airy Archives

Interiors of Mind Manifestation's self-designed studio in Pune, India

Dezeen’s latest lookbook explores eight interiors – from bright, airy residential spaces to cool, open-plan offices – illuminated by perforated brick walls.

Perforated brick walls are often used as a cooling strategy in warmer climates. This lookbook highlights their effect on the lighting and shading of interior spaces and how they can be used to create a playful, light atmosphere.

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 light-filled kitchens, sculptural wooden staircases and airy, pared-back loft conversions.

Studio by the Hill, India, by Mind Manifestation

This converted apartment in Pune, India – designed by architecture studio Mind Manifestation to house the studio’s office – uses perforated bricks to create a well-lit and ventilated workspace.

Bricks was used extensively across the flooring and complemented by green lime plaster walls.

“The material palette has been tastefully chosen so as to match with the different shades of the hill throughout the year,” Mind Manifestation explained.

Find out more about Studio by the Hill ›

Cuckoo House by Tropical Space in Da Nang, Vietnam — Photo by Oki Hiroyuki

Cuckoo House, Vietnam, by Tropical Space

Cuckoo House, designed by Tropical Space, is a two-storey home situated atop a cafe in Da Nang, Vietnam, encased by a shell made from local clay bricks.

Living spaces on the upper floor feature perforated brick for privacy and ventilation, with the design resulting in a playful chequered lighting pattern across the wooden and concrete interior.

Find out more about Cuckoo House ›

Wall House in Vietnam designed by CTA | Creative Architects — Photo by Oki Hiroyuki

Wall House, Vietnam, by CTA

Square perforated bricks salvaged from nearby buildings sites are used on the exterior of CTA’s Wall House in Bien Hoa, Vietnam.

Stacked in an irregular formation, the punctured bricks filter sunlight and air into the space, creating dotted shadows across the plant-filled double-height living room.

Find out more about Wall House ›

Wall House in Vietnam by CTA — Photo by Hemant Patil

Gadi House, India, by PMA Madhushala

Gadi House in Maval, India, by PMA Madhushala is a compact arrangement of volumes and courtyards.

Dimly-lit courtyards and living spaces are illuminated by pockets of sunlight accessed through perforations in the brick and stone walls.

Find out more about Gadi House ›

Equipo de Arquitectura Intermediate House Narrow Paraguay — Photo by Federico Cairoli

Intermediate House, Paraguay, by Equipo de Arquitectura

The Intermediate House by Paraguay-based studio Equipo de Arquitectura is a narrow residence in Asunción organised around an open-air courtyard.

Manually pressed, unfired bricks form the perforated street-facing facade – drawing sunlight and air through the vaulted brick-roofed dining room and into adjacent spaces.

Find out more about Intermediate House ›

Tropical Space design perforated brick house in Vietnam — Photo by Oki Hiroyuki

The Termitary House, Vietnam, by Tropical Space

Patterned shadows decorate the dimly-lit brick and wood interior of The Termitary House in Da Nang, Vietnam, designed by Tropical Space.

Inspired by earthen termite nests, the studio used perforated brick on the facade and internal walls to bring natural light into the interiors during the day and draw in artificial light at night.

Find out more about The Termitary House ›

Cloud House in Melbourne designed by Dean Dyson Architects — Photo by Timothy Kaye

Cloud House, Australia, by Dean Dyson Architects

Australian studio Dean Dyson Architects designed the Cloud House – a two-storey home in Malvern – using an exterior layer of grey, perforated brickwork.

Intended to create a “private oasis” for the clients, the perforated brick pours light into the interior living spaces, with passive ventilation enabled by operable windows.

Find out more about Cloud House ›

Tropical Shed, Brazil, by Laurent Troost Architectures

Located on a long, narrow plot in Manaus, Tropical Shed is a plant-filled office with a centralised courtyard designed by Brazilian studio Laurent Troost Architectures.

Interlocking bricks – repeated throughout the design – form a perforated wall in the double-height office to create a cool work environment decorated with playful shadows.

Find out more about Tropical Shed ›

Reference

Living area inside Reflections of the Past loft in Amsterdam by Firm Architects

Interior Design

Eight airy and pared-back loft conversions

By Zarkon Group,01/10/2023

A tactile Amsterdam apartment and a birch plywood-lined extension feature in our latest lookbook, which collects eight loft conversions created for maximum space.

Architects and designers often open out the room located directly under the roof of a house to create extra living areas or storage space.

Whether they were renovations of an existing room or conversions of unused attic space, the following loft conversions are united by their thoughtful use of space.

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring basement apartments, mid-century homes and textural kitchens.

Amsterdam apartment, the Netherlands, by Firm Architects

Local studio Firm Architects renovated this loft apartment in the De Pijp district of Amsterdam, creating a striking horizontal line formed of zinc, mirror and brick elements.

The line, which runs around the walls of the loft, was designed to make the apartment look as if it has been “visibly cut through”.

“Everything above the cross-section is a new interpretation, and everything below a reflection of the old,” said the studio.

Find out more about this Amsterdam loft ›

Bed deck in House for a Sea Dog in Genoa by Dodi Moss — Photo is by Anna Positano

House for a Sea Dog, Italy, by Dodi Moss

House for a Sea Dog was designed for a naval engineer who is used to long periods in confined spaces and wanted their home to be as open as possible.

Contained within a 300-year-old Geona building, the multi-level loft features a mezzanine floor, which serves as a bed deck. Architecture studio Dodi Moss slotted a slender bathroom underneath to make use of the high ceilings.

Find out more about House for a Sea Dog ›

Attic conversion by Van Staeyen Interieur Architecten — Photo is by Jochen Verghote

Antwerp attic, Belgium, by Van Staeyen Interieur Architecten

The formerly dark and dusty attic inside this Antwerp home was converted into a multi-functional living space characterised by bright yellow accents, arched portals and curvy built-in furniture.

Van Staeyen Interieur Architecten designed the renovation to serve as both a guest room and a zone for the clients’ daughters to play and socialise in as they grow up.

Find out more about this Antwerp apartment ›

London loft extension for Edmund Sumner and Yuki Sumner by Szczepaniak Astridge — Photo is by Edmund Sumner

Leaf House, UK, by Szczepaniak Astridge

Szczepaniak Astridge added a rooftop extension to Leaf House – a terraced property in south London that is home to photographer Edmund Sumner and writer Yuki Sumner.

The architecture studio designed the space to be uncharacteristically sparse for a loft conversion and positioned a wooden bathtub and double bed next to a floor-to-ceiling window with views of Lettsom Gardens.

Find out more about Leaf House ›

Project Escape (to the Roof) by A Small Studio — Photo is by Jim Stephenson

Project Escape (to the Roof), UK, by A Small Studio

An exposed brick wall and a curved rocking chair are one of many features within three loft spaces created by A Small Studio for this southeast London home.

The firm converted the building’s existing roof space into a trio of new rooms with zinc-clad dormer windows that offer views of the leafy back garden.

Find out more about Project Escape (to the Roof) ›

R11 by Pool Leber Architekten — Photo is by Brigida González

R11, Germany, by Pool Leber Architekten

Pool Leber Architekten removed the reinforced concrete upper floor of this 1980s housing block in Munich to make way for two lighter cross-laminated timber structures.

The updated loft features prominent wooden features on its interior including walls, ceilings, floors and sculptural joinery.

Find out more about Project Escape (to the Roof) ›

Studiotwentysix loft — Photo is by Jim Stephenson

Brighton house, UK, by Studiotwentysix

Architect Dan Gray and his wife Isabella, who are co-owners of Studiotwentysix, renovated their Brighton family home to include an angled loft extension lined with birch plywood.

The project created an additional 55 square metres of living space, which is accessed via a new staircase. A triangular snug carved into the eaves of the gable end adds a playful and cosy space for the couple’s two daughters.

Find out more about this Brighton house ›

Bed and window in Narford Road by Emil Eve Architects — Photo is by Mariell Lind Hansen

London apartment, UK, by Emil Eve

London practice Emil Eve decked out this Hackney loft extension in a pale pink hue to evoke “a sense of calm”.

The renovation created a sanctuary-style bedroom featuring slatted panelling with an integrated bedhead and understated storage.

Find out more about this London apartment ›

Reference

Interior Design

Eight airy interiors that draw on Mediterranean living

By Zarkon Group,23/07/2023

With summer in full flow, we have gathered eight residential and hotel interiors for our latest lookbook that each has a breezy and cooling Mediterranean style.

Mediterranean interiors can often be defined by their minimal, paired back aesthetic that focuses on creating bright, airy and cool living spaces that offer an escape from the heat of the sun.

White-washed walls, exposed brick and stone or terracotta floors typically serve as the basis for these interiors with furniture made from natural materials.

From hotels in Greece built into caves to a home in a former ruin in France, here are eight interiors that are influenced by the Mediterranean.

This is the latest in our lookbook series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring Barbie-pink interiors, rustic interiors and Wes Anderson-style interiors.

MA House, France, by Timothee Mercier

Architect Timothee Mercier of Studio XM converted this former ruined farm building in Vacluse, France into a home that aimed to honour the original features of the building.

The interior of the home was blanketed in white, covering its walls and exposed stone surfaces. The space was sparsely decorated with light wood furnishings and natural materials to give the interior a Mediterranean feel.

Find out more about MA House ›

Casa A690 by Fino Lozano — Photo is by César Béjar

Casa A690, Mexico, by Delfino Lozano

Named Casa A690, this three-storey building dates back to the 1970s. It was renovated by Mexican architect Delfino Lozano who looked to combine Mediterranean and Mexican aesthetics.

“We use the term Mexiterraneo to describe the materials and feeling we try to give our projects, in which we interpret the Mediterranean architecture – simple, pure materials – and mix it with our Mexican traditional architecture,” said Lozano.

Find out more about Casa A690 ›

Berlin summer loft by Loft Szczecin — Photo is by Karolina Bąk

Berlin summer loft, Germany, by Loft Szczecin

Polish studio Loft Szczecin looked to historic Mediterranean architecture when overhauling the interior of this apartment in the suburbs of Berlin.

The brick walls of the home were painted white while the floors of the interior were finished with old bricks that were sourced from industrial demolitions across Poland. Throughout the apartment, doors were removed to create more of an open-plan interior.

Find out more about Berlin summer loft, ›

Pura Comporta by Falcão de Campos — Photo is by Fernando Guerra

Pura Comporta, Portugal, by Falcão de Campos

In Portugal, Lisbon studio Falcão de Campos implemented a Mediterranean-informed interior scheme throughout this triple-pitched roof beach house.

White walls were paired with minimal architectural detailing and finishes to achieve a Mediterranean look. A natural-toned rug was used to zone the living area, while a 10-person wooden table occupies the dining area of the home.

Find out more about Pura Comporta ›

Saint Hotel by Kapsimalis Architects — Photo is by Giorgos Sfakianakis

Saint Hotel, Greece, by Kapsimalis Architects

Greek architecture studio Kapsimalis Architects transformed a series of former homes, barns and cellars on the island of Santorini into a hotel with rooms in caves.

The interior was designed to match the all-white exterior of the hotel. Each of the rooms features an almost all-white finish with the exception of their poured concrete floors and furnishings.

Find out more about Saint Hotel ›

Summer house on the mountain by Kapsimalis Architects

Summer house, Greece, by Kapsimalis Architects

Large arched openings add character to the open-plan interior of these Santorini apartments, which were designed by Kapsimalis Architects.

Throughout the space, small, wood-framed windows pierce the walls and furniture was organised sparsely.

Find out more about summer house›

Las 3 Marías by Bajet Giramé and Nicolas Burckhardt — Photo is by José Hevia

Las 3 Marías, Spain, by Bajet Giramé and Nicolas Burckhardt

Terracotta tile floors, large arched openings and bi-folding glass doors blend the boundaries of the interior and exterior at this Spanish holiday home, which was designed by Bajet Giramé and Nicolas Burckhardt.

Much like homes found across the Mediterranean, white stucco covers its walls and Valencian terracotta tiles run through both the interior and exterior.

Find out more about Las 3 Marías ›

Woorak House in Palm Beach, Sydney designed by CM Studio — Photo is by Prue Ruscoe

Woorak House, Australia, by CM Studio

CM Studio looked to bring a coastal, Mediterranean feel to the interior of this home in Australia through the use of a paired back interior palette and natural materials such as wood, stone and paper.

In the dining room, a wooden table, chairs and bench were placed beside a glazed corner of the home beneath exposed beams that run through the home.

Find out more about Woorak House ›

Reference

Interior Design

Eight airy terraces and balconies that become extensions of the interior

By Zarkon Group,22/05/2023

From a plant-enclosed terrace in Mexico to a large rooftop garden set beneath a metal pergola in Tokyo, Dezeen’s latest lookbook highlights eight interiors with impressive balconies and terraces.

Each of these balconies and terraces is accessed via glazed walls or floor-to-ceiling glass and provides their homes with not only a physical but also a visual extension of the interior that merges the in- and outdoors.

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring cave-like interiors, gallery interiors, and garden swimming pools.

Terrace With a House by the Lake, Poland, by UGO

This summer holiday home was created by Poznań architecture studio UGO and is located near a lake in Wielkopolska, Poland.

From the home’s main living area, a large 120-metre-long wooden terrace is accessed via expanses of floor-to-ceiling glass sliding doors and double-height glazed walls. The studio described the terrace as an additional room for the home.

Find out more about Terrace With a House by the Lake ›

House in Xalap by Lopez Gonzalez — Photo is by César Béjar

House in Xalap, Mexico, by Lopez Gonzalez

House in Xalap is a 528-square-metre residence that was built on a slight slope. The exterior of the home was rendered in cement which was painted black to mimic the look of a rock formation.

From a dining area, which was clad in black marble and wooden panels, maroon-framed glass doors lead out to a volcanic stone-tiled patio that is walled by lush and tropical planting and geometric sculptures.

Find out more about House in Xalap ›

Exterior of Espirit House in Tokyo by Apollo Architects & Associates — Photo is by Masao Nishikawa

Espirit House, Japan, Apollo Architects & Associates

A large roof terrace tops Espirit House in Tokyo, which was designed by Apollo Architects & Associates. The terrace is covered by a metal pergola that transforms the open-air space into an additional room of the home.

The terrace is accessed on the third floor of the home from behind a fully glazed wall. A sectional sofa, dining table and large planters filled with local shrubbery decorate the terrace.

Find out more about Espirit House ›

Photo of Villa KD45 by Studio Symbiosis — Photo is by Niveditaa Gupta

Villa KD45, India, by Studio Symbiosis

This concrete home in Dehli was designed by Studio Symbiosis for a large family of eight. As a result of thinly framed floor-to-ceiling windows and the home’s exterior concrete floors carrying through to the interior, the boundaries of the indoors and outdoors are blurred.

Studio Symbiosis also nestled small terraces between both of the home’s floors. Decorative seating provides residents with relaxing outdoor areas that are shaded from the Indian sun.

Find out more about Villa KD45 ›

Interior of Rescobie Pavilion by Kris Grant Architect — Photo is by Dapple Photography

Rescobie Pavilion, Scotland, by Kris Grant Architect

A cantilevered balcony wraps around the exterior of the two-storey Rescobie Pavilion in rural Scotland. The structure was created as a free-standing extension of a nearby home so that its residents could immerse themselves in the landscape.

The structure was topped with a mono-pitched roof that orients the interior to the landscape, and is enveloped in expanses of glass that provide the pavilion with unobstructed panoramic views of the hamlet.

Find out more about Rescobie Pavilion ›

835 Hightstreet by Carr — Photo is by Rory Gardiner

835 High Street, Australia, by Carr

At 835 High Street, a residential apartment block in Melbourne, Australian architecture studio Carr looked to play with feelings of openness within the interior.

It added large wrap-around floor-to-ceiling windows that lead out to covered balconies, which aim to complement and juxtapose the relationship between the interior and exterior. The interiors feature a paired-back scheme and were decorated with designer furniture, including a Mario Bellini Camaleonda sofa.

Find out more about 835 High Street ›

Moenda House by Felipe Rodrigues arquiteto — Photo is by Pedro Vannucchi

Moenda House, Brazil, by Felipe Rodrigues

This split-level home in southeastern Brazil was designed by Brazilian architect Felipe Rodrigues and has undisrupted views of the Mantiqueria mountains.

The ground floor of the home contains shared living spaces, which have an open-plan design. The open-plan kitchen, living and dining room are surrounded by a cantilevered wrap-around balcony that is covered in grey tiles similar to those used throughout the interior.

Find out more about Moenda House ›

Ying’nFlo, Hong Kong, by Linehouse

An angular balcony protrudes from the interior of the Ying’nFlo guesthouse in Wan Chai, Hong Kong. The guesthouse was designed by Chinese interior design studio Linehouse, which looked to create the feeling of an inviting home.

One of the rooms at the guesthouse features a neutral palette and incorporates hand-rendered walls, timber panelling and linen cabinetry. From here, glass sliding doors lead out to a beige tiled balcony that was fitted with a built-in bench and an olive tree at its centre.

Find out more about Ying’nFlo ›

Reference

airy

Eight bright and airy interiors illuminated by perforated brick walls

Eight airy and pared-back loft conversions

Eight airy interiors that draw on Mediterranean living

Eight airy terraces and balconies that become extensions of the interior

Get in touch

about us

Company info

Useful Links

Newsletter