Spotted: With food price inflation remaining at historically high levels, many consumers are seeking savings wherever they can find them. While the isolation of the Covid-19 pandemic has largely eased, some of the habits acquired during that time, such as grow-your-own herbs and veg, remain strong. To help new growers access the advantages of home-grown, organic produce, French company Urban Cuisine designed a stylish indoor hydroponic garden container that makes it fun and easy to cultivate fruits, vegetables, and herbs.
Named Liv, the connected garden comes with an app and the choice of over 17 different plants. The app guides growers through the set-up and planting process, provides regular advice on the growth of each variety, and includes an FAQ section and connections to Urban Cuisine’s horticulturalists for urgent queries. The garden’s sleek design fits a self-contained water tank, a micro-climate, ventilation controlled by integrated sensors, and a low-power LED light panel.
When setting up a garden, growers choose Grow Pods based on how long they want to wait for a harvest and what they want to use the produce for. Each organic Grow Pod contains the essential substrate and nutrients for the seeds to grow. Liv is available as the garden alone, as a subscription of monthly deliveries of Grow Pods, or as a garden and subscription together.
Other ways that Springwise has spotted innovators improving local food systems include an automated indoor herb garden and a no-smell countertop compost system.
The Little Black One – The ambition of this project was to design a house that blended so perfectly into the breathtaking landscape as if it had always been there. It didn’t need to show off as the scenery speaks for itself but still it should live up to the ambition of providing its owners an elegant weekend spot. A house that is always in style – like a little black dress – that keeps on fascinating you over and over again.
Architizer chatted with Michaela Maresch, CEO & Founder at COMMOD-Haus GmbH, to learn more about this project.
Architizer: What inspired the initial concept for your design?
Michaela Maresch: COMMOD “The Little Black One” was definitely inspired by nature. The harsh, wide, mountain landscape at Semmering was inspiration and challenge at once.
This project won in the 10th Annual A+Awards! What do you believe are the standout components that made your project win?
The Little Black is an amazing example of how architecture can set the stage for the beauty of nature. I think that people currently desire to live closer to nature than ever before and this house reflects a simple yet stunning way to do so.
The minimalistic form of the house, the colour chosen for the spruce wood façade and the play of light and shadow that reveals different shades of black on the façade.
Well protected from the harsh climate outside by the beautiful wooden façade, the living area inside is flooded with light. The generous window fronts and open spaces create a sense of even being part of nature while still enjoying all amenities of a modern home.
What was the greatest design challenge you faced during the project, and how did you navigate it?
The main strength of this project was also its biggest challenge: a gentle, subtle embedding of the house into the existing terrain that yet creates a connection to the partents home next door and emphasises the view of the mountains.
How did the context of your project — environmental, social or cultural — influence your design?
The design of this project is only fully comprehensible if you take into account its entire context. The client-family living in the big city of Vienna wanted to spend their weekends away from it all in pure nature. It was our top priority to give them a space where they could fully breathe in the beauty of nature. However, considering the fact that they did not want to harm this nature in any way by building their weekend house, our construction method was simply ideal for them. The screw foundations can be removed without leaving any residue after their lifecycle is over. Soil sealing is absolutely not an issue here. So they can live in harmony in and with nature.
What is your favorite detail in the project and why?
I can’t help but love the walkway that leads onto the terrace. It reveals this unique distant view of the rugged mountains, but at the same time exudes a calming effect on the visitor through the natural materials and the regularity of the slats.
How important was sustainability as a design criteria as you worked on this project?
As already mentioned, it was extremely important to the owners not to interfere too much with nature. Using the system of point foundations, this was not a problem.
Basically, sustainability has been anchored in our DNA since the creation of our company, so for us it is almost not worth mentioning that our material consists of 99% renewable raw materials. We work hard to be and remain pioneers in this field.
How have your clients responded to the finished project?
This project illustrates all our strengths: Sustainability, adaptability, modern design, high quality standards and speed on site (this house took only one day to be delivered and assembled).
How has being the recipient of an A+Award evoked positive responses from others?
We are always very honoured when our houses receive awards. This not only makes us proud, but also the owners of the houses. But here it was something even more special. There are few awards that are as internationally respected as the Architizer A+Award. We feel grateful and happy to have become part of the Architizer Family and hope to impress with many more innovative projects in the future.
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While you may not be familiar with the term, “resimercial design” is something we see frequently but very rarely take the time to analyze. From the comfy couches in the office lounge to the cozy rugs and ambient lighting in the conference room, resimercial design is all about bringing the comforts of home into the workplace (that’s resi-mercial, get it?). By prioritizing employee wellbeing, this design philosophy not only enhances the aesthetics of a workspace but also boosts productivity and overall job satisfaction. It’s a win-win situation that incorporates natural light, comfortable furniture and elements that evoke a sense of homeliness, such as warm lighting, soft textiles and plants, alongside seamless technological integration. This fusion approach has captured the attention of employers looking to create a dynamic and appealing work environment.
As companies strive to attract and, just as importantly, retain top talent, resimercial design has become an increasingly popular choice for optimizing workspaces. Combining the best residential and commercial design strategies, these six resimercial spaces are great examples of the welcoming and comfortable environment at the forefront of modern office design.
The Vibes
By Infinitive Architecture, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Jury Winner, 2022 A+Awards, Coworking Space
Photographs by Infinitive Architecture
The Vibes by Infinitive Architecture is an office building that perfectly combines bioclimatic design with resimercial elements. With various open spaces and lush greenery, this building provokes tranquility and relaxation in the middle of a bustling city. The multi-zoning masterplan of the coworking space is developed to centralize the garden space to promote natural views.
The building is naturally ventilated, and the workplace areas receive ample natural light from the outdoor intersections, while the bamboo skin that makes up the façade also features integrated percussion balls that produce interactive vibration sounds in light breezes, adding a unique sensory experience to the office spaces. The Vibes is a remarkable example of how understanding the human experience when undertaking tasks can create a sustainable, comfortable and creative work environment that prioritizes employee wellbeing.
Venture X
By Studio+, Naples, FL, United States
Popular Winner, 2022 A+Awards, Coworking Space
Photographs by Seamus Payne
Venture X, Naples, is a coworking space that merges the comforts of home with the productivity of a professional office environment. Designed with a resimercial approach, the space features luxurious finishes and stylish furniture, making it feel more like a bougie apartment than a traditional office. Gone are the drab cubicles and empty white walls. In their place are living gardens, moss walls and botanical table art that provide a beautiful, verdant backdrop to the coworking space.
The furniture is carefully chosen to complement the design aesthetic, with fabrics, finishes and materials all speaking the same design language. Venture X, Naples, is a coworking space that breaks the mold of traditional office design, offering a resimercial approach that promotes wellness, creativity and productivity in equal measure.
The Coven
By Studio BV, Saint Paul, MN, United States
Photographs by Corey Gaffer Photography
A coworking space that empowers women and non-binary individuals, The Coven is a space designed for inclusivity and comfort. Its flagship location in St. Paul, MN, was developed to encourage collaboration, creativity and community. The goal was to transform a dark, historic space into a bright and empowering environment that reflects the organization’s mission. The reception and open lounge area take advantage of the high ceilings and natural light, with bespoke features that reflect the historic character of the building.
Upholstered in soft blue fabric, the custom reception desk provides a cozy welcome. Color and material choices reflect the individuality of the members and guests, with unexpected pops of color and unique design elements that create a sense of personality and identity. A custom wall tile application in the coffee bar featuring The Coven’s mantra of “do the most good” serves as a bold and empowering statement. The space features murals, weavings, paintings, tapestries and other curated objects created by local female artists that express diversity and community, bringing a real sense of home decoration to the spaces.
Smart Design Studio
By Smart Design Studio, Alexandria, Australia
Jury Winner, 2021 A+Awards, Office Interiors <25,000 sq ft
Photographs by Romello Pereira
Smart Design Studio is a sustainable and sculptural building that fits seamlessly with the brick warehouses of this inner-city conservation area. It embodies the essence of industrial buildings in its aesthetics, functionality, economy and innovation.
The readapted industrial building houses a purpose-designed studio for tenants, Smart Design Studio, that combines traditional workplace design with a hint of resimercial design. On the upper level, a mezzanine overlooking the light-filled space encapsulates and comforts with soft furnishings and a familiar living room. Having multiple areas that can provide what workers need is an excellent way of meeting the needs of individuals.
GoodRx Headquarters
By RIOS Santa Monica, CA, United States
Jury Winner, 2021 A+Awards, Office Interiors >25,000 sq ft
Photographs by Jasper Sanidad
GoodRx Headquarters has undergone a stunning transformation from a start-up to a vibrant and inclusive workspace in the heart of Los Angeles’ tech scene. The combination of commercial and residential elements has been masterfully utilized to create a warm, inviting, and functional space. The design approach incorporates aspects of urban planning to accommodate GoodRx’s growing workforce, with social programs creating private moments in vast warehouse spaces.
The use of upcycled materials and an industrial palette adds an earthy, raw quality that’s visually striking and tactile. The space includes unique features, such as a speakeasy, a doctor’s room and a meditation and yoga facility, providing opportunities for employees to come together and connect. Overall, the GoodRx Headquarters embodies resimercial design, creating a welcoming, community-focused workspace that reflects the company’s evolving mission.
Studio Piet Boon was tasked with designing a Dutch office space that is both timeless and functional. The resulting structure draws inspiration from traditional farms in the surrounding area while incorporating a modern interpretation of a barn space, creating a one-story office that feels like a comfortable and inviting residence.
The main spaces of the building feature pitched roofs and brick walls adorned with coal-black wooden slats that open up the interior to the surrounding gardens. The use of brick ‘boxes’ with flat roofs connects the three distinct areas of the building, while the Fitness Center and Spa occupy a separate building that encloses a symmetrical patio with a tranquil water feature for privacy.
The building’s shape and large windows provide panoramic views of the surrounding golf course, while the windows overlooking the patio create a more intimate and cozy feel. The interior is designed with natural stone and light wooden floors, creating a harmonious blend of indoor and outdoor living. Soft, unsaturated colors are used throughout the building, and the plastered walls highlight the natural color of the wooden beams. With a focus on creating a warm and welcoming environment that seamlessly blends work and relaxation, this Dutch office space embodies the principles of resimercial design.
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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.
Photo is by Markus Linderoth
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 ›
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 ›
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 ›
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 ›
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 ›
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 ›
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.
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 extension has a U shape with glass doors that let in light
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Rain Harvest Home – is located within Reserva el Peñón, a landscape-driven development which has achieved water self-sufficiency for a community of 80 families in 450 acres of a nature reserve, two hours from Mexico City. The Reserve framed our thinking around sustainability generally, and rainwater harvesting specifically. It pushed us to think at a larger level where the whole Reserve became the site, and the home was one piece of that. We also thought about how we could explore the larger issues of water conservation in Mexico, with this being an example of how to harvest rainwater on a small scale that could then apply to other projects. That became a driver in a powerful way. It was an idea that evolved over the course of the design process, and as the client became increasingly interested in cultivating a healthy, holistic lifestyle where they could live in harmony with the land.
Architizer chatted with Robert Hutchison from Robert Hutchison Architecture, and Javier Sanchez from JSa Arquitectura, to learn more about this project.
Architizer: What inspired the initial concept for your design?
Robert Hutchison & Javier Sanchez: The brief was simple: the clients wanted a small cabin to enjoy the mountainous site. Valle de Bravo has a dry season and a rainy season, and the sun plays a trick every day in both of those seasons. You can enjoy the sun, but you have to be careful with it. Here, you need to have spaces that are open and covered; enclosed and covered; and outside and uncovered. You need all three qualities, so we needed to make that happen within the three structures.
At the start, the project had a simple, classic program: 2 bedrooms, a bathroom, and a kitchen. When we were on site, we started developing the idea of splitting up the program into separate buildings. It started with wanting to separate the function of bathing, which led to the idea of the bathhouse. And then the separate studio emerged from that.
This project won in the 10th Annual A+Awards! What do you believe are the standout components that made your project win?
Rain Harvest Home offers a model for designing regeneratively with water. The home is 100% water autonomous and, in times of surplus, it is water positive and feeds excess water back into the community’s larger reservoir system. Not only does the design help restore the microclimate of the site, but it stands as a testament to the potential of rainwater harvesting for off-grid, self-contained water systems that eliminate reliance on municipal water sources. At the same time, the element of water contributes to the overall spatial and experiential quality of the project, reconnecting people with their environment by engaging the senses. More than any other element, conserving and improving the quality of water as a precious resource has the potential to dramatically improve the health and sustainability of built environments in Mexico, and beyond.
What was the greatest design challenge you faced during the project, and how did you navigate it?
Integrating the rainwater system was an initial design challenge, and continues to be an everyday challenge. Now, the rain harvesting system and on-site reservoir are a learning laboratory where the clients are continually learning about how the system performs. Understanding that the water and food systems on site are part of a living process that fluctuates depending on changing natural conditions, the client continues to experiment in ways to optimize the system through seasonal calibrations and refinements. Nothing is as objective as science would make it seem because things are always changing over time depending on how much it rains, and when. The house has to live with that, and it’s a constant learning experience for us as designers. It’s about integrating design into the cycle of water and of life.
How did the context of your project — environmental, social or cultural — influence your design?
The site is relatively flat, but sits within a mountainous environment. All around are cliffs and steep slopes, but our site rests in a small plateau vegetated with continuous, single-story-high shrubs and brush. Because of these site conditions, we wanted to make the buildings disappear within the vegetation. This is why we designed a series of three low pavilions that nestle into the landscape and are dispersed across the site. We wanted a strong connection between each building and the landscape. Often as architects, we think about how spaces are created between buildings, but this was about letting the landscape be that interstitial space. The landscape becomes the connection between the buildings, just as it delineates the spaces between them. When you move through the site, there’s an experience of the buildings constantly disappearing and reappearing. It’s a process of discovery.
How important was sustainability as a design criteria as you worked on this project?
Within La Reserva, each home is required to incorporate rain harvesting, with most of it coming from the individual home’s rainwater harvesting system and a small portion coming from the reserve’s reservoirs. We wanted to try and raise the bar and see if we could harvest 100% of our water from our individual site, rather than depend on external sources. This was important because there is a major water shortage in Mexico City, which is absurd because it rains a lot, but we don’t harvest that rainwater. Instead, we pump water in and out from the valley. As designers, we need to talk about those issues within our designs and experiment with new possibilities. Sometimes when you have a built example, it’s easier to understand new possibilities, particularly around rainwater harvesting.
California already has a great deal of solar electricity being generated, both on buildings and in large-scale solar farms. For example, years of Prop 39 projects for school districts around California have been completed, installing megawatts of solar farms on campuses. These sites were targeted, in part, due to lower summer occupancies, and net metering rules allowed them to reap large financial benefits. Most of these campuses are net exporters of clean renewable energy all summer long. Every day, the managers of the electrical grid must stabilize local electric networks to share this abundant load throughout the day, and quickly ramp up centralized power once the sun goes down and folks head home.
As more all-electric buildings and homes come online, it is important to look at the impacts of these buildings on grid health. The grid must continue to be updated to guard against solar saturation: where solar generation exceeds the total usage in a given area. The grid is managed by local utilities and state agencies, and this balance of supply and demand drives time-of-day pricing that encourages responsible usage.
Energy industry experts point to what is known as the “duck curve,” the risk of over-generation of renewable energy (especially solar) and the impact of having to ramp up energy production (most often these are natural gas plants) to respond to rising demand when the sun goes down. In the belly of the duck (the middle of the day), solar production is peaking and electricity sells at a loss. Yes, California is paying other Western states to take solar energy off their grid. This lets baseload generation systems like nuclear, hydroelectric, and some natural gas plants run constantly, as they cannot easily, or cost-effectively, shut down and then come back on daily.
A residence for retirees in Tel Aviv and a stripped-back Barbican apartment by minimalist architect John Pawson feature in this lookbook of beige interiors designed to bring a sense of calm into the home.
To compensate for their desaturated colour palette, these spaces rely on a varied material palette – ranging from pale timbers and limestone to textured plaster – in order to add visual and tactile interest.
Accompanied by plenty of storage, this helps to create peaceful, decluttered spaces even in tight urban areas.
This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring cosy cabins, save-saving pocket doors and Spanish apartment renovations with eclectic tiles.
Photo by Ståle Eriksen
Dollis Hill Avenue, UK, by Thomas-McBrien
British architecture firm Thomas-McBrien used pale bricks and whitewashed oak joinery to create a “calm and relaxing” atmosphere inside this house extension in London’s Dollis Hill.
In the pursuit of continuity, the timber was used to line everything from the kitchen cupboards and the floors to a newly added partition wall, which conceals a hidden utility room on one side and forms a cosy reading nook on the other.
Find out more about Dollis Hill Avenue ›
Photo courtesy of Makhno Studio
Mureli House, Ukraine, by Makhno Studio
Completed just two months before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, this home near Kyiv was designed to celebrate Ukrainian craft traditions and is finished almost entirely in beige.
“All materials in the home are natural,” architect Serhii Makhno told Dezeen. “The team used almost all Ukrainian brands and worked with several local contractors to minimise the distance and logistics.”
Find out more about Mureli House ›
Photo by Mikaela Burstow
Iceberg apartment, Israel, by Laila Architecture
Israeli architect Talia Davidi of Laila Architecture used only pale, muted colours when designing this apartment in Tel Aviv, with the aim of turning it into a calm refuge for its retired owners.
To form a brighter, more open floor plan, almost all of the home’s partition walls were removed, while many of the surfaces – including the kitchen and the storage volume-cum-room divider in the living room – were finished in light birch plywood.
Find out more about Iceberg apartment ›
Barbican apartment designed by John Pawson
Barbican apartment, UK, by John Pawson
In keeping with his typically minimalist style, British designer John Pawson stripped this Barbican apartment back to its bare bones, adding only a smattering of furnishings and pale surfaces all around.
Full-height cupboards were integrated into a central timber volume made of bleached maple wood so that all belongings can be stowed away rather than cluttering the space.
Find out more about the Barbican apartment ›
Photo by Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen
Forest Retreat, Sweden, by Norm Architects
Sandy-hued Dolomite plaster, plump greige sofas and a sheepskin-covered lounge chair were used to dress the living room of this traditional timber cabin in a Swedish forest, which Danish studio Norm Architects has converted into a pared-back holiday home.
“Creating homes is often an exercise in restraint,” explained co-founder Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen. “And while the creation of a simple, authentic and welcoming space might seem effortless and natural once completed, the journey to simplicity and the exercise of finding essence is often rather complex and not an easy task.”
Find out more about Forest Retreat ›
Photo by Lorenzo Zandri and Christian Brailey
Low Energy House, UK, by Architecture for London
Architecture for London founder Ben Ridley aimed to celebrate the “modest beauty” of this three-floor Edwardian house in Muswell Hill when turning the neglected building into his own home.
Instead of cement-based products, natural materials including limestone, lime plaster and timber were used throughout the scheme to emphasise the home’s original details while also lowering its embodied carbon footprint.
Find out more about A Brutalist Tropical Home ›
Photo by Do Sy
Brown Box apartment, Vietnam, by Limdim House Studio
Creamy terrazzo features not just on the kitchen counters but spills out across all of the floors of this apartment in the Vietnamese port city of Huế, designed by local practice Limdim House Studio.
Curving walls covered in textural plaster provide a backdrop for the interior’s restrained colour palette, which is warmed up with a handful of wooden furnishings to evoke a sense of quiet sophistication.
Find out more about Brown Box apartment ›
Photo by Salem Mostefaoui
Wood Ribbon apartment, France, by Toledano + Architects
A sinuous plywood wall snakes its way through this Haussmann-era apartment in Paris, forming integrated shelves in the sitting room and storage cupboards in the kitchen that can be pushed back to reveal the sink and appliances.
The pale wood complements the apartment’s original parquet flooring and ornate plasterwork, paired with tonal furnishings including an oatmeal-coloured sofa in one room and a travertine island in the other.
Find out more about Wood Ribbon apartment ›
This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring cosy cabins, save-saving pocket doors and Spanish apartment renovations with eclectic tiles.
Springwise: Some favorite foods, including staples such as pancakes, hummus, and guacamole, are relatively simple to make at home. However, it does take a bit more time to assemble all the ingredients and do the work than it does to open a container and enjoy something immediately. Non-dairy milks are another popular foodstuff that is fairly easy to make. They require a nut or seed, water, and a blender. Despite the ease, though, many of us just don’t have the time, inclination or ingredients to make these by hand.
Step in GROW UP, a sleek, countertop milk brewer designed to produce fresh, non-dairy milk within minutes. Users choose from a range of up to 10 different ingredients, including nuts, oats, coconuts, and hemp seed. All it takes to make a glass of fresh milk is one cup of the chosen ingredient, plus water, added to the top of the brewer. With the push of a digital button, the device makes fresh milk in less than six minutes.
There are two colours available – black and grey – and parts of the machine are dishwasher safe. GROW UP also does not use single use packaging, and the machine includes a self-cleaning function. The machine is currently available for pre-order with a $50 (around €46) deposit and is scheduled to be shipped in spring 2023.
As well as milk, recent innovations in non-dairy products that Springwise has spotted include vegan cheeses, lab grown egg whites, and bacteria-based whipped cream.
Large family get-togethers are enjoyed in the open-concept living spaces at this house in Vancouver, which interior designer Stephanie Brown has overhauled with entertaining in mind.
The home is situated in a quiet, upscale neighborhood in the Canadian city. Built in 1991, it originally featured a postmodern aesthetic, while subsequent renovations favoured the craftsmen style.
The layout of the home was reorganised to create a double-height foyer
Its latest iteration was devised by local studio Stephanie Brown, who was asked to design the interiors by homeowners Joanne and Alan.
The couple has a blended family with six grown-up children, and while only one still lives at home, the others return often for dinners together.
Small rooms were opened up to create larger spaces for entertaining
Alterations to the plan of the house were therefore required to allow it to comfortably accommodate so many people in the evenings, but still feel cosy during the day.
“Prior to the renovation, the layout featured very formal, separated rooms,” said Brown. “We re-worked the layout of the main floor to create a more open-concept space, which would provide better flow for modern family gatherings and fewer formalised spaces.”
Jewel tones and feminine hues add variation to the predominantly white colour scheme
An enlarged family room is now adjacent to the kitchen, which includes a generous island with a teal-coloured base for preparing meals and eating breakfast.
The same teal shade, chosen for Joanne’s “love for moody jewel tones” continues in the pantry, while more feminine pinks and purples are introduced in other spaces through furniture fabrics.
Smaller rooms like this office space feature darker colours
In the dining room, a large black table is positioned beneath a grid of mid-toned oak beams and a Shape-Up chandelier by Ladies and Gentlemen Studio.
Oak is also applied as parquet flooring, adding visual interest and bringing warmth to the predominantly white palette throughout the home.
Darker colours are used in the smaller spaces, including a new mudroom with grey-and-white-patterned cement floor tiles, and a wallpapered powder room.
By also rearranging the first-floor layout, a bright two-storey entrance foyer was created, featuring black and unpolished brass details.
A mud room with patterned ceramic tiles was created during the renovation
Artwork and decorative furniture pieces are dispersed throughout the home, intended to convey a relaxed atmosphere more akin to a city loft.
“We drew inspiration from New York and European apartments, which feature unique collections of art, furnishings and decor set against elegant details,” said Brown.
“We opted for a casual take on those interiors, but one where the play between classic and modern would still feel fresh and unique.”
A powder room is lined with dark wallpaper
Vancouver is regularly ranked as one of the most liveable cities in the world and has a wealth of notable residential architecture and interiors.
Other projects recently completed there include RSAAW’s renovation of a mid-century residence to include a double-height library and a house by D’Arcy Jones Architects designed to mesh with its neighbours.
