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    Kelly Wearstler renovates swimming pool for suite in Downtown LA Proper Hotel

    American designer Kelly Wearstler has refurbished a pool for a suite in the Downtown LA Proper Hotel, which opened earlier this year.

    As part of her studio’s extensive refurbishment of the building, Wearstler took the 35-foot (10.6-metre) pool from its previous use as a YWCA and turned it into a feature for the Pool Suite on the seventh floor.
    Kelly Wearstler remodelled the swimming room as part of a standalone suiteWith Omgivning as the project architect, the 2,777-square-foot (258-square-metre) room is one of 148 that she renovated for the launch of the hotel in February 2022. It is the only location in the Proper Hotel group chain thats feature an in-suite swimming pool.
    The room’s interior takes art deco influences from the club that the building was originally designed for in the 1920s.
    The Italian marble tile continues into the kitchen”During our initial research into the landmark building, we discovered this pool room originally shared a floor plate with guest rooms and so thought it would be a novel idea to transform it into an iconic suite with a private pool,” said Wearstler.

    Over the pool is an ivory ceramic mirror mural that covers the whole wall, created by artist Ben Medansky, who also worked with Wearstler on the Proper hotel in Santa Monica.
    The bedroom has a Kelly Wearstler-designed Matador bed”It was important to me to avoid a repeating pattern and instead treat each tile as its own canvas – no two are exactly alike,” said Medansky.
    “I drew inspiration from my Los Angeles-to-Arizona road trips over the years, and incorporated motifs of tire treads, traffic signs, and cacti, which were then minimized, abstracted, and put back together in a puzzle formation.”
    A mustard yellow shade covers the bedroom wallsIn the pool room, there is also an expressive wooden statue that sits in front of a window that naturally illuminated the space. Against the mosaic, Wearstler has placed a thin black metal bench.
    The floors surrounding the pool comprise multicoloured marble tiles – contributing to the 136 unique types of tile used across the hotel.

    Kelly Wearstler’s “fiercely local” Santa Monica Proper Hotel named AHEAD Americas Hotel of the Year

    A small lounge area with pink chairs by Michael Felix is placed in the entryway that separates the pool from the rest of the suite.
    The pool deck leads into an open kitchen, with similarly tiled floors and pink plaster walls by Studio One Plaster.
    The bathroom tile design was completed in houseA marble backsplash, custom millwork made with light wood, and an island with Lostine barstools also feature in this space.
    Meanwhile, a small dining table is accompanied by a set of Kelly Wearstler Martel Chairs.
    Much of the furniture in the suite was sourced from vintage outlets in the US and EuropeA bedroom and lounge area have dark-stained wood floors and walls painted a rich yellow colour that surround windows overlooking Downtown LA.
    The bathroom was lined with bronze and black tile made in house by Wearstler’s team.
    The LA-based designer is also behind a third Proper hotel in California, located in San Francisco and featuring an as the “eclectic” interior filled with vintage and European furniture.
    The photography is by The Ingalls.
    Project credits:
    Design: Kelly WearstlerArchitect: OmgivningCompany: McGuire BuildersHospitality: Group Proper HospitalityDeveloper: The KOR Group

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    The New Work Project is a monochrome co-working space in Brooklyn

    A shared workspace for creatives has opened in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, with minimalist black and white interiors and gold-toned accents.

    The New Work Project is the brainchild of The New Design Project, a studio founded by Parsons graduates Fanny Abbes and James Davison.
    The stark colour scheme of The New Work Project becomes apparent upon entering the reception areaHaving worked in finance for a time, the duo returned to their design roots to set up the co-working space in a converted foundry building, and craft its interiors.
    They describe it as “a place for like-minded people to come together in an environment that is personal and intimate, and designed for collaboration”, adding that the space is “individually designed to inspire, stimulate, promote creativity and facilitate fluid working”.
    Members can choose from a variety of seating options in the open-plan spaceA largely monochrome theme is followed through the space — from walls and door frames to furniture to artworks — with light fixtures, flooring and decorative plants adding some colour.

    “Bold accents of black and gold are carried throughout the space with an overall modern approach to the design,” said the founders. “Clean lights are beautifully accentuated with track lighting against the white interiors.”
    Caned modernist chairs accompany a large meeting tableThe stark palette is evident immediately upon entering into a vestibule painted black on its three sides and ceiling.
    A reception desk has a pale marble top cut into an angular shape, and is lit by a thin linear fixture that runs up the wall and across the ceiling to form a 90-degree angle.
    Desks are arranged in U-shape configurations opposite a marble barBeyond is a lounge area, where four black-framed modernist chairs with caned backs and seats face a large upholstered ottoman.
    The dark central seating sits on a pale grey rug, as do a pair of styled coffee tables on either side.
    Private conference rooms can be booked for meetingsA larger meeting table surrounded by the same caned chairs is positioned in front of a series of private conference rooms, which are available for members to book for meetings.
    There’s also a trio of phone booth-style rooms from which individuals can take calls.
    Phone booths offer privacy for individual calls”The intimate ’boutique’ space creates a community environment while also creating a place for work and productivity,” the founders said.
    The remainder of the co-working space is open plan, with light wood flooring throughout and white on all of the walls except those painted black at each end.

    The Malin is designed as a vibrant but homely New York co-working space

    Tables are laid out in U-shape configurations, divided by black-tinted glass partitions where they face one another.
    Three-branched brass lights hang overhead, while lamps with globe-shaped bulbs are placed on each desk.
    Gold-toned accents are found throughout the spaceA marble bar, accompanied by a line of black stools, separates this work area from a kitchen for members to prepare and eat food.
    Some of the building’s original steel columns are left exposed, their rough surfaces contrasting with the white walls and marble counters.
    The monochrome scheme continues down to artworks and stylingNew York City has no shortage of co-working spaces. Many are similarly using design to entice members, like The Malin that recently opened in Soho.
    Our latest lookbook rounds up 10 shared workspaces around the world that offer a reprieve from the home office.

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    Preen designs Prime steakhouse for a casino in the Arizona desert

    Designer Alexis Readinger of US studio Preen has incorporated earthy hues, wide arches and textured plaster into an Arizona eatery and bar that is part of a casino owned by a Native American community.

    The restaurant, Prime, is located on the top floor of an 11-storey tower at a casino and resort complex just south of Phoenix. The site, called Wild Horse Pass, is owned by the Gila River Indian Community.
    fThe restaurant features wide archesThe space was designed by Preen, a Los Angeles-based studio led by hospitality designer Alexis Readinger.
    Given that American casinos can often be ostentatious or kitschy, the design of Prime is meant to “challenge the traditional concept of a casino restaurant”.
    A “French aesthetic” permeates the spaceReadinger took cues from the surrounding landscape, which is dotted with cacti, shrubs and other vegetation found in the Sonoran Desert and the Estrella Mountains, located to the west of the site.

    “The design originates with the desert and is created intentionally to frame, to view and to honor the sacred land,” the designer said.
    The restaurant also exhibits a “stylised, lightly French aesthetic”, the designer added.
    Dining spaces are arranged around a central bar and loungeRectangular in plan, the eatery consists of multiple dining spaces that are arranged around a central bar and lounge.
    Rooms are divided by wide arches that reference those found at Arcosanti, an experimental, 1970s housing complex in the Arizona desert that was designed by architect Paolo Soleri.
    The bathroom features sink basins made of glazed lava stoneIn addition to the arches, the designer created a large, inverted pyramid that hovers over the main dining space. The pyramid is coated with textured “slagged plaster”.
    Throughout the restaurant, the team used earthy materials and colours.
    Preen added an inverted pyramid to the dining spaceIn the main room, seating areas are enclosed within half-walls made of rainbow limestone – a reference to “the desert moiré of sediment, horizon and time”, the designer said.
    Banquettes are wrapped in ultra suede in a reddish-orange hue. Chairs from Stellar Works are made of ash and oak.

    Snarkitecture designs Manifest “self-care” club in Washington DC

    Other elements include round tables with steel edges and mirrored tops, and globe-shaped pendants by John Barlow of Lightspeed.
    The globes have a finish that looks like a pockmarked moon, and are counter-weighted by long rods. “Another moment of time and suspension,” the designer said.
    Beyond the dining rooms, the restaurant has two waiting areas that are monochromatic. One is has an earthy red hue, while the other is a deep shade of green.
    The restaurant has two monochromatic waiting areasBoth spaces are fitted with leather chairs designed by Preen and built by the fabricator Jecco. Small, rounded tables are from Blu Dot.
    The bathroom features a vanity with a powder-coated countertop and sink basins made of glazed lava stone. Motion-activated faucets come down from the ceiling. Affixed to a wall are sconces from Rich Brilliant Willing.
    Outdoor terraces provide views of the surrounding landscapeThe eatery also has outdoor terraces where guests can take in the scenery. One setting features iroko wood furnishings and sculptural, built-in shelving that holds an array of candles.
    Other hospitality projects in Arizona include the Mountain Shadows resort, which features interiors by Mark Zeff that were inspired by desert mid-century modernism, and the Hotel Valley Ho, an iconic 1950s hotel that was brought up to date by architect Edward L Varney.
    The photography is by Brandon Barré.

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    MAWD revamps lobby and atrium of Denver tower designed by IM Pei

    Design studio MAWD has redone the interiors of an IM Pei tower in Denver, Colorado, including the lobby and an adjoining Philip Johnson-designed atrium.

    The London and US-based interiors studio redesigned aspects of the interiors at the 23-storey commercial tower 1700 Broadway in downtown Denver for Beacon Capital.
    MAWD updated the 27,000-square-foot (250-square-metre) lobby and atrium – the latter attached in 1983 by architect Philip Johnson, almost 30 years after the tower’s completion.
    MAWD redesigned both the lobby of the IM Pei tower and the attached atriumRebranded as the Atrium Campus, the extensive redesign of 1700 Broadway – which was the first skyscraper in the city – includes an update to the security desk, a lounge, and updates to the streetscape.
    Influenced by the mid-century architecture of the original design, MAWD included a massive communal fireplace with travertine accents. The coherence with the original was achieved through using repurposed stone from other parts of the building.

    The front desk was placed back and out of the way, and is surrounded by wooden louvres”We drilled into the mid-century details that were prevalent, authentic and ‘of-the-moment’,” said Elliot March, design lead on the project.
    The designers surrounded the fireplace area with long and short tables for gathering, as well as booths along the walls. Wooden louvres were placed over the welcome desk to highlight the green wall behind it.
    The seating around the lobby looks out into the atrium “streetscape”The lobby is framed by the black colonnades that define the structure from the street, which open up to the atrium.
    Johnson’s sloping atrium, which wraps around the lobby, was redesigned as an extension of the “streetscape” indoors. From the entrance is a walkway between the walls of the atrium and the open lobby, where benches, greenery and fixtures that imitate street lamps were placed.
    Steps were added in the atrium to increase social spaceThese elements lead up to an addition that the designers refer to as “Spanish steps”.
    This structure is pyramidal and works with the changes in elevation of the site to create more sitting and social areas in the atrium.

    “With IM Pei’s death, the last of the modern monument makers has passed”

    The steps climb towards a mezzanine that connects the atrium to a covered walkway over Broadway, as well as to the second floor of the building.
    On the second floor, MAWD revamped 9,300 square feet (863.9 square metres) for amenities including a gym, yoga studio, and conference rooms.
    MAWD added a lounge space on the second floorThe purpose of the design, according to MAWD was “to attract leading companies during the area’s tech boom, providing flexible and responsive spaces for the future of work”.
    The legacy of Chinese-American architect IM Pei, who died in 2019 aged 102, continues to draw interest; the Mesa Lab in nearby Boulder, Colorado, has become a focal point for architectural photographers. His structures that have received updates in recent years include Eskenazi Museum in Bloomington, Indiana, renovated by Ennead Architects.
    The photography is by Robert Benson.

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    Forte Forte's first US store features golden changing rooms and balancing stones

    Light fixtures inspired by James Turrell artworks, balancing stones, and a circular golden changing room feature in the interiors of fashion brand Forte Forte’s Los Angeles boutique.

    The Italian label’s art director Robert Vattilana designed the interiors of the store, which is located at 8424 Melrose Place in Los Angeles – the first Forte Forte branch in the US.
    Vattilana called the design “an ineffable balance of the geometric and the organic”.
    The store features a sage green enamelled metal facadeTwo rectilinear shop windows are framed by a sage-green enamelled metal facade with the boutique’s glowing logo. The recessed front door is crafted from enamelled wood.
    Inside, a bright white ceiling is lit at the edges casting light on the textured walls, which create a neutral backdrop for Vattilana’s minimal but eclectic designs.

    A mixture of pastel and brighter tones define the space”The Los Angeles boutique is meant as a concise and vibrant project where light becomes matter, in an ineffable balance of the geometric and the organic,” the interior designer told Dezeen.
    Both pastel hues and brighter pops of colour are seen in the store’s furniture, which ranges from chunky terrazzo planters and gold shelving to a powdery pink chaise longue.
    The changing rooms were placed in a rounded gold boothThe amount of garments on display is minimal, with single dresses suspended delicately from various squiggly formations of gold wire.
    Changing rooms exist within a rounded, bright gold pod that is separated into cubicles. These feature a mixture of plush sea-green textiles and an array of mirrors.

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    Another standout element is two giant stones placed in front of ethereal, full-height muslin curtains, one of which balances on top of the other in a dramatic formation.
    “The stones are from the Palm Springs desert and are meant as a tribute to the work of [former Swiss art duo] Peter Fischli and David Weiss,” explained Vattilana.
    Two giant stones add drama to the boutiqueBack-lit, circular openings throw light on the boutique, which, according to the designer, also take cues from an existing artist.
    “Perimeters and ceilings create movement and an iridescent light emerges from the total depth of the shop, referring to the luminous geometries of [light artist] James Turrell,” he continued.
    The lighting was informed by the work of James TurrellVattilana described the brand’s Los Angeles store as a space that “echoes the volumes and lines of Californian modernism,” as it follows a group of uniquely designed Forte Forte stores in locations such as Milan and London.
    “The contrast with Italian materials and finishes enriches the balance of components with further nuances, sealing the uniqueness of the project.”
    “Each Forte Forte location follows a different rhythm,” he concluded.
    Giada Forte and her brother Paolo Forte founded the Italian fashion brand in 2002. Its other store designs include a Tuscan boutique with a hull-style ceiling and a Rome store “drowned” in green onyx.
    The images are courtesy of Forte Forte.

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    Rockwell Group takes maximalist approach to Japanese design at Katsuya NYC restaurant

    Elements of traditional Japanese architecture and design are combined and given a contemporary spin by New York studio Rockwell Group at this sushi restaurant in Manhattan.

    Katsuya is the latest restaurant of its name by chef Katsuya Uechi, following locations in Los Angeles, Miami and the Bahamas all serving sushi with a Californian twist.
    Katsuya serves Californian-influenced Japanese cuisine by chef Katsuya Uechi. This and top photos by Nikolas KoenigFor its interior, Rockwell Group looked to a variety of Japanese aesthetic traditions, and blended them together to create a theatrical experience.
    “The interior dining rooms take a maximalist approach to Japanese aesthetics, an entertaining departure from the contemporary minimalist vogue,” said the team.
    A long red-lacquered communal table occupies the centre of the dining room. Photo by Nikolas KoenigThe restaurant totals 6,890 square feet (640 square metres) and seats up to 305 diners. Guests enter past the sushi bar and lounge, which is set up for casual diners to enjoy light bites in view of the kitchen.

    In the main dining area, the space is divided into three sections by a pair arched openings and a series of translucent glass screens subtly printed with images of wagasa – Japanese umbrellas.
    Translucent screens divide up the hall-like spaceThe archways, shaped to reference torii and pagoda architecture, are trimmed with red lacquer and inlaid with square wooden tiles.
    Screens are suspended from a black powder-coated metal framework, reminiscent of kumiki wood joinery.
    Secluded banquettes are positioned towards the back. Photo by Emily AndrewsDominated by red, the central space has a long communal table, plus several two-tops and a trio of secluded banquettes towards the back.
    Small to medium-sized parties are accommodated in the section to the right, where the red tones are swapped for warm creams and the wagasa patterns appear again on the wallpaper.
    Several traditional Japanese wagara motifs decorate the wallsMore banquette niches are framed by curved ceilings, and decorated with other traditional wagara motifs and imagery of performers with fans.
    The final indoor dining area includes a variety of table sizes, as well as a robata grill – a specialty that the chef is “renowned for pioneering in the West” according to the team.
    A private dining room seats 10. Photo by Nikolas KoenigConcentric pendant lights by Allied Maker spotlight individual tables and booths throughout the restaurant.
    Meanwhile, the red-lacquered communal table is “illuminated by a custom chandelier with a lazily undulating form that appears like waves rendered in ink”.

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    A private dining room at the end of the hall-like restaurant features red-leather-backed chairs around a circular wooden table, which seats 10.
    In the warmer months, a terrace influenced by autumnal Japanese gardens will provide space for 98 guests outdoors.
    Screens are subtly printed with images of wagasa – Japanese umbrellasKatsuya opened in March 2022 as one of two full-service restaurants inside the Citizens food hall, located within the Manhattan West development between Hudson Yards and Penn Station.
    Rockwell Group was also responsible for the interior design of Citizens, as well as the other fine-dining option Casa Dani, which serves Andalusian cuisine in a setting to match.
    Allied Maker’s Concentric pendant lights are hung throughout the restaurantThe firm was founded by architect and designer David Rockwell in 1984, and is best known for hospitality projects, and production design for theatre and events.
    Its studios have recently collaborated with fellow designers Joyce Wang on the first Equinox Hotel, Yabu Pushelberg for the Moxy Chelsea hotel and Diller Scofidio + Renfro to build 15 Hudson Yards and The Shed – all in New York City.
    The photography is courtesy of Katsuya, unless stated otherwise.

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    Snarkitecture designs Manifest “self-care” club in Washington DC

    Design studio Snarkitecture incorporated tiled walls and arches into a club in the US capital that offers a barbershop, a coffee bar, a boutique and a speakeasy.

    Open to the public, the Manifest club occupies a slender, four-story building in Washington DC’s Adams Morgan neighbourhood.
    Manifest is entered through a courtyard lined with wooden wallsMeant to put “a sophisticated spin on self-care”, the club was conceived by the entrepreneur KJ Hughes, along with his partners Brian Merritt and Susan Morgan.
    The aim was to create a distinctive location where people could get a haircut or beard trim, grab an espresso, buy upscale streetwear and enjoy a cocktail.
    Tiled walls and arches were incorporated into the clubThe owners turned to New York’s Snarkitecture to design the project.

    “When we set out to design Manifest, it needed to be a new kind of barbershop, inviting to all people,” said Alex Mustonen, a firm partner.
    Snarkitecture added a barbershop to the project”Simultaneously, we wanted to create a sanctuary, a community space, an institution, a one-of-a-kind experience that still feels like home,” he said.
    Set back from the street, the Manifest building is entered through a courtyard lined with wooden walls.
    The studio used a largely restrained palette of materialsThe outdoor space is adorned with pockets of greenery and curved concrete benches. At the base of the benches are illuminated reveals made of LED strips with an acrylic diffuser.
    Inside, walls are clad in white tiles, and the floor is covered in large-format cement squares. For the millwork, the team used white oak with a natural finish.
    White oak was used for the millworkThe barbershop – which encompasses four stations and an area for washing hair – is fitted with chairs wrapped in buttery leather. The coffee bar features a counter with a fluted wooden base and a terrazzo top.
    In the retail zone, clothing by brands such as Engineered Garments and Homme Pliseé is displayed within arched, wooden niches. The store also sells apparel from Manifest’s own line, Of US.
    Chairs wrapped in leather feature in the barbershopStretching across the ceiling are wooden beams with embedded LED strips – a design element that contributes to the interplay of straight and curved lines in the space.
    “Unifying details throughout the space include archways – which are meant to represent the sloughing off of the old and moving into a new phase of life – while linear elements symbolise a sense of community and connection,” the designers said.

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    A “secret staircase” leads up to the speakeasy, which seats up to 30 guests. In contrast with the lower-level space, the bar has a moody atmosphere.
    Walls are sheathed in a custom green plaster, and floors are finished with dark-stained oak. Seating areas are adorned with green velvet banquettes and leather chairs from Nikari.
    The speakeasy has a moody atmosphereOverhead are arched forms that help create a sense of intimacy while also drawing a visual connection to the arches in the lower level. The arches are finished with mosaic green tile and safety glass with wire mesh.
    Throughout the club, Snarkitecture aspired to create an environment that was both comfortable and stimulating.
    Walls are sheathed in a custom green plaster”Every single element was designed to create a welcoming, intimate atmosphere that will invoke conversation and appeal to all the senses,” the team said.
    Later this spring, Manifest will expand to include a rentable apartment with a retractable glass roof and a terrace.
    Throughout the club, the atmosphere was designed to be both comfortable and stimulatingThis is not the first project in Washington DC by Snarkitecture. In 2018, the firm created a Fun House installation in the National Building Museum’s great hall that featured a white gabled house and a kidney-shaped ball pit.
    Other projects by the studio include a shop for streetwear brand Kith within a Parisian mansion, and an installation in a Manhattan gallery that consisted of 168 white spherical orbs that changed colours when touched.
    The photography is by Michael Grant.

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    The Malin is designed as a vibrant but homely New York co-working space

    The Malin is a design-led co-working space in Manhattan that blends contemporary colours and textures with original architectural elements that are “quintessential to the iconic Soho loft-style”.

    Located at 32 Mercer Street in New York City, the workspace’s interior design was led by Jordan Trinci-Lyne and Jean Morana, in collaboration with Fettle Design.
    The Malin was designed with homely touchesDescribed as having an “adaptable floor plan”, The Malin is made up of 38 individual desks as well as a library, three office spaces, three conference rooms, four booths reserved for video calls and various other meeting areas, including a barista kitchen.
    According to its designers, the co-working space intends to maintain the building’s traditional elements – such as existing columns, high ceilings and large windows – and combine them with vibrant colour and material palettes that are designed to reflect the creativity of its members.
    Colour and texture are blended with pared-back, original elements”Architecturally, we kept several things intact that are quintessential to the iconic Soho loft-style,” The Malin co-founder Ciaran McGuigan told Dezeen.

    “The space is very open, with tons of natural light that is filtered throughout. We also incorporated custom arched doorways in solid oak and glass, which are a nod to windows that are typical to buildings in the neighbourhood.”
    White walls and hardwood floors form the backdrop of the workspaceFamiliar white walls and hardwood floors form the backdrop of the workspace, which is dressed with more colourful accents such as low-slung bouclé seating arranged in vibrant clusters, as well as touches of Calico Wallpaper.
    McGuigan explained that each of The Malin’s areas was led by “the psychology of colour, designed to inspire our members’ best work”.
    Blue-on-blue tones were chosen for the solitary libraryCalming, blue-on-blue tones were chosen for the library, which was designed as a refuge for silent work, while the remaining areas favour a palette of bright, bold and saturated hues that stand out against their neutral backdrop.
    “Energy equals productivity and that’s a fundamental output we want the design to facilitate,” said McGuigan. “Elevated materials like mohair, leather, and rare marble were included as an aspirational touch to contrast the typical work-from-home experience.”

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    Individual desks framed by Eames Soft Pad office chairs are crafted from solid oak and are subtly separated from each other with recycled crystal dividers.
    Pared-back, diner-style pendant lights are suspended above plump, emerald green booth-like sofas, which make up an informal space for The Malin’s members to gather.
    Individual desks are separated by recycled crystal dividersA curated art collection decorates the walls, while design elements from brands such as Flos and Orior – another of McGuigan’s ventures – also feature in the space. Charging outlets are positioned close to every piece of custom furniture to create an accessible working environment.
    The team explained that The Malin was created to encourage its members to return to a public workplace in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, balancing quieter areas with those built for socialising within an eclectic interior design.
    “It has all the functionality of an office space, but with the comfort of a home,” said McGuigan.
    Pendant lights are suspended above plump seatingThe Malin opened in October 2021, joining a host of other colourful co-working spaces around the world. These include Note Design Studio’s Douglas House, an office building in London with contrasting bright hues; and Spatial – a Montreal mint green and burgundy co-working space by Ivy Studio that features a zinc reception desk with a rainbow-coloured finish.
    The photography is by Thomas Loof.

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