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

Architecture

Artistree raises a telescopic treehouse in California

By Zarkon Group,28/12/2023

US company Artistree Home designed a treehouse with vaulted form, raised off the ground in Sonoma County, California.

Completed in 2023, the latest design — known as Spyglass by Hometree — is a 300-square foot (28-square-metre) residence in an 11-acre (5-hectare) forested lot in Occidental, California.

“The design for Spyglass came from that whimsical childhood moment of turning a fallen leaf into a little tube to peer through,” Will Beilharz, project designer from Artistree Home, told Dezeen. “With a dynamic cut on either end, the cylindrical shape takes on the dynamic movement of the folded leaf.”

The design is centred on a large redwood tree that holds the deck structure. The black metal deck cantilevers out from a hillside with a single-step entry bridge. Hovering 25 feet (8 metres) above the ground, the house is raised on thin steel posts that minimize the disturbance to the environment.

Domed entrance to treehouse — The design is informed by folding a fallen leaf into a tube

The exterior of the tube is composed of rust-textured metal diamond shingles that are designed to mimic the colour and texture of redwood bark.

The linear house is compact with an entry walkway, pass-through kitchenette, and bathroom with penny round tile that follows the curve of the space. The centre of the plan holds the bedroom leading to the back terrace with a cedar hot tub.

Wooden hot tub on deck — A large redwood tree supports the structure

On the interior profile of the tube, tongue-and-groove panelling – reminiscent of walking through a hollowed-out log – continues from the soffit through the living space and back out to the terrace, reinforcing the perspective to the forest.

The back wall is fully glazed, creating an aperture that frames nature and looks out onto the tree that rises up through the centre of the terrace.

Domed treehouse — The exterior is clad in rust-textured metal diamond shingles

“Never underestimate the impact of whimsy in design. Time and time again, our structures have proven that inspiring, nature-focused experiences are timeless and speak to everyone on a deep level.” Beilharz mentioned.

“Even having designed the structure, I am still struck at how the space can be both calming and exciting at the same time – like the combination of a spa and a playground,” he continued.

The exterior wood cladding in PEFC-certified and thermally modified Thermory Scots Pine, meanwhile a heat pump water heater reduces the required energy.

The sustainable residence has three layers of insulation with Hempwool batts, a layer of closed-cell spray foam, and a radiant barrier. The materials reduce the overall carbon footprint and a small mini-split manages the heating and cooling load for the treehouse.

wooden kitchenette — Tounge-and-groove paneling lines the interior

“We designed our Spyglass unit to be both luxurious and replicable so that we are offering it as a pre-fab unit with the ability to modify the foundation based on the terrain of the property and the trees in the landscape,” Beilharz said.

“If we did our job right, guests stepping into the space for the first time should get that same youthful rush of discovery found amongst the trees.”

Using a similar bridge access, BIG lofted a treehouse hotel in Swedish Lapland and covered it in birdhouses.

The photography is by Jayson Carpenter.

Project credits:

Interior Designer: Artistree Home
General Contractor: Artistree Home

Reference

Get listed in Dezeen's digital guide for Stockholm Design Week 2023

Interior Design

Get listed in Dezeen’s digital guide for Stockholm Design Week 2024

By Zarkon Group,27/12/2023

If you’re hosting an event during Stockholm Design Week, you can get listed in Dezeen Events Guide’s digital guide, which highlights the key events taking place during the week.

Stockholm Design Week runs from 5 to 11 February 2024 and includes exhibitions, installations, talks, fairs and open showrooms.

One of the largest events taking place during the week is Stockholm Furniture Fair, which takes place from 6 to 10 February 2024, showcasing furniture, lighting, technology and textiles from over 150 brands.

The event welcomes designers, architects, journalists and purchasers, as well as design enthusiasts.

This year, Dezeen published digital guides to Stockholm Design Week, Milan design week, Salone del Mobile, NYCxDesign, 3 Days of Design, London Design Festival and Miami art week, contributing to Dezeen Events Guide’s success in generating 800,000 page views for the section.

Get listed in Dezeen’s digital Stockholm guide

Dezeen offers standard and enhanced listings in its Stockholm guide.

Standard listings cost £100 and include the event name, date and location details plus a website link. These listings will also feature up to 50 words of text about the event.

Enhanced listings cost £175 and include all of the above plus an image at the top of the listing’s page and an image in the listing preview on the Dezeen Events Guide homepage. These listings will also feature up to 100 words of text about the event.

For more information about partnering with us to help amplify your event, contact the team at [email protected].

About Dezeen Events Guide

Dezeen Events Guide is our guide to the best architecture and design events taking place across the world each year.

The guide is updated weekly and includes virtual events, conferences, trade fairs, major exhibitions and design weeks.

For more details on inclusion in the Dezeen Events Guide, including in our guide to Stockholm Design Week, email [email protected].

The illustration is by Rima Sabina Aouf.

Reference

Sustainable News

A mixer for life: the kitchen appliance you can repair and upgrade

By Zarkon Group,27/12/2023

Spotted: The electronic devices and appliances industry is in the bottom ten of Kantar’s 2023 Sustainability Sector Index (SSI) rankings, which means it has inherent issues and needs radical innovation. German startup Open Funk is providing that innovation for one type of electronic appliance: the kitchen mixer or blender.

The company has created a blender, called Re:Mix, which has a customisable casing and is made from 100 per cent recycled plastic. The device is made up of modular components to enable the easy repair and upgrading of parts – either at the company’s Berlin workshop or at home. At-home repairs like this are possible thanks to the device’s open-source design.

The blender works with any of a customer’s standard twist-off glass jars, provided they have the right-sized opening. And if a customer no longer wants their Re:Mix, Open Funk will buy it back for refurbishment and resale.

The idea for Open Funk came when co-founder Paul Anca attempted to fix a blender that had broken within months of purchase. Unable to carry out the repairs himself, and determined not to add to the millions of tonnes of e-waste that is generated each year, he took it to a repair shop and was quoted €50 “just to have a look at it.”

Spurred on by this unsatisfactory experience, Anca and his co-founder Ken Rostand devoted themselves to understanding how blenders are put together and why they break. Crowdsourcing broken blenders from Facebook, the pair discovered that the root of the problem lay in cheap materials and the gluing together of components for rapid assembly. The result of their inquiries was Re:Mix, which is made to be repaired and upgraded, with parts replaced over time.

Selected earlier this year as a participant in Amazon’s Sustainability Accelerator, Open Funk has since sent out its first batch of orders.

Springwise has spotted other innovators taking kitchen appliances to the next level, including a novel, low-energy cooking device and a countertop compost machine.

Written By: Matthew Hempstead

Reference

Architecture

Non-Linear Chronologies: 7 Chinese Firms Designing Architecture Against the March of Time

By Zarkon Group,27/12/2023

Architizer’s 12th Annual A+Awards are officially underway! Sign up for key program updates and prepare your submission ahead of the Main Entry Deadline on December 15th.

Can a building exist simultaneously in the past, present and future? Time-defying architecture is a groundbreaking movement that says, yes, it can. The approach, more than a stylistic exercise, challenges the conventional linear approach of architectural history, integrating eras seemingly seamlessly through a singular design.

Across China, this architectural philosophy is gaining remarkable traction, reflecting a unique cultural junction of reverence and rapid modernization. Chinese architecture firms are at the forefront of this movement, driven by deeply engrained historical consciousness and a drive for global architectural leadership. This fusion of ancient heritage with futuristic vision highlights a unique approach to preserving cultural identity while embracing the technological revolution.

Key to the practice lies in historical knowledge and a precise application of it alongside the technological advancements of the modern world – architects must adeptly navigate between eras, employing techniques from Brutalism to biomimicry, with a sensitivity that avoids pastiche. The seven A+Award winners highlighted showcase innovative structures and materials that have created spaces that are both forward-thinking and multi-layered in time.

Bache Community Center

By DEDANG DESIGN, Suzhou, China.

Jury Award Winner, 11th Annual A+Awards, Community Centers

Bache Community Center by DEDANG DESIGN, Suzhou, China. Photographs by Dedang Design

The Bache Community Center is a modern building located in Suzhou, designed by DEDANG DESIGN. The center is situated in the old street of Bache, near the historic Grand Canal and is part of a micro-renewal project which aims to revitalize the area in anticipation of the new Soochow University campus.

The building successfully combines contemporary design with a deep sense of heritage and place, with the idea behind the design being to blend the old with the new. Using a “column-free” design, the center appears to “float” above the ground, creating an open and airy space that contrasts with the surrounding cramped quarters of the old street. In a bid to respect the heritage of the site the center has a courtyard that is raised and sunken, surrounded by old bricks, which offers a communal space while incorporating a contemporary architectural language. A ginkgo tree, which is a symbol of life and connects the building to the changing seasons, was included in the atrium.

PUSHINE

By Chongqing Qimo Architectural Design Consulting, Chongqing, China.

Jury Award Winner, 11th Annual A+Awards, Hotels and Resorts

PUSHINE by Chongqing Qimo Architectural Design Consulting, Chongqing, China

PUSHINE, a stunning resort by Chongqing Qimo Architectural Design Consulting Co., Ltd., is located in the peaceful Jinfo Mountain area of Nanchuan District, Chongqing. Completed in 2021, it is a modern hideaway that incorporates ancient Buddhist and Taoist principles of Zen. The hotel offers a contemporary escape, but it pays homage to age-old concepts and creating an environment that is ideal for rest and contemplation.

The flow of the mountain stream inspires the design of the hotel. It includes cottages and bridges set at different elevations, building a connection between architecture and the natural landscape. PUSHINE is a modern retreat that is a seamless blend of contemporary resort architecture with traditional Chinese philosophy that finds a harmonious balance, offering visitors a tranquil space to experience a profound sense of mental clarity and peace.

Chenjiagou “Impression Tai Chi” Theatre

By Architectural Design & Research Institute of Tsinghua University, Jiaozuo, China

Jury Award Winner, 11th Annual A+Awards, Hall / Theater

Chenjiagou “Impression Tai Chi” Theatre by Architectural Design & Research Institute of Tsinghua University., Jiaozuo, China. Photographs by Zhan Changheng

The “Impression Tai Chi” Theatre is located in Chenjiagou, which is considered the birthplace of Chinese Tai Chi Chuan. Designed by the Architectural Design & Research Institute of Tsinghua University Co., LTD the theater can accommodate up to 1200 people and is a testament to the preservation of natural landscape.

The theatre has a unique mirrored stainless steel facade that reflects the sky, creating a visually appealing connection with the environment without interfering with the visual narrative of the landscape. An annex inspired by traditional Chinese courtyards is constructed using rubble concrete and extends to the exterior, where the natural terrain is followed. Featuring grassy slopes on the roof and surroundings, the theatre design creates a “3D park” that adds value to the guest experience and honors the natural location of the building. It is a prime example of architecture that works with its surroundings, defying traditional notions of architecture to allow for harmonious coexistence.

Free Space with Wood

By Fan Architectural Firm (FANAF), Nanjing, China

Jury Award Winner, 11th Annual A+Awards, Showrooms

Free Space with Wood by Fan Architectural Firm (FANAF), Nanjing, China. Photographs by ingallery Jin Xiaowen.

The “Free Space with Wood” commercial showroom in Nanjing was designed by Fan Architectural Firm (FANAF) in 2022. The project is a fine example of the importance of preserving historical elements in modern design. The focal point of the space is a restored red brick wall, traditional to historical Chinese architecture, that connects the past with the present.

The showroom is divided into two courtyards using wooden elements and frameless glass to blend the interior and exterior spaces. The entrance courtyard merges indoors and outdoors with a black box, as it integrates the vibrancy of the city. The traditionally inspired internal courtyard features a wooden ceiling that extends outward and a C-shaped teahouse, creating a peaceful atmosphere.

FANAF’s design approach focuses on preserving historical integrity with minimal intervention and maximum preservation while adding contemporary functionality. The design creates a dynamic yet respectful dialogue between old and new.

The Oatmeal Factory

By JSPA Design, Ningwu County, Xinzhou, China

Jury and Popular Choice Award Winner, 11th Annual A+Awards, Factories & Warehouses

The Oatmeal Factory by JSPA Design, Ningwu County, Xinzhou, China. Photographs by Schran Images

The Oatmeal Factory in Ningwu County , built in 2022 by JSPA Design, is a groundbreaking industrial facility that rethinks what a factory can be. Rather than being a muted and utilitarian space, the factory incorporates elements of nature and sensory experience into its design, creating a space that defies traditional industrial architecture.

The factory is divided into two levels. The lower level is made up of brick walls and houses the technical spaces, which is a tribute to local building traditions. The upper level is a modern concrete volume designed for public spaces. By incorporating patios and gardens, the factory introduces natural light and creates a sense of openness that is not usually found in traditional factories.

By blending traditional brickwork with modern concrete, the factory creates a conversation between past and present. The Oatmeal Factory is an innovative blend of industry and nature, reimagining the role and form of a factory in a contemporary context.

Chongqing Shibati Traditional Style Area

By Beijing AN-Design Architects, Chongqing, China

Jury Award Winner, 11th Annual A+Awards, Urban & Masterplan

Recently revitalized by Beijing AN-Design Architects, the Chongqing Shibati Traditional Style Area represents the perfect blend of modern technology and traditional spaces. Shibati is located in the old city of Chongqing and is known for its ancient stairway and deep cultural roots dating back to the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The renovation project, covering over one million square feet, was guided by the principle of protecting and inheriting Shibati’s core values. The design retained the original urban layout of “seven streets and six lanes” and preserved the complex elevation changes characteristic of the site.

The restoration process was meticulous and cultural relics, historical buildings, cliffs, stairways and trees that define the mountain city were all restored. Elements like telegraph poles and iron railings were also restored to maintain historical continuity. Modern features were carefully integrated using original styles, techniques and materials. This approach created a seamless blend of old and new, ensuring that the Shibati area remains a living and breathing part of Chongqing’s urban fabric. It is a place where traditional charm coexists with modern functionality.

Stations of Shanghai Metro Line 18

By Shanghai Rail Transit Line 18 Development, Shanghai, China

Popular Choice Winner, 11th Annual A+Awards, Transport Interiors

Stations of Shanghai Metro Line 18 by Shanghai Rail Transit Line 18 Development, Shanghai, China.

The Shanghai Metro Line 18 has several stations, including the Danyang Road Station, that were designed to transcend time. The line opened in 2021 and runs through the Yangpu Binjiang area, which is rich in history. The stations use contrasting black and white colors to create a modern feel while also emphasizing the region’s industrial past. The unique design combines a minimalist approach with historical storytelling to create a time-defying architecture.

The stations effectively blend different eras and are a great example of how transport infrastructure can transcend its conventional role, becoming a dynamic space where different periods coexist and enhance the urban fabric.

Architizer’s 12th Annual A+Awards are officially underway! Sign up for key program updates and prepare your submission ahead of the Main Entry Deadline on December 15th.

Reference

Exterior of PituRooms in Indonesia by Sahabat Selojene

Interior Design

Dezeen’s top 10 hotels of 2023

By Zarkon Group,26/12/2023

Already thinking about your next getaway post-Christmas? Here is Dezeen’s pick of 2023’s top 10 hotels, put together as part of our review of the year.

Our selection of the most popular and noteworthy hotels featured on Dezeen this year includes what is possibly the world’s skinniest in Indonesia, the grand conversion of a 1940s bank building in Rome and a place in Tbilisi that aims to make guests feel like they’re inside a movie.

Read on for the full list:

PituRooms, Indonesia, by Sahabat Selojene

This seven-room hotel in Central Java is just 2.8 metres wide. Each compact room contains a double bed and bathroom pod with a toilet and shower.

“Aside from the technical difficulties, the biggest challenge was the typical mindset surrounding the hospitality industry that is used to superlative words: biggest, tallest, most luxurious,” Sahabat Selojene studio founder Ary Indra told Dezeen. “Here we are skinniest.”

PituRooms was not the only skinny hotel to capture readers attention in 2023, with 324Praxis’ Sep’on Heartfulness Centre in Vietnam similarly slender.

Find out more about PituRooms ›

The Rome Edition hotel — Photo by Nikolas Koenig

The Rome Edition, Italy, by The Edition

Dramatic seven-metre-high ceilings, full-height windows with green curtains and travertine surfaces grace the lobby of The Rome Edition.

Created by Amercian entrepreneur Ian Schrager’s hotel group The Edition, the 91-room hotel opened this year in a 1940s bank building. Other highlights include the intimate Jade Bar, which is fully lined in deep green antique marble and furnished with emerald-coloured velvet seating.

Find out more about The Rome Edition ›

The interior of a bedroom in Blueberry Nights — Photo courtesy of Blueberry Nights

Blueberry Nights, Georgia, by Sandro Takaishvili

Georgian architect Sandro Takaishvili wanted Tbilisi’s Blueberry Nights to make guests feel “like they’re inside a movie, where everything feels slightly familiar but otherworldly at the same time”.

With a theatrical colour scheme and cinematic moody lighting, its design evokes the visual style of directors such as Stanley Kubrick and David Lynch, while film projectors feature in all 16 rooms.

Find out more about Blueberry Nights ›

Boca de Agua de Taller Frida Escobedo — Photo by César Béjar

Boca de Agua, Mexico, by Frida Escobedo

Wooden guest quarters perched on stilts characterise Boca de Agua, a resort in the Yucatán Peninsula designed by Mexican architect Frida Escobedo

The villas – including one with a private pool and terrace – were raised up to reduce the environmental impact of the ground plane and to raise guests into the leafy jungle landscape.

Find out more about Boca de Agua ›

Borgo Santandrea hotel — Photo by Adrian Gaut

Borgo Santandrea, Italy, by Bonaventura Gambardella and Nikita Bettoni

Overlooking the historic fishing village of Conca dei Marini on the Amalfi Coast, the 1960s Borgo Santandrea hotel was restored by architect Bonaventura Gambardella and interior designer Nikita Bettoni.

The hotel incorporates the atmospheric medieval stone fortifications carved into the cliff below, with some of the guest rooms built into the old ramparts.

Find out more about Borgo Santandrea ›

Maison Brummell Marrakech by Bergendy Cooke — Photo by Emily Andrews

Maison Brummell Majorelle, Morocco, by Bergendy Cooke and Amine Abouraoui

Located next to the famous Majorelle Gardens in Marrakech, this boutique hotel was designed by New Zealand studio Bergendy Cooke in collaboration with Moroccan architect Amine Abouraoui.

With its sculptural, monolithic aesthetic and recurring arched openings inside and out, it was intended as a playful contemporary twist on the site’s history and the city’s traditional architecture.

Find out more about Maison Brummell Majorelle ›

The Lodge hotel in Mallorca by Único Hotels and interior designer Pilar García-Nieto — Photo by Montse Garriga

The Lodge, Spain, by Pilar García-Nieto

From Único Hotels, The Lodge occupies a 500-year-old farmhouse in Mallorca on a 157-hectare estate filled with almond and olive trees, lavender fields and hiking trails.

Interior designer Pilar García-Nieto kept the interiors mostly clean and minimal but left traces of the building’s agricultural past visible – most spectacularly an old stone mill for pressing olive oil, which stands in what is now the hotel reception area.

Find out more about The Lodge ›

"Garden hotel" in singapore — Photo by Darren Soh

Pan Pacific Orchard, Singapore, by WOHA

Large, elevated garden terraces are cut into the form of this tall hotel building in Singapore designed by architecture studio WOHA, including one 18 floors up.

The studio wanted the hotel to have verdant views on all storeys despite its urban location, while the terraces also provide passive cooling in the humid climate.

Find out more about Pan Pacific Orchard ›

monkey table at vermelho hotel — Photo by Ambroise Tézenas

Vermelho, Portugal, by Christian Louboutin and Madalena Caiado

Fashion designer Christian Louboutin teamed up with architect Madalena Caiado to create this 13-room hotel in the Portuguese village of Melides.

Its traditionalist architecture meets maximalist interiors, with the rooms containing furniture from Louboutin’s personal collection as well as objects produced by local craftsmen. Louboutin talked to Dezeen about design process behind the hotel in an exclusive interview.

Find out more about Vermelho ›

Château Royal hotel in Berlin by Irina Kromayer, Etienne Descloux and Katariina Minits — Photo by Felix Brueggemann

Château Royal, Germany, by Irina Kromayer and others

Berlin’s renovated Château Royal references the German capital’s heyday at the turn of the 20th century through abundant oak panelling, art nouveau tiles, sisal carpets and hardware in brass and nickel.

The 93-room hotel comprises two buildings dating from 1850 and 1910, in addition to a newer building and roof extension designed by David Chipperfield Architects.

Find out more about Château Royal ›

2023 review

This article is part of Dezeen’s roundup of the biggest and best news and projects in architecture, design, interior design and technology from 2023.

Reference

Sustainable News

The future of construction: building with CO2

By Zarkon Group,26/12/2023

Spotted: The global carbon capture and storage (CCS) market has increased significantly in recent years, and is projected to continue growing as the world looks for more ways to decarbonise. Often though, these solutions focus on storage underground, offering no commercial value. Paebbl’s technology, by contrast, turns carbon dioxide into a useful building material.

Paebbl took the inspiration for its technology directly from nature. Carbon dioxide mineralisation, the process by which CO2 solidifies and turns into stone, is naturally occurring, but takes centuries to complete. Paebbl has found a non-energy-intensive way to accelerate mineralisation to make it over one million times faster, taking just 60 minutes.

The company takes CO2 captured from the air or directly from polluting industrial sites and combines it with abundantly available silicate rocks to produce a carbon-negative raw material.

This end product can be used as a filler in construction, as a replacement for parts of a concrete mix, and as paper, among other purposes. Unlike many methods of carbon storage or carbon-negative materials, the company also states that its material can be competitively priced.

Paebbl recently commissioned a 500-litre batch production unit, called Obelix, which has enabled the company to boost production capacity by 100 times in just half a year. With Obelix, Paebbl can create 100 tonnes of sustainable construction materials every year. The company expects to start shipping samples early 2024.

It’s not just the construction industry that’s using carbon to create new materials – Springwise has also spotted innovators turning it into chemicals and E-jet fuels.

Written By: Matilda Cox

Reference

Architecture

el departamento infuses mountainous hues into texturized optical boutique in madrid

By Zarkon Group,26/12/2023

El Departamento unveils new PJ Lobster boutique in Madrid

Valencia-based architecture practice El Departamento has crafted a contemporary optical boutique for the PJ Lobster brand in Madrid, Spain. Drawing from the character of the project location, which combines both sophistication and vibrancy, the retail interior incorporates texturized minimalism, rough materiality, organic forms, and stainless steel elements throughout its design. The color palette is inspired by the hues of the Madrid mountains, infusing a natural essence into the design which is otherwise described as ‘high-tech’.

the exterior of the new PJ Lobster boutique in Madrid | all images courtesy of Miguel Fernández-Galiano

PJ Lobster’s Madrid store Unveils a Design Continuum

The new PJ Lobster boutique in Madrid continues the design exploration initiated in the previous project located in Barcelona (see designboom’s previous coverage here), focusing on color, organic forms, and different textures as common design elements.

Spanning 42 m2, with an additional operational basement, the structure redefines traditional storefront concepts with an expansive, unobtrusive street-facing facade. The interior boasts ornamental structures, including wooden beams and cast-iron columns, maintaining an impressive free height of over 4 meters. El Departamento (find more here) preserved the original cast-iron pillars on the facade, encasing them in a sleek stainless-steel skin that transforms their appearance into two seamless cylinders. A striking glass facade, precisely centered between the two pillars, establishes a clear boundary, inviting patrons to experience the seamless transition between the external environment and the meticulously crafted interior space.

the entrance of the store features reflective stainless steel elements

El Departamento’s Fusion of Textured Minimalism & Raw Precision

In their latest spatial exploration for this new optical boutique, El Departamento blends textured minimalism and raw precision. Meticulous attention to detail is evident as the color-blocked sales area dynamically contrasts with a neutral floor, yet harmonizes with stainless-steel furniture, accentuating the high-tech ambiance of the space.

The design of the shop is characterized by rough materiality, as a prominent irregular plaster finish emerges. The color palette, dominated by dark garnet and aubergine hues, pays homage to the traditional color of Madrid’s exposed brick. This color, derived from the various clays of the central plateau, harks back to the architectural materials of Madrid’s late 19th-century aesthetics. ‘This tribute to reddish tones, transformed into garnet, evokes the hues that tint the fields of Madrid’s mountain range in autumnal twilights,’ the design team shares.

the retail interior incorporates rough materiality, organic forms, and stainless steel elements

the color palette of the project is inspired by the hues of the Madrid mountains

an irregular plaster finish emerges within the interior

the interior boasts ornamental structures, including wooden beams and cast-iron columns

the store is dominated by dark garnet and aubergine hues

the boutique s characterized by a high-tech ambiance

project info:

name: PJ Lobster Restyling
architects: El Departamento | @eldepartamento.estudio
design team: Alberto Eltini & Marina Martín

location: 2 Fernando VI Street, Madrid, Spain
area: 42 sqm
photography: Miguel Fernández-Galiano

myrto katsikopoulou I designboom

dec 25, 2023

Reference

Interior Design

Dezeen’s top 10 lookbooks of 2023

By Zarkon Group,25/12/2023

Continuing our 2023 review, we revisit the most popular lookbooks of the year – from minimalist bedrooms and biophilic homes to marble-lined bathrooms and kitchens with tiled worktops.

This year, the most-read lookbooks included wood-panelled dining rooms, homes with space-saving pocket doors and rooms with beautiful and practical bookshelves.

Read on to discover 10 of our most popular lookbooks of 2023:

Eight homes with beautiful and practical bookshelves

This lookbook for booklovers was our most-read lookbook this year. It showcased homes where designers have created stylish bookshelves – both wall-mounted and built-in.

Among the projects on show is an apartment in Madrid, Spain, which was designed by Spanish studio Zooco Estudio and features white shelving units that span two floors and provide plenty of space to store reading materials.

See more homes with beautiful bookshelves ›

Tiled kitchen in East Village apartment — Photo by Nicole Franzen

Eight kitchens with tiled worktops that are pretty but practical

There’s plenty of kitchen inspiration to be found in this lookbook, which explored kitchens with tiled worktops.

Among the examples is a New York apartment that features a kitchen island covered in oxblood-coloured tiles (above), as well as a pastel-hued Belgian kitchen and a colourful Spanish kitchen in a former motorcycle workshop.

See more kitchens with tiled worktops ›

Calming minimalist bedroom — Photo by Anson Smart

Eight calming bedrooms with minimalist interiors

The bedrooms in this lookbook range from a Mexican bedroom with a concrete bed to a cosy space in a former girls’ school in Puglia, all in a colour palette that mainly features beige, gray, and warm brown hues.

To create soothing, calming bedroom spaces, walls were left bare and the amount of artworks and personal items were kept to a minimum in these projects.

See more calming bedroooms ›

Tree inside The Greenery — Photo by Delfino Sisto Legnani and Alessandro Saletta from DSL Studio

Ten modern homes with interiors informed by biophilic design

Biophilic design, which aims to create spaces in which humans are more connected to nature, has been a trend this year and looks set to continue its ascent in 2024.

Homes with indoor trees, aquaponic systems with live fish, green roofs and verdant courtyards filled with plants are among the biophilic interior design examples in this lookbook.

See more homes with biophilic design ›

YUUA Architects and Associations skinny house interior — Photo by Sobajima, Toshihiro

Ten residential interiors that make the most of narrow spaces

Narrow interior layouts can be hard to decorate, but this roundup gave plenty of examples of how to work with tight living areas, kitchens wedged into corridors and interiors in skinny Japanese houses.

Tips include adding split-level floors, using built-in furniture to add visual depth and using glass doors to allow more light to penetrate the house.

See more residential interiors with narrow spaces ›

Wooden kitchen Curve Appeal — Photo by Megan Taylor

Eight tidy kitchens with slick storage solutions

This lookbook presented eight well-organised kitchens, where smart storage solutions help to hide clutter and create a more pleasant cooking experience. The projects, which range from compact apartments to home extensions, use hooks, nooks, racks, shelves, cubby holes and display units to make the best use of space.

Featured kitchens include the above example from London, which uses multifunctional plywood partitions with arched openings and alcoves for storing belongings.

See more tidy kitchens ›

Bedroom in Casa Maiora — Photo by Salva López

Ten earthy bedrooms that use natural colour to create a restful environment

Dreamy bedrooms from Mexico to Thailand were showcased in this lookbook, which gathers interiors that use earthy colour palettes and natural materials to evoke a sense of calm and tranquility.

Earthy browns, neutral beige and tan colours are complemented by terracotta and green hues to create bedrooms with a peaceful atmosphere, while materials include stone, timber, linen, clay accents and limewash finishes.

See more earthy bedrooms in neutral colours ›

Marble vanity in Eastern Columbia Loft — Photo by Yoshihiro Makino

Ten bathrooms where marble lines the walls

Carrera and Verde Aver marble, as well as similar natural stones such as travertine and quartzite, decorate these 10 bathrooms.

Whether it’s a renovated 1920s Stockholm apartment clad in Swedish Ekeberg marble, or a bathroom in an art-deco building covered in green Verde Aver marble (above), this lookbook showcases how the durable material can be used to create elegant interiors.

See more marble-lined bathrooms ›

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

Pocket doors – sliding doors that are designed to slot into a wall cavity so they can stay hidden from view – were the subject of this lookbook, which was one of the most popular of last year.

The solution is especially useful for rooms where there isn’t enough space for a door to open outwards and for locations where it makes sense for the door to integrate into surrounding joinery.

See more homes with pocket doors ›

Eight welcoming wood-panelled dining rooms

The cosiness of a wood-panelled dining room was the focus of this lookbook, which collected eight examples of homes where wood took centre stage.

Among the examples is this house in Chile, above, which features an open-plan kitchen and dining room with a vaulted ceiling that is clad in laminated pine.

See more wood-panelled dining rooms ›

2023 review

This article is part of Dezeen’s roundup of the biggest and best news and projects in architecture, design, interior design and technology from 2023.

Reference

Sustainable News

AI revolutionises response times for employees

By Zarkon Group,25/12/2023

Spotted: During their working life, employees often need quick answers to questions from different internal teams, whether that is HR, IT, or finance. But these departments are often inundated by queries. This not only bogs down subject matter experts (SMEs) in repetitive and tedious tasks – it also leads to a sub-par employee experience for workers who must wait to get answers to their questions.

Startup Atomicwork addresses this challenge with a generative artificial intelligence (AI) assistant that can automate many of those workflows, releasing SMEs from dealing with busywork and freeing up their time for more meaningful tasks. The company’s platform harnesses knowledge from various sources like policy documents, emails, chat conversations, and historical tickets to provide instant answers, reducing the need for employees to wait for responses or fill out forms.

The software assistant, dubbed Atom, sits on top of collaboration tools like Slack and Microsoft Teams and can answer employee questions and requests across departments. For example, an employee can type in, “How do I set up email on my company phone,” and Atom will respond with the right link. The technology can also be used for smart routing, where employees are directed to the most appropriate person or process to find answers to more complex requests.

Atomicwork promotes workflow automation, enabling employee-facing teams to tackle complex issues more efficiently. It also fosters organisational alignment and empowers different departments to work together seamlessly.

The company recently launched from stealth, with $11 million (around €10 million) in seed funding. In the future, the company plans to expand into more support teams, including legal, facilities, and business operations.

Springwise has spotted other tools hoping to streamlines day-to-day operations at work, including one that predicts employee flight risk and another that makes it easy to manage workers overseas.

Written By: Lisa Magloff

Reference

Architecture

Merry Christmas from Dezeen!

By Zarkon Group,25/12/2023

Merry Christmas! We’ll be back tomorrow – in the meantime read our review of 2023 and enjoy this Christmas tree designed by British-Nigerian designer Yinka Ilori.

The review of 2023 rounds up the most interesting and popular architecture, design and interior stories from the past year. It includes roundups of the the year’s rebrands, innovative materials, restaurant and bar interiors, controversies, US architecture, cabins and more.

Read the review of 2023 ›

Reference

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Bache Community Center

By DEDANG DESIGN, Suzhou, China.

Jury Award Winner, 11th Annual A+Awards, Community Centers

PUSHINE

By Chongqing Qimo Architectural Design Consulting, Chongqing, China.

Jury Award Winner, 11th Annual A+Awards, Hotels and Resorts

Chenjiagou “Impression Tai Chi” Theatre

By Architectural Design & Research Institute of Tsinghua University, Jiaozuo, China

Jury Award Winner, 11th Annual A+Awards, Hall / Theater

Free Space with Wood

By Fan Architectural Firm (FANAF), Nanjing, China

Jury Award Winner, 11th Annual A+Awards, Showrooms

The Oatmeal Factory

By JSPA Design, Ningwu County, Xinzhou, China

Jury and Popular Choice Award Winner, 11th Annual A+Awards, Factories & Warehouses

Chongqing Shibati Traditional Style Area

By Beijing AN-Design Architects, Chongqing, China

Jury Award Winner, 11th Annual A+Awards, Urban & Masterplan

Stations of Shanghai Metro Line 18

By Shanghai Rail Transit Line 18 Development, Shanghai, China

Popular Choice Winner, 11th Annual A+Awards, Transport Interiors

Dezeen’s top 10 hotels of 2023

The future of construction: building with CO2

el departamento infuses mountainous hues into texturized optical boutique in madrid

El Departamento unveils new PJ Lobster boutique in Madrid

PJ Lobster’s Madrid store Unveils a Design Continuum

El Departamento’s Fusion of Textured Minimalism & Raw Precision

Dezeen’s top 10 lookbooks of 2023

AI revolutionises response times for employees

Merry Christmas from Dezeen!

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