Interior Design Archives

Restored Book Tower in Detroit features hospitality venues by Method Co

Several restaurants and a hotel have opened within Detroit’s historic Book Tower as part of a years-long restoration project of the building undertaken by its developer and architecture studio ODA.

The 1920s skyscraper has undergone extensive restoration work over the past seven years by local developer Bedrock, which has transformed the former office building into a mixed-use space.

Giant glass dome over a neoclassical lobby — Among Book Tower’s restored features are a grand glass dome, which sits over the lobby’s Bar Rotunda

A collaboration with Method Co has led to the first phase of restaurant and bar concepts, which were introduced through the course of 2023.

“We have been ever-mindful of what the restoration of Book Tower means to this city,” said Randall Cook, CEO and cofounder of Method Co, “and we’ve worked hard to create hospitality concepts that will excite and reconnect Detroiters to Book Tower once again, and at the same time honour the heritage of this magnificent property.”

View through an arch in a stone wall of an atrium — Developers Bedrock worked with architects ODA on the restoration of the 1920s neoclassical building

Located on Washington Boulevard in Downtown Detroit, the 38-storey neoclassical building was designed by Louis Kamper – a prolific and celebrated architect in the city during its Gilded Age.

New York architecture firm ODA was hired to update and expand the programming and existing structures, resulting in half a million square feet (46,450 square metres) of mixed-use space.

Le Suprême brasserie interior with green tiles and wood accents — Method Co was brought on to conceptualise and operate multiple culinary offerings within the building, including Le Suprême brasserie at street level

The work included restoring the exterior windows and stonework and bringing an ornate domed glass ceiling back to life.

Method Co was then brought on to conceptualise three restaurants and bars, as well as a hotel, and operate each of these venues within the building.

Le Suprême restaurant with zinc bar top, hand-made tiles and mosaic marble flooring — Designed with Stokes Architecture + Design, Le Suprême includes a zinc bar top, hand-made tiles and mosaic marble flooring

Dining options include Le Suprême, a classic French brasserie that offers an all-day menu and both indoor and outdoor seating at street level for up to 210 guests.

Designed in collaboration with Stokes Architecture + Design, the 6,200-square-foot space features a traditional zinc bar top, hand-made art nouveau tiles, mosaic marble flooring and oxblood leather booths.

Furniture and decor were chosen to reflect Detroit’s cultural heritage, and photos on the walls of the Le Mans car race tie to the city’s automobile legacy.

Kamper's rooftop cocktail bar with exposed brickwork and dark wood accents — On the 14th floor is Kamper’s, a rooftop cocktail bar designed with ODA

On the 14th floor is Kamper’s, a rooftop cocktail bar designed with ODA comprising an indoor lounge that opens onto an expansive outdoor terrace via large French doors.

The cosy interior has exposed brick walls and dark wood accents, complemented by marble mosaic flooring, antiqued mirrors and velvet drapery.

Expansive outdoor terrace with views across Detroit — Kamper’s opens onto an expansive terrace with views across Detroit

Bar Rotunda sits below the glass dome and acts as an all-day lobby cafe and bar, with 70 seats surrounded by ornate architectural details that recall the grand eateries of early 20th-century Paris.

“The space is canopied by a beautifully restored 100-year-old Keppler Glass dome that features more than 7,000 individual jewels and 6,000 glass panels making it an architectural centerpiece,” said Method Co, which also worked with ODA on this space.

Also planned to open soon within Book Tower are sake pub Sakazuki, and izakaya and omakase-style dining spot Hiroki-San.

The hotel component of the building, Roost Detroit, offers short and long-stay accommodation in contemporary apartment-style spaces, alongside The Residences that are purchasable as permanent homes.

Studio hotel-apartment with a bed, kitchen and sofa — The building’s accommodation component, Roost Detroit, is Method Co’s latest iteration of its apartment hotel brand

Roost Detroit is the latest iteration of Method Co’s apartment hotel brand, joining multiple outposts in Philadelphia – including the Morris Adjmi-designed East Market – along with Tampa, Cleveland and more across the US.

The company also operates The Quoin boutique hotel in Wilmington, Delaware, which offers 24 guest rooms within a converted bank building, and the Whyle extended-stay property in Washington DC that was longlisted in the hotel and short-stay interior category of Dezeen Awards 2021.

Contemporary residential interior with lounge and dining areas — Roost Detroit offers short and extended stays within contemporary spaces of various sizes and configurations

Downtown Detroit’s revitalisation has taken shape over the past few years, and a handful of new hotels have opened to accommodate visitors who are returning to witness its cultural and creative rebirth.

They include The Siren Hotel, designed by ASH NYC to recall the city’s glamorous past, and the Shinola Hotel, which Gachot Studios designed for the local watch company of the same name.

The photography is by Matthew Williams unless stated otherwise.

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Interior Design

Civilian draws on “grandeur” of early cinemas for Sandbox Films offices

By Zarkon Group,23/12/2023

New York studio Civilian has designed the headquarters for a documentary production company in Manhattan’s Flatiron District, which includes an art deco-influenced screening room.

The offices for award-winning Sandbox Films are located in a landmarked 1920s neo-gothic skyscraper, and provide the company with its first dedicated workspace.

Office reception with meeting room visible through glass and mint green sliding doors — Civilian’s interiors of the Sandbox Films offices draw upon multiple references, from old movie theatres to colours used by Danish modernist Poul Henningsen

Spread across 4,200 square feet (390 square metres) of space, the program includes an open-plan reception area that doubles as an events space, a conference room, private and open offices, and production and editing suites.

There’s also a 22-seat screening room with a Dolby Atmos sound system, in which the team and their visitors can preview the completed or in-progress cuts.

A custom, double-sided sofa upholstered in velvet and boucle fabric — In the centre of the reception area is a custom, double-sided sofa upholstered in velvet and boucle fabrics

The non-profit documentary production company makes cinematic science films, many of which have won or received nominations for prestigious awards.

Among them are Fire of Love, which was nominated for Best Documentary Feature at the 95th Academy Awards in 2022; Emmy-winning Fathom; Sundance winner All Light, Everywhere; and Fireball, co-directed by Werner Herzog.

Meeting room with table featuring ash legs and a white lacquered top — Another custom design is the meeting room table, which has ash legs and a white lacquered top

“Inspired by [our] clients’ love for the craft of storytelling, the space was informed by the grandeur of the amenity-rich yet intimate early movie houses of Stockholm and Amsterdam, art deco cinemas, the architectural colour gestures of Danish modernist designer Poul Henningsen, and the vanished world of interwar New York conjured by the project’s Broadway address,” said Civilian.

The reception area revolves around a circular stone-topped bar, which demarcates a staff pantry area by day, and can be used for serving food and drinks for events.

A pair of swiveling Milo Boughman chairs with a sculptural side table — Vintage pieces sourced for the space include a pair of swivelling Milo Boughman chairs

“With an active roster of screenings, events and a residency program for independent filmmakers, the space acts as an office as well as a dynamic center of gravity for New York’s nonfiction film community at large,” the team said.

A custom double-sided, Pierre Chareau-inspired boucle and velvet sofa sits opposite a pair of refinished Milo Boughman swivel chairs.

Bar and pantry area with plaster walls and oak millwork — A bar area in reception acts as a pantry by day and is used for hosting events in the evening

Marquee lights are installed in rows along the sides of the existing ceiling beams, with additional sconces mounted on the plastered pantry wall.

Structural columns have been wrapped in travertine cladding to highlight thresholds between the different spaces.

Swivel chairs in front of a periwinkle blue divider, with film posters behind — Wood panelling and film posters hark back to art deco movie theatres

On either side of the reception, acoustic partitions with glass panels and mint-green frames cordon off the bright conference room and a private office.

Furnishing the conference room is a custom-designed meeting table that combines a solid ash frame and a high-gloss curved lacquer top, surrounded by vintage Tobia Scarpa Sling Chairs.

A communal workspace withsit-stand desks, oak dividers and plenty of ledges for plants — A communal workspace features sit-stand desks, oak dividers and plenty of ledges for plants

From reception, a neon-lit burgundy door leads into the screening room, where three tiers of seating face the large screen like in a mini movie theatre.

The cushioned seats are upholstered in soft powder-blue fabric, which contrasts with walnut wainscoting, and sound-absorbing brown wool wall panels that conceal the equipment.

Each chair has an individual armrest table for placing drinks or writing notes, complete with a small light created in collaboration with Lambert et Fils.

More private offices, sound-proofed editing suites and an open workspace are accessed via a short L-shaped corridor.

A 22-seat screening room with three seating tiers — A 22-seat screening room allows the team and their visitors to preview documentary films

In the communal work area, sit-stand desks feature white oak divider panels and are topped with a stone ledge for displaying objects and plants.

“This project has given us an opportunity to draw from so many inspiring references, from its iconic Broadway location to historic theatre architecture, to create an elevated and layered space that supports the work Sandbox is doing to uplift documentary film talent,” said Civilian co-founder Ksenia Kagner.

Screening room chairs with individual armrest tables — The screening rooms boasts a Dolby Atmos sound system, and includes chairs with individual armrest tables for drinks or note-writing

“We also felt it was important to be responsive to the changing priorities of the modern workplace, creating open, multipurpose spaces that nurture interaction and foster a sense of community,” she added.

Civilian was founded in 2018 by Kagner and Nicko Elliott, and the designers have since completed projects ranging from the transformation of Detroit’s historic Book Depository into a headquarters for tech company Newlab, to the renovation of a historic Bed-Stuy townhouse for themselves.

The photography is by Chris Mottalini.

Project credits:

Client: Sandbox Films (Simons Foundation)
Client rep: Cushman and Wakefield
Civilian scope: Interior design, creative direction, furniture design
Architect of record: LB Architects
Mechanical engineer: WB Engineers
AV engineer: Spectra
Acoustic engineer: WSDG
Production studio consultant: Tom Paul
Contractor: L&K Partners

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Interior Design

Bacana Studio designs interiors for riverfront Lisbon restaurant

By Zarkon Group,22/12/2023

Lisbon interior design practice Bacana Studio took cues from Portugal’s coastal traditions for the interiors of a João Luís Carrilho da Graça-designed Anfibio restaurant.

Located alongside the Tejo river, the restaurant was designed to “merge the duality of the sea and the land,” the interiors studio told Dezeen.

Anfibio by Bacana Studio restaurant — Striped benches create a corridor from the bar to the terrace

Named Anfibio – Latin for amphibious, meaning suited for both land and water – the restaurant serves both local seafood and “countryside produce”.

It is located in a glass-walled, pavilion-like structure designed by local architecture studio João Luís Carrilho da Graça alongside the Tejo river and its interiors were informed by its riverfront location drawing on the “dazzling reflections of the sun on the water”.

Within the 500-square-metre restaurant, which is used as a nightclub in the evenings, wooden flooring was stained with a “watery green” colour and a mirror-like fabric was used on the ceiling to reflect and refract light.

“The building’s architecture aims to blend in and go unnoticed, striving to merge with the river and reflect the city of Lisbon,” said Bacana Studio founder Ingrid Aparicio.

Anfibio restaurant — The restaurant is located on the Tejo river

According to the Bacana Studio, the open plan layout and five-metre-high ceilings posed a lighting and acoustic challenge.

As a result, the studio focused on “creating visual and functional interest from the ground up” with decorative elements, lighting and architectural features rising up from the floor.

“It’s the lighting itself that shapes and defines the spaces,” Aparicio explained. “We devised a concept where lighting emanates from the furniture, creating intimate spaces and avoiding the sensation of being in a vast and cold space.”

Anfibio by Bacana Studio restaurant lighting — Light fittings emerge from the furniture

Small brass-shaded table lamps and arched brass and glass lamps, which were crafted to resemble the antennas of aquatic creatures, provide ambient lighting for each table and unify the space.

Visitors are greeted by a curvilinear “snake sofa” that divides the restaurant into two areas – an intimate zone with smaller tables on one side, and a more communal area with a large 10-seater table on the other.

“The design is meant to encourage you to let loose, which is why the organic shapes in the sofas, tables, and chairs, create an interesting flow to the space,” explained Aparicio.

On either end of the intimate zone is a long, 20-seater community table. The studio designed these with an aim to pay homage to the spirit of Lisbon’s traditional fish markets, serving as “a symbolic nod to the shared dining experiences fostered in such lively and communal settings”.

The wait-staff station and the wood, wicker and brass bar separate the kitchen from the dining area.

Two long, striped benches, positioned with their backs facing each other, lead out to the terrace, “segmenting the expansive layout of the restaurant into more intimate sections”.

The terrace, overlooking the port and the city of Lisbon, aims to “evoke the essence of an authentic beach club”.

Stripes were prominently used on the walls, upholstery, and furnishings, reminiscent of Portuguese fishermen’s cottages and coastal awnings.

Anfibio by Bacana Studio restaurant terrace. — Natural materials such as wood and wicker were prominently used

Other restaurant interiors recently featured on Dezeen include a Mexico City restaurant arranged around an upside-down pyramid bar and a converted Norwegian restaurant covered in restored paintings.

The photography is by Filipe Neto.

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Interior Design

External Reference creates 3D-printed organic displays for La Manso store

By Zarkon Group,21/12/2023

3D-printed shelving structures informed by Catalan-modernist buildings were used for shelving in this store designed by External Reference for a Spanish jewellery brand.

Experimental jewellery designer Adriana Manso asked Carmelo Zappulla’s studio External Reference to develop a suitably unusual interior concept for her first physical store in the city.

Exterior of La Manso store in Barcelona — The store is in the Eixample district

The project involved designing a window display and shelving for the 25-square-metre store, which is located in Barcelona’s Eixample district just a few metres from the house where Manso was born.

Manso is known for her playful pieces made from recycled plastic, which she wanted to display in a space that evokes the luxury feel of an haute-couture boutique.

Interior of La Manso — It features a 3D-printed interior informed by architecture

External Reference sought to combine the contemporary plasticity of La Manso’s jewellery with motifs influenced by Barcelona’s early 20th-century architecture, including the building in which the store is situated.

“Our design concept revolved around bringing the exterior facade inside, creating a melted and fluid background that would serve as an artistic canvas for showcasing the jewellery,” Zappulla told Dezeen.

“By blending the expressive elements of Catalan modernism with the organic forms inspired by La Manso design, our goal was to craft a visually captivating environment that elevates the overall shopping experience.”

Floral details in Barcelona store — External Reference created wavy shapes for the space

The designers selected fragments from the decorative facade and abstracted them using a process involving hand drawing and computational design techniques.

In particular, floral details from the elaborate canopy at the store’s entrance were reinterpreted as large rosettes incorporating futuristic glitches and bas-reliefs.

The organic shapes form shelving units that range in height from 90 centimetres to 1.7 metres. Jewellery and accessories are displayed on the shelves, as well as on a small table at the centre of the space.

The furniture is made from biodegradable cellulose and was produced with technical support from specialist 3D-printing workshop La Máquina.

Zappulla and his team refined the digital models to optimise them for printing. This involved splitting them into manageable parts that could be processed by the machine’s robotic arm.

Barcelona jewellery store — The aim was to provide a neutral backdrop

All of the printed elements are finished in a muted off-white shade that matches the rest of the interior and provides a neutral backdrop for displaying the jewellery.

Large, mirrored surfaces help to make the interior feel more expansive, while spotlights provide targeted illumination for highlighting the collection.

In addition to the main furniture, the designers also developed a window display and 3D-printed signage that extend the store’s conceptual design out into the street.

Shelving at La Manso — The La Manso interior has a muted colour palette

Large-scale 3D-printing technology offers designers possibilities to create unique elements for branded interiors, which makes it increasingly popular for retail spaces.

Spanish design studio Nagami has created a store for sustainable clothing brand Ecoalf featuring transparent 3D-printed displays that recall melting glaciers, while Dutch architecture practice Studio RAP used the technology to produce a wave-like tiled facade for an Amsterdam boutique.

The photography is courtesy of External Reference.

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Interior Design

Rockwell Group creates atmospheric lobby and restaurant at PAC NYC

By Zarkon Group,20/12/2023

Ribbons of light guide patrons from the lobby to the restaurant inside the Perelman Performing Arts Center at the World Trade Center, where the interiors are designed by New York-based Rockwell Group.

The studio founded by designer David Rockwell recently completed the public spaces that include the Metropolis restaurant and adjoining lounge areas within the cube-shaped building, which local architecture studio Rex wrapped in thin marble panels.

Small stage with low lounge seating in front — The lobby of the PAC NYC venue includes a stage for programmed performances

The volume holds three flexible and interchangeable theatres that can be infinitely customised for different performance styles, artistic expressions and viewing experiences.

These are accessed via the elevated lobby level, reached by climbing a grand exterior staircase that draws visitors under the building’s cube form and up through its base.

A bridge with seating behind a translucent marble facade — A bridge behind the building’s translucent marble facade accommodates seating

This dramatic entry sequence culminates at a lobby lounge and restaurant that form a new 9,120-square-foot (847 square metres) “community space” for Lower Manhattan, according to Rockwell.

“The restaurant is intentionally woven throughout the public experience,” he told Dezeen. “There is no hard line between the lobby lounge, restaurant, and terrace, with one space melting into the next.”

Entrance to Metropolis restaurant at PAC NYC — The lobby flows into the Metropolis restaurant, located the other side of angled trusses

The designer’s primary aim was to provide “a celebratory, communal atmosphere; connecting guests, whether you’re the first party there for dinner or the last one there post-show”.

Rockwell’s combined experience in hospitality and performance design – he has won multiple Tony Awards for his Broadway sets – helped him to craft a seamless experience between these connected functions.

LED lights within wooden ribbons across the ceiling — LED lights within wooden ribbons follow pathways and form “nodes” above gathering areas

“Creating a magical journey up into PAC NYC and intertwined with the lobby was a thrilling challenge, especially because the lobby and Metropolis will be host to many free performances on the small stage there,” said the designer.

This stage will feature a varied program of performers who will entertain diners from a carefully placed vantage point, which allows sightlines from all corners of the lobby and restaurant.

The highlighted gathering spaces include the bar

Lounge seating for up to 30 positioned closest to the stage is intentionally low-slung, so as not to obstruct the views for those further away.

A bridge that runs along the inner side of the translucent stone facade holds additional seating, overlooking the grand entry staircase through huge panes of glass.

Dining tables between leather chairs and banquettes — Jewel-toned fabrics and textured surfaces warm the interiors

The Metropolis restaurant is helmed by Swedish-Ethiopian chef Marcus Samuelsson, and serves an elevated, eclectic menu billed as “a love letter to New York City” to both performancegoers and the general public.

Beyond the host stand and the diagonal structural trusses that flank it, the layout is split down the middle, with soft seating arranged on either side of the central axis.

Wide view of Metropolis restaurant — Rockwell Group designed the restaurant and lobby to act as a “communal space” for Lower Manhattan

“The furniture is designed for flexibility and comfort, defined by several smaller areas with lots of seating variety, made up of banquettes and loose furniture and organised around a collection of vintage area rugs,” said Rockwell.

Glowing bands within sapele wood ribbons trace curved shapes across its ceiling, beckoning guests into the space and also highlighting key areas for gathering such as the bar with chandelier-like “nodes” overhead.

Jewel-toned upholstery pairs with rich walnut panelling for a warm and inviting feel, and the fabrics and other textured surfaces soften the polished concrete flooring.

A 70-seat outdoor terrace at the back of the building will also offer al fresco dining during the summer months, visible from the interior through a huge glass wall.

Outdoor dining terrace in front of marble building facade — There’s space for 70 al fresco diners on the outdoor terrace

There’s also a speakeasy-like private dining room for intimate gatherings of up to 16.

PAC NYC is one of the final pieces in the 16-acre World Trade Center redevelopment masterplan, joining skyscrapers by SOM, RSHP, and SANAA, the transit hub and a church by Santiago Calatrava, and a 9/11 Museum by Snøhetta.

Seating on outdoor terrace with New York skyscrapers in the background — Rockwell aimed to create “a celebratory, communal atmosphere” both inside and out

Celebrating its 40th anniversary next year, Rockwell Group has designed interiors for restaurants all over Manhattan, including Zaytinya, Katsuya, Casa Dani and Wayan.

The firm also worked on The Shed venue at Hudson Yards, which also hosts performances along with exhibitions and other events within a highly flexible space beneath a giant “telescoping” cover.

The photography is by Adrian Gaut.

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Interior Design

Florencia Rissotti uses fabric as design element in Buenos Aires shop

By Zarkon Group,19/12/2023

Local architect Florencia Rissotti has converted a warehouse into a textile shop in Buenos Aires, using fabric dividers to organise the space.

To house a retail location for fabric shop Tienda Mayor, Rissotti integrated textiles in several ways, lining the store with samples, draping colourful patches over a staircase and using curtains to conceal and create space.

warehouse store — Architect Florencia Rissotti has converted a warehouse into a fabric store in Buenos Aires

The interior is divided into two floors, with a mezzanine above used for storage and office space, and the store’s retail space and lounge areas below.

Cream-coloured curtains hang underneath the mezzanine and above to hide storage areas and create meeting spaces.

A fabric store in Argentina — A catalogue of fabric hanging from hooks lines the space

“The space was assembled using the raw material of the place: fabric,” said the studio. “A series of curtains divide, set up a meeting room, hide shelves with orders and cover the storage area.”

Along the length of a wall, large material samples are draped from hooks, which will “mutate” over time as the catalogue changes.

A person walking down stairs in a fabric shop — The space was organized and divided using creme coloured curtains

Similarly, fabric samples of various sizes were draped over the railings of a staircase that leads to the mezzanine, in part as a permanent installation and to display the shop’s selections.

“The ladder device was intended as an exhibition element, from which velvet falls and sews the two levels (the totem) together,” said the studio. “This ladder hanger is designed as an internal display window, where the selection/palette can be changed according to the season.”

Various creme tones dominate the space, with colour integrated from fabric samples and bright seating running in a straight line parallel to the fabric samples.

Alamo wood desks and large coffee tables were crafted for the space.

textiles draped over railings — A staircase installation displays a rotating selection of textiles

Outside, a garden area contains a semi-circle metal bench and simple plantings.

Florencia Rissotti is a Buenos Aires-based architect who focuses on interiors and residential architecture.

Elsewhere in Buenos Aires, La Base Studio recently created a delicate wooden privacy screen for a 1970s home renovation and architects Julio Oropel and Jose Luis Zacarias Otiñano created a bio-art installation focused on fungi.

The photography is by Fernando Schapochnik.

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Interior Design

Martin Brudnizki designs Gilded Age-interiors for Fifth Avenue hotel

By Zarkon Group,18/12/2023

Martin Brudnizki Design Studio has designed the interiors for a 1907 Renaissance-style palazzo building in New York, which has been turned into a luxury boutique hotel by architecture studio Perkins Eastman.

The Fifth Avenue Hotel sits on the site of what was once one of the last mansions of The Gilded Age.

Throughout the late 19th century, the home of Charlotte Goodridge at 250 Fifth Avenue hosted receptions and musical evenings as part of New York’s social season.

Green classical screen separates bedroom spaces — Classical fixtures contrast a contemporary colour palette in the hotel’s rooms

Perkins Eastman added a 24-storey glass tower, designed with PBDW Architects, to the five-storey brick and limestone building.

This was originally designed by McKim, Mead & White as the Second National Bank in 1907, replacing Goodridge’s 19th century home.

Drawing on the history of the neighbourhood and heritage of the building, Martin Brudnizki Design Studio (MBDS) aimed to create an aesthetic for the new hotel that would embrace “Bohemian romanticism and the glamour of the gilded age,” while maintaining contemporary styling.

Green walls and ornate fittings and fixtures — Martin Brudnizki has employed colour and texture to reflect global travels

“One of the biggest challenges was that we were working with both an existing and a new building at the same time, which each presented their own challenges architecturally,” studio founder Martin Brudnizki told Dezeen.

“We worked with the architects to marry the historic narrative with the contemporary tower addition, which reflects New York today, and the concept of the modern traveller,” he said.

Yellow curtains in The Fifth — A corner bedroom features yellow curtains

Rooms feature a rich colour palette of garden greens, buttercup yellow and peony pink with gold accents.

Bold patterns and textures jostle each other in a “harmonious and fun way, juxtaposing modernity with the classic finishings,” the designer said.

green walls and bespoke coffee tables at The Fifth Avenue hotel — The hotel’s walls host an extensive art collection

“The intersection of interiors with architecture is so important. The mansion is a much more classical response to the history and details of the building, whilst the tower enthuses a more modern touch,” Brudnizki explained.

“Both are unified by the choices of colours and certain furniture, fixtures and equipment that carry between the two sites.”

Bedrooms feature a global blend of references, including Pagoda-style table lamps, custom wardrobes informed by traditional Chinese cabinets, antique inlaid side tables, Murano glass chandeliers and star-like ceiling lights.

The double-height entrance lobby features walls panelled with faceted antique mirrors, marble floors and grand arched windows – which echo throughout the hotel bedrooms as room dividers between sleeping and sitting areas.

Rich colours evoke the gilded age — Rooms have been designed to have a residential feel

“We loved the idea that all these great characters had once walked along the boulevard of Fifth Avenue and the fabulous parties hosted within the mansions of Fifth Avenue; the people and the conversations that took place,” said Brudnizki.

“We wanted to create a space that felt as though its interiors had been brought together over time, pulling items from our muse’s travels and adventures from across the globe.”

Double height lobby at The Fifth Avenue Hotel manhattan — Antique glass panelling and modern mirrored artworks fill the double-height lobby

“It is a truly eclectic and layered project that is intended to feel as though it has been around since the days of The Gilded Age,” the designer concluded.

Other boutique hotels recently published on Dezeen include Christian Louboutin’s hotel Vermelho in Portugal and Trunk Hotel Yoyogi Park in Tokyo, by Keiji Ashizawa Design and Norm Architects.

Photography is by William Abranowicz.

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Interior Design

Pierre Yovanovitch opens design gallery in New York City penthouse

By Zarkon Group,17/12/2023

French designer Pierre Yovanovitch has opened his first US showroom and gallery in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighbourhood, displaying over 80 pieces from his own furniture brand.

Recognisable designs including the iconic Bear Chair fill the 10,000 square feet (930 square metres) of gallery and office space on the penthouse level of 555 West 25th Street.

Dining table with eight round-backed chairs, and a light fixture above — Pierre Yovanovitch chose a penthouse in a pre-war building for his New York gallery

This business expansion offers a permanent base for Yovanovitch and his team in New York, and allows customers and clients from his largest retail market to see the Pierre Yovanovitch Mobilier products first-hand.

“Having worked on residential projects in the US since the beginning of my practice in 2001 and with two successful furniture collection debuts (2017 and 2019) in New York, the opening of my first gallery space in America and new official New York headquarters, is a long-awaited realization for me,” said Yovanovitch.

Room with exposed ceiling beams, whitewashed brick and dark wood floors — The exposed ceiling beams, whitewashed brick and dark wood floors are all typical of a New York loft

Inside the pre-war building, the gallery unfolds through a series of partial rooms that flow into one another without doorways or thresholds.

Throughout, exposed ceiling joists and ductwork are paired with dark wood flooring and whitewashed brick, typical of a New York loft space.

Furniture pieces styled like a living room — The gallery is laid out as a series of residential-style vignettes, which flow into one another

The largest display area centres around a sculptural fireplace, with a smooth plaster form that curves outward towards the base.

Furniture is oriented around the hearth, including a gently arced sofa and a chartreuse-toned resin coffee table, accompanied by the fluffy wing-backed Clifford armchair.

Wooden dining table with glass light above — Yovanovitch curated a selection of artworks to accompany his furniture pieces

A variety of lounge and dining room vignettes showcase the products in suggested combinations with one another in residential-style layouts.

Other designs on show include the new Callis Table Lamp, the Roze Dining Table, the Arthur Sofa and the Artemis Rug.

Living room vignette facing a fireplace — A variety of signature furniture and lighting designs are on display alongside new pieces

All are made in collaboration with specialist craftspeople and are “created with longevity and exceptional quality in mind” according to the brand.

“The brand pays homage to Yovanovitch’s Provencal roots, in particular the region’s natural light, rich and varied natural materials and colourways of the surrounding nature, as well as the historic commitment to craft associated with the region,” said a statement from the gallery.

The wide array of furniture and lighting pieces are presented alongside a selection of contemporary art curated by Yovanovitch – including works by Camille Henrot, Wolfgang Tillmans and Alicja Kwade – in an attempt to tie the gallery in with Chelsea’s status as an arts destination.

“It seems only fitting to open my first gallery location in the epicenter of New York’s art scene,” he said. “Not only is contemporary art central to my design practice, the neighborhood’s architectural history serves as reflection to my approach of revitalising historic spaces to fit a contemporary design aesthetic.”

Long dining table with blue and white upholstered chairs — All of the Pierre Yovanovitch Mobilier products are “created with longevity and exceptional-quality in mind”

The New York gallery opening follows the debut of the brand’s new Paris showroom, which began welcoming visitors to a street-level space in the Marais neighbourhood from October 2023.

This move from the previous location in the 2nd arrondissement also strategically places Pierre Yovanovitch Mobilier amongst the city’s art galleries.

Sculptural fireplace accompanied by Pierre Yovanovitch's iconic Bear Chair — A sculptural fireplace anchors the largest area, accompanied by Yovanovitch’s Clifford chair

Yovanovitch founded his design practice in 2001 after working for fashion house Pierre Cardin. His interior design work has ranged from the salmon-pink and butter-yellow gift shop at Villa Noailles and ski hotel Le Coucou in France, to the high-end Hélène Darroze restaurant at The Connaught in London and ski hotel Le Coucou.

Earlier this year, the designer created a set with moving elements for Verdi’s Rigoletto at the Basel Opera.

The photography is by Stephen Kent Johnson.

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Interior Design

Dezeen’s top 10 restaurant and bar interiors of 2023

By Zarkon Group,16/12/2023

For the latest roundup in Dezeen’s 2023 review we’ve selected 10 of this year’s most popular and evocative restaurant and bar interiors, ranging from a space-themed sushi bar in Milan to a beach-style eatery in London.

Also among this year’s eclectic roundup of restaurant and bar interiors is a renovated 16th-century brewery in Poland lined with a bold interior of red brick and ceramic tiles, as well as a bar and restaurant informed by Japanese psychedelia and cabins in Canada.

Read on for Dezeen’s top 10 restaurant and bar interiors of 2023:

Interior of Ikoyi restaurant by David Thulstrup — Photo by Irina Boersma

Ikoyi restaurant, UK, by David Thulstrup

Copenhagen-based designer David Thulstrup designed a copper and oak interior for the Ikoyi restaurant, situated within London’s 180 The Strand building.

Drawing on spice-making processes from sub-Saharan west Africa, the interior features ceilings clad with metal-mesh panels and walls lined with oxidised copper sheets.

Find out more about Ikoyi restaurant ›

Sando burger restaurant in Geneva by Sapid Studio — Photo by Alicia Dubuis

Sando, Switzerland, by Sapid Studio

Sapid Studio used Japanese patchwork techniques to inform the renovation of a burger restaurant in Geneva.

Named after the Japanese word for sandwich, Sando features a largely retained interior decorated with a corrugated stainless steel bar, patched up tiled flooring, and translucent tapestries.

Find out more about Sando ›

The Taproom bar at Tenczynek Brewery by Projekt Praga — Photo by ONI Studio

Tenczynek Brewery, Poland, by Projekt Praga

Red brick, ceramic tiles and oak furniture define the Tenczynek Brewery interior, designed by Polish design studio Projekt Praga.

Located outside of Krakow, the centuries-old brewery was converted into a bold-coloured restaurant and bar, with a self-service beer fountain occupying the centre of the historic brick-vaulted space.

Find out more about Tenczynek Brewery ›

Photo of Prada Caffè at Harrods — Photo courtesy of Prada

Prada Caffè, UK, by Prada

Located in London’s luxury department store Harrods, fashion house Prada opened a cafe informed by one of Milan’s oldest patisseries.

Contrasting with Harrods’ baroque facade, Prada Caffè’s mint green latticed storefront references the brand’s signature green hue, which extends to the interior walls, ceilings and furniture.

Find out more about Prada Caffè ›

Bar area of Milk Beach Soho restaurant by A-nrd — Photo by Charlie McKay

Milk Beach Soho, UK, by A-nrd

London-based design studio A-nrd brought a “beachfront feel” reminiscent of an Australian beach club to this restaurant interior in Soho, London.

Milk Beach Soho’s minimal interior has a neutral material palette featuring a polished terrazzo floor and art deco-style furniture and lighting.

Find out more about Milk Beach Soho ›

ICHI Station restaurant in Milan by Masquespacio — Photo by Luis Beltran

Ichi Station, Italy, by Masquespacio

Ichi Station, by Valencian design studio Masquespacio, is a dine-in restaurant in Milan that draws on sci-fi and space tourism.

Designed to resemble a futuristic spaceship, the cylindrical restaurant interior has a material palette of glass and micro-cement along with rounded, custom-made furniture.

Find out more about Ichi Station ›

Drift Santa Barbara by Anacapa Architecture — Photo by Erin Feinblatt

Drift Santa Barbara, US, by Anacapa Architecture

US studio Anacapa Architecture transformed a formerly closed early-1900s building into a hotel – hosting a ground-floor bar and cafe for both hotel guests and local visitors.

Located in central California, the rustic interior accentuates the building’s historical character and is complemented by concrete and wooden furniture.

Find out more about Drift ›

Wooden seating area below hand-painted mural by Álvaro Siza — Photo by Luís Moreira / Matilde Cunha

Cozinha das Flores, Portugal, by Space Copenhagen

Located in a 16th-century building in Porto, Cozinha das Flores’ interior is decorated by a ceramic mural created by Portuguese architect Álvaro Siza.

Designed by Space Copenhagen, the rustic interior is lined with green and burnt orange tiles, along with oak furniture and brass accents.

Find out more about Cozinha das Flores ›

Corner cafe and bar at Tate Modern by Holland Harvey — Photo by Jack Hobhouse

Corner, UK, by Holland Harvey

London-based architecture studio Holland Harvey revamped Tate Modern’s ground-floor cafe to be less “Herzog & de Meuron-y”.

Doubling as the gallery’s first late-night spot, the interior is organised around a grey stone bar, while salvaged chairs and bespoke tables are used throughout the space.

Find out more about Corner ›

Cabin-like Japanese restaurant in Banff — Photo by Chris Amat

Hello Sunshine, Canada, by Frank Architecture

Situated within the mountains of Alberta, Hello Sunshine is a bar and restaurant informed by Japanese psychedelia and cabins in collaboration with Little Giant.

Designed by Canadian studio Frank Architecture, the wooden interior features two raised fire pits accompanied by large flues clad with glazed ceramic tiles, along with paper lanterns and textile artworks.

Find out more about Hello Sunshine ›

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

Interior Design

Wooden elements “take centre stage” in Studio Frantzén restaurant

By Zarkon Group,15/12/2023

Scandinavian and Japanese influences come together at Studio Frantzén, a restaurant in London’s Harrods department store designed by Joyn Studio.

Stockholm-based Joyn Studio created the sleek interiors for Studio Frantzén – the latest restaurant opened by chef Björn Frantzén.

Back-lit glass brick bar at the Studio Frantzén restaurant — Top: visitors enter via a domed reception area. Above: the bar is characterised by back-lit glass bricks

The two-storey eatery is arranged across a main restaurant and bar on the fifth floor, as well as on an additional mezzanine and rooftop terrace on the sixth floor of Harrods.

In stark contrast to the department store’s famed Edwardian baroque terracotta facade, Studio Frantzén features a contemporary palette that takes cues from both Scandinavian and Japanese design – a trend known as Japandi.

Bar at Harrods by Joyn Studio — Studio Frantzén is located across two levels at Harrods

Visitors enter the restaurant at a domed reception area, which references Scandinavian churches and forest chapels, according to the studio.

The curved walls were clad with blocky cherry wood while illustrations of Nordic animals by Ragnar Persson decorate the ceiling and a Swedish wooden Dala horse was perched on the welcome desk.

“Undoubtedly, wood takes centre stage in this restaurant,” Joyn Studio founding partner Ida Wanler told Dezeen.

Main restaurant with bespoke timber seating by Joyn Studio — The main restaurant is composed of two dining halls

The reception area gives way to a “glowing” bar composed of stacks of glass bricks bathed in amber light, which is mirrored by a ceiling of gridded copper.

Informed by traditional Japanese izakaya – a type of casual watering hole serving snacks – the large main restaurant is composed of two dining halls with bespoke geometric terrazzo and marble flooring.

Bespoke timber seating illuminated by a chandelier — One features bespoke timber seating

One hall features an open kitchen and Joyn Studio-designed chunky seating booths and sofas carved out of end-grain wood. This was sourced from a large Hungarian pine tree, cut into cubes and then glued together piece by piece.

This double-height space is illuminated by a spindly oversized chandelier by Swedish studio Front.

Gridded ceiling within dining hall — The other follows the same gridded geometry as the bar

The other dining hall, tucked around the corner and connected to a wine cellar, follows the same geometry as the bar.

Sliding timber doors and a gridded wooden ceiling are interrupted by ultramarine benches in booths and delicate, ribbed paper lampshades.

“To create a distinctive Nordic dining experience with Asian influences within a historic London building, we delved into the architectural and design legacy of the early 20th century,” explained Wanler.

“Inspired by the journeys of our predecessors to the far east, where they assimilated influences and pioneered a style known as Swedish Grace, we embraced the resonances between traditional Japanese and Nordic architecture and craftsmanship,” she continued.

Mezzanine level by Joyn Studio — Mirrored artwork by Caia Leifsdotter was included in the mezzanine

On the upper floor, the mezzanine includes three intimate dining booths accentuated by a burnt orange carpet and a wall-mounted Psychedelic Mirror by designer Caia Leifsdotter.

Characterised by marble, rattan and wooden accents, the rooftop terrace offers expansive city views.

“Aiming to infuse creativity into the traditional luxury context of Harrods, we envisioned a relaxed and comfortable ambiance with sparks of richness created in unexpected ways,” said Wanler.

In 2022, Joyn Studio was longlisted for the title of emerging interior design studio of the year at the Dezeen Awards.

Elsewhere at Harrods, fashion house Prada recently opened a green-hued pop-up cafe that referenced one of Milan’s oldest patisseries.

The photography is by Åsa Liffner.

Reference

Interior Design

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Dezeen’s top 10 restaurant and bar interiors of 2023

Wooden elements “take centre stage” in Studio Frantzén restaurant

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