Zarkon Group, Author at Zarkon Group Real Estate Builders & Developers

Uchronia founder designs own home as “love letter to French craft”

Glossy walls, ruched curtains and oversized flower-shaped cushions characterise this eclectic 1970s-style Paris apartment, designed and owned by Uchronia founder Julien Sebban.

Called Univers Uchronia, the apartment is in the city’s 18th arrondissement, close to the Uchronia office – a Parisian architecture and interiors studio known for its bold application of shape, colour and reflective surfaces.

Orange desk in Univers Uchronia apartment — Julien Sebban designed Univers Uchronia as his home

Sebban designed the dwelling as his home, which he shares with his husband and Maison Royère artistic director Jonathan Wray.

The Uchronia founder created the apartment as an extension of his studio – “it’s truly a manifesto of our universe,” he told Dezeen.

Colourful living room with pink curtains — Colourful interiors anchor the apartment

Sebban worked with local studio Atelier Roma to create all the walls and ceilings, which are either lacquered and glossy or made of matte pigmented concrete, respectively reflecting or absorbing light throughout the day.

Finished in hues ranging from cloud-like pale blue to lemony yellow, the walls and ceilings complement the poured-in-place resin floor that spans the apartment and features a bold motif that “waves and moves in relation to the architecture”.

Open-plan kitchen in Univers Uchronia — A metallic island features in the open-plan kitchen

The home is anchored by a predominantly pink living space, which includes Uchronia-designed pieces such as low-slung interlocking coffee tables made from walnut burl and orange resin.

Translucent and gathered pink curtains were paired with a geometric vintage bookshelf and a blocky but soft sofa finished in purple and orange.

Onyx dining table — A bespoke onyx dining table was created for the home

“The apartment is very colourful with ’60s and ’70s inspirations and a mix of our contemporary pieces and vintage objects,” said Sebban.

In the open-plan kitchen and dining room, a veiny Van Gogh onyx table was positioned next to a metallic kitchen island, illuminated by a blobby seaweed-shaped table lamp.

Home office with orange and yellow walls — Ornamental jellyfish decorate the home office

A portion of the otherwise orange wall was clad with tiny, mirrored tiles. Reflected in the gleaming ceiling, the tiles have the same effect as a shimmering disco ball.

Opposite the dining area is Sebban and Wray’s home office, characterised by a bright orange, built-in day bed topped with silk flower-like cushions and a wave-shaped backrest.

Bathroom with pink bathtub — The dwelling’s bathrooms follow a similar design

Above the bed, ornamental jellyfish were suspended like planets against a constellation of gold stars, which decorate the ombre orange and yellow wall that nods to the colour-drenched interior of the city’s Cafe Nuances – also designed by Uchronia.

The dwelling’s bathrooms follow a similar design. Accents include dusty pink alcoves and ceramic tiles depicting underwater scenes, as well as a lily pad-shaped rug and a mirror resembling a cluster of clouds.

“The apartment defines the codes we have tried to develop at Uchronia over the last four years,” concluded Sebban.

“It’s a play on colours, textures and materials, and a love letter to French craft.”

Pink-hued bathroom by Uchronia — Univers Uchronia is “a love letter to French craft”

Uchronia was named emerging interior designer of the year at the Dezeen Awards 2023. The studio previously renovated a Haussmann-era apartment for a pair of jewellery designers with multifaceted furniture pieces created to mirror the appearance of precious stones.

Various architects have designed their own homes, such as John Pawson, who created this minimalist second home in the Cotswolds in the UK.

The photography is by Félix Dol Maillot.

Reference

Sustainable News

Using fallen city trees for greener urban building – Springwise

By Zarkon Group,03/04/2024

Spotted: According to one study, rural and urban communities across the US lose around 36 million trees every year, whether that’s due to felling, disease, or weather-related damages. Once they’ve fallen or been cut down, the majority of these trees are chipped, burnt, or simply sent to rot in landfill. This represents a huge waste of potential resources and economic opportunity. One startup that’s hoping to change that is Washington-based Cambium Carbon.

Instead of allowing fallen or cut-down trees to go to waste, Cambium partners with local sawmills and other organisations to turn them into Carbon Smart Wood – a high-quality, carbon-negative building material with various purposes, including decking, siding, fencing, millwork, and lumber. To regenerate land and ensure the long-term of America’s forests, the company allocates 15 per cent of its profits to the planting of new trees, targeting historically underserved and low-canopy areas.

Cambium Carbon also tracks all incoming material through its transparent supply chain software, Traece. With the Traece system, end users can also access information on their Carbon Smart Wood manufacturing, as well as helpful data on the carbon impact, which can be used in a company’s climate reporting as they work to meet sustainability goals.

Numerous companies have seen the potential in Cambium, with Carbon Smart Wood already incorporated across various sites like Maryland’s Guinness Brewery, the Patagonia store in Baltimore, and the National Geographic headquarters in Washington. Furniture retailer Room & Board has also used the material to craft unique coffee and side tables.

There are many other innovators making use of wood to create beautiful, eco-friendly products – including a waterproof wood composite for use in bathrooms and another material made from wood waste.

Written By: Lauryn Berry and Matilda Cox

Reference

Architecture

Building Health: How an Old Jailhouse in Toronto Became the Heart of Patient-Centered Care

By Zarkon Group,03/04/2024

The judging process for Architizer’s 12th Annual A+Awards is now away. Subscribe to our Awards Newsletter to receive updates about Public Voting, and stay tuned for winners announcements later this spring.

In the realm of healthcare, where compassion intersects with cutting-edge medical science, lies a crucial element of healing: the environment itself. The Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital stands as a testament to the transformative power of architecture in nurturing wellness. Described as a “Village of Care,” this facility transcends being merely a structure of concrete and steel; it is a sanctuary meticulously crafted with the singular aim of nurturing healing and well-being, catering to individuals grappling with complex chronic diseases and disabilities.

A few years ago, I had the opportunity to visit the building and chat with a couple of nurses. One of them guided me through the building to the rooftop garden and shared an intriguing observation: patients who frequented the outdoor garden tended to experience faster healing. I found this insight quite fascinating.

The hospital’s design fully embraces the healing potential of nature and the surrounding landscape, with intentional efforts aimed at immersing patients in their surroundings. The hospital is intricately linked to prominent features of some of Toronto’s finest neighborhoods, including the Don River Valley, Riverdale Park, the downtown skyline, and Riverdale itself.

The site where the building stands holds its own narrative waiting to be told, embodying a narrative of transformative rehabilitation that mirrors the very mission of the hospital. Right next to the hospital, and central to the project’s significance is the historic 148-year-old Don Jail, occupying a prominent position on the site. Remarkably, the theme of wellness has been woven into the fabric of this site since its inception. From its inception as a reform prison in 1864, the liberal view of physical and mental wellness embedded in the building’s design led it to be nicknamed “Palace for Prisoners.”

Bridgepoint Active Healthcare by Diamond Schmitt Architects, HDR Architecture, KPMB Architects, Stantec Architecture

The historic Don Jail, adjacent to the new hospital, was restored and repurposed into the hospital’s administrative offices.

While a jail is not a flawless representation of wellness, and this theme may not have endured throughout its entire operational history, it is evident that a lasting theme has persisted over time. Fast forward to the present day, the Don Jail has undergone a remarkable transformation, now serving as the administrative and educational hub of the hospital — a key facility central to fostering interdisciplinary collaboration to address patients’ physical and emotional needs.

The design and layout of the hospital was driven by the aspiration to establish a unique community hub — a hospital that not only prioritizes healthcare and wellness but also fosters a deep sense of connection to the community. This vision aimed to create an urban center that served as a beacon for health and well-being. It was intended to evoke a strong sense of belonging for both the patients and the surrounding neighborhood. While hospitals often carry weighty connotations, Hennick Bridgepoint was purposefully designed to embody an open, airy and, above all, welcoming community village for its patients.

Upon entering, the space greets visitors with an abundance of natural light streaming through expansive windows and glass panels, creating a bright and inviting atmosphere — feelings often associated with health and vitality. The light and bright atmosphere undoubtedly establishes a strong connection to the outdoors. Coupled with the incorporation of warm hues and natural materials, the space evokes feelings of comfort and tranquility.

As I toured the building, I learned additional finer details that underscored the thoroughness of the building’s design and attention to detail. I discovered that ensuring indoor air quality was a top priority throughout the design process, with the architects making extensive efforts to maximize it. This included implementing measures such as controlling scents within the building, utilizing low-to-no VOCs in adhesives, sealants, paints, and coatings, and enforcing a strict no-smoking policy in the vicinity of the building.

Furthermore, the hospital’s layout has been fine-tuned to encourage physical activity and mobility. Wide hallways and spacious areas encourage patients to navigate freely, thereby supporting their rehabilitation journey. The incorporation of accessible design features guarantees that individuals of varying abilities can effortlessly navigate the building, promoting a feeling of independence and empowerment. Moreover, every detail of the architectural design, ranging from the placement of amenities to the selection of materials, has been intentionally chosen to enhance the patient’s experience.

But perhaps the most profound impact of the Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital, lies in its ability to instill hope in its patients. The very sight of the building serves as a beacon of optimism, a symbol of possibility in the face of adversity. By creating a space that is conducive to healing, the architects behind Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital have given patients more than just a place to receive medical treatment, but a sanctuary that truly supports their journey towards wellness.

At its core, this building is a refuge of healing, exemplifying a commitment to patient-centered care that has been designed to address the holistic needs of its residents — both physical and emotional. Its environment is designed to inspire patients to leave their rooms, instilling motivation to confront their illnesses directly. The building has been thoughtfully crafted to facilitate patients’ access to nature, offering design elements like outdoor terraces, rooftop gardens and adjacency to a sprawling public park, all aimed at reconnecting them with the natural world.

Each individual room design includes 40% glazing, featuring a distinctive vertical window that subtly projects from the building’s exterior, spanning floor to ceiling in every treatment area. From the corridors to the corners, this intentional architectural decision strengthens the connection to nature, granting patients an unobstructed view of the outdoors, even from their beds, giving them direct access to the outside world. A patient can step up and into the window and feel as though they are virtually outdoors. Patient rooms are generously spaced to provide privacy, while communal areas are strategically positioned to promote social interaction and support among patients.

Bridgepoint Active Healthcare by Diamond Schmitt Architects, HDR Architecture, KPMB Architects, Stantec Architecture

The building’s design demonstrates a profound comprehension of the hurdles individuals encounter on their journey toward healing, encompassing everything from navigating intricate medical procedures to coping with chronic illness. This is where the healing garden and rooftop terrace truly demonstrate their power. As highlighted in this article, abundant research has showcased the therapeutic benefits of exposure to nature, ranging from stress and anxiety reduction to expediting healing processes. Indeed, each element spotlighted in that article represents design features that have been integrated into the hospital’s layout in their own unique manner, striving to harness the healing potential that architecture holds for its occupants.

In my opinion, the rooftop terrace at Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital stands as the apex of the building, harmonizing many of the aspects of healing and wellness into one space — a meticulously landscaped green roof covering 50% of the rooftop’s surface area. With lush gardens and pathways, patients have daily access to the outdoors, fostering a semblance of normalcy in their lives. The direct access to nature creates a highly therapeutic environment for both patients and staff alike, enabling them to engage not only in physical activity but in daily social interaction.

Rooftop Garden and Terrace at the Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital with views over the city of Toronto, Canada

While many gardens rely on chemicals and fertilizers, the building employs native and highly resilient plants that require minimal maintenance, thus eliminating the necessity for additional chemicals. Having the opportunity to spend time outdoors in a nurturing garden environment, akin to one’s own backyard, can offer patients a comforting sense of familiarity and routine during their hospitalization. In fact, in 2013, Bridgepoint succeeded in reducing the average stay for rehabilitation patients by 20%, with a remarkable 100% of patients expressing their willingness to recommend the hospital to their friends and family.

This hospital is a shining example of the transformative power of architecture in healthcare. Through thoughtful design and careful consideration of the needs of its inhabitants, it has redefined the concept of what a hospital and healing space can be. From fostering a sense of calmness and serenity to promoting physical activity and social interaction, every aspect of the building has been optimized to nurture wellness. As we continue to explore the connection between architecture and health, the Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital serves as a beacon of inspiration, reminding us of the profound impact that the built environment can have on the lives of those who inhabit it.

Reference

Interior Design

Jean Prouvé’s Maison Les Jours Meilleurs shown at Galerie Patrick Seguin

By Zarkon Group,02/04/2024

An exhibition at Galerie Patrick Seguin in Paris allows visitors to experience the Jean Prouvé-designed Maison Les Jours Meilleurs in both real life and virtual reality.

The gallery is exhibiting the most significant element of the demountable prefabricated house, its load-bearing service core, in a full-scale installation that doubles as a virtual reality (VR) experience.

Interior of Maison Les Jours Meilleurs house by Jean Prouvé — The load-bearing service core is key to the design of the original Maison Les Jours Meilleurs (above and top image)

Prouvé, the French architect best known for applying mass-production principles to both buildings and furniture, developed the design for the 57-square-metre house in 1956.

Known as Maison Les Jours Meilleurs, or “better days house”, the house was designed to tackle a homelessness crisis in the French capital.

Exhibition on Maison Les Jours Meilleurs by Jean Prouvé at Galerie Patrick Seguin — This core is the centrepiece of the exhibition at Galerie Patrick Seguin

In the winter of 1954, temperatures dropped so low that a woman and child died from the cold.

After being denied a request for funding to provide emergency housing, Abbé Pierre – a Catholic priest who was the founder of the Emmaüs movement against poverty – put out a plea on the radio for aid.

Prouvé responded immediately and, in a few weeks, had developed a design he felt could offer the solution.

The design centres around the service core, a steel cylinder painted olive green. This provides all the kitchen and bathroom services and carries the weight of the building’s roof.

Prouvé first exhibited a prototype of the Maison Les Jours Meilleurs on Quai Alexandre-III in February 1956.

This was described by fellow architect Le Corbusier as “the handsomest house I know of, the most perfect object for living in, the most sparkling thing ever constructed”.

However, the model never made it to production and only a handful were ever built.

Maison Les Jours Meilleurs by Jean Prouvé in virtual reality — A VR headset transforms the scene into a 3D visualisation of the house

Galerie Patrick Seguin owns the world’s largest collection of Prouvé houses, which it has installed in exhibitions around the world. In 2015, it commissioned architect Richard Rogers to put a new spin on one.

This exhibition marks the first time the gallery has allowed a Prouvé house to be experienced in virtual reality.

The installation places the service core inside a full-scale sketch floor plan that reveals the house’s layout.

A VR headset transforms the scene into a visualisation of the house, placing it back on the spot where it was installed in 1956, on the banks of the Seine.

The photography is courtesy of Galerie Patrick Seguin.

Jean Prouvé, Maison Les Jours Meilleurs is on show at Galerie Patrick Seguin from 14 March to 20 April 2024. See Dezeen Events Guide for more architecture and design events around the world.

Reference

Sustainable News

Tapping into expert analysis for effective carbon labelling

By Zarkon Group,02/04/2024

Spotted: Shoppers are likely to become increasingly carbon-aware as climate change begins to bite. Already, one study has found that 69 per cent of global consumers feel that sustainability is more important to them than it was two years ago.

Dutch startup Greenswapp has developed an API that aggregates peer-reviewed Lifecycle Assessments (LCAs) conducted by research institutes, universities, and think tanks, to display the carbon impact of individual products.

To do this, the company uses a machine learning algorithm to automatically match a product based on its barcode or product name to one of the thousands of product types in its database. It then further analyses the factors along the product lifecycle that cause carbon emissions to differ between versions of the same product made by different suppliers. It can even differentiate between different products made by the same supplier. For processed food, the technology separates out the ingredients it has in its database, calculates the carbon footprint for each, and then adds up the total.

Greenswapp’s technology can be used by supermarkets like Waitrose in several ways. First, it can be used to inform procurement decisions through integration with procurement and inventory management software. Second, it can be integrated into PoS systems to provide customers with the option to carbon offset their purchases.

Finally, it can be used in merchandising to create ‘carbon labels’ that nudge shoppers towards higher-margin sustainable products. At CES 2024, GreenSwapp demonstrated new technology to display climate impact through electronic shelf labels and PoS displays.

Springwise has spotted other companies that are empowering customers with transparent climate data for products, including traceable climate-positive t-shirts and an ESG product rating system.

Written By: Matthew Hempstead

Reference

Architecture

christian kerez’s house okamura unfolds as circular brick columns in czechia

By Zarkon Group,02/04/2024

insnde the all-brick house okamura by christian kerez in prague

In Prague 6, within close proximity to Villa Müller by Adolf Loos, architect Christian Kerez completes House Okamura as a clear example of a very traditional, almost archaic method of constructing brick ‘circles’. The project, designed as an aggregate of column-like volumes, hosts three apartments with 39 rooms, combined. Kerez omitted dividing walls from the interior layout, making the outline of every single space visible from the outside. More so, thanks to their unique configuration, the apartments shift positions from floor to floor so that rooms in the vertical shafts belong to different owners. The rooms vary from 4 sqm to 18 sqm in size and 2.35 meters to 4.9 meters in height, with an additional 19 spaces in between the circular rooms, making it a total of 58 rooms.

all images © Maxime Delvaux

circular rooms with varying sizes, openings, and layouts

All spaces within one apartment of House Okamura are open to each other, with areas varying between 90 sqm and 110 sqm. As Christian Kerez (see more here) explains, the different sizes of the overlapping circular rooms create unpredictable changes in the direction of these openings. The latter seem to be randomly positioned and create a labyrinth-like movement. ‘It is a space that opens in on itself, generating an impression of expansion within actually limited boundaries, as intended by the rigorous geometrical arrangement. The layout of the circular rooms changes from one level to another,’ continues the Czechian architect.

House Okamura in Prague 6

Meanwhile, the elevator, storage, and sanitary area are all tucked between the circular rooms of House Okamura. These intermediate spaces, which can be entirely closed off with doors, are minimal, fragmented, and convex, as opposed to the open, perfectly concave main zones. Concluding his thoughts, Christian Kerez highlights how the spatial concept of autonomous rooms aggregated to a sequence of spaces feels radical and new while the whole project resorts to traditional brick construction, which is easier to build on site than orthogonal spaces.

the project reveals a cluser of brick circles

the interiors host three apartments, with 39 rooms in total

circular living room with no dividing walls

the direction of openings constantly changes from room to room, and floor to floor

Reference

Interior Design

Destudio inverts day and night zones at redesigned Valencia apartment

By Zarkon Group,01/04/2024

Architecture office Destudio has remodelled an apartment in Valencia for a couple of empty nesters, swapping the positions of the living and sleeping areas so they perform better for the owners’ lifestyles.

The clients, who recently worked with Destudio to design their pharmacy in the Spanish city, invited the studio to oversee the renovation of the 150-square-metre apartment that had been their home for two decades.

The couple’s grown-up children no longer live with them and Destudio saw this change in circumstances as an opportunity to create an entirely new and more appropriate layout.

Interior of Casa Inversa by Destudio — Destudio swapped the positions of living and sleeping areas in Casa Inversa

“We worked with the owners to convince them to make a ‘tabula rasa’ of how they lived in this house for the last 20 years and find a better distribution for their actual needs,” Destudio creative director Gabi Ladaria told Dezeen.

“It was tough for the family to recognise that every wall had to be demolished,” he added, “but when they saw the first plans and 3Ds they realised there were better ways to live in their house, being more honest with their needs in the coming years.”

An initial survey of how the existing spaces were used informed the decision to switch the position of the private and communal areas so the main living space receives the best of the available sunlight. This act gave the project its name, Casa Inversa.

Dining room in Casa Inversa by Destudio — The dining area was positioned in the corner of the living room

Conversations with the clients revealed that they wanted the kitchen to be the heart of the house as this is where they spend a lot of time preparing and eating meals throughout the day.

This informed the decision to reduce the size of the dedicated dining area by incorporating it into a corner of the living room.

Grey kitchen in a Valencia home — The kitchen was designed as the heart of the home

A cantilevered bench minimises the floor area used so the adjacent lounge feels more generous.

“We use this strategy in our restaurant projects to maximise the number of diners,” Ladaria pointed out, “but here it is used to maximise the space in the other part of the corner bench where the living room is located.”

The studio added that the table is likely to be used infrequently, mostly when friends or family come to visit, so it was designed like a restaurant booth to make the dining experience feel like eating out.

The kitchen opens onto a terrace with outdoor seating, while on the opposite wall a wine display backed with semi-opaque glass provides a visual connection with the adjoining utility space. Sliding glass doors can be closed to separate the kitchen and the adjacent sitting room if required.

Living room in Casa Inversa with a glass partition wall — Sliding glass doors separate the living area and kitchen

The apartment’s three bedrooms were relocated to the opposite end of the floor plan, where they overlook the building’s internal courtyards.

The principal bedroom and one of the guest rooms are accommodated in an angular corner that previously housed the living room. The main bedroom’s dressing area features cupboards that extend along one wall, making the most of the space.

A material palette consisting of clay-rendered walls, oak joinery and porcelain tiles acts as a warm backdrop for the clients’ art collection.

Bedroom in Casa Inversa Valencia apartment — Clay render covers the walls

Where possible, Destudio specified furniture from local brands, including the sofa, armchairs and the living room’s library shelving.

Destudio was founded in 2014 by architects Gabi Ladaria and Nacho Díaz, who studied together at Valencia’s Polytechnic University.

Other recent residential projects in Valencia include the renovation of a former fisherman’s house using geometric blue-and-white tiling and a copper-toned home in an olive grove.

The photography is courtesy of Destudio.

Reference

Sustainable News

Insulation made from mycelium – Springwise

By Zarkon Group,01/04/2024

Spotted: Construction and demolition is responsible for more than a third of overall waste in the European Union. But now, British company Biohm is reducing this waste by helping the construction industry shift to a circular model.

The startup’s first product is insulation made from mycelium, the thread-like roots of fungi. The material is not only biodegradable, but outperforms typical foam insulation, having less thermal conductivity. It is also slower to burn than other types of insulation and, importantly, it can be composted at the end of its life and used to grow more insulation.

Biohm grows its mycelium by feeding it agricultural and food waste, making the final product carbon negative. The insulation is grown in the shape of a standard panel, then cured to form a strong and rigid material. This approach completely avoids the use of toxic chemicals and fossil fuels and the panels do not produce harmful dust when cut.

Springwise has spotted mycelium being used to replace other materials, including in fireproof building cladding, packaging, and even clothes.

Written By: Lisa Magloff

Reference

Architecture

Overhanging roof shelters Markolfhalle Markelfingen by Steimle Architekten

By Zarkon Group,01/04/2024

Local spruce wood is used throughout Markolfhalle Markelfingen, a multipurpose hall that architecture studio Steimle Architekten has added to the edge of a lake in Germany.

Located on the northern shore of Lake Constance in the Radolfzell district, the timber building contains sports courts and a stage for events, unified by a cantilevered roof overhead.

Markolfhalle Markelfingen multipurpose timber hall by Steimle Architekten — The Markolfhalle Markelfingen hall is embedded into the sloping landscape

Due to the natural slope of the site, Steimle Architekten embedded the Markolfhalle Markelfingen hall into the landscape, with a stepped plinth on one side that offers access to the upper level from the outside.

The two-storey building is crafted from spruce sourced locally from forests in the region, nodding to traditional buildings nearby that are made from the same wood.

Multipurpose timber hall in Germany by Steimle Architekten — The building is largely made from spruce wood

“The Lake Constance region is characterised by its rural structures,” studio architect Michaela Afife told Dezeen.

“Wood has always been a traditional building material in this region too. With its tranquil appearance, timber construction blends in with the traditional settlement landscape around Lake Constance,” she continued.

Rhythmic timber facade of a multipurpose hall — Vertical timber battens sit between the building’s columns

Externally, rhythmic timber columns animate each elevation, infilled by tightly arranged vertical timber battens.

“The consistently homogeneous outer shell with its vertical timber louvre structure gives the building a uniform appearance on all four sides,” said Afife.

Multipurpose timber hall in Germany — An overhanging roof crowns the hall

Inside, Markolfhalle Markelfingen holds a large double-height sports hall with two courts that can be separated by a netted divider.

Around the edges of the main space, the studio incorporated additional facilities including a raised stage, which is recessed into the timber-panelled wall.

Wooden panels line the bottom half of the walls inside, helping to conceal doors that open onto an outdoor playing field.

Slim windows are arranged at regular intervals around the top half of the walls to illuminate the space, while the ceiling has an exposed gridded timber structure.

Timber sports hall in Germany — Markolfhalle Markelfingen contains two sports courts

“The powerful and contemporary timber construction of the multi-purpose hall is the centre of cultural community life for citizens, clubs and schools,” said Steimle Architekten.

“As a multifunctional building, the hall with its one and a half sports fields and adjoining stage area fulfils the requirements of both sports use and an attractively designed event hall.”

Performance stage in the timber-lined Markolfhalle Markelfingen hall by Steimle Architekten — A stage is recessed into the timber wall

On the upper level is the entrance foyer, accessed through four glazed doors and offering views of the multipurpose hall below.

Most of the foyer level is left open, excluding a green-painted kiosk that holds a reception area.

Interior of the Markolfhalle Markelfingen multipurpose hall by Steimle Architekten — The entrance foyer overlooks the hall below

Other spaces in Markolfhalle Markelfingen include changing rooms, toilets, storage rooms and a kitchen for venue catering, all of which sit under the first-floor foyer.

Steimle Architekten is a German architecture studio founded by Thomas and Christine Steimle. Its previous projects include a library built within an existing traditional barn and a crystal-like house made from board-marked concrete.

The photography is by Brigida González.

Reference

Interior Design

Portal House by Svima features brass details and curved oak ribbons

By Zarkon Group,31/03/2024

Brass ribbons line the asymmetric portals that connect the kitchen and dining room of this Toronto residence, renovated by local architecture and art studio Svima.

The Portal House was designed for a couple who had wanted to refresh their home for 10 years, but have very different aesthetic tastes.

Portal House by Svima — Two portals connect the renovated kitchen and dining areas of this Toronto home

Toronto-based studio Svima found a compromise by combining his desire for “tenebrous minimalism” and her love of “bright French country kitchens” into the design.

The resulting “denlike cosiness” pairs dark oak across the lower half of the ground-floor spaces and clean white surfaces on the upper half.

Brass-edged asymmetric portal looking into a kitchen — The curved, asymmetric portal over the deep counter acts as a pass-through

The snaked kitchen layout is tight, so Svima curved the corners of cabinetry and counter surfaces to steal extra space for circulation.

This theme continues to the living room millwork: a bookcase is filleted at the corner and meets the wall at an angle, while a built-in sofa beneath the window also softly angles inward.

Open doorway with brass edges looking into the kitchen — The other portal, mirrored in shape, forms a doorway between the two spaces

“The design hinges on ‘ribbons’ flowing through the space, guiding the motion through the rooms,” said Svima.

“The ribbons curve in areas where sharp corners would not fit, or would stop the flow of movement.”

Detail of a brass-lined portal with a kitchen counter behind — Brass edges around the portals were artfully installed to perfectly fit the curved drywall

In the kitchen, the curved oak doors were handmade by a cabinetmaker who created a special jig to kerf-bend the oak into a radius.

Tiles that offer a contemporary take on Dutch Delft porcelain form the backsplash, adding small touches of blue to the otherwise neutral space.

Kitchen with white upper cabinets, blue and white tiled backsplash, and dark oak lower cabinets — To add touches of colour to the dark oak and bright white palette, tiles influenced by Delft porcelain were added to the backsplash

Two portals provide connections between the kitchen and adjacent dining room, both with a mirrored asymmetric shape and edged in brass.

One acts as a doorway, while the other over the deep counter is used as a pass-through for food, drinks and tableware.

“It was an artful process for the contractor to lay the brass into the wall, as it had to fit into the curved drywall perfectly with no tolerance for error,” the architects said.

The living room, located at the front of the house, was furnished with mid-century pieces such as a chair, a coffee table and a media console.

Hallway with dark oak flooring and a staircase — Dark oak flooring throughout the home’s ground floor matches the other millwork

The closed and open shelving unit organises the family’s books and possessions, and its shape allows more light to enter from a side window.

Opposite, the built-in sofa helps to resolve an awkward space under a bay window and orients the sitter towards the TV to one side.

Living room featuring a dark oak storage unit with a filleted side — In the living room, the curved kitchen cabinetry is translated as a storage unit with a filleted side

“The custom sofa sweeps into the space to provide seating at precisely the right sideways angle for viewing the media unit, for lounge reading, and for gathering,” Svima said.

The floors throughout the home match the other millwork, grounding the spaces with a rich dark hue.

A built-in sofa under a living room bay window — A built-in sofa under the living room’s bay window similarly features softly curved angles

Svima, founded by architects Anamarija Korolj and Leon Lai, is not the only studio that’s had to get creative with a tight Toronto floor plan.

When Studio Vaaro overhauled a house in the city, the firm created a series of volumes with minimally detailed millwork to form kitchen cabinetry, the staircase and a feature bookcase in the living room.

The photography is by Scott Norsworthy.

Reference

Uchronia founder designs own home as “love letter to French craft”

Using fallen city trees for greener urban building – Springwise

Building Health: How an Old Jailhouse in Toronto Became the Heart of Patient-Centered Care

Jean Prouvé’s Maison Les Jours Meilleurs shown at Galerie Patrick Seguin

Tapping into expert analysis for effective carbon labelling

christian kerez’s house okamura unfolds as circular brick columns in czechia

insnde the all-brick house okamura by christian kerez in prague

circular rooms with varying sizes, openings, and layouts

Destudio inverts day and night zones at redesigned Valencia apartment

Insulation made from mycelium – Springwise

Overhanging roof shelters Markolfhalle Markelfingen by Steimle Architekten

Portal House by Svima features brass details and curved oak ribbons

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