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Two holiday residences in Fira by Kapsimalis Architects

Interior Design

Eight cave-like interiors that celebrate curved forms

By Zarkon Group,07/05/2023

A spa with a spherical swimming pool and holiday homes with sloping plaster walls feature in our latest lookbook, which showcases eight cavernous Greek interiors.

Cave-like interior designs are becoming increasingly popular, as seen in the Gilder Center by Studio Gang – a recently completed museum extension in New York with a large grotto-like atrium.

In Greece, which is known for its caves, there is a wide variety of cave-like architecture either built from existing geological structures or designed to mimic these natural dugouts. Thick, curved walls are often chosen to protect interior spaces from the country’s Mediterranean climate.

As the weather becomes warmer in the northern hemisphere, here are eight cave-like interiors from Greece that are defined by their curved shapes.

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring homes with striking bookshelves, outdoor showers and offbeat bakeries.

Summer houses, Santorini, by Kapsimalis Architects

Local studio Kapsimalis Architects converted two underground caves at an old property in Santorini into summer houses with bright white facades.

Inside, the homes are characterised by smoothed-out interiors finished with earthy-hued plaster, while arched doorways and niches nod to the property’s history.

Find out more about these summer houses ›

Interior of house on the island of Nisyros — Image is courtesy of Greg Haji Joannides

Sterna Nisyros Residences, Nisyros, by Greg Haji Joannides

Designer Greg Haji Joannides renovated the interior of an earthquake-damaged house on the island of Nisyros using historic photographs as a guide.

On the ground floor, wide brick archways create an open-plan layout that allows the space to double as an exhibition site for artists in residence.

“The inspiration behind this design was to keep as much as possible of the original way the Nisyrians would build houses,” Joannides told Dezeen. “They would use the ground floor as a storage or working space.”

Find out more about this island house ›

Wooden Cave by Tenon Architecture — Photo is by Spyros Hound Photography

Wooden Cave, Trikala Korinthias, by Tenon Architecture

Wooden Cave is a timber-clad suite that forms part of Hyades Mountain Resort – a hotel in the mountainous village of Trikala Korinthias.

Tenon Architecture split the suite into two sections that intend to mirror the appearance and experience of entering a cave. The front half features ashy black tiles arranged in a linear formation, while the rear half is made from almost 1,000 pieces of curved hand-cut spruce.

“This division intends to create a clear distinction between the hard, ‘protective’ shell and the curved, ‘inviting’ interior, reminiscent of the form of a cave,” explained the architecture studio.

Find out more about Wooden Cave ›

Curved interior of hotel in Santorini — Photo is by Giorgos Sfakianakis

Saint Hotel, Santorini, by Kapsimalis Architects

Kapsimalis Architects converted a cluster of former homes, barns and cellars in Santorini into the Saint Hotel – the volumes of which are arranged in a stepped formation down a sea-facing cliffside.

Inside, smooth cavernous walls were finished in white plaster that creates a subtle backdrop for minimal fittings and amorphous furniture.

Find out more about Saint Hotel ›

House interior in former stable on Greek island — Photo is by Sylvia Diamantopoulos

Retreat in Tinos Island by Ioannis Exarchou

Retreat in Tinos Island is a 100-year-old stable that was transformed into a cosy holiday home for two by architect Ioannis Exarchou.

Exarchou set large stones and thick tree branches into the dwelling’s ceiling, clad the walls in smooth white plaster and covered the floors in coloured concrete.

“My main objective was to retain and preserve the cavernous unique feeling of the space,” the architect told Dezeen.

Find out more about Retreat in Tinos Island ›

Santorini holiday home by Kapsimalis Architects — Photo is by Yiorgos Kordakis

Holiday home, Santorini, by Kapsimalis Architects

The cave-like subterranean spaces and vaulted rooms within this Santorini holiday home were renovated by Kapsimalis Architects to retain the building’s existing architecture.

The studio worked to simplify the complex interior layout, which features a labyrinthine arrangement of spaces that are brightened by all-white plaster walls.

Find out more about this holiday home ›

Euphoria spa in the Euphoria retreat by decaARCHITECTURE — Image is courtesy of DecaArchitecture

Euphoria Spa, Mystras, by DecaArchitecture

Carved into the base of a mountain in Mystras, Euphoria Spa is made up of differently scaled elliptical spaces that are connected by a web of catacomb-style passages.

One of these areas contains an indoor spherical pool that is characterised by a dark central structure that can be accessed via curved archways.

“Floating in the centre of this dark orb there is a sense of being suspended in the void of a platonic volume, but also a sense of womb-like calmness,” said DecaArchitecture.

Find out more about Euphoria Spa

Santorini apartment — Photo is by Julia Klimi

Holiday apartments, Santorini, by Kapsimalis Architects

Arched niches and grey cement plaster floors create neutral living spaces within these four holiday apartments, which were built near Santorini’s highest point.

The complex’s terraces and retaining walls were formed from rocks excavated from the site to create a continuity between the architecture and the surrounding mountains.

Find out more about these apartments ›

Reference

South facade of the building, featuring grey stucco

Interior Design

Formation Association transforms series of buildings for Phillips LA

By Zarkon Group,06/05/2023

Los Angeles architecture studio Formation Association has turned an assemblage of buildings in West Hollywood into a new home for London-based auction house Phillips.

The West Coast headquarters for Phillips opened in October 2022 and includes three showrooms, a patio and offices created from a set of disparate structures on Santa Monica Boulevard.

Formation Association preserved many of the existing architectural elements of the eclectic collection of buildings, ensuring that each section retained its identity.

“We started with idiosyncratic conditions and buildings layered with history,” said studio co-founder John K Chan, who led the project. “We wanted to keep that sensibility. The building is a varied palimpsest, with traces of the past appearing within the new facade.”

Entrance to gallery with oculus overhead — An oculus punctures the curved overhang above the main entrance

The entrance to the 3,182-square-foot (296-square-metre) showroom is on an acute street corner, beneath a curved canopy clad in grey stucco.

“This rounded marquee, punctuated by an overhead oculus, evokes the automobile-oriented Streamline Moderne era,” said Formation Association.

View from Showroom B to Showroom A, showing a curved cutout in the ceiling — Another circular cutout was created in the first gallery, exposing wooden beams that were painted silver

The textured stucco is contrasted by smooth trowelled plaster that covers adjacent surfaces, intended to add a Southern California identity to the building.

On the east elevation, the team retained the sheet metal siding and an old doorway of a historic facade.

View from Showroom C through the openings to Showroom A — Oak floors throughout the building match those found in Phillips’ other international locations

This side of the building also includes a tall, narrow window through which Phillips can move large artworks in and out.

Along the south facade, the architects added recessed windows cut at angles into the thickened perimeter wall, which allow more light into the galleries.

The tallest space in the building, Showroom C, will be used to showcase larger artworks and sculpture

Inside, the three gallery spaces are laid out in sequence. Upon entry is Showroom A, which features a soffit ceiling and wide baseboards to evoke a residential space.

A second oculus punctures the ceiling, exposing wooden beams painted silver as a nod to the work of Californian architect Richard Neutra.

Steps up to an office space — Steps and a ramp lead up to an office space that’s also used for client meetings

The smallest gallery, Showroom B, is accessed through an open portal, and Showroom C is reached through a similar threshold.

With a ceiling over 15 feet (4.5 metres) tall, this gallery is used for displaying larger artworks and sculptures.

All three spaces feature oak floors that match those found in all of Phillips’ international locations.

“With the interplay of light and oak wood floors across the three subsequent showrooms, we were thinking about the cadence of an irregular enfilade,” said Chan. “Each of the three galleries has a distinct proportion that we wanted to leverage.”

Enclosed patio with grey-stained plywood walls — At the back of the building is a patio enclosed by grey-stained plywood walls

From Showroom C, a couple of steps and a ramp lead up to a small office used for client meetings.

At the back of the building is the covered patio, enclosed by walls made from plywood that was stained grey to match the exterior stucco.

Phillips LA entrance at night — Phillips Los Angeles opened in October 2022

The opening of Phillips Los Angeles follows over a decade of continual growth for the city’s arts scene, which has seen galleries like Hauser & Wirth and The Future Perfect set up shop, and an annual edition of the Frieze Art Fair introduced.

Formation Association is led by Chan and partner Grace U Oh. As well as completing a variety of institutional, residential and commercial projects, the studio has contributed several times to a program organised by the Architects for Animals charity that asks LA-based architects to design shelters for the city’s homeless cats.

The photography is by Eric Staudenmaier.

Project credits:

Design team: John K Chan, Nick Miuccio, Carlo ‘CJ’ Guzman, Jay Lee, Colin Jacobs
Structural engineer: Nous Engineering
MEP engineer: Engineous Group
Lighting designer: Fisher Marantz Stone
Landscape designer: Ochre

Reference

Wooden display cabinets in boutique in Paris by Halleroed

Interior Design

Halleroed mixes French and Japandi influences inside L/Uniform boutique

By Zarkon Group,05/05/202305/05/2023

In the arty Paris district of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Stockholm design studio Halleroed has designed a new boutique for French bag and luggage brand L/Uniform.

Taking cues from the brand’s simple, rational approach to design, Halleroed design lead Ruxandra Halleröd created a series of backdrops that allow the products to “pop out in a beautiful way”.

The boutique is comprised of two rooms that drawing on L/Uniform‘s French heritage alongside a mixture of Japanese and Scandinavian design traditions – also known as Japandi.

The first room was designed to nod to the vernacular of the traditional French marketplace, with stepped display furniture and rustic materials, such as walls papered in woven raffia.

Bags hand on walls in L/Uniform boutique — In the first room, bags are hung from integrated wooden hooks

“It reminds us of L/Uniform’s use of French canvas on its more functional bags, but on a bigger scale,” Halleröd told Dezeen.

“We used a Shaker-inspired approach where bags are hung from hooks. There’s an association with everyday market life because some of these bags are specifically made for bringing to the market.”

To create a striking visual contrast with the natural textures of this space, Halleroed added a monolithic display table in deep burgundy with a high-gloss finish.

Mint green display cabinets in boutique in Paris by Halleroed — Glossy red details feature throughout the store in finishes and furnishings

The second room is more “elegant and eclectic”, according to Halleröd. Here, L/Uniform’s leather handbags are displayed against a palette of soft pink and green, featuring an olive-coloured velvet sofa and pistachio display cabinet alongside tactile elements like the handwoven jute-and-wool carpet.

The same glossy red finish from the first room is also reprised – in this case applied to two exposed pipes, around which Halleroed has constructed a low timber cabinet.

Mint green display cabinet in L/Uniform boutique — Pistachio display cabinets provide additional storage

“We worked with colour, texture and material as one entity, creating contrast and also unity,” said Halleröd.

Around the counter, Halleroed added cedar cladding “for a Japanese look and feel”.

This is mirrored across the shop with details such as a rice-paper pendant light by Isamu Noguchi and chairs by George Nakashima, as well as cedar table lamps with rice-paper shades created by a Japanese cabinetmaker.

Gallic influences are reflected in the lighting by Pierre Chareau and Charlotte Perriand and the bush-hammered limestone floor, which according to Halleröd has a “calm, vintage touch that for us is very French”.

Hallway of boutique in Paris by Halleroed — Travertine floors and stone counters bring a sense of refinement to the space

Halleroed also brought Swedish elements into the mix, reflecting the studio’s own approach.

“With our minimalist Scandinavian mindset, we prefer to work with fewer elements and materials but in a conscious and precise way,” said Halleröd.

“Working with wood and craft is something that I think is common for both Japan and Sweden, while we think of the warm tones here as being both French and Japanese.”

Wooden storage cabinets in L/Uniform boutique — Timber joinery nods to Japanese and Scandinavian craft traditions

“Many of the items in the store were handmade specifically for the space, which was important for us since we believe that this reflects the L/Uniform mentality and approach,” she added.

Since it was founded in 1998, Halleroed has completed a number of high-end boutiques around the world.

Among them are an Acne Studios store in Chengdu and various outposts for Swedish streetwear brand Axel Arigato in Berlin, Paris, Copenhagen and London.

The photography is by Ludovic Balay

Reference

Ground floor divided by pale blue storage volumes

Interior Design

Studio Vaaro reconfigures House M using built-in storage volumes

By Zarkon Group,04/05/2023

For the renovation of a house in Toronto’s West End, local firm Studio Vaaro added minimally detailed millwork to form kitchen cabinetry, the staircase and a feature bookcase in the living room.

Studio Vaaro‘s overhaul of House M, a three-storey detached property that had been renovated and extended multiple times over the years, involved reconfiguring the layout to remove the awkward subdivided spaces.

“Our clients were a professional couple with two young children, who were looking for flexible and resilient spaces that could accommodate their home offices, overnight guests, and the changing needs of their growing children,” said the studio.

“We, therefore, developed a spatial concept based on ‘functional volumes’, in which well-proportioned spaces are partitioned by blocks of storage and service functions.”

Kitchen separated from dining room by pale blue partition — The pale blue-grey volumes provide additional storage space for the kitchen

These built-in storage blocks partially partition four rooms on the ground floor while keeping an open flow between them.

Laid out in a diamond formation, all are coloured pale blue-grey to highlight their function against the otherwise white walls.

Kitchen with oak cabinetry and marble countertops — In the kitchen, oak cabinetry contrasts with the marble countertops

“The large amount of built-in storage ensures the rooms themselves are free of clutter and ready for use,” said Studio Vaaro. “In line with the family’s personalities, colour and playful details abound.”

In the entryway is a coat closet that hides the view of the living room behind, where an oak bookcase sat atop a teal powder-coated fireplace covers almost an entire wall.

Oak staircase with built-in bleachers and white guardrails — Bleachers are built into the oak staircase, offering a display area or extra seating

A powder room is placed between this space and the kitchen, also forming additional cabinet and counter space within its volume.

Further kitchen storage sits in front of the dining room, and another closet is tucked under the doglegging staircase.

Bedrooms viewed through deep portal doorways coloured dusty pink — On the first floor, the bedrooms are accessed through deep portal doorways

“A ‘mixing bowl’ at the centre of the plan, at the base of the stairs, visually and physically connects all four spaces,” the studio said.

Both the entry and the dining room volumes are pulled away from the home’s exterior walls, allowing additional views between rooms.

Kid's room with patterned wallpaper and writing on a closet door — The portals are coloured dusty pink and the kids rooms are also colourful

The remaining built-in furniture is oak to match the flooring that runs throughout, including kitchen millwork and the staircase, which incorporates oversized bleachers for displaying kids’ artwork or creating extra seating during a party.

A white metal “picket” guardrail, softened with rounded details, allows light to pass down from the upper levels.

On the first floor, two parallel volumes separate the children’s rooms at the front of the house and the primary suite at the back from the central corridor.

These create both storage for the rooms, and deep doorway portals that are highlighted in dusty pink.

Bathroom vanity with an angled skylight above — Skylights in the stepped angled roofs bring extra light into rooms at the rear, including the primary bathroom

Carefully considered details include recesses for the door handles, allowing the doors to open the full 90 degrees without banging into the wall.

Work and study spaces in the attic are minimally furnished, though feature built-in desks that step up to form shelves behind.

Study area with built-in oak desk — Study spaces in the attic also feature built-in furniture

Skylights in the stepped, angled roof planes on all three floors bring extra light into the dining room, primary bathroom, and the stairwell.

Other Toronto homes that have undergone extensive renovations to make them better suited for their occupants include a 14-foot-wide house where pale woodwork forms storage to make more space, and another “disguised as a gallery” – both designed by StudioAC.

The photography is by Scott Norsworthy.

Project credits:

Team: Aleris Rodgers, Francesco Valente-Gorjup, Shengjie Qiu.

Reference

Bench in Alpine Rising exhibition by Markus Benesch

Interior Design

Markus Benesch designs Alpine Rising home for tuntschi doll

By Zarkon Group,03/05/2023

A vengeful doll from an Alpine folk tale was the imagined occupant of this colourful cabin-style home created by German designer Markus Benesch at Milan design week.

The maximalist Alpine Rising installation featured decorative Alpine-style furniture and multi-coloured wall coverings, all filled with references to life in the mountains.

Benesch developed the design after becoming fascinated by the fabled character of the “tuntschi” doll.

According to the story, the tuntschi is fashioned out of wood, straw and cloth by herdsmen who spend the summer tending cattle on the mountain and crave female company.

The doll comes to life, yet the herdsmen continue to objectify her. So when the time comes for them to return home, she takes murderous revenge on one of them.

This got Benesch thinking about what happens after the story finishes.

Chairs at Alpine Rising exhibition by Markus Benesch — Stui dining chairs and Hockerl stools both combine ash wood with colourful resin

“I wondered, what is this doll doing when she is alone in the wintertime?” he told Dezeen. “I thought, maybe she has the time of her life.”

One of the starting points for the design was to think about the types of pastimes that the doll might enjoy.

Cabinet in Alpine Rising exhibition by Markus Benesch — The Tuntschis Chapel cabinet is based on traditional Alpine architecture

One idea was that she might ski. This resulted in swirling motifs – reminiscent of snow tracks – that appeared throughout, plus a pair of bespoke skis.

Benesch also thought the doll might take up pottery, which led him to the work of Austrian ceramicist Florian Tanzer, founder of Vienna-based studio Luma Launisch.

Tanzer’s rough and enigmatic ceramics often depict unusual characters.

For Alpine Rising, he created vases and vessels that integrate the face of the tuntschi. Some pieces had more than one face, in reference to her two-faced nature.

Dining table in Alpine Rising exhibition by Markus Benesch — The wallpaper combines images of wooden shingles with different colours and tones

Benesch and his small-production furniture, textile and wallpaper company Curious Boy created a completely custom interior for the tuntschi’s Alpine cabin.

Divided into rooms, it was filled with farmhouse-style furniture pieces that combined traditional Alpine woodcraft with colourful motifs typical of Benesch’s designs.

Benesch creates these patterns by inlaying wood with pigmented resin.

Wardrobe at Alpine Rising exhibition by Markus Benesch — The zigzag-patterned Hochzeitsschrank wardrobe was crafted from pine

In ash wood, designs on show included the cabin-style Tuntschis cabinet, the elaborate Himmibed and the playful Stui dining chairs.

Walnut was used for the amorphous Splügen lamp, while the zigzag-patterned Hochzeitsschrank wardrobe was crafted from pine.

Ceramics by Florian Tanzer — Florian Tanzer created ceramics that refer to the two-faced nature of the doll

For the wallpaper and textiles, Benesch created repeating patterns using images of wooden shingles that typically clad Alpine chalets, then overlaid them with various colours and tones.

Underlying the entire design was an idea about getting away from today’s digital world and the harmful effects it can have on mental health, and instead celebrating “an analogue lifestyle”.

Alpine Rising spoons — Benesch also produced hand-carved ash and walnut spoons

This idea was emphasised by hand-carved ash and walnut spoons and a pack of custom-designed playing cards.

“We want to disconnect from the crazy of our today’s world and reconnect more with ourselves in nature,” added Benesch.

The exhibition formed part of the 5Vie district during Milan design week, where other exhibitions included Artemest’s L’Appartamento, a 1930s apartment redesigned by six different studios.

Following Milan design week, we collected ten standout installations and projects on show during the week.

Alpine Rising was on show from 15 to 21 April 2023 as part of Milan design week. See Dezeen Events Guide for more architecture and design events around the world.

Exhibition and furniture photography is courtesy of Markus Benesch Creates. Ceramic photography is by Gregor Hofbauer.

Reference

Interior Design

Farrell Centre opens with exhibition showcasing mycelium and fake fur

By Zarkon Group,02/05/2023

An architecture centre founded by British architect Terry Farrell has opened in Newcastle, England, with an exhibition exploring building materials of the future and “urban rooms” for local residents.

The Farrell Centre is an exhibition gallery, research centre and community space that aims to provoke conversation about architecture and planning, both in the city and at a global scale.

The project was instigated by Farrell, who donated his architectural archive and put £1 million towards the build.

The inaugural exhibition, More with Less: Reimagining Architecture for a Changing World, looks at how buildings might adapt to the climate crisis.

Fake fur, mycelium and wool insulation feature in a series of installations designed to challenge traditional methods of producing architecture.

Elsewhere, three urban rooms host workshops and other events where locals can learn about the past and future of Newcastle and voice their opinions on development plans.

Staircase in Farrell Centre in Newcastle — The ground floor is designed to encourage people in, with glazed facades on two sides

“The centre is here to bring about a better, more inclusive and more sustainable built environment,” said Farrell Centre director and Dezeen columnist Owen Hopkins during a tour of the building.

“The belief that underpins everything we do is that we need to engage people with architecture and planning, and the transformative roles that they can have,” he told Dezeen.

“Architecture and planning are often seen as something that’s imposed from above. We need to shift that perception.”

Forming part of Newcastle University, the Farrell Centre occupies a four-storey former department store building in the heart of the city.

Local studios Space Architects and Elliott Architects oversaw a renovation that aims to make the building feel as open and welcoming as possible.

HBBE installation at More with Less exhibition at the Farrell Centre — The exhibition More with Less includes an installation by HBBE made from mycelium, sawdust and wool

The ground floor has the feel of a public thoroughfare, thanks to glazed facades on two sides, while bleacher-style steps create a sunken seating area for talks and presentations.

A colourful new staircase leads up to the exhibition galleries on the first floor and the urban rooms on the second floor, while the uppermost level houses the staff offices.

McCloy + Muchemwa installation at More with Less exhibition at the Farrell Centre — McCloy + Muchemwa’s installation is a table filled with plants

According to Hopkins, the launch exhibition sets the tone for the type of content that visitors can expect from the Farrell Centre.

The show features installations by four UK architecture studios, each exploring a different proposition for future buildings.

“We wanted to create something that expands people’s understanding of what architecture is, beyond building an expensive house on Grand Designs,” Hopkins said, referencing the popular television show.

Dress for Weather installation at More with Less exhibition at the Farrell Centre — Dress for the Weather has created a mini maze of insulation

Newcastle University’s Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment (HBBE) has created Living Room, a cave-like structure made by cultivating a mixture of mycelium and sawdust over a giant wool blanket.

Next, a mini maze created by Glasgow studio Dress for the Weather aims to showcase the thermal and experiential qualities of building insulation, with varieties made from low-grade wool and plastic bottles.

Office S&M installation at More with Less exhibition at the Farrell Centre — Office S&M’s installations include a silhouette of the head of Michelangelo’s David made from pink fur and a chaise longue covered in expanding foam

London-based Office S&M proposes low-tech but fun solutions for making buildings more comfortable.

These are represented by a silhouette of the head of Michelangelo’s David made from pink fur, a metallic space blanket, a chaise longue topped covered in expanding foam and a dichroic-film window covering that casts colourful reflections onto the floor.

“This whole room is about actually doing really simple mundane stuff, but in a way that is joyful and tells a story,” said Hopkins.

In the final room, an installation by London-based McCloy + Muchemwa brings nature indoors with a boardroom table covered in plants.

Urban rooms at the Farrell Centre — The urban rooms host events where people can learn about the development of the city

On the floor above, the three urban rooms have been fitted out by Mat Barnes of architecture studio CAN with custom elements that make playful references to building sites.

They are filled with historic maps, interactive models, informal furniture, display stands made from scaffolding poles, and architecture toys that include building-shaped soft play and Lego.

The idea of setting up an urban room in Newcastle was the starting point for the creation of the Farrell Centre.

A decade ago, Farrell was commissioned by the UK government to produce a report on the state of the UK’s architecture and planning system.

One of the key recommendations in the Farrell Review, published in 2014, was to create an urban room in every major city, giving local people of all ages and backgrounds a place to engage with how the city is planned and developed.

As Farrell grew up in the Newcastle area and studied architecture at the university, he became keen to make this concept a reality in this city.

Although the Farrell Centre is named in his honour, Hopkins said that Farrell is happy for the facility to forge its own path in terms of programme and approach.

“He established the idea and vision for the centre, but he is happy for us to build out that vision in the way that we think is best,” added Hopkins.

The director is optimistic about the centre’s potential to engage with the community.

“Newcastle is a city like no other,” he said. “The civic pride here is off the scale. People have such a deep-rooted love of where they live.”

“It’s amazing to be able to tap into that as a way of creating a better built environment.”

More with Less: Reimagining Architecture for a Changing World is on show at the Farrell Centre from 22 April to 10 September 2023. See Dezeen Events Guide for more architecture and design events around the world.

Reference

Storefront of Billie Le Kid Boutique by Vives St-Laurent

Interior Design

Vives St-Laurent creates Billie Le Kid boutique in Mont-Tremblant ski resort

By Zarkon Group,01/05/2023

Harnessing soft colours and gentle curves, interior design studio Vives St-Laurent has completed a shop for children’s boutique Billie Le Kid in Mont-Tremblant – a Canadian ski resort known for its colourful architecture.

Following on from Billie Le Kid‘s first store in Montreal, the brand brought in Vives St-Laurent to create a new outpost that captured the spirit of the brand while reflecting its location.

Its storefront was designed to resemble a theatre, showcasing the brand’s wholesome edit of children’s clothes, toys and books.

Custom-made awnings recall the idea of a general store, while the front was repainted in a vibrant blue-on-blue palette to reflect Mont-Tremblant’s colourful charter.

Counter and changing room in boutique by Vives St-Laurent — Painted tongue-and-groove panelling adds a touch of nostalgia

Referencing the facade, arched openings throughout the boutique bring a whimsical touch to the transitions between different sections.

Rounded corners were used to soften the edges of the display cabinets, adding character and creating a playful and welcoming atmosphere.

Storage wall in Billie Le Kid Boutique — Integrated display cabinets provide plenty of storage

Bianco Carrara marble was used on top of the checkout counter to convey a sense of timeless luxury, while moss-coloured velvet changing room curtains reference the theatre concept and bring softness and tactility to the space.

The polished concrete floor was a practical choice, as the low-maintenance material allows skiers to visit the store in their ski boots.

Storage cupboard and counter in store interior by Vives St-Laurent — Bianco Carrara marble covers the store’s counter

Painted tongue-and-groove panelling was added to give the boutique a touch of nostalgia.

“We combined classic and contemporary materials to create a harmonious yet unique ambience,” Vives St-Laurent’s interior designer Léa Courtadon told Dezeen.

Courtadon said she chose the store’s calming colour palette of stone beige and sage green to create “a whimsical mood that recalls the playful world of childhood while maintaining sophistication and ensuring the products stand out”.

Sturdy vintage Canadian furniture was chosen to draw on the idea of the general store and family home. Long wooden refectory tables were repurposed as displays for toys and clothing, adding visual interest while paying homage to the brand’s Canadian heritage.

A row of vintage frilled-glass pendant lights creates a feature above the counter.

“The lamps’ rippled globes resemble ballerina tutus, adding a delicate touch to the overall design,” Courtadon said.

Integrated storage in Billie Le Kid Boutique — Rounded corners give the storage units a playful edge

In contrast, the main lighting system with its matt white finish was chosen to blend seamlessly with the store’s high ceiling. The railing system allows for precise positioning to highlight different items within the display cabinets.

Vives St-Laurent used baskets for storage to contribute to the nostalgic, homespun aesthetic as well as offering a practical way to store and display plush toys.

Changing room of Billie Le Kid Boutique — Changing rooms are hidden behind velvet curtains

“They create an impression of abundance and allow children to interact with the toys, promoting a sense of independence and autonomy,” said Courtadon. “It all contributes to a playful and engaging atmosphere that’s ideal for a kids’ store.”

Since its founding in 2018, Vives St-Laurent has completed a range of projects across Canada. Among them is a tactile home in Montreal with a grey-heavy colour scheme.

The photography is by Alex Lesage.

Reference

Casa Alférez, Cañada De Alferes, by Ludwig Godefroy in roundup on brutalist Mexican houses

Interior Design

Eight brutalist Mexican home interiors proving concrete isn’t always cold

By Zarkon Group,30/04/2023

Raw concrete surfaces are softened by timber and plenty of daylight inside these Mexican houses, rounded up here as part of our latest lookbook.

Many of these brutalist interiors leave their concrete shells exposed and their cavernous rooms largely unadorned.

But freed of the constraints posed by frigid temperatures, they also create a greater connection to the outside, whether overlooking Puerto Escondido’s wave-swept beaches or nestled in the bustling metropolis of Mexico City.

Here, concrete surfaces help to create a sense of seamlessness between indoor and outdoor spaces – often separated only by removable partitions – while unfinished natural materials, such as wood or stone, are brought into the interior.

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring homes with exposed services, primary-coloured living spaces and houses with outdoor showers.

Casa Alférez, Cañada De Alferes, by Ludwig Godefroy

Tucked away in the forest outside Cañada De Alferes near Mexico City, this brutalist holiday home has a board-formed concrete shell.

This is left on display throughout its entire interior, all the way down to the bedrooms (top image) and the double-height lounge (above).

To bring a sense of homeliness to its otherwise spartan living spaces, architect Ludwig Godefroy added warm wooden floors and lush pops of green – as seen across upholstery and lighting fixtures.

Find out more about Casa Alférez ›

Casa del Sapo by Espacio 18 Arquitectura in Oaxaca, Mexico — Photo by Onnis Luque and Fabian Martinez

La Casa del Sapo, Playa Zapotengo, by Espacio 18 Arquitectura

The kitchen of this seafront home – set right on Oaxaca’s Zapotengo beach – can be merged with its neighbouring patio using a wide wooden folding door.

All-around concrete helps to underline this fusion, while also serving a practical function in the form of a kitchen island and matching shelves.

Find out more about La Casa del Sapo ›

The Hill in Front of the Glen, Morelia, by HW Studio

Reminiscent of the Hobbit houses in JRR Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, this sunken home is nestled into a hillside in the forests of Michoacán in central Mexico.

The building’s interiors are defined by its concrete vaulted ceilings, which can be seen in every room, while log benches and full-height glazing provide a visual link to the woodland outside.

Find out more about The Hill in Front of the Glen ›

Casa Mérida by Ludwig Godefroy — Photo by Rory Gardiner

Casa Mérida, Mérida, by Ludwig Godefroy

Mayan architecture and craftsmanship informed the design of this otherwise brutalist house in Yucatán state, which is considered the capital of the indigenous civilisation.

The home’s perimeter walls, for example, have joints covered in stone splinters that take cues from the design of Mayan pyramids and temples. These are left exposed on the interior alongside the concrete ceilings, creating a rich medley of architectural references.

Find out more about Casa Mérida ›

Pachua by PPAA from roundup on brutalist Mexican houses — Photo by Rafael Gamo

Pachuca Apartments, Mexico City, by PPAA

Concrete slabs pave both the patio and living spaces in this Mexico City house to create a sense of continuity, only separated by a full-height glass wall that can be completely pushed open.

On the interior, the rough concrete finishes are contrasted with details in American white oak, among them a long dining table as well as a staircase with treads that slot into a huge bookshelf.

Find out more about Pachuca Apartments ›

Casa UC, Morelia, by Daniela Bucio Sistos

Neutral colours and tactile materials are found throughout this home in the city of Morelia, including raw concrete ceilings and floors finished in a honey-toned tropical timber called caobilla.

In the library, the same wood was also used to form integrated shelves and a huge porthole window that can be pivoted open and closed like a door.

Find out more about Casa UC ›

Casa Aguacates, Valle de Bravo, by Francisco Pardo

Mexican architect Francisco Pardo repurposed the pinewood formwork used in the process of constructing this concrete house to form a series of partition walls throughout the home.

The resulting interior layout is simple and fluid and centres on an open-plan kitchen, dining area and living room that open up onto a sunken garden.

Find out more about Casa Aguacates ›

ZIcatela House by Ludwig Godefroy — Photo by Rory Gardiner

Zicatela, Puerto Escondido, by Emmanuel Picault and Ludwig Godefroy

Set in the small surf town of Puerto Escondido, this weekend home accommodates its main living areas inside a covered patio and is made almost entirely of concrete.

The only exceptions are the doors and sliding louvred wood screens that can be used to open the space up to the gardens on either side, as well as a few sparse furnishings such as the low-slung dining table, which is made from a cross-sectioned tree trunk.

Find out more about Zicatela ›

Reference

Minimal interiors of forest retreat designed by Norm Architects

Interior Design

Eight pared-back and elegant Scandinavian kitchen designs

By Zarkon Group,29/04/2023

For our latest lookbook, we’ve collected eight peaceful kitchens with Scandinavian design details, in homes including a chalet in Belgium and a forest retreat in Sweden.

Plenty of wood and stone, minimalist details and practical solutions make these eight interiors from across the world good examples of Scandinavian kitchen design.

As well as being stylish, the pared-down interiors make for functional, clutter-free kitchens where it is easy to find and use all the items needed to make a meal in a relaxing atmosphere.

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring outdoor showers, interiors with exposed services and Milanese homes with eye-catching material palettes.

Forest Retreat, Sweden, by Norm Architects

Architecture studio Norm Architects designed this kitchen in a traditional Swedish timber cabin using oakwood to create a warm feel.

Its discrete handleless low-lying cupboards have plenty of storage space, while a stone splashback is both decorative and functional. A black tap adds graphic contrast.

Find out more about Forest Retreat ›

Kitchen and living room in Villa E by CF Møller Architects — Photo by Julian Weyer

Villa E, Denmark, by CF Møller Architects

A carved lightwell brings light into this sundrenched kitchen in a villa in Denmark. The brick tiles that clad the kitchen wall give the room a tactile feeling.

The floor of the open-plan kitchen is made from herringbone parquet, a style often seen in living room that here gives the kitchen area a more luxurious feel.

Find out more about Villa E ›

Kitchen by Westblom Krasse Arkitektkontor — Photo by Jesper Westblom

Stockholm apartment, Sweden, by Westblom Krasse Arkitektkontor

This Stockholm flat might be the exception that proves the rule when it comes to Scandinavian kitchen design – that it has to be designed using discrete colours and materials.

Instead, local studio Westblom Krasse Arkitektkontor chose a pale lilac hue for the kitchen, which nevertheless features wooden details in the form of a table and chairs. An orange pendant light contrasts nicely with the monochrome kitchen.

Find out more about Stockholm apartment ›

Vipp V2 kitchen — Photo by Anders Schønnemann

Vipp Pencil Factory, Denmark, by Vipp

Danish homeware brand Vipp used one of its own modular kitchens for Vipp Pencil Factory, a pop-up supper club in Copenhagen.

The dark-brown wood, commonly used in Scandinavian kitchens, contrasts against the grey concrete walls of the former pencil factory and is complimented by glass cabinets and a marble benchtop.

Find out more about Vipp Pencil Factory ›

Habima Square apartment by Maayan Zusman — Photo by Itay Benit

Habima Square apartment, Israel, by Maayan Zusman

Local designer Maayan Zusman renovated this apartment in Tel Aviv using plenty of Scandinavian brands and details, including lamps by Gubi and chairs by Ferm Living.

A pared-back colour palette and Crittal windows that let the light in also give the kitchen a slightly industrial feel.

Find out more about Stockholm apartment ›

House BL, Belgium — Photo by Jeroen Verrecht

Chalet, Belgium, by Graux & Baeyens Architecten

This 1960s chalet in Belgium features light-filled living spaces, including a wood-and-stone kitchen that has plenty of storage spaces and large windows that open up towards a lush garden.

Even the kitchen fan has a plywood cover to ensure it matches the rest of the space.

Find out more about the Belgian chalet ›

Saltviga House by Kolman Boye Architects — Photo by Johan Dehlin

Saltviga House, Norway, by Kolman Boye Architects

Nicknamed the “house of offcuts” because it has a facade made of offcuts of wooden flooring material, this weekend retreat in Lillesand, Norway, has a kitchen with a view.

The Scandinavian kitchen design is underlined by the use of Danish furniture brand Carl Hansen & Søn’s classic CH24 Wishbone chairs, which have been placed around a wooden dining table.

Find out more about Saltviga House ›

The Hat House by Tina Bergman — Photo by Jim Stephenson

The Hat House, Sweden, by Tina Bergman

Located in the forested landscape of Tänndalen in western Sweden, The Hat House has a traditional Swedish kitchen with an entirely wood-lined interior.

To save space, a small floating shelf was used to provide open storage, rather than cupboards. Contrasting dark black and grey colours were used for the splashback as well as the kitchen island.

Find out more about The Hat House ›

Reference

Minimalist living room inside House by the Sea by Of Architecture

Interior Design

Of Architecture builds beachside home for surfer-and-artist couple

By Zarkon Group,28/04/2023

London practice Of Architecture has used a fuss-free colour and material palette to create this understated home for a young couple in the town of Newquay in Cornwall.

House by the Sea belongs to an artist and a surfer, who told Of Architecture that they wanted a home without extravagant finishes, instead preferring a living space that appears “simple, robust and utilitarian”.

Though the brief was relatively straightforward, erecting the home proved tricky for the practice.

“The house is located by the cliff side of Pentire peninsula and has a very steep driveway, so transporting material was a big challenge for everyone on site,” the Of Architecture co-founder James Mak told Dezeen.

“We had to work with materials that could be carried by a small vehicle or by hand.”

Once the framework was in place, the house was finished with a “monolithic and modest” lime plaster facade.

Key rooms were dispersed across the home’s open-plan first floor, where walls are almost exclusively painted an off-white shade.

Prefabricated staircase inside House by the Sea by Of Architecture — Prefabricated steps grant access to a cosy mezzanine

In one corner is the kitchen, which features black melamine plywood cabinetry and a large breakfast island topped with stainless steel.

Overhead hangs a couple of industrial-style pendant lamps.

Adjacently lies a sitting area that directly overlooks Newquay’s picturesque Pentire Steps beach.

Fronted by expansive sliding windows, the space is dressed with a classic Eames lounge chair and an L-shaped sofa upholstered in beige marl fabric.

Another sitting area lies towards the rear of the first floor, facing a concrete blockwork wall.

Backed against the wall is a wood burner with a tall slender flue that stretches up to meet the four-metre-high ceiling.

Prefabricated plywood steps lead up to a mezzanine level tucked beneath the home’s sloping roof, which is held up by steel beams.

Intended to serve as a cosy retreat, the space is illuminated by a single skylight while artworks are casually leaned up against its walls and books are showcased on a wrap-around gridded shelf.

The minimalist aesthetic of the first floor then carries over onto the home’s ground floor, which accommodates two guest bedrooms – complete with their own en suites – a cloakroom and a utility room.

House by the Sea by Of Architecture — Rooms on the home’s ground floor are also pared back

A number of other architecturally striking homes can be found along the British coast.

Examples include RX Architects’ Seabreeze in East Sussex, which is coated in smooth pink concrete, and Mole Architects’ Marsh Hill House in Suffolk, which is shaped like a seagull’s wing.

The photography is by Lorenzo Zandri.

Reference

Interior Design

Eight cave-like interiors that celebrate curved forms

Formation Association transforms series of buildings for Phillips LA

Halleroed mixes French and Japandi influences inside L/Uniform boutique

Studio Vaaro reconfigures House M using built-in storage volumes

Markus Benesch designs Alpine Rising home for tuntschi doll

Farrell Centre opens with exhibition showcasing mycelium and fake fur

Vives St-Laurent creates Billie Le Kid boutique in Mont-Tremblant ski resort

Eight brutalist Mexican home interiors proving concrete isn’t always cold

Eight pared-back and elegant Scandinavian kitchen designs

Of Architecture builds beachside home for surfer-and-artist couple

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