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Architecture

Brave New World: How Real-Time Rendering Can Lead Architectural Design Into the Future

By Zarkon Group,10/03/2023

New technologies breed new behaviors, so it’s no surprise that real-time rendering software is being harnessed by some architects to create whole new design processes. Two such firms, Intelligent City and Viewport Studio, are using the real-time rendering capabilities of Enscape to produce high-quality building designs in a fraction of the time it takes with traditional working methods. Basing their workflows on AI-enabled algorithms and the experiential capabilities of virtual reality, they’ve created design processes that are more efficient, more productive, and arguably more effective than today’s typical design practices.

The Key to Low-Cost, High-Quality Urban Housing

Animation courtesy of Intelligent City

Intelligent City, a design-build firm based in Vancouver, has created a proprietary design process called Platforms for Life to develop high-quality, sustainable urban housing at low cost. Taking a tech-forward approach to architecture, Platforms for Life employs algorithms to create fully fleshed out iterations for the design of an entire building. Modifying an individual property on one iteration automatically updates all associated parameters to incorporate the change, allowing an infinite number of fully detailed design options to be generated instantaneously. When the desired iteration is reached, all required construction documentation and manufacturing instructions are created with the push of a button.

Platforms for Life achieves even greater cost and time savings by prefabricating the primary components of their buildings in a factory. Employing the precision and speed offered by the latest automated manufacturing techniques, on-site construction time of their buildings can be reduced up to 50% over fully on-site methods. Relying heavily on mass timber as a structural material and the principles of Passive House to guide their design algorithms, the Platforms for Life process results in low-cost, energy efficient buildings with minimal carbon footprint.

Monad Granville, Vancouver (concept); image courtesy of Intelligent City

Intelligent City brings Enscape into the Platforms for Life process to fine-tune their designs in real-time when collaborating with clients. “We were looking for a way to visualize the buildings quickly,” explains Intelligent City’s Computational Design Architect, Timo Tsui. “If we couldn’t keep up with the iterations of the generated designs, then we wouldn’t be able to visualize them properly for our clients.”

A simple way to do this in a collaborative working session is to pin the Enscape rendering window alongside whatever software is being used to design a building, such as Revit or Rhino. This allows a fully rendered view to be updated automatically as design modifications are being made. If something more portable is needed for a client to evaluate on their own time, then Enscape can generate an easily shareable, read-only 3D model rendered in a web browser, in addition to 360-degree panoramas, videos or still images.

Forging New Frontiers in Interior Design

Image courtesy of Viewport Studio

Viewport Studio employs Enscape’s next-generation virtual reality capabilities to take an innovative approach to creating highly detailed interior designs. Recently tasked with designing the interior of Virgin Galactic’s Spaceport America, the first commercial spaceflight facility in the world, Viewport Studio’s design team knew they had to utilize a truly groundbreaking design process to satisfy the client’s aspirations for an equally groundbreaking space.

“We were tasked with designing something that had never been designed before,” says Viewport Studio director Gautier Pelegrin. To meet the challenge, they used Enscape’s virtual reality feature as a primary design tool, conducting live sessions to view and change design elements in real-time. This workflow resulted in the design of the spaceport’s “Astrowalk”, where astronaut passengers are given a celebratory send-off by their friends and families before embarking on their journeys. A showcase experience enhanced by a mirrored ceiling covered with LED screens, Enscape’s virtual reality feature helped the design team determine if spectators could see the Astrowalk from their seats.

Image courtesy of Viewport Studio

Enscape was additionally used to determine the exact dimensions of a barista station, as well as the amount of natural light that would reach certain planters, guiding the choice of plants used in specific locations. “The virtual reality function quickly became a staple in all our meetings,” explains Pelegrin. “It helped to reduce testing iterations by at least 20 percent. It also allowed us to check the simple ergonomics of the bespoke furniture we designed, and we were confident with what we gave to the manufacturers.”

Able to integrate directly into all major design software, including Revit, SketchUp, Rhino, Archicad, and Vectorworks, the possibilities for creating your own pioneering design process with Enscape are endless. Head over to Enscape to see all its capabilities and start your free 14-day trial today.

Reference

Interior Design

Five key projects by Italian architect and Dezeen Awards judge Paola Navone

By Zarkon Group,09/03/2023

Italian architect Paola Navone has joined Dezeen Awards 2023 as a judge. Here she selects five projects that best reflect her studio’s work.

Navone says she has “a free and nomadic nature”, which informs her practice, ranging from interior, furniture, graphic and accessory design to creative direction.

“I’m a dreamer, instinctive and always curious about the world,” she told Dezeen. “Somehow all of these things spontaneously flow in my way of being a designer.”

Navone is founder of Milan-based multi-disciplinary design office OTTO Studio, which is currently working on a project for Como Hotels in Burgundy as well as an interiors project in Athens, amongst others.

Paola Navone among Dezeen Awards 2023 judges

Dezeen Awards 2023 launched on 15 February in partnership with Bentley Motors. On Tuesday we announced five more Dezeen Awards judges including interiors stylist Colin King and design gallerist Rossana Orlandi, who will be joining architect Navone on the judging panel.

Submit your entry before Wednesday 29 March to save 20 per cent on entry fees. Click here to log in or create an account.

Read on to find Navone’s views on the five projects that best represent the work of her studio.

Hotel 25hours Piazza San Paolino, Florence, Italy

“We enjoy interiors projects because it’s a bit like writing a new movie script – we are always the same authors but each new movie is unique.

“25hours Hotel Piazza San Paolino in Florence takes cues from Dante’s symbolism of hell and paradise.

“The theme has allowed us to set a sequence of amazing scenography that involves the guests in an immersive and imaginative experience.”

BiMstrò by Paola Navone — Photo by Delfino Sisto Legnani

BiMstrò, Milan, Italy

“BiMstrò communicates our passion for ephemeral design, upcycling and reuse.

“The concept behind this temporary bar in Milan is upcycling. We used existing, raw and poor materials, hand-made finishes as well as recycled objects and furniture in an unexpected way.”

Azul Sofa by Turri

“All our projects are born from unexpected alchemies that always make them a little special.

“Azul Sofa by Turri is a blue velvet sofa characterised by macro weaving. The fabric allows you to discover a unique handmade weaving technique which gives the sofa a special softness.”

Baxter

“At OTTO Studio we enjoy mixing the perfection of the industrial process with something imperfect like craft.

“The singular Baxter leather furniture works the leather as a fabric. The extensive research on colours and touch makes these sofas particularly comfortable and cocooning.”

Hybrid

“Hybrid is an eclectic collection of indoor and outdoor fabrics with strong graphics and patterns.

“The collection was designed for the extraordinary manufacturing excellence of the brand Mariaflora.”

All images courtesy of Paola Navone.

Dezeen Awards 2023

Dezeen Awards celebrates the world’s best architecture, interiors and design. Now in its sixth year, it has become the ultimate accolade for architects and designers across the globe. The annual awards are in partnership with Bentley Motors, as part of a wider collaboration that will see the brand work with Dezeen to support and inspire the next generation of design talent.

Reference

Sustainable News

Five innovative startups with female founders

By Zarkon Group,09/03/2023

How many startups are founded by women? Although there are signs of progress, the answer remains ‘too few.’

According to data compiler Statista, the proportion of global startups with at least one female founder increased from 10 per cent in 2009 to 20 per cent in 2019. This long-term trend may be promising, but 20 per cent is still a strikingly low figure – significantly lower than the 32 per cent of S&P 500 board seats that are held by women, and far short of the 49.7 per cent of the world population that is female.

The headline figure also doesn’t tell the full story. As a worldwide statistic it masks significant regional variation, and it also smooths over imbalances between sectors. For example, one study of US companies founded between 2016 and 2021 showed that women make up 24 per cent of founders in the education sector, but only 10 per cent in fintech and energy, and 9 per cent in hardware.

As Springwise reported last year, female founders are also getting short-changed when it comes to the amount of early-stage capital they receive compared to their male counterparts. And the proportion of venture capital funding allocated to startups with female founders has remained flat since 2011, even as the proportion of female-founded companies has increased.

At Springwise we regularly see inspiring work from female founders. To celebrate International Women’s Day, discover five of the most exciting innovations from female-founded startups.

There is perhaps no better place to start than Mukuru Clean Stoves, winner of the ‘Clean our Air’ category at The Earthshot Prize in 2022. Led by Kenya-born Charlot Magayi, the startup uses recycled materials to manufacture safe and clean cookstoves for low-income families in East Africa. One of the key benefits of the stoves is that they tackle household air pollution, which causes a range of health issues from strokes and heart disease to lung cancer. Magayi became aware of the issue in 2012, while she was researching safer stove designs after her daughter was burned by an overturned cookstove. Inspired to make a difference, she founded Mukuru Clean Stoves to make cleaner cooking affordable for all. Read more

Countries across the globe are producing millions of metric tonnes of single-use plastic waste each year. And even the cardboard and paper containers that are increasingly common are not truly sustainable, as most contain a plastic coating to prevent leaks. To tackle this problem, Singapore-based startup Alterpacks has developed a line of compostable packaging made from malt and barley grain waste from beer brewing. Rather than relying on a coating, the whole container is leakproof, microwaveable, washable, and home-compostable. Alterpacks was founded by Karen Cheah. After 20 successful years working for entertainment companies, Cheah embarked on a change of career, founding the startup after completing a Master’s at Singapore Management University. Read more

French startup Uptrade is on a mission to solve the fashion industry’s fabric waste problem. The company has developed a matchmaking platform that connects those with unused fabric to sell with those looking to buy. For buyers, Uptrade curates a selection of ‘sleeping stocks’ based on quantity, quality, and origin. Traceability is core to the platform, with the ‘Uptrade – Saved fabric’ label guaranteeing both the origin of a fabric and the sustainable approach of the seller. Uptrade also negotiates a price that is fair to both parties. For sellers, Uptrade takes care of all the logistics. All the seller has to do is prepare the parcel and let Uptrade know its weight and dimensions. Further instructions are then provided with the purchase order, with shipping costs borne by the buyer. Uptrade was founded by female duo Eleonore Rothley Lafon and Charlotte Billot. Billot had been working on reusing end-of-life products for 10 years before she met Lafon, who had experience with a social enterprise in Cambodia focused on environmental protection and natural fibre production. Together, the pair developed the idea of Uptrade. Read more

The long-term economic success of many European countries is threatened by a persistent talent gap. And in hi-tech sectors such as artificial intelligence, the problem is particularly acute. Faced with the challenge of filling vital positions, it is more important than ever that companies can access the best talent from around the world. But relocating employees and hiring across borders comes with administrative and logistical challenges. This is where German startup Localyze comes in. Part all-in-one platform, part personalised support service, Localyze takes care of the admin-heavy tasks involved with finding the best global talent. The company claims that HR teams can hand over cases involving global mobility to its experts in as little as two minutes. They can then easily keep tabs on the status of each case through an easy-to-use dashboard that notifies users when they need to act. Localyze was founded by three women: Hanna Marie Asmussen, Lisa Dahlke, and Franzi Low. The idea for the startup came from their shared experiences of employee relocation and its many challenges. Read more

A large proportion of the world’s arable land is already degraded by the effects of climate change, pollution, and salinisation, and this is set to get worse over time. At the same time, the agricultural industry spends a huge amount of money on fertilisers and other soil treatments. Now, Argentinian startup Puna Bio is developing a novel all-natural solution for improving crop yields using extremophile organisms – microbes evolved to thrive in extreme environments. Puna Bio co-founder Elisa Bertini scoured locations including Utah’s Great Salt Lake and South America’s high desert, known in Argentina as La Puna, for organisms that thrive in harsh environments like active volcanoes, saline wetlands, and desert soils. The extremophiles that live in these locations have evolved to live with a low amount of nutrients, such as nitrogen or phosphorus, making them very efficient. When transported to other soils, including those that are very degraded, these organisms thrive and improve yield. Bertini founded Puna Bio with two female co-founders, Caroline Belfiore and María Eugenia Farías, along with their male colleague Franco Martínez Levis. Read more

Written By: Matthew Hempstead

For more innovations, head to the Springwise Innovation Library.

Reference

Render of Forest Green Rovers mass-timber stadium by Zaha Hadid Architects

Sustainable News

Eleven upcoming buildings with mass-timber structures

By Zarkon Group,09/03/2023

A stadium by Zaha Hadid Architects and housing by Adjaye Associates feature in this roundup of upcoming wooden buildings, curated as part of our Timber Revolution series.

Also featured on the list are towers, university buildings and an airport terminal, illustrating mass timber’s potential for use in a variety of architectural projects.

Mass-timber products, such as cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glued laminated timber (glulam), are growing in popularity in architecture as they can offer a low-carbon alternative to commonplace materials including steel and concrete.

They also help to bring a natural aesthetic to buildings, supporting the principles of biophilia that can boost occupant wellbeing.

Read on for 11 upcoming buildings with mass-timber structures:

Eco Park, UK, by Zaha Hadid Architects

Set to become the world’s first timber football stadium, Eco Park by Zaha Hadid Architects will be built in England as the home of Forest Green Rovers football club.

According to the studio, the 5,000-seat venue will be built almost entirely from wood – including its overhanging roof, structure and cladding.

It is also expected to be powered by sustainable energy sources, reflecting the values of the team, which FIFA named the world’s greenest football club.

Find out more about Eco Park ›

Render of the 32 storey tall Rocket&Tigerli in Switzerland — Image courtesy of Schmidt Hammer Lassen

Rocket&Tigerli, Switzerland, by Schmidt Hammer Lassen

In Switzerland, the world’s tallest wooden building, designed by Schmidt Hammer Lassen, is currently under development. The 100-metre-tall tower will have a timber core and load-bearing structure.

Slated for completion in 2026, it will be clad in terracotta and sit alongside three other blocks. Together, these will form a complex containing everything from housing to shops.

Find out more about Rocket&Tigerli ›

Render of the exterior of the World of Volvo — Image courtesy of Henning Larsen Architects

World of Volvo, Sweden, by Henning Larsen Architects

This mass-timber building will house an experience centre and meeting place for the car manufacturer Volvo in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Its structural columns and beams will all be constructed from glulam while the floor slabs will be constructed from CLT.

According to the designer Henning Larsen Architects, the project is hoped to “set a new standard for the many ways we can use timber in architecture”.

Find out more about World of Volvo ›

Render of Timber House by Adjaye Associates — Image courtesy of Waterfront Toronto

Timber House, Canada, by Adjaye Associates

Timber House by Adjaye Associates is expected to become one of the largest residential mass-timber structures in Canada.

Once complete, it will combine affordable housing units with residences for senior citizens, enclosed by a distinctive gridded facade with planted balconies.

The design forms part of the wider Quayside development in Toronto, which will also feature buildings by Alison Brooks Architects and Henning Larsen Architects and is hoped to become “the first all-electric, zero-carbon community at this scale”.

Find out more about Timber House ›

Mass-timber interior of BIG's Dock A at Zurich Airport — Image courtesy of BIG

Dock A, Switzerland, BIG and HOK

Timber sourced locally in Switzerland will be used to construct Dock A, the mass-timber terminal that BIG and HOK are developing for Zurich airport.

Its main structure will be formed of V-shaped timber columns, giving the building a natural material palette that nods to the long-standing tradition of wood construction in the country.

“The visually calm material palette, natural light, and biophilia help redefine passenger expectations of the typical airport experience,” said BIG partner Martin Voelkle.

Find out more about Dock A ›

Tilburg University Lecture Hall by Powerhouse Company in the Netherlands — Image courtesy of Powerhouse Architects

Tilburg University Lecture Hall, Netherlands, by Powerhouse Company

Creating a circular building that eliminates waste and pollution is the aim of the Tilburg University Lecture Hall, which Powerhouse Company is designing in the Netherlands.

The square-shaped building will be built with demountable and recyclable components, including 4.6 kilometres-worth of structural timber beams and hung limestone facade panels.

Find out more about Tilburg University Lecture Hall ›

A render of a mass timber building in Iceland — Image courtesy of Jakob+MacFarlane

Living Landscape, Iceland, by Jakob+MacFarlane and T.ark

Scheduled for completion in 2026, Living Landscape is a mixed-use building designed to transform a landfill site in Reykjavík.

According to its architects, Jakob+MacFarlane and T.ark, it will become the “largest wooden building in Iceland” upon completion thanks to its CLT structure.

The studio is also aiming for the building to achieve net-zero lifetime carbon emissions, which will be achieved in part through the use of timber but also through renewable energy.

Find out more about Living Landscape ›

Construction of Naples Central Underground Station — Image by Paolo Fassoli

Naples Underground Central Station, Italy, by EMBT

Large, undulating sections of glulam are being used to create the sculptural Naples Underground Central Station, which is currently under construction in Italy.

Barcelona studio EMBT said that the use of wood is intended to “introduce a piece of nature” to Centro Direzionale, the surrounding 1970s district designed by Japanese architect Kenzo Tange.

Find out more about Naples Underground Central Station ›

Mass timber interior of Homerton College entrance foyer — Image by Filippo Bolognese Images

Homerton College, UK, by Alison Brooks Architects

Another education building on the list is a student hub designed by Alison Brooks Architects for the University of Cambridge. It will have an expressed CLT and glulam structure, concealed externally by copper cladding.

The studio said the timber’s sequestered carbon “will more than offset the emissions from regulated carbon emissions produced from building services installations and unregulated carbon emissions from day-to-day building use”.

Find out more about Homerton College ›

Render of Dublin's Dock Mill by Urban Agency — Image courtesy of Urban Agency

Dock Mill, Ireland, by Urban Agency

One of the more unusual projects on the list is a mass-timber extension to an existing mill in Dublin, which will be one of the tallest timber buildings in Europe when it completes.

Named Dock Mill, the project by Urban Agency will use CLT to ease and quicken construction on the restricted waterside site.

A double-skin glass facade will wrap the timber structure of the new extension, which the studio envisions as a “modern take on the glasshouse”.

Find out more about Dock Mill ›

The Pirelli 39 development by Diller Scofidio + Renfro and Stefano Boeri Architetti — Image courtesy of Diller Scofidio + Renfro and Stefano Boeri Architetti

Pirelli 39, Italy, by Diller Scofidio + Renfro and Stefano Boeri Architetti

In Milan, a green-walled tower with a mass-timber structure is set to be built alongside the 1950s Pirellino office skyscraper.

Designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro and Stefano Boeri Architetti, it forms part of a wider renovation project of the existing Gio Ponti-designed building, to which it will be linked by a multi-storey glass bridge.

Its timber structure will be complemented by 1,700 square meters of green walls that will change colour with the seasons.

Find out more about Pirelli 39 ›

Illustration by Yo Hosoyamada

Timber Revolution
This article is part of Dezeen’s Timber Revolution series, which explores the potential of mass timber and asks whether going back to wood as our primary construction material can lead the world to a more sustainable future.

Reference

Architecture

15 Best Architecture Firms in Germany

By Zarkon Group,09/03/2023

The German architectural landscape is both closely attuned to its European counterparts and characteristically individual. Traversing the nation, one will encounter a similar historic program to other European capitals — Romanesque churches, Renaissance monuments, and more — blended with functionalist and modernist structures.

Early twenty-first-century Germany brought forth the booming Bauhaus. Founded by Walter Gropius, this school introduced brand-new architectural thinking, an ideology rooted in function, clarity and mass production. Materials like concrete and glass were favored, socially progressive housing blocks were built, and a new-found appreciation for modernism was conceived. And the spirit of the great Bauhaus teachers, take Mies van der Rohe, for example, vigorously lives on and inspires contemporary designers today. The Bauhaus also influenced the nation’s interest and appreciation for technology and mass production. Modern industrial architecture took off post-war and has played a prominent role in the nation’s economic growth, continuing to do so today.

The architectural devastation from WWII resulted in mass reconstruction efforts. The post-war restoration and rebuilding embraced a functional attitude, which continued the legacy of the Bauhaus movement despite its closing over a decade prior. And today’s German architecture continues to champion the nation’s modernist brilliance through innovative designs that push technological boundaries and celebrate culture.

With so many architecture firms to choose from, it’s challenging for clients to identify the industry leaders that will be an ideal fit for their project needs. Fortunately, Architizer is able to provide guidance on the top design firms in Germany based on more than a decade of data and industry knowledge.

How are these architecture firms ranked?

The following ranking has been created according to key statistics that demonstrate each firm’s level of architectural excellence. The following metrics have been accumulated to establish each architecture firm’s ranking, in order of priority:

The number of A+Awards won (2013 to 2023)
The number of A+Awards finalists (2013 to 2023)
The number of projects selected as “Project of the Day” (2009 to 2023)
The number of projects selected as “Featured Project” (2009 to 2023)
The number of projects uploaded to Architizer (2009 to 2023)

Each of these metrics is explained in more detail at the foot of this article. This ranking list will be updated annually, taking into account new achievements of Germany architecture firms throughout the year.

Without further ado, here are the 16 best architecture firms in Germany:

15. ingenhoven associates

In 1985, Christoph Ingenhoven founded ingenhoven architects, a practice that is one of the pioneers of sustainable architecture. The firm aims to create architecture that responds to each respective location in a specific way and, at the same time, tries to find architectural answers to urgent questions of the present and near future. Using the term supergreen®, the practice pursues a comprehensive sustainability concept.

Some of ingenhoven associates’s most prominent projects include:

Düsseldorfer Schauspielhaus, Düsseldorf, Germany
Freiburg Town Hall, Freiburg, Germany
Kö-Bogen 2, Düsseldorf, Germany
Marina One, Singapore, Singapore
Daniel Swarovski Corporation, Männedorf, Switzerland

The following statistics helped ingenhoven associates achieve 15th place in the 15 Best Architecture Firms in Germany:

A+Awards Finalist	2
Featured Projects	7
Total Projects	24

14. HENN

Photo: HG Esch – © HENN

HENN is an international architecture office in Munich, Berlin and Beijing and draws upon more than 70 years of expertise in the fields of work space, culture, health, education and research as well as production and master planning. Our architects, designers, planners and engineers benefit from a wealth of knowledge collected over three generations of building experience in addition to a worldwide network of partners and experts in a variety of disciplines. This continuity, coupled with progressive design approaches and methods and interdisciplinary research projects, forms the basis for a continual examination of current issues and for a consistent design philosophy.

Some of HENN’s most prominent projects include:

Porsche Pavilion, Wolfsburg, Germany
Zalando Headquarters Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Bugatti Studio, Molsheim, France
MobileLife Campus, Wolfsburg, Germany
Taikang Life Headquarters, Beijing, China

The following statistics helped HENN achieve 14th place in the 15 Best Architecture Firms in Germany:

A+Awards Winner	2
A+Awards Finalist	2
Featured Projects	3
Total Projects	22

13. 4a Architekten GmbH

Shaping atmosphere, lending identity, creating quality of space: these are the values that characterize the buildings of 4a Architekten. The starting point and guiding principle of our work is the concept of architecture as living space. Our buildings come into being through intensive team work shaped by interdisciplinary thinking and action.

What characterizes a location in terms of its culture and history? What are the client’s expectations and objectives? What is viable within the budget and what are the benefits for users? These questions and this approach bring us to solutions with an individual character — and they apply just as much to the planning of buildings as to the design of interior spaces.

Some of 4a Architekten GmbH’s most prominent projects include:

Therme Lindau on Lake Constance, Lindau, Germany
Balingen Civic Hall, Balingen, Germany
Emser Thermal Baths, Bad Ems, Germany
Spreewald Spa Hotel, Burg-Dorf, Burg, Germany
Stegermatt Aquatic Centre, Offenburg, Germany

The following statistics helped 4a Architekten GmbH achieve 13th place in the 15 Best Architecture Firms in Germany:

Featured Projects	9
Total Projects	15

12. GRAFT

What is graft? GRAFT is a full service design firm located in Los Angeles, Berlin, and Beijing. Our collective professional experience encompasses a wide array of design types including Hospitality Design, Fine Arts, Educational, Institutional, Commercial and Residential facilities.

With a staff of talented professionals and administrators, GRAFT has the resources and technology necessary to execute a project from programming to design and the supervision of the finished product. GRAFT has rigorously undertaken an increasing role in programming, master-planning and urban design. Additionally, our firm maintains successful relationships, as needed, with associate architectural and engineering firms and specialty consultants.

Some of GRAFT’s most prominent projects include:

Ice Stadion “Arena Schierke”, Wernigerode, Germany
Show Palace Munich, Munich, Germany
Autostadt Roof and Service Pavilion, Wolfsburg, Germany
Villa M , Berlin, Germany
Feuerstein Arena, Schierke, Wernigerode, Germany

The following statistics helped GRAFT achieve 12th place in the 16 Best Architecture Firms in Germany:

A+Awards Finalist	2
Featured Projects	7
Total Projects	17

11. wulf architekten

wulf architekten emerged from the architecture practice established 1987 in Stuttgart by Tobias Wulf. Currently, the company has about 140 employees, nine of them being senior architects. With three office locations — Stuttgart, Berlin and Basel (CH) — wulf architekten works on a series of regional and international projects.

Some of wulf architekten’s most prominent projects include:

Parking Garage Facade P22a at the Cologne Exhibition Centre, Cologne, Germany
Four primary schools in modular design, Munich, Germany
School Center North, 153, Heilbronner Straße, Nord, Stuttgart, Germany
Chamber of Industry and Commerce, headquarters, Stuttgart, Germany
Protestant Primary School, Karlsruhe, Germany

The following statistics helped wulf architekten achieve 11th place in the 15 Best Architecture Firms in Germany:

A+Awards Winner	1
A+Awards Finalist	1
Featured Projects	9
Total Projects	12

10. kadawittfeldarchitektur

We are kadawittfeldarchitektur. Originally founded in Aachen in 1999, we today stand for more than just architectural design. The interdisciplinary approach of our work, linking architecture, interior and product design on the one hand and at the interface of town planning and urban projects on the other hand, reflects the full range of our creative output.

kadawittfeldarchitektur develops added value space. In a team of more than 170 persons, we create architecture with added value space for living, communication and work environments. In the way we deal with volumes, materials, structures and functions, we strive to integrate our schemes into their surroundings with the objective of creating contemporary and sustainable architecture and meeting the needs of both the users and the general public.

Some of kadawittfeldarchitektur’s most prominent projects include:

CELTIC MUSEUM, Glauburg, Germany
ADIDAS LACES, Herzogenaurach, Germany
SPZ, HALLEIN, Hallein, Austria
SENIOR CITIZENS RESIDENCE ALTENMARKT, Altenmarkt im Pongau, Austria
SALZBURG CENTRAL STATION, Salzburg, Austria

The following statistics helped kadawittfeldarchitektur achieve 10th place in the 15 Best Architecture Firms in Germany:

Featured Projects	9
Total Projects	23

9. Ippolito Fleitz Group – Identity Architects

ippolito fleitz group is a multidisciplinary, internationally operating design studio based in Stuttgart. We are identity architects. We work in unison with our clients to develop architecture, products and communication that are part of a whole and yet distinctive in their own right. This is how we define identity. With meticulous analysis before we begin. With animated examination in the conceptional phase. With a clarity of argument in the act of persuasion. With a love of accuracy in the realization. With a serious goal and a lot of fun along the way. Working together with our clients. As architects of identity, we conceive and construct buildings, interiors and landscapes; we develop products and communication measures.

Some of Ippolito Fleitz Group – Identity Architects’s most prominent projects include:

Das GERBER, Stuttgart, Germany
Hunke – Jewellers and Opticians, Ludwigsburg, Germany
Bella Italia Weine, Stuttgart, Germany
ippolito fleitz group | Residential Building, Denkendorf, Germany
WakuWaku Dammtor, Hamburg, Germany

The following statistics helped Ippolito Fleitz Group – Identity Architects achieve 9th place in the 15 Best Architecture Firms in Germany:

A+Awards Finalist	1
Featured Projects	8
Total Projects	26

8. TCHOBAN VOSS Architekten

We develop, plan, design, and build for both regional and international clients in both the public and private sectors. The broad range of fields in which we are active includes residential and corporate buildings, hotels, retail facilities, office complexes, leisure facilities, schools, educational and social buildings, as well as reconstruction and revitalization of historical monuments. We have provided a full range of architectural services — from interior design to general planning — from the very beginning.

Some of TCHOBAN VOSS Architekten’s most prominent projects include:

SKF Test Centre for large-scale bearings, Schweinfurt, Germany
Seestraße, Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Koenigstadt-Quartier, Berlin, Germany
EMBASSY – Living alongside Koellnischer Park, Berlin, Germany
Ferrum 1, Saint Petersburg, Russia

The following statistics helped TCHOBAN VOSS Architekten achieve 8th place in the 15 Best Architecture Firms in Germany:

A+Awards Finalist	4
Featured Projects	9
Total Projects	23

7. Auer Weber

The architectural office Auer Weber, with offices in Munich and Stuttgart, was founded in 1980. The focus of our work is the conception and design of new buildings and the redesign and renovation for public institutions and corporate clients. Auer Weber provides expertise through all design stages on a broad range of projects including the sectors of education and research; administration and culture; hotels, residential buildings and sports facilities; as well as transportation terminals, urban development and master plans. The distinctive common denominator of Auer Weber projects is the architectural integration of design with the environment.

Some of Auer Weber’s most prominent projects include:

Aquatic Centre “Aquamotion” Courchevel , Saint-Bon-Tarentaise, France
Arena du Pays d’Aix, Aix-en-Provence, France
ESO Headquarters Extension, Garching, Germany
Azur Arena Antibes, Antibes, France
University Centre “des Quais” , Lyon, France

The following statistics helped Auer Weber achieve 7th place in the 15 Best Architecture Firms in Germany:

A+Awards Winner	2
Featured Projects	10
Total Projects	15

6. Peter Ruge Architekten GmbH

Peter Ruge Architekten is a locally and internationally active planning office based in Berlin. Our mission is simple: to develop and build sustainable architecture of the future. The agenda of the team along with three partners Peter Ruge, Kayoko Uchiyama and Matthias Matschewski includes new buildings, optimization of existing properties and urban planning designs.

The projects are holistic, i.e. adapted to the climate, culture and needs of the users, and have received numerous awards and certifications. Our detailed understanding of sustainable design processes supports the decisions of our clients.

Some of Peter Ruge Architekten GmbH’s most prominent projects include:

Busan Opera House, South Korea, Busan, South Korea
Congress Center Hangzhou, Hangzhou, China
House O, Germany, Potsdam-Mittelmark, Germany
LTD_1 Hamburg, Germany, Hamburg, Germany
Muzeum Lotnictwa Krakow, Poland

The following statistics helped Peter Ruge Architekten GmbH achieve 6th place in the 15 Best Architecture Firms in Germany:

Featured Projects	10
Total Projects	15

5. HPP Architects

HPP Architects is one of Europe’s leading architectural firms with a full range of architectural and master planning services. Since its foundation by Professor Hentrich, the 4th generation of HPP partnership today includes a global team of more than 25 nationalities and 480 architects, engineers, urban designers and specialists. Today it comprises 13 offices including 8 regional offices in Germany and 5 international branches in Turkey, China and Netherlands.

HPP Architects’ headquarter is located in the Düsseldorf Media Harbor. HPP has completed more than 1200 buildings worldwide and aspires to create an architectural quality of lasting value beyond the here and now: timeless and yet clearly part of their time, innovative and equally grounded in history.

Some of HPP Architects’s most prominent projects include:

LVM 5 , Münster, Germany
Medical Library Oasis (O.A.S.E.), Düsseldorf, Germany
Hochschule Ruhr West, Mülheim, Germany
Henkel Asia-Pacific and China Headquarters, Shanghai, China
Dreischeibenhaus, Düsseldorf, Germany

The following statistics helped HPP Architects achieve 5th place in the 15 Best Architecture Firms in Germany:

A+Awards Finalist	3
Featured Projects	11
Total Projects	25

4. Behnisch Architekten

The Stuttgart-based practice known today as Behnisch Architekten was founded in 1989 under the leadership of Stefan Behnisch. Originally established as a branch office of Günter Behnisch’s practice Behnisch & Partner, it became independent in 1991 and has subsequently developed into an international practice with offices in Stuttgart, Munich, Los Angeles (1999 – 2011), and Boston. From the outset, the social dimension of architecture has been a fundamental aspect of the firm’s design philosophy.

Some of Behnisch Architekten’s most prominent projects include:

City of Santa Monica Public Parking Structure #6, Santa Monica, CA, United States
Primary School Infanteriestrasse, München, Germany
Harvard University Science and Engineering Complex, Boston, MA, United States
John and Frances Angelos Law Center, University of Baltimore, Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
Marco Polo Tower, Hamburg, Germany

The following statistics helped Behnisch Architekten achieve 4th place in the 15 Best Architecture Firms in Germany:

A+Awards Finalist	8
Featured Projects	8
Total Projects	23

3. Barkow Leibinger

The scope of Barkow Leibinger’s work spans from cultural projects to industrial ones. Their focus on industrial architecture includes master planning and building representational and functional buildings for production, logistical and office spaces.

Some of Barkow Leibinger’s most prominent projects include:

Production Hall Trumpf, Hettingen, Germany
Stadthaus M1 – Green City Hotel, Freiburg, Germany
Harvard ArtLab, Boston, MA, United States
Production Hall, Grüsch, Switzerland
Fraunhofer Research Campus, Waischenfeld, Germany

The following statistics helped Barkow Leibinger achieve 3rd place in the 15 Best Architecture Firms in Germany:

Featured Projects	15
Total Projects	17

2. gmp von Gerkan, Marg and Partners Architects

The architects von Gerkan, Marg and Partners (gmp) are an architectural practice that was founded in Hamburg and has branches worldwide. With our generalist approach and more than 50 years of experience, we complete projects in dialogue with our clients and the participating planning disciplines, at all scales and cultural contexts, covering all design phases and working on all continents.

The range of our projects extends from family residences to high-rise buildings, from stadiums to concert halls, from office buildings to bridges, and from door hardware to urban planning. With holistic sustainability in mind, we aim to create new and refurbished architecture that is long-lasting and goes beyond temporary fashions, taking into account the global challenges and issues of urbanization, digitalization, and mobility.

Some of gmp von Gerkan, Marg and Partners Architects’s most prominent projects include:

Guna Villa, Jūrmala, Latvia
Universiade 2011 Sports Center, Shenzhen, China
Olympic Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
Olympic Stadium, Berlin, Germany
Twin Towers, Commodity Exchange Plaza, Dalian, China

The following statistics helped gmp von Gerkan, Marg and Partners Architects achieve 2nd place in the 15 Best Architecture Firms in Germany:

Featured Projects	22
Total Projects	43

1. J.MAYER.H

J. MAYER H’s studio, focuses on works at the intersection of architecture, communication and new technology. From urban planning schemes, buildings, installation work and objects with new materials, the relationship between the human body, technology and nature form the background for a new production of space.

Some of J.MAYER.H’s most prominent projects include:

MIAMI MUSEUM GARAGE, Miami, FL, United States
n.n. Residence, Moscow, Russia
Hasselt Court House , Hasselt, Belgium
Highway Rest Stops, Lochini Street, Dzveli Tbilisi, Tbilisi, Georgia
Rest Stops, Gori, Georgia

The following statistics helped J.MAYER.H achieve 1st place in the 15 Best Architecture Firms in Germany:

A+Awards Winner	5
A+Awards Finalist	3
Featured Projects	20
Total Projects	29

Why Should I Trust Architizer’s Ranking?

With more than 30,000 architecture firms and over 130,000 projects within its database, Architizer is proud to host the world’s largest online community of architects and building product manufacturers. Its celebrated A+Awards program is also the largest celebration of architecture and building products, with more than 400 jurors and hundreds of thousands of public votes helping to recognize the world’s best architecture each year.

Architizer also powers firm directories for a number of AIA (American Institute of Architects) Chapters nationwide, including the official directory of architecture firms for AIA New York.

An example of a project page on Architizer with Project Award Badges highlighted

A Guide to Project Awards

The blue “”+”” badge denotes that a project has won a prestigious A+Award as described above. Hovering over the badge reveals details of the award, including award category, year, and whether the project won the jury or popular choice award.

The orange Project of the Day and yellow Featured Project badges are awarded by Architizer’s Editorial team, and are selected based on a number of factors. The following factors increase a project’s likelihood of being featured or awarded Project of the Day status:

Project completed within the last 3 years
A well written, concise project description of at least 3 paragraphs
Architectural design with a high level of both functional and aesthetic value
High quality, in focus photographs
At least 8 photographs of both the interior and exterior of the building
Inclusion of architectural drawings and renderings
Inclusion of construction photographs

There are 7 Projects of the Day each week and a further 31 Featured Projects. Each Project of the Day is published on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Stories, while each Featured Project is published on Facebook. Each Project of the Day also features in Architizer’s Weekly Projects Newsletter and shared with 170,000 subscribers.

Top image: IGZ Falkenberg by J.MAYER.H, Falkenberg/Elster, Germany

We’re constantly look for the world’s best architects to join our community. If you would like to understand more about this ranking list and learn how your firm can achieve a presence on it, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at editorial@architizer.com.

Reference

Open-plan kitchen and dining room with concrete flooring, wood kitchen island with seating and wood storage cupboards

Interior Design

Emily Sandstrom builds Sydney home extension from recycled materials

By Zarkon Group,08/03/2023

Australian architect Emily Sandstrom has transformed a run-down 1930s bungalow in Sydney by adding an extension that was partly built from demolition materials.

Sandstrom aimed to restore the home, which had been left untouched for decades, and celebrate its original features including picture rails and ceiling mouldings.

The architect demolished a small rear kitchen, outhouse and sunroom and reused the bricks and materials from the demolition to construct a 45-square-metre U-shaped extension, which accommodates an open-plan kitchen and dining space.

Two large sliding glass doors open out to a courtyard and let natural light into the kitchen extension.

Rear garden of a bungalow with brick steps leading to a patio and home extension — Demolished bricks were reused to build the extension

The U-shaped extension and courtyard were designed to provide a connection between indoor and outdoor entertainment areas.

According to Sandstrom, concrete flooring and overhanging eaves help to passively heat the home in winter and cool it in summer. Solar panels were also added to the home, meaning no additional heating or cooling systems were needed.

Kitchen with concrete flooring, wood ceiling and a large kitchen island with seating — Sandstrom aimed to create a connection between indoor and outdoor entertainment spaces

“The U shape in combination with the wide and curved eaves provides passive heating to the home during the winter months and shade during the summer,” Sandstrom told Dezeen.

“This in combination with a concrete floor for thermal mass, double glazing and high windows located for cross ventilation, means there is no need for additional heating and cooling systems.”

A large island with a countertop made from recycled Australian hardwood is the focal point of the kitchen, where a step down in floor level separates the “work zone” on one side of the island from the rest of the room.

“The kitchen was a particular focus in the design, and a strong central point of the home,” said Sandstrom.

Kitchen with concrete flooring, white brick walls and wood cabinets — A change in floor level separates the kitchen from the dining space

Informed by Japanese design and bathing rituals, the bathroom features a sunken bathtub that sits below floor level.

Timber decking covers the floors and conceals the drainage points for an overhead shower. Glass sliding doors lead to a small garden with an additional outdoor shower.

“[The bathroom] was designed to achieve an atmosphere of calm and seclusion, and the design captures many different outlooks into the garden and directs the eye away from the less ideal views,” said Sandstrom.

Bathroom with sunken bath, blue tiled walls and a window overlooking a garden — The bathroom features a sunken bathtub that overlooks a garden

Throughout the home, the architect removed carpets to uncover the original floorboards and restored original features, including stained glass windows, ornate ceiling mouldings, dark timber doors, trims and architraves.

Newly added joinery was designed to preserve the home’s skirting boards, picture rails and ceiling mouldings, as well as maintain the original scale and layout of the rooms.

A bedroom with wood floors and dark timber window frames and picture rails — The home’s original features such as ceiling mouldings and picture rails were maintained

Other homes recently completed in Australia that have been featured on Dezeen include an oceanside residence in Sydney that was transformed to suit a family of five and a home in Melbourne with interiors finished in timber, terracotta and rich jewel tones.

The photography is by Rohan Venn.

Reference

Sustainable News

Using insects as sustainable bioreactor replacements for lab research

By Zarkon Group,08/03/2023

Spotted: One day in 2018, Matt and Jalene Anderson-Baron were standing in line at the University of Alberta Tim Hortons discussing how to grow a cell-based chicken nugget without using foetal bovine serum (which is harvested from bovine foetuses during slaughter). The two wondered if they could use fruit flies, Drosophila melanogaster, to act as a substitute for bioreactors. The result of this conversation was Future Fields and its fruit-fly-based EntoEngine.

Bioreactors (which look like giant steel tanks) are used to generate the biomolecules needed for things like medicine, vaccines, and cultivated meat. However, bioreactors have a large carbon footprint. To reduce this, Future Fields uses fruit flies as a replacement. The process begins by identifying the protein that they want to produce and cloning the necessary DNA sequence.

Future Fields inserts the DNA into the fruit fly genome and breeds the flies. It then extracts and purifies the protein, and tests for quality. Compared to traditional recombinant protein production methods, Future Fields’ insect-based EntoEngine uses less water and energy, emits fewer greenhouse gases, and has a smaller land footprint. It also produces waste products that have other uses, contributing to a circular economy.

Video source Future Fields

Co-founder Matt Anderson-Baron explains: “We’ve passed a tipping point where it’s scaling, not creating, biotech-based products that is the fundamental hurdle for founders, companies, and entire industries. Our approach is 30 times faster than tanks and more or less infinitely scalable with minimal investment.”

Future Fields recently $11.2 million (around €10.5 million), which will be used to scale the team and construct a “world first” production facility.

Researchers are increasingly turning to insects to improve sustainability. Some of the innovations Springwise has also spotted include a project that uses flies to convert food waste into animal feed and fertiliser, and salmon feed made from plastic-fed waxworms.

Written By: Lisa Magloff

Reference

Sustainable News

Climatically Climactic: 6 Modern North African Residences Reveling in Their Context

By Zarkon Group,08/03/2023

Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work through Architizer and sign up for our inspirational newsletter.

The architecture of North Africa is diverse and rich in history and culture, with a variety of architectural styles and building technologies that are influenced by the different civilizations who have inhabited the area that spans along the northern coast of Africa.

This is not to say that a region of that size and rich history is neither homogeneous nor singular in its architectural identity. On the contrary, this collection celebrates the heterogeneity of architecture in North Africa by sampling a handful of residential projects whose architectural elements have been remarkably responsive to the specificities of their sites’ environments, traditions and history while remaining modern and responsive to their time.

The Colonnade House

By Atelier Messaoudi Architectes , Tipaza, Algeria.

Photo by Reda Ait Saada

In this highly accessible house that was designed for two elderly parents in Tipaza, three factors guided the design process: privacy, weather conditions and activity, which reflected on the building envelope, building layout and building orientation. The design of the openings achieved the required level of privacy for Algerian culture, while opening up the house to the surrounding garden for natural ventilation, sunlight and views, taking in consideration the challenging weather conditions of the area.

The light colored and local building materials responded to the climate. Similarly, the overhanging colonnaded gallery adjacent to the main living spaces sheltered them against the southern sunlight, while simultaneously acting as an intermediate living space for the family for dining and circulation.

Villa Agava

By Driss Kettani Architecte, Casablanca, Morocco

Reinterpreting the courtyard layout, this house is reminiscent of traditional houses, highly introverted with openings and activity turned inwards, surrounded by enclosure walls and solid facades. The openness of the house increases along the north-south axis, complemented by three landscape sequences, beginning with a solid and closed façade containing the main entrance on the north, with the house gradually becoming more extroverted as it reaches an open garden on the south, in a manner that also responds to the weather conditions. Inside, the house layout is characterized with a high level of spatial fluidity, transparency and openness, with big windows opening to the outside pool, the mineral garden on the west and the huge vegetal garden on the south.

Cedar Street House

By Alia Bengana architect, Algiers, Algeria.

Photo by Myriam Bengana

The new remodeling of the Cedar Street House witnessed the enlargement of the 1950’s house and the addition of a new basement and terrace that overlooks the the Bay of Algiers. The new terrace comes as an extension of the living room, spanning over the expansion of the ground floor, extending up to the outdoor swimming pool. Huge local plants border the swimming pool to secure the privacy for the house owners and creates a more intimate outdoors space, while the white exterior walls succeed in reflecting the summer sun and ensure a more comfortable interior environment.

Dar bibi

By JELJELI studio, Tunis, Tunisia

The renovation of Dar Bibi was to accommodate the changes in the house users, after the passing of Hassene Jeljeli’s grandfather and his mother moving back into her childhood home to look after his grandmother. In that sense, the intergenerational use of domestic spaces is one aspect of the region’s culture and family structures that was exemplified in this project.

The changes consisted of turning the old living room into two new bedrooms, while adding a new and larger living room that would accommodate the whole family, in the form of a floating volume, which was added to the old building. The new white façade was designed as a climatic wall, consisting of modular breeze-blocks that are molded in situ, providing natural ventilation while diffusing the strong southern sunlight.

Reyard House Team Bosphorus

By Studio Hcrbzkrt, Ben Guerir, Morocco

The name of the project consists of two parts: “Re” that stands for recycling and “Yard” that refers to the courtyard. Together the word reads as the word Riad, which is the traditional Moroccan courtyard house. The house was designed and built in Morocco by the Turkish Team Bosphorus for the Africa edition of the ‘Solar Decathlon’ competition. The team focused on finding solutions that would counter the hot and dry desert climate while honoring tradition.

The building envelope alternates between solid walls that ensure privacy and perforated walls that allow cross ventilation through the yard to cool off the interior. Built out of local materials consisting of rammed earth and wooden framed panels, the team increased the house efficiency by using a water treatment system and solar panels for energy.

Dar Mim

Septembre, Hammamet, Tunisia

Photo by Sophia Baraket

Photo by Sophia Baraket

Located in the historic heart of the city, the renovation and the extension of Dar Mim demanded the addition of a new volume containing living areas for guests, adjacent to the existing traditional courtyard house used by the client. Adopting the traditional courtyard house layout, the living areas were distributed around the two existing courtyards, weaved together through a set of spatial and visual connections, both horizontal and vertical. Relying on local building materials and craftsmanship, the traditional building techniques and the use of lime paint and plaster on all exterior walls allowed the extension to fit with its context and adapt to the weather conditions and turned the walls into canvases that reflected lights and shadows.

Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work through Architizer and sign up for our inspirational newsletter.

Reference

centre pompidou to host the largest retrospective of norman foster's work

Architecture

centre pompidou to host largest norman foster retrospective

By Zarkon Group,08/03/2023

the ‘norman foster’ retrospective will span six decades

The largest retrospective spanning the entire oeuvre of Norman Foster’s work over the last six decades will open at the Centre Pompidou in Paris this coming May. Covering nearly 2,200 sqm, the exhibition reviews the different periods of the architect’s work, highlighting seminal projects, such as the headquarters of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (Hong Kong, 1979-1986), the Carré d’Art (Nîmes, 1984-1993), Hong Kong International Airport (1992-1998) and Apple Park (Cupertino, United States, 2009-2017). Running from May 10 to August 7, 2023, the retrospective is being designed by Norman Foster and executed in collaboration with Foster + Partners and the Norman Foster Foundation.

exploring the architect’s work through seven themes

The Norman Foster retrospective at Centre Pompidou explores the architect’s work through the prism of seven themes: Nature and Urbanity; Skin and Bones; Vertical City; History and Tradition; Planning and Place; Networks and Mobility and Future. ‘This exhibition traces the themes of sustainability and anticipating the future,’ shares Foster.

‘The birth of the practice in the 1960’s coincided with the first signs of an awareness of the fragility of the planet. These were the green shoots of what would later be named The Green Movement. These principles may now be mainstream, but more than half a century ago, they were revolutionary and anticipated the reality of today. Throughout the decades, we have sought to challenge conventions, reinvent building types and demonstrate an architecture of light and lightness, inspired by nature, which can be about joy as well as being eco-friendly.‘

a unique display of 130 major projects

Drawings, sketches, original scale models, dioramas, and many videos will enable visitors to delve into 130 significant projects. Indeed, welcoming visitors at the entrance to the Norman Foster retrospective, a drawing gallery showcases items never seen before in France, consisting of drawings, sketchbooks, sketches, and photographs taken by the architect. Illustrating a resonance with Foster’s architecture, the display includes works by Fernand Léger, Constantin Brancusi, Umberto Boccioni, and Ai Weiwei, along with industrial creations, such as a glider and several classic automobiles, which have often served as sources of inspiration.

Lastly, a 264-page catalog accompanies the exhibition, depicting eighty of the architect’s most significant projects. This monograph features three portfolios showcasing Foster’s early sources of inspiration, projects conducted in collaboration with Richard Buckminster Fuller, and other drawings and sketches. This collective volume is published by Editions du Centre Pompidou under the direction of Frédéric Migayrou, curator of the retrospective.

Reference

Interior Design

Child Studio designs Mayfair pied-à-terre with mid-century modern details

By Zarkon Group,07/03/2023

Local practice Child Studio has designed a house in a mews courtyard in London that mixes mid-century modern furniture with custom-made pieces in a nod to fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent’s home.

Child Studio designed the home, which was created for a hotelier and restauranteur, as a space for dining, entertaining and hosting parties.

It centres around a spacious lounge that was informed by the grand salon in fashion designer Saint Laurent’s Paris home.

Informed by the way Saint Laurent’s residence displayed his collection of artworks, the Mayfair home is a cornucopia of furniture pieces by iconic mid-century modern designers.

Sculpture in London home by Child Studio — Sculptures and vintage furniture decorates the space

“We worked closely with the client to create a space that reflected his personality and interests, encompassing art, design, literature and travel,” Child Studio founders Che Huang and Alexy Kos told Dezeen.

“This approach made us think of Saint Laurent’s salon – an eclectic interior where design objects and art pieces from different eras and parts of the world are assembled together, forming a highly personal environment.”

Wooden walls in Mayfair residence — Wooden shelving divides the room

A large open space in the residence, with narrow full-length skylights on each side, was given a vintage feel through the addition of wooden library walls.

These divide it into a lounge area as well as spaces for dining and studying.

“We were interested in finding an authentic design language for this project, balancing the art deco references with the 1960s and 70s modernism,” the studio added.

Mid-century modern interior by Child Studio — Child Studio designed a wooden table for the room

Among the furniture and lighting used for the residence are Japanese paper lamps by industrial designer Ingo Maurer and the “Pernilla” lounge chair by Swedish designer Bruno Mathsson, which have been juxtaposed with furniture designed by the designers themselves.

“We paired vintage Scandinavian furniture by Bruno Mathsson and Kristian Vedel with playful lights by Ingo Maurer and Alfred Cochrane,” Huang and Kos said.

“The cabinetry and tables were designed by Child Studio to unify the interior and accommodate all functional requirements.”

Dining space in Mayfair home — The dining area has a glass-brick wall

The lounge also contains a fully functional, half-moon-shaped fireplace created by the studio, with a decorative shape that matches two ornate urns and a pair of art-deco-style floor lamps.

“We designed the adulating fireplace to bring a sense of scale and permanence to the space,” the designers said.

“The plaster finish seamlessly blends in with the surroundings,” they added.

“The fireplace is placed below the skylight, and the soft shifts of sunlight throughout the day contribute to the tranquil atmosphere.”

Charlotte Perriand chairs in Mayfair dining room — Armchairs by Charlotte Perriand sit around the dining table

In the dining area, dark-wood shelving holding glassware, books and vases surrounds a circular wooden table with dining chairs by French architect Charlotte Perriand.

“The material palette of this room draws inspiration from the modernist Villa Muller by Adolf Loos,” the designers said.

“The combination of dark mahogany wood, patterned marble and green upholstery feels so chic, yet warm and unpretentious.”

Wood-panneled study by Child Studio — The study also features natural materials

A kitchenette next to the dining area was separated from the space by a glass-brick partition designed to filter the daylight.

Behind the library shelves, Child Studio created a wood-panneled study for the homeowner. The studio aimed to use natural materials throughout the project.

“We enjoy working with natural materials, such as solid wood, stone and plaster,” Huang and Kos said.

“Child Studio often designs custom furniture pieces for projects, and we find that these simple and timeless materials are incredibly versatile and ideal for creating bespoke hand-crafted objects.”

Close up of study space by Child Studio in Mayfair — The reisdence is located in a historic mews in Mayfair

Child Studio used an “understated” colour palette for the residence to create a warm, relaxing environment that it hopes will continue to evolve.

“Our goal was to design an interior that will continue evolving over time as the owners add new art pieces and bring heirlooms from their travels,” the studio said.

Also in Mayfair, architecture studio Laplace renovated The Audley pub and filled it with art and MWAI designed an apartment as if it were a hotel suite.

The photography is by Felix Speller and Child Studio.

Reference

The Key to Low-Cost, High-Quality Urban Housing

Forging New Frontiers in Interior Design

How are these architecture firms ranked?

15. ingenhoven associates

14. HENN

13. 4a Architekten GmbH

12. GRAFT

11. wulf architekten

10. kadawittfeldarchitektur

9. Ippolito Fleitz Group – Identity Architects

8. TCHOBAN VOSS Architekten

7. Auer Weber

6. Peter Ruge Architekten GmbH

5. HPP Architects

4. Behnisch Architekten

3. Barkow Leibinger

2. gmp von Gerkan, Marg and Partners Architects

1. J.MAYER.H

Why Should I Trust Architizer’s Ranking?

A Guide to Project Awards

The Colonnade House

By Atelier Messaoudi Architectes , Tipaza, Algeria.

Villa Agava

By Driss Kettani Architecte, Casablanca, Morocco

Cedar Street House

By Alia Bengana architect, Algiers, Algeria.

Dar bibi

By JELJELI studio, Tunis, Tunisia

Reyard House Team Bosphorus

By Studio Hcrbzkrt, Ben Guerir, Morocco

Dar Mim

Septembre, Hammamet, Tunisia

the ‘norman foster’ retrospective will span six decades

exploring the architect’s work through seven themes

a unique display of 130 major projects

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