coloured tapestry to give way to a concealed television.
      “Joinery, artwork and drapery allow residents to instantly change the function or ambiance of a room,” explained Boronkay.
      The gym is illuminated by sculptural lampsTranslucent glass discs were clustered together to create a chunky overhead lamp, while burnt orange curtains and veiny marble sideboards add a touch of luxury.
      Lighter hues were chosen for the yoga studio, finished with “natural” earthy colours on the floors, walls and ceilings. Muted tones also evoke a sense of calm in the gym, complete with sculptural sandy pendant lamps.
      The vinyl listening room was created as a “private nook”A squiggly neon ceiling light features in the vinyl listening room, designed as a “private nook for reflection”. The space is characterised by open blood-red shelving displaying stacks of records.
      “We were conscious about coming up with a new colour scheme and new identity for each room,” said the designer.

      Careers guide: Linda Boronkay explains what it’s like to be design director for Soho House

      Boronkay also included a ping-pong table in the room that can be used or stowed away depending on residents’ preferences.
      “We aren’t very used to designing in new build architecture,” reflected Boronkay.
      Terrazzo flooring was included in the interior design”Most of our projects are in historical heritage buildings and their story and style is an important building block in our design and narrative. At The Sessile, we had to almost ignore the architecture and create a world of our own that you experience as soon as you step inside,” added the designer.
      Elsewhere in London, local firm Studio Est referenced the industrial heritage of Battersea Power Station when creating the interiors for an apartment inside the redeveloped landmark. Archmongers studio recently renovated a home inside North Kensington’s Trellick Tower.
      The photography is courtesy of Way of Life.

      Read more: More

    • 138 Shares99 Views

      in Rooms

      Insulation made of discarded sheep wool used for Argentina guest house

      by

      Local studio DUB Arquitectura has created a metal-clad house called Casa La Escocesa, which features “insulating blankets” made of sheep wool that otherwise would have been incinerated.

      The 150-square-metre project is located on a farm in Argentina’s subtropical Pampas region, which consists of agricultural fields that stretch over flat plains. The building site is surrounded by crops, sheep and polo horses.
      DUB Arquitectura has designed a metal-clad house with insulation made of sheep’s woolLong and rectangular in plan, the building sits atop a platform and is covered with a gabled roof. The house was designed by DUB Arquitectura, a studio based in Buenos Aires, to follow the site conditions and to allow for future expansion.
      The interior is divided into four main areas: a kitchen and dining room, a bedroom, a bathroom, and a multi-purpose attic space. A breezeway lies at the centre of the plan.
      Plywood was used abundantly within the house”The central patio serves as an outdoor distribution hall and a space for meeting and contemplation of the surrounding and eternal landscape,” the team said.

      When choosing the building’s materials, the team opted for low- or no-maintenance options, to minimise the project’s operational energy.
      The insulation thickness varies around the houseFacades are clad in corrugated metal sheets, and plywood was used abundantly within the house.
      Discarded sheep wool was used for insulation, making use of a local product. The team said 4,000 tons of sheep wool are discarded yearly in the province of Buenos Aries.
      Solar panels line the gabled roofThe insulation thickness varies around the house, depending upon the orientation to the sun.
      “The house was used as a case study to implement the first insulating blankets made from discarded wool from this particular region, which is usually burnt,” the team said.

      Five products that use wool in new and unexpected ways

      “Now, the house is measured every season to test the evolution of the material, which is showing great performance.”
      Glazing was minimised in certain areas, yet the home remains filled with natural light. Above the bathroom and the main corridor, the team introduced skylights to reduce reliance on artificial light.
      Special vents provide ventilation in the atticAll rooms feature cross-ventilation and sun protection on windows, including the attic, where special vents provide ventilation during warm months.
      Other projects involving sheep wool include an English sauna by Architects Holiday that has red shingles and insulation made of recycled plastic and wool, and a Chilean house by Team Citic that consists of three gabled volumes with sheep wool insulation.
      The photography is by Fernando Schapochnik.
      Project credits:
      Architect: DUB ArquitecturaArchitect in charge: Angie DubCollaborators: Belén Butler, Tabatha Walter

      Read more: More