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Interior Design

Ten Tokyo apartments with minimalist interior designs

By Zarkon Group,17/03/2023

Cleverly concealed kitchens and subtle wooden accents feature in our latest lookbook, which collects Tokyo apartments characterised by minimalist and serene interiors.

These apartments in Japan’s capital are united by their muted colours and an abundance of wood – elements often associated with traditional Japanese interior design.

As one of the world’s most densely populated cities, Tokyo homes often feature smaller floor plans or less natural light than those located in more spacious cities.

Architects and designers have created plenty of understated solutions to these restrictions, such as inserting space-saving storage into open-plan living areas.

From a flat informed by traditional Kyoto townhouses to an Airbnb dressed in subtle geometric furniture, here are 10 Tokyo apartments with minimalist interior designs.

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring concrete bathrooms, cosy cabins and homes with elevators.

Kinuta Terrace by Norm Architects and Keiji Ashizawa Design

Two apartments within Tokyo’s 1980s-designed Kinuta Terrace apartment block were renovated by Norm Architects and Keiji Ashizawa Design to include more natural light.

The studios reconfigured the floor plans to form fewer but larger living spaces, which are characterised by smooth concrete, timber fixtures and sheer sandy-hued curtains.

“Nature feels integrated into the apartment from most rooms so that, when looking out into the courtyard, you can’t quite tell you’re in a city as immense as Tokyo,” said Norm Architects designer Frederik Werner.

Find out more about these Kinuta Terrace apartments ›

Minorpoet applies traditional Japanese design to a renovated apartment in Tokyo — Photo is by Satoshi Shigeta

Apartment in Kitasando by Minorpoet

This 1960s apartment contains a sleek kitchen counter and storage space concealed behind folding doors informed by traditional Japanese screens known as Byōbu.

Design studio Minorpoet took cues from traditional Kyoto townhouses for the project, which features a hidden kitchen that cannot be seen from the living room.

Minimalist furniture and finishes match the pared-back theme, including iconic Finnish architect Alvar Aalto’s stackable wooden 60 stool.

Find out more about Apartment in Kitasando ›

Shibuya Apartment 201,202 by OgawaArchitects — Photo is by Kaku Ohtaki

Airbnb apartments by Hiroyuki Ogawa Architects

Local studio Hiroyuki Ogawa Architects renovated two Airbnb apartments in Tokyo’s Shibuya ward with completely contrasting designs. One has floors and walls clad in light wood (main image), while the other pairs a plush grey carpet with dark plasterwork.

Neon lighting in the latter apartment was chosen to remind guests of the bustling city while cork stools, metallic kitchen cabinetry and charcoal-toned accents create a moody atmosphere.

Find out more about these Airbnb apartments ›

The Life concept apartment by I IN

The Life concept apartment is an understated residence set within a 1980s building by Tokyo design firm I IN. According to the studio, the project was created to encourage people to rethink renovated apartments in Japan, rather than favour newbuilds.

An open-plan living space contains a kitchen, living room and bedroom characterised by reeded glass partitions, stucco walls and luxurious red walnut joinery.

Find out more about The Life concept apartment ›

Akasaka apartment by FrontOfficeTokyo

Almost all of the walls within this 50-square-metre flat were replaced with multi-functional box units and sliding partitions to make the space feel bigger and brighter.

Local studio FrontOfficeTokyo stripped the apartment down to a single room, which features designated zones to lounge, cook, eat and sleep.

Raw and simple materials emphasise the utilitarian interior design, including exposed ceilings, pale timber floors and a corner bathroom contained in a concrete box.

Find out more about this apartment ›

Tokyo apartment by Snark Architectures — Image is courtesy of Snark Architectures

House in Chofu by Snark Architectures

Snark Architectures renovated an apartment in Chofu – a city to the west of downtown Tokyo. Located at the base of Mount Takao, the dwelling intends to mirror traditional cabins.

With an open-plan layout that references mountain huts, House in Chofu is characterised by lauan plywood cabinetry and floor-to-ceiling glazing that offers views of the surrounding scenery.

“The house is the base camp connecting mountains and cities,” Snark Architectures director Yu Yamada told Dezeen.

Find out more about House in Chofu ›

Tokyo apartment by G Studio Architects — Image is courtesy of G Studio

Tokyo Loft by G Studio Architects

Located on one of the top floors of a 1980s housing block, Tokyo Loft is short-term accommodation that intends to balance home comforts with industrial finishes.

G Studio worked with architects Teruya Kido and Suma-Saga-Fudosan to complete the interior look, which includes original sloping concrete walls that were illustrated with splashes of white paint in a nod to traditional Japanese washi paper.

Rows of skylights were added to the walls to flood the apartment with natural light, while bright orange electrical wires and plumbing features were left exposed. A freestanding bathtub adds a playful touch to the main living space.

Find out more about Tokyo Loft ›

J House by Domino Architects

Wooden panelling creates “corners, blind spots and niches” in J House – a pared-back apartment renovated to maximise restricted floor space for a growing family.

Japanese studio Domino Architects used low-cost exposed plywood for its simplicity, while rough concrete in the kitchen adds to the dwelling’s minimalist interior design.

Find out more about J House ›

Motoazabu Apartment sYms by Kiyonobu Nakagame Architect & Associates

Diagonally stepped floors and ceilings create a dynamic layout of triangular zones within a pair of apartments in Tokyo’s Motoazabu neighbourhood.

Smooth, understated concrete defines the central interior spaces, which are surrounded by kitchen worktops and glazed bathrooms.

“What we aimed to do with this structure was to create something that would blend with its surroundings and maintain absolute simplicity,” explained architect Kiyonubu Nakagame.

Find out more about Motoazabu Apartment sYms ›

Opera Apartment by Taka Shinomoto and Voar Design Haus

A material and colour palette influenced by the different shades of an Opera cake – a famed French dessert – informed the “layered” coffee-hued interiors in this apartment.

The hallway features sliding geometric cupboard doors stained in various shades of brown while a mixture of glossy, matte and textured coatings cover the white walls.

Find out more about Opera Apartment ›

Reference

Shelving system in Milan store by Francesca Perani and Bloomscape

Interior Design

Demountable electric-blue grid engulfs On-Off store interior in Milan

By Zarkon Group,16/03/2023

Italian architect Francesca Perani has teamed up with design studio Bloomscape to create a reversible fit-out for this clothing store in Milan, which is dominated by a flexible gridded shelving system.

Perani and Bloomscape installed the grid with its moveable shelves as a way to let the On-Off store effortlessly change its display arrangements.

It was also a matter of making the store reversible, meaning that the fit-out could be easily dismantled should the retailer move on to a different site, saving waste and leaving behind a clean slate for the next occupier.

“Too often, the world of retail is still insensitive to sustainability; its lifecycle, however, is too short to continue being ignored,” explained Bloomscape co-founder Rosario Distaso.

Polycarbonate walls in ON-OFF store in Milan — Concrete chimney blocks form display plinths and benches

The gridded framework comprises beams of poplar wood surrounded by metal frames that were anodised to produce a vivid electric-blue colour.

The system runs along the walls and across the store’s ceiling, allowing On-Off to hang wayfinding signage.

Wood and metal shelving in Milan store by Francesca Perani and Bloomscape — Shelves can be moved around in the framework to create different displays

All of the shelves can be pulled out or slotted in at different points of the framework.

A fixed wooden clothes rail runs between two of the columns, allowing the hung garments to appear almost as part of the store’s architecture.

As the team was working with a limited budget, just a handful of materials were applied throughout the rest of On-Off.

The same metal-clad poplar wood was used to create freestanding clothing rails that appear at the edges of the store. Sheets of poplar also form the top of the store’s display plinths and bench seats, which have chimney cement blocks for a base.

Mirrored cash register in ON-OFF store in Milan — Mirrored panels clad the store’s cash register desk

At the rear of the floor plan is a mirror-clad cash register, set against a wall lined with translucent polycarbonate sheets.

More panels of polycarbonate were used to enclose On-Off’s changing rooms, with a shiny silver curtain suspended in front of each cubicle for privacy.

Polycarbonate changing rooms in Milan shop by Francesca Perani and Bloomscape — Polycarbonate walls and silver curtains feature in the changing rooms

Other striking retail spaces in Milan include the Marni flagship with its very own artists’ studio and IoNoi – a hybrid store and gallery dedicated to the work of Italian designer Fabio Novembre.

The photography is courtesy of Francesca Perani.

Reference

A lobby interior inside Blueberry Nights hotel

Interior Design

Blueberry Nights hotel makes “people feel like they’re inside a movie”

By Zarkon Group,15/03/2023

Georgian architect Sandro Takaishvili has converted an apartment building in Tbilisi into a hotel, with interiors informed by his love of cinema and movie projectors in all 16 rooms.

Taking over three storeys above a restaurant in the capital’s Vera neighbourhood, the Blueberry Nights hotel features a theatrical colour scheme, Japanese furnishings and moody lighting.

“The design of the hotel is the culmination of my entire life’s consumption of film,” the hotel’s co-founder Sandro Takaishvili told Dezeen.

“My intention is to make people feel like they’re inside a movie, where everything feels slightly familiar but otherworldly at the same time,” said the architect, who previously worked as a set designer, filmmaker and photographer.

A hallway interior inside a hotel — Its design references films by renowned film directors

The hotel was named after My Blueberry Nights – a film by Hong Kong director Wong Kar-Wai – and incorporates visual references to the work of other renowned directors including Stanley Kubrick.

The main lobby was designed to look and feel like a cosy cinema foyer, complete with dark blue carpeting, walnut wood furniture and seating upholstered in velvet. Guests can check in at a large reception desk fronted in plexiglass that was inspired by retro-futuristic films.

The interior of a room in a Tbilisi hotel — The guestrooms are sparsely decorated with lights from Japan

“From the moment guests step through the doors, a moody cinematic journey begins with dark blue carpets, downlights and a soft soundtrack of noir movie dialogues playing in the lobby,” Takaishvili said.

As part of the renovation, Takaishvili transformed the building’s attic into two extra guestrooms, for a total of 16 rooms.

The bedrooms were designed to evoke the visual style of David Lynch, with custom-made low-slung beds and walnut-veneer cabinets. Room dividers punctured by large circular openings were used to mark different zones within the rooms.

The warm wooden furniture is offset by splashes of red – in the form of vintage phones, artwork and window shutters made from medium-density fibreboard (MDF) – as well as the white tiles used in the tiny en-suite bathrooms.

A cinematic-themed hotel room — Wooden furniture in the hotel rooms was locally produced

Other bedroom decor includes lamps with Noguchi-style paper shades, which Takaishvili imported from Japan, and teak-and-cane chairs by architect Pierre Jeanneret, which were sourced from London.

“The paper lights give off a soft luminescent effect that creates a cosy ambience,” the architect explained.

“Some of the simple geometric forms that I used definitely have a mid-century influence but I wasn’t trying to be trendy. I just wanted to achieve a cinematic effect without resorting to obvious movie gimmicks.”

A selection of films on a rattan chair — The architects added vinyl players and records in each room

One wall was left blank in each room so that guests can watch movies via a smart projector, while music can be played via a selection of vinyl records.

Other interior projects in Tbilisi include a bookstore-cum-cafe by Georgian designer Lado Lomitashvili and the Stamba Hotel, which occupies the former headquarters of a Soviet printing press.

The photography is courtesy of Blueberry Nights.

Reference

Cheif's inaugural London members club occupies a Georgian townhouse

Interior Design

Thirdway transforms Georgian townhouse into women-only members’ club

By Zarkon Group,14/03/2023

American members’ club Chief has set up its first London outpost inside a centuries-old townhouse in Bloomsbury, with cosy interiors conceived by design studio Thirdway.

Established in 2019, Chief has locations in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco, where women working in senior leadership roles can connect, learn from industry peers and find ways to drive more women into positions of power.

When it came to designing the club’s first overseas branch, Thirdway was asked to maintain the homely aesthetic established across its US outposts while also speaking to the unique architecture and location of the townhouse.

“We wanted a mix of what felt like Chief but with a London stamp on it, while also being sympathetic to the age of the building and the local London area,” explained Alex Hodson, a senior designer at Thirdway.

The club occupies a Grade I-listed townhouse in Bloomsbury, which Thirdway extended by connecting it to an adjacent four-storey mews house via a glazed walkway, allowing enough space for all of Chief’s amenities.

Members enter via a forest-green reception area that’s anchored by a wooden desk.

Arched panelling fronts the table in a nod to the townhouse’s curved windows, while its fluted detailing references the grooves on the building’s original fireplaces.

Rich hues go on to appear in the club’s other rooms. In the bar, for instance, the drinks counter is clad with glossy, emerald-green tiles. Here, the arch motif also reappears in the form of the storage cabinets holding the bar’s glassware and wine bottles.

Plump teal and mustard-yellow sofas were dotted throughout the sunroom on the lower-ground floor, alongside poufs covered with the same fabric that was used to upholster seats on London’s Piccadilly underground line in the 1990s.

To emulate the look of a traditional English conservatory, a white grid was installed across the ceiling while a number of leafy potted and hanging plants were dotted around the space.

Another events room on site was given a slightly more sophisticated feel with wood-lined walls and vermillion-red velvet seating.

Other women-only members’ clubs in London include Allbright in Mayfair, where the walls are exclusively covered with works by female artists.

All images are courtesy of Peter Ghobrial Photography.

Reference

Interior Design

Eight inviting entrance halls that set the tone for the rest of the home

By Zarkon Group,13/03/2023

In this lookbook, we’ve rounded up eight home interiors featuring entrance halls including a home in Devon with clay walls and a double-height entry space in Mexico.

Entrance halls can be described as the space that is located directly inside of the main entry point into the home.

These spaces are often hallways that lead to multiple different rooms in the home. They are typically where first impressions are made and can set the tone for the rest of the home.

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring bathrooms with colourful features, homes with cross-laminated timber and mix-and-match flooring.

Timjan, Sweden, by Johan Sundberg Arkitektur

At this home in an apple orchard in Lund, Swedish practice Johan Sundberg Arkitektur applied a modern finish to the 1920s villa by adding an extension that contrasted with its 20th-century style.

Plywood panelling covers the interior of the home and is paired with expanses of glass in the home’s entrance hall. A large clerestory window was placed above the entrance to the home, which is marked by a simple wood-framed glass door.

Find out more about Timjan ›

Interior of The Mill House by Valentino Architects — Photo is by Ramon Portelli

Mill House, Malta, by Valentino Architects

Architecture studio Valentino Architects transformed a collection of 16th-century stone buildings in Malta into a family home that surrounds a central courtyard.

From a large wooden door, original stone arches line the home’s entrance hall above a polished concrete floor that runs through the entirety of the building. A large planter decorates the entrance hall and visually links to the history of the original 1920s villa.

Find out more about Mill House ›

Lounge with red sofa, Casa Tres Árboles in Valle de Bravo by Direccion — Photo is by Fabian Martinez

Casa Tres Árboles, Mexico, by Direccion

This home in Valle de Bravo, Mexico was renovated by Mexican studio Direccion and was designed to celebrate natural materials, the contrasts of light and shadows and convey a feeling of refuge and retreat.

The entrance hall at Casa Tres Árboles has a wide span and a double height that allows light to be drawn into the space. Much like the rest of the home, the space was decorated with a simplistic yet rustic interior palette and uses black micro cement and wood across its floor.

Find out more about Casa Tres Árboles ›

A Cloistered House by Turner Architects — Photo is by Adam Scott

A Cloistered House, UK, by Turner Architects

The walls at the entrance hall of A Cloistered House by British studio Turner Architects were covered in pale sage green that allow the home’s original dark wood flooring to be the focal feature of the space.

Dado railings, skirting boards and arch moulding trims were painted white to contrast against the green walls and highlight the London home’s classical details. A black-painted bannister flanks the side of the wooden staircase.

Find out more about A Cloistered House ›

Conde Duque apartment by Sierra + De La Higuera — Photo is by German Sáiz

Conde Duque apartment, Spain, by Sierra + De La Higuera

Madrid-based architecture studio Sierra + De La Higuera refurbished this apartment in its hometown by creating an open-plan living and dining arrangement, which are divided by a wood-clad entrance hall.

Wood panelling covers the walls of the entrance hall and complements the mustard yellow glazed herringbone tiling that covers the floor of the space.

Find out more about Conde Duque apartment ›

The Palace Gate by Tala Fustok — Photo is by Michael Sinclair

Palace Gate apartment, UK, by Tala Fustok Studio

This apartment in a Victorian mansion block that neighbours Hyde Park in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, London, was transformed into a “calm sanctuary” by Tala Fustok Studio to balance the business of the city.

The entrance hall was decorated with a woven chair, a large Venetian mirror and a stone plinth that was sourced from MAH Gallery in east London. A large vase from Flow Gallery was placed on top of the plinth and is host to a single stem.

Find out more about Palace Gate apartment ›

Made of Sand by Studio Weave — Photo is by Jim Stephenson

Made of Sand, UK, by Studio Weave

London architecture office Studio Weave added a two-story timber-clad extension to a stone cottage in Devon, England. The extension was designed to provide accommodation and workspace for the client’s family and visitors.

The interior of the extension and the walls of its entrance hall were clad in rust-coloured clay with subtle curving edges that blend into the door frames and walls. A bench lines the wall of the entrance hall and was topped with two pillows.

Find out more about Made of Sand ›

Washington DC home, US, by Colleen Healey

An arched, tunnel-like hallway marks the entrance to this renovated home in Washington DC’s Logan Circle by architecture studio Colleen Healey Architecture.

The white, tunnel-like entrance hall leads directly into an open-plan kitchen dining and living area that includes an exposed brick wall and diagonally laid flooring that helps to disguise the home’s skewed walls.

Find out more about Washington DC home ›

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring split-level living areas, residential lifts and concrete bathrooms.

Reference

Interior Design

Superkül renovates reading room at Toronto’s brutalist Robarts Library

By Zarkon Group,12/03/2023

Canadian studio Superkül has updated the reading room at the University of Toronto’s Robarts Library, a notable example of brutalist architecture.

The project involved renovating the cavernous concrete space on the building’s fourth floor, as part of the university’s larger initiative to revitalise the Robarts Library, which Superkül described as “one of North America’s most significant examples of brutalist architecture”.

Completed in 1973, the John P Robarts Research Library was designed by local architecture studio Mathers & Haldenby.

It is both the largest individual library at the University of Toronto and the largest academic library building in Canada.

New wooden seating elements — Superkül updated the spaces to better serve contemporary learning needs

As an important facility for students and faculty, the reading and study spaces required upgrades to meet contemporary learning styles and equipment, while remaining respectful to the heritage-listed architecture.

The project also needed to connect the original brutalist structure with the adjacent Robarts Common extension, completed by Diamond Schmitt Architects in September 2022.

Individual study stations — A variety of individual study stations were added to the double-height space

“We were tasked with an ambitious goal: to convert the space into a superior contemporary environment for quiet study, collaboration, and digital scholarship in a manner that complements the building’s exalted architectural language and supports accessibility, diversity, and wellness,” said Superkül.

Spread throughout the 20,300-square-foot (1,886-square-metre), double-height space are individual study areas, new digital stations, consultation rooms and two light therapy zones.

Concrete structure meets new insertions — Natural materials were chosen to bring warmth to the concrete building

Particular attention was paid to accessibility, through the addition of inclusive study spots that allow users to adjust desk heights, seating configurations and lighting for their needs.

“We also emphasised clear sightlines and intuitive wayfinding in a symmetrical layout to promote easy navigation,” said Superkül.

The studio worked with a team of acoustic specialists to create a sound-dampening system using perforated wood and metal panelling, designed to blend in with the interior architecture.

This scheme allows communal study groups to converse without disturbing other students.

Study areas — Particular attention was paid to accessibility, through the addition of inclusive study spots

For the new elements, a variety of natural materials were chosen to add warmth to the concrete building, including custom-designed bronze screens and details that play on existing motifs.

“To honour the distinctive geometry and materiality that make Robarts Library such a prodigious icon, we hewed closely to an overarching objective: create a robust and respectful design that honours the existing architecture and complements the library’s other spaces,” the studio said.

Communal work tables — An acoustic-dampening system was created to prevent communal study sessions distracting from quiet work

Also at the University of Toronto, studios Kohn Shnier and ERA Architects recently renovated the historic University College building to make it more accessible.

Superkül’s previous projects have included an all-white vacation home in the Ontario countryside.

The photography is by Doublespace.

Project credits:

Architect: Superkül
Structural engineer: Entuitive
Mechanical and electrical engineer: HH Angus
Acoustics: Aercoustics
Cost: Marshall & Murray
Code and safety: LRI

Reference

Interior Design

WGNB creates minimal monochrome SVRN store in Chicago

By Zarkon Group,11/03/2023

A variety of monolithic furniture pieces direct the flow of movement around this fashion boutique in Chicago, designed by South Korean studio WGNB.

The space for lifestyle brand SVRN is intended to highlight the products for sale as artworks and ideas, rather than simply as garments.

“Spatial design of the SVRN store began with our interpretation of the SVRN’s brand identity and narrative through the eastern perspective,” said WGNB.

“While the western perspective looks at the object itself, the eastern perspective rather focuses on the surrounding relationship of the object.”

Thin black rails for displaying clothing — Thin black railings are used for hanging garments

The 4,200-square-foot (390-square-metre) store on North Aberdeen Street, in the Fulton Market area, is split into two sections: the main sales floor and a back room, which are connected by a narrow corridor.

A muted, monochrome selection of materials creates a serene atmosphere in both of the spaces, while the architectural elements dictate purposeful paths that connect them.

Wide shot of the store with service counter on the left — Various architectural and furniture elements form pathways for shoppers to meander

Black railings transverse the walls, puncturing curved and flat vertical partitions made from materials including concrete, steel and black-stained thermowood.

Curved benches that act as both accessory displays and seating are balanced on large irregularly shaped stones.

Hole in the stainless steel ceiling — The walls and ceiling in the back room are lined with stainless steel

Together, all of these elements suggest multiple meandering routes for customers to trace through the store.

In the back room, the curvature of the benches corresponds with a circular opening in the brushed stainless steel ceiling, while a round patch of carpet sits offset on the floor.

Footwear display area — A section dedicated to footwear features multiple shelving units

Hot-rolled steel continues across three walls, creating a sci-fi feel in certain areas of the room.

Micro-cement plaster paints are used to contrast the metal, adding a rougher texture against the smooth surfaces.

Ladder of shelves sat on a circle of carpet — A monochrome colour scheme is applied throughout

“Overall, usage of the materials are manifestations of the SVRN’s brand identity and narratives,” said WGNB.

The fourth wall in the rear space is reserved for displaying shoes, which sit on shelves of unequal heights that are silhouetted against backlighting.

“The spatial layout of the store considers the current that customer’s circulation creates in the space with the objects and openness,” said the studio.

“And, the visual tension is created by the constantly changing eyesight of the customers while navigating the store.”

Store interior at night — A variety of smooth and textured surfaces create subtle contrasts across the boutique

Minimalist fashion boutiques can be found worldwide, with many brands opting for a simple and pared-back interior to allow the products to shine.

Recently completed examples include Snøhetta’s Holzweiler store in Copenhagen and a Jonathan Simkhai store in New York’s SoHo by Aruliden.

Wavy partitions define pathways — The store was designed by WGNB, the Dezeen Awards Emerging Interiors Studio in 2021

WGNB, which won the Dezeen Award for Emerging Interior Designer of the Year 2021, has also created monochromatic interiors for fashion brand Juun.J’s flagship store and a golf supply shop – both in Seoul.

The photography is by Yongjoon Choi.

Project credits:

Construction/general contractor: Helios Construction Services

Reference

Wooden bar in Nikolaj Kunsthal by MEE Studio

Interior Design

MEE Studio creates wood-and-copper interior for Nikolaj Kunsthal cafe

By Zarkon Group,10/03/2023

Architecture firm MEE Studio has designed the interiors and bespoke wooden furniture for a cafe and boutique in the Nikolaj Kunsthal art gallery within an old church.

The municipality-run gallery, which is set in a deconsecrated church in central Copenhagen, asked MEE Studio to design a “lively and functional” space.

Before designing the interior spaces, which feature warm and tactile materials such as copper and wood, the rooms in Nikolaj Kunsthal first had to be restored.

“The spaces had been used for various purposes since the 1980s including art installations and other changing uses,” MEE Studio founder Morten Emil Engel told Dezeen.

“This has left the spaces with remnants of ad-hoc electrical wiring, bricked-up arches, blocked-off windows and arbitrary lighting. Additionally, there was no water supply or plumbing in the spaces that now have the cafe.”

The studio reestablished the grand door and window openings in the space and replaced the old acrylic paint with breathable lime-based paint, while also adding acoustic plaster to improve the acoustics of the spaces.

Copper splashback and oak bar in Danish cafe — Untreated copper was used as a backsplash for the bar

At the centre of the cafe, Engel created a long bar that also functions as a ticket counter and is made from solid oak wood.

Wood was also used for all the other furniture, including benches, tables and sculptural shelves, which Engel designed specifically for the project using European oak from sustainable forestry.

“I wanted the benches to reference church benches – a bit chunky and heavy,” he said. “The church architecture is very robust with the church tower having two-metre thick walls. So the furniture had to have some substance to them.”

Wooden furniture by MEE Studio — The furniture complements the “robust” church architecture

Engel also aimed to give the pieces a contemporary feel by fusing their “heavy look” with more contemporary elements.

“All the furniture has visible joinery and tectonics in fumed oak, which allows the user to see how they are made and assembled,” he said.

“I added some decorative inlays in the bar counter and boutique shelves. Inlays were traditionally used as a way of repairing wood and I wanted to symbolise that repair can be beautiful and sustainable,” he added.

“In this way, it is sending the message that the furniture should have a long life and be repaired if it ages.”

Furniture in Nikolaj Kunsthal by MEE Studio — Artworks decorate the walls, here Pull by Martha Hviid

Behind the central bar, a copper backsplash adds an eyecatching material detail together with the matching sink and worktops, which were designed in reference to the roof of the old church.

“As many traditional buildings in Copenhagen, the roof of St Nikolaj Church is made with traditional copper roofing, which has aged to a rich green patina over time,” Engel said.

“I wanted to reference the existing material palate of the church but use it in a new way. So the kitchen features worktops, sinks and backsplash in raw untreated copper, which will evolve beautifully with time.”

Copper details in Nikolaj Kunsthal cafe — Lime-based paint was used for the walls

The white walls of the cafe and store were contrasted with not just the copper and wood but also a burgundy red fabric designed by fashion designer Raf Simons for Kvadrat, which was used for the cushions and backs of the sofas and chairs.

The colour was a nod to some of the space’s original colour but could also help disguise red wine spills in the cafe.

“Oakwood was already used throughout the church so it seemed natural to use oak as a material,” Engel explained.

“There was also the burgundy red paint which had been used originally for some woodwork, for instance, the stairs in the tower and the ceiling in what is now the cafe,” he added.

“So it seems natural to work with an interpretation of the burgundy red for the color of the cushions. I matched the burgundy red to a fantastic Kvadrat textile designed by Raf Simons and it worked in providing vibrancy, but also as a practical colour in a cafe where red wine is served.”

Artwork in Nikolaj Kunsthal — Red fabric was used for the seating, with the artwork Mercury (socks) hanging above

As well as the bespoke furniture pieces, the space was also decorated with carefully chosen artworks that have ties to the city of Copenhagen.

“Mercury (socks) is a photograph by the famous Danish/Norwegian artist duo Elmgreen & Dragset from a series of classical sculptures by the world-famous Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen,” Engel explained.

“The Thorvaldsen Museum is located only a few minutes away from Nikolaj Kunsthal, so the work relates both to art from the 19th century and contemporary art from the 21st century which is what you find in Nikolaj Kunsthal.”

Other recent interior projects in Copenhagen include Space10’s headquarters, which has a kiosk-like design library, and the cafe and shop design for Designmuseum Denmark by OEO Studio.

The photography is by Paolo Galgani.

Reference

Interior Design

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

By Zarkon Group,09/03/2023

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

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

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

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

Paola Navone among Dezeen Awards 2023 judges

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

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

Hotel 25hours Piazza San Paolino, Florence, Italy

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

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

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

BiMstrò by Paola Navone — Photo by Delfino Sisto Legnani

BiMstrò, Milan, Italy

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

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

Azul Sofa by Turri

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

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

Baxter

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

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

Hybrid

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

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

All images courtesy of Paola Navone.

Dezeen Awards 2023

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

Reference

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

Interior Design

Emily Sandstrom builds Sydney home extension from recycled materials

By Zarkon Group,08/03/2023

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The photography is by Rohan Venn.

Reference

Interior Design

Ten Tokyo apartments with minimalist interior designs

Demountable electric-blue grid engulfs On-Off store interior in Milan

Blueberry Nights hotel makes “people feel like they’re inside a movie”

Thirdway transforms Georgian townhouse into women-only members’ club

Eight inviting entrance halls that set the tone for the rest of the home

Superkül renovates reading room at Toronto’s brutalist Robarts Library

WGNB creates minimal monochrome SVRN store in Chicago

MEE Studio creates wood-and-copper interior for Nikolaj Kunsthal cafe

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

Emily Sandstrom builds Sydney home extension from recycled materials

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