houses Archives

Barde vanVoltt gives historic Haarlem house a contemporary update

Interiors studio Barde vanVoltt has renovated this early 1900s house in the Dutch city of Haarlem to forge a strong connection between the building’s past and present, grounding the space with warm woods and tactile textures.

The owners – a young family of four – wanted a home that would stand the test of time while telling Dutch practice Barde vanVoltt to “surprise us”.

Exterior of Dutch home by Barde vanVoltt — Barde vanVoltt had overhauled an early 20th-century house in Haarlem

In answer, the studio worked to create an interior that fuses the past and the present.

“Stepping into this house is a journey through time, a reminder that architecture is a dialogue between generations,” the studio told Dezeen.

“Meticulously preserving its historical charm, the house’s design seamlessly integrates contemporary features, creating a harmonious blend that transcends eras.”

Extension of Haarlem House — The studio added an extension to the rear of the home

To address the narrow footprint of the house – a typically Dutch feature – internal walls were either removed, widened or replaced with glass panel doors.

The back of the property was transformed with an extension and concertina glass doors to maximize the sense of light and space.

Kitchen of Dutch home by Barde vanVoltt — The extension houses the kitchen and dining area

“With the extension on the ground floor, we wanted to create contrast with the original architecture,” said Barde vanVoltt. “The understated square modern architecture, due to its shape and angular position, blends perfectly with the past.”

“With the historic facade at the front, we took advantage of the space at the rear, extending the kitchen and living areas into the garden.”

Living room of Haarlem House — A vintage sandstone table centres the living room

The practice carefully aligned the new design elements with shapes drawn from the architectural features of the house, with the new full-height door openings echoing the proportions of the living room’s original windows.

In the attic, a guest room doubles as a playroom. Barde vanVoltt infused this once-dark space with natural light via a skylight, “allowing guests to sleep under the stars”.

Hallway with stained glass windows inside Haarlem House — Barde vanVoltt retained Haarlem House’s original stained glass windows

“Dutch houses are noted for their sloping attic roof lines,” the studio said. “For the children’s bedrooms, we followed this structural line and created custom bunk beds that combine sleep, storage, and space for play.”

The material palette includes a range of mid- and dark-toned timbers that bring a sense of warmth and tactility to the home.

These are complemented by natural materials including stone and linen.

“Our colour scheme always consists of earthy colours like moss green, a faded terracotta, grey concrete and off-whites,” the studio said. “For this residence, we brought them in line with the original colours from the existing tiles and stained glass.”

Children's bedroom inside Dutch home by Barde vanVoltt — Custom bunk beds feature in the children’s bedrooms

The furniture edit features Barde vanVoltt’s favoured mix of statement pieces alongside handmade and bespoke elements.

Selected pieces reflect the architectural style of the building such as the Lot table by Tecta in the study, as well as Gerrit Thomas Rietveld’s 1934 Zig Zag chair and his Steltman chair from 1963, which was the last chair ever created by the Dutch designer.

The playroom, dining area and bedroom all have specially-made seating upholstered in Kvadrat fabrics, while the bedrooms and study feature bespoke beds and closets.

Bathroom inside Dutch home by Barde vanVoltt — Wooden blinds mirror the linear pattern of the bathroom tiles

“We love creating interiors full of handmade, bespoke furniture pieces with refined details,” said Barde vanVoltt. “The headboard of the master bedroom is an art piece in itself. The walnut slats are slightly curved and give it a very sophisticated look.”

The square coffee table in the living room – made from a single piece of sandstone – is a vintage piece from Atelier Uma.

Bedroom inside Haarlem House — Barde vanVoltt created a custom headboard in the primary bedroom

For the lighting scheme, Barde vanVoltt set out to create the right balance between functional and decorative lighting, collaborating with lighting experts PSLab to create a “warm and cosy atmosphere.”

Other Dutch homes that have recently been featured on Dezeen include a house with a hexagonal footprint in Amsterdam and a Hobbit-style residence that is partially buried underground.

The photography is by Thomas de Bruyne.

Reference

Architecture

Taller Héctor Barroso envisions Mexican houses as “silent architecture”

By Zarkon Group,06/02/2024

Mexican studio Taller Héctor Barroso has used concrete, wood and brick to create a series of holiday homes that merge with the wooded landscape and “allow nature to act in the intimacy of the home”.

The small residential complex – called Los Helechos, or The Ferns – is located in Valle de Bravo, a scenic area that is a couple hours by car from Mexico City.

Los Helechos by Taller Hector Barroso — Taller Hector Barroso has created a series of holiday homes in Mexico. Top photo by Jaime Navarro

The 1,150-square-metre complex consists of four identical houses that sit side by side on a sloped property within Rancho Avándaro, a golf and recreational community.

The architecture studio designed the homes to integrate with the tree-studded landscape and to enable nature to flow indoors.

A courtyard with multiple plains — The four residences sit side by side on a slope

“Los Helechos is a group of houses designed to allow nature to act in the intimacy of the home, creating a silent architecture to accompany the beauty of their gardens,” said Taller Hector Barroso, a studio based in Mexico City.

“The four houses stealthily adapt to the steep slope of the terrain, respecting the existing topography and vegetation to minimize their impact on the site,” the studio added.

An armchair placed next to fireplace — Each house faces a central courtyard. Photo by Jaime Navarro

Each house has two levels and a basement. The homes are C-shaped in plan and feature rectilinear volumes arranged around a central courtyard filled with native plants.

“The houses look inward through a central courtyard that becomes a space of transition and contemplation – an area between public and private, allowing the entire house to maintain a direct relationship with nature,” the team said.

To construct the buildings, the team used concrete, pine and red brick plastered with soil-based stucco. Windows are framed with ipe wood, and a pergola is made of laminated pine.

Interior finishes include oak doors and stucco-covered walls, along with floors covered in cantera – a type of stone that came from a local quarry.

Room with exposed wooden beams — The studio used concrete, pine and red brick plastered with stucco for finishes. Photo by Jaime Navarro

The ground level encompasses two bedrooms and a mix of indoor and outdoors spaces for cooking, dining and lounging. The upper level contains two bedrooms, and the basement holds storage space and a garage.

Founded in 2011, Taller Hector Barroso has completed a range of projects around its home state of Mexico, such as a caramel-coloured apartment complex in Mexico City and a stark tennis venue in Los Cabos made of rammed earth.

The photography is by César Béjar unless otherwise stated

Project credits:

Architect: Héctor Barroso
Team: Alan Rojas, Alice Moreno, Paloma Sánchez, Salvador Saracho

Reference

Interior Design

Lovers Unite revives interiors of mid-century Silver Lake home

By Zarkon Group,28/01/2024

California design studio Lovers Unite has reinvigorated a 1950s home with sweeping views of the Los Angeles hills, turning an unused balcony into an extension of the indoor social space.

The wooden dwelling in LA’s Silver Lake neighbourhood belongs to production designer James Chinlund and artist Clare Crespo.

Wood-lined room with dining table and six chairs — Lovers Unite renovated the home for a creative couple in Los Angeles

A “previously a boring, nondescript mid-century house”, according to Lovers Unite, the property required some imagination to bring its interiors up to par with its setting.

Therefore, the studio “introduced a few carefully plotted architectural interventions and material shifts to completely reimagine the interior of the home and take full advantage of its prime site”.

Dining room with large windows that have a view of hills in the distance — The house has expansive views over the city’s hills

The most impactful of these interventions was to bring an underutilised balcony at the back of the house into the envelope, extending the open-plan living and dining area by several feet.

Beneath the large windows that were installed to fill the gap, Lovers Unite placed built-in seating with teal-upholstered cushions for relaxing and enjoying the panoramic vista.

View of wood-lined kitchen with a peninsula in the foreground — Plenty of wood was used throughout the home, particularly in the kitchen

“With a large window wall and generous built-in banquette, the room finally celebrates the expansive views that had always been there,” the studio said.

In the kitchen, dark green soapstone used for counters and the backsplash contrasts with the honey-toned cabinetry, and a shiny copper range hood matches a panel installed at the back of a bar area on the opposite side of the room.

Honey-toned wood kitchen with soapstone surfaces and a copper range hood — The honey-toned wood contrasts with soapstone surfaces and a copper range hood

Elsewhere, colourful furnishings, collectible design pieces and bold artworks stand out against the predominantly wood interiors.

A timber-lined lounge area features the classic modular Togo sofa system by Michael Ducaroy, which is wrapped in yellow corduroy fabric.

Meanwhile, in the den, a purple armchair is positioned beside a giant chair that Chinlund used as a prop for a shoot by Italian fashion outfit Roberto Cavalli.

Wood slats were employed to partially screen the staircase opening on the upper level, next to a central fireplace with a raised hearth.

Teal-upholstered window seat with a reading nook at the end — As part of the renovation, an unused balcony was incorporated into the social space and a long window seat was installed in its place

Other decor items like vintage rugs, embroidered cushions and plenty of art and design books add even more character to the spaces.

“Ultimately, the mood of the home reflects the spirit and talents of the estimable homeowner,” said Lovers Unite, noting that Chinlund has worked as a production designer for the Avengers movie franchise.

Den with a purple armchair and an oversized chair with a disco ball on its seat — Colourful furniture and set props are scattered through the different rooms

Silver Lake is home to a variety of architectural gems, many built on dramatically sloping sites, including residences designed by notable mid-century architects like Richard Neutra and Rudolph Schindler.

Led by Karen Spector and Alan Koch, Lovers Unite is based close to the neighbourhood, and has previously wrapped a bar and restaurant in Pasadena with expressive drapery.

The photography is by Chris Mottalini.

Reference

Architecture

Juan Alberto Andrade adds workspace to multifamily housing in Ecuador

By Zarkon Group,20/01/2024

Ecuadorian architect Juan Alberto Andrade has completed an extension to a multifamily housing complex with rammed earth walls in Guayaquil.

Known as El Retiro, the nine-square metre (97-square foot) addition doubles the common space of a 305-square metre (3,282-square foot) residential complex, protruding into the front setback along the street and blurring the line between the private housing and urban realm.

El Retiro residential extension — El Retiro is a residential extension to an Ecuadorian home

Following Mexica architect Lucía Martín López’s idea of “the growing house,” Juan Alberto Andrade utilised a strategy for adapting housing López calls “crystallographic growth”: intervening within the limits of the property and following the area and height limits of the neighbourhood.

“Architecture is a response to the continuous need for the reinvention of a habitat,” the team told Dezeen. “Housing is an activity, a built process.”

Rammed earth residential extension — Rammed earth clads the external walls

Completed in 2022, the simple square addition is composed of a load-bearing, 30-centimetre-thick rammed earth wall – set on top of a limestone rock base – and bahareque masonry, which is a combination of a bamboo frame and clay plaster.

Despite being a different colour than the existing structure, the shape and materiality of the addition works to blend it with the house and the neighbourhood, as does the leafy landscaping along the street.

Communal workspace — Juan Alberto Andrade added a workspace to the house

A lightweight pine roof structure slopes from the existing exterior wall to the edge of the addition and is topped by a green metal roof.

Inside, the resin floor serves as a smooth contrast to the raw wooden ceiling and built-in millwork.

Resin flooring — Resin floors serve as a smooth contrast to the raw wooden ceiling

A sliding iron door opens to the compact interior, which houses a social space, library, and storage along the street and steps up to a common workspace within the existing floor plan.

A freestanding metal core was inserted into the centre of the plan, joining the addition to the existing room with a kitchenette and bathroom.

Tree within the centre of the extension plan — A planted atrium allows a tree to rise in the centre of the plan

A small planted atrium allows a 25-year-old tree to rise in the centre of the plan and light to filter into the building.

A square wooden window – protected by sliding metal shutters – looks across the street to a community park. The pivoting window frame can be opened and the deep structural wall becomes a secondary desk space.

“El Retiro is a project of extension and attachment from an independent body to a multifamily housing, that serves and transforms preexistence into a productive habitat,” the team said.

It was an opportunity to “build specific, viable and productive solutions that attend the progressive growth of housing, and to take advantage of the residual spaces generated by Ecuador’s policies”.

Window with sliding metal shutters — A square wooden window is protected by sliding metal shutters

Maximizing small spaces is a pillar of Andrade’s practice. He previously designed a flexible installation for a micro apartment in Quito and converted a 1993 Chevy van into a plywood “house-on-wheels” with María José Váscones.

The photography is by JAG Studio.

Project credits:

Architect: Juan Alberto Andrade
Team: Cuqui Rodríguez, María José Váscones, Melissa Toasa, Victoria Peralta, Duda Rodriguez
Suppliers: Baldosas del Ecuador, Acesco, Megakywi

Reference

Interior Design

Ome Dezin restores 1960s California residence by A Quincy Jones

By Zarkon Group,13/01/2024

US studio Ome Dezin has renovated a large mid-century home in Brentwood, California, using a tonal colour palette and maximising the lush hillside views.

The six-bedroom 12221 Benmore residence was designed and constructed in 1960 by notable local architects A Quincy Jones and Frederick Emmon.

Kitchen with white oak island and cabinetry, and travertine backsplash — Natural materials and neutral colours were chosen throughout the home to highlight the lush views

When Jesse Rudolph and Joelle Kutner of Ome Dezin came to the project, it had undergone a 1990s remodel that had stripped away its character and style.

The team made it their mission to revive the home’s original charm and connection to the outdoors, bringing in natural tones and materials.

White oak and travertine bar area — White oak and travertine are recurring materials, as seen in the bar area

“We have always been fans of A Quincy Jones and familiar with his work, which is what prompted us to see the home initially,” the duo told Dezeen.

“This one did not disappoint — it had the typical Quincy atrium-like living space centered across from the exterior which includes a 40-foot (12-metre) waterfall.”

Living room with neutral decor — The main living spaces all flow together and have expansive views onto the garden

Many of the existing fixtures were retained, including the fixed windows and doors, wherever possible.

To keep the focus on the views from the large windows, the interior was designed with “a more muted, streamlined aesthetic”.

Wood dining table with chairs that tuck neatly underneath — Custom pieces designed for the home include a dining table and chairs created in collaboration with Ben Willett

“We wanted to ensure the intention of Quincy was intact, so we aimed for a bit of brutalism and connection with nature,” said Rudolph and Kutner. “We opted for a limited material and color palette in favour of natural tones.”

The new white oak staircase designed for the three-storey atrium features rectangular forms and has an architectural presence, echoing the shape and style of the building.

Bedroom with a large window overlooking treetops — Large windows are found in almost every room, so the decor is kept minimal and sparse so as not to draw focus

It sits at the nexus of the living room, dining area, kitchen and bar, which all flow together and enjoy expansive views out the back of the house.

A den adjacent to these open spaces is furnished with a variety of midcentury pieces, in keeping with the building’s history.

Bathroom with stone floor, freestanding tub and corner shower — Dramatically patterned Cipollino stone in the bathroom echoes the grey tones of the rocks outside

Two types of stone were used throughout the home: travertine, which appears in the kitchen, bar area and powder room, and richly patterned Cipollino in the primary bathroom chosen to pick out the colours of the mountains visible through the windows.

In the lower-floor bedrooms and around the fireplace, flagstones and cobblestones were laid to create a grounding quality and to connect the spaces to the rocky landscape outside and pavers around the swimming pool.

Custom pieces designed for the project include the dining table created with furniture designer Ben Willett, which allows all of the chairs to be tucked away neatly underneath.

Two 10-foot-high (three-metre) doors were custom-built for the living space and feature Jean Prouvé-influenced circular window cutouts that allow light to shine through.

Garden featuring a swimming pool and a 40-foot (12-metre) waterfall — The garden features a swimming pool and a 40-foot (12-metre) waterfall

“We paid special attention to the lighting in the home, mostly sourcing vintage lights to add charm and character,” the design team said.

“With such a large home, and lots of windows and tall ceilings, warm mood lighting really made the spaces feel intimate and magical, particularly in the evenings.”

Three-storey modernist house seen at dusk — The home was designed and constructed in 1960 by A Quincy Jones and Frederick Emmon

Rudolph and Kutner founded Ome Dezin as a design and development studio focused on residential restoration in and around Los Angeles.

California has no shortage of mid-century properties in need of revamping. Other recently completed examples include Studio Schicketanz’s renovation of modernist architect Henry Hill’s former seaside home, and Woods + Dangaran’s overhaul of a residence that once belonged to singer Bing Crosby’s manager.

The photography is by Nils Timm.

Reference

Architecture

modular cabins made of aluminum and glass embed into village houses in china

By Zarkon Group,07/01/2024

Superposition Village Initiative Transforms Rural China

The Superposition Village Initiative, developed by IBR – Shenzhen Institute of Building Research Co. Ltd., focuses on the concept of ‘sojourning’ in rural areas of China. The project introduces a ‘concept city’ called ‘superposition village,’ facilitating the transfer of green technology and lifestyles across different rural locations. The ‘concept city’ evolves through experiences, enhancing its utility and effectiveness. The prototype modules, initially assembled in urban factories, are then transported to rural areas, benefiting from established material supply and industrial processing support, minimizing carbon emissions during production.

The Superposition Village prototype is modular, emphasizing simplicity in disassembly, transportation, and reassembly. Designed for temporary use, the modules are easily relocated to new destinations after fulfilling their specific purpose. The interior of the cabin modules optimizes space utilization, promoting module intensification and recycling to economize on materials, space, transportation, and energy consumption throughout their life cycle, aligning with low carbon objectives.

all images courtesy of IBR – Shenzhen Institute of Building Research Co. Ltd.

pods are inserted into the houses’ existing structures

The renovation strategy by IBR – Shenzhen Institute of Building Research Co. Ltd. aims to introduce a modern, low-carbon lifestyle in the village without disrupting the original residents’ habits. The cabin modules, inserted without altering the existing structures, maintain the framework and cultural elements of the houses, leaving no visual impact on the original architecture and minimizing construction waste. The cabins, composed of aluminum alloy and glass, seamlessly integrate with the original wooden structures. This integrated space serves as a retreat for living, working, and studying, preserving and incorporating local village cultures into the fabric of the project. Special efforts include inviting artists to illustrate daily activities, farming events, and local figures on village walls, creating a collaborative visual narrative between travelers and local residents.

the pod is designed to perfectly fit the old building’s frame

IBR’s Superposition Village Initiative explores ‘sojourning’ in rural China

a plant wall made of modular boxes decorates the courtyard

designed for temporary use, modules relocate easily after fulfilling specific purposes

Reference

Architecture

Antonino Cardillo designs Elogio del Grigio house as “miniature palazzo”

By Zarkon Group,18/12/2023

Italian architect Antonino Cardillo has completed a house near Lake Garda featuring steep ceilings, arched doorways and a palette of textured plaster and marble.

Located in Castiglione delle Stiviere, in Italy’s Lombardy region, the two-storey residence was designed by Cardillo in the spirit of “a miniature palazzo”.

Living room in Elogio del Grigio house by Antonino Cardillo — The design centres around a grand first-floor living room and kitchen

Called Elogio del Grigio, which means “praise of grey”, the house combines classic proportions with a minimalist design aesthetic.

The building echoes the form of its red-walled neighbour, a typical northern Italian villa, but also incorporates references to traditional architecture from different parts of the Mediterranean.

Marble wall in Elogio del Grigio house by Antonino Cardillo — This room features marble walls and textured plaster ceilings

The layout centres around a grand first-floor living room described as “the soul of this house”.

Cardillo drew on “the rectangular cuspidate rooms of Marrakech” and “window panes somewhere between Venetian windows and the marble hammams of Istanbul” for the design.

Sloping ceiling in Elogio del Grigio house by Antonino Cardillo — Full-height glass doors lead out to roof terraces

“The project seeks to recognise and integrate some of the contributions of civilisations which are largely forgotten in Western architecture,” he told Dezeen.

“It accepts Hegel’s invitation to learn to see the endless greys of realities,” he added, referencing the words of a 19th-century German philosopher.

Exterior of Elogio del Grigio house by Antonino Cardillo — The building’s exterior is relatively modest

Elogio del Grigio is home to a couple and their young daughter.

After visiting Cardillo’s House of Dust, a Rome apartment featuring deep wall recesses and textured ceilings, the couple asked the architect to design them a family home.

The brief called for generous living and dining spaces on two levels, three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a roof terrace and a garage with space for two cars.

The building’s exterior is relatively modest, with a cool grey render finish and door shutters painted in a slightly brighter green-toned grey.

Marble bathroom in Elogio del Grigio house by Antonino Cardillo — The first-floor bathroom features a porthole window

Inside, the materials palette becomes more luxurious.

Slabs of Carrara marble cover the walls and floors in the first-floor living room and bathroom, with a book-matching technique to create subtle repetition within the surface patterns.

The steeply sloping ceilings are coated with a plaster mix that includes volcanic ash, which was applied with a hand trowel to create the lumpy texture.

Hallway in Elogio del Grigio house by Antonino Cardillo — Arched doorways can be found throughout the house

The living room also features a custom-made granite table based on the one in House of Dust, created thanks to the support of stone contractor and previous collaborator, Daniele Ghirardi.

“Daniele had already supported my research by funding an exhibition of my sculptures at the Soane Museum in London a few years ago,” Cardillo said.

Staircase in Elogio del Grigio house by Antonino Cardillo — Granite provides flooring on the ground floor

Bedrooms are also located on the first floor, which is wrapped on three sides by terraces, while the lower level houses an office, the garage and the second kitchen and living space.

Other projects by Cardillo include a textured all-green gallery interior and a Sicilian grotto.

The photography is by Antonino Cardillo.

Project credits:

Architecture: Antonino Cardillo
Construction management: Giampaolo Piva
Quantity surveying: Massimo Maggi
Construction: Andrea Pennati, Giovanni Lancini, Giovanni Locatelli
Masonry: Stefano Camozzi, Marco Fontana, Osmanaj Jeton, Giuseppe Lancini, Carmelo Piterolo, Ramqaj Vehbi
Marbles and granites: Ghirardi
Windows: Wolf Fenster
Air system: Bonometti Graziano, Giacomo Averoldi

Reference

Architecture

monolithic concrete volume houses sports hall in switzerland

By Zarkon Group,07/12/2023

COMAMALA ISMAIL takes over the design of Sports hall in Vernayaz

Vernayaz commune in Switzerland initiated the construction of a new sports hall dedicated to school sports activities through an open architectural competition. Awarded in spring 2015, the planning by Comamala Ismail commenced, incorporating additional spaces for FC Vernayaz. By August 2017, construction began, concluding in spring 2020. The architectural approach focused on placing the sports hall on the east side of the Swiss Federal Railway line within the sports area. The building’s design prioritized practicality and simplicity, developing non-standard solutions to address community needs while maintaining elementary yet diverse spatial qualities.

all images courtesy of Comamala Ismail

stone and concrete interact with the neighboring mountains

The project by Comamala Ismail centered on two vital aspects: reinforcing the connection between public spaces on either side of the rail tracks and establishing a dialogue with the neighboring mountainous character. The sports hall, strategically positioned at the main entrance to Valais, serves as both the head of the sports complex and a connecting element to the village center, creating a new public space for sports activities.

Materials employed in the project engage with the distinctive mountain environment, establishing a dialogue with the stone and nature of the mountains. The monolithic concrete volume, featuring a single opening per facade, is complemented by warm wooden cladding on the interior, contributing to a balanced and comprehensive architectural perception that prioritizes light and acoustic comfort. Synthetic building materials were minimized in favor of emphasizing the inherent characteristics of raw materials.

Comamala Ismail’s project emphasizes practicality while maintaining diverse spatial qualities

initiated by Vernayaz commune, the sports hall project was designed through an architectural competition

two key aspects include reinforcing connections across rail tracks and engaging with the mountainous environment

the sports hall acts as a head of the sports complex and connects to the village center

the monolithic concrete volume features a single opening per facade

the design establishes a new public space for sports activities while engaging with the mountain environment

Reference

Interior Design

Akin Atelier houses Gallery Shop at Sydney Modern in “translucent bubble”

By Zarkon Group,09/11/2023

Curved resin walls define this retail space, which architecture studio Akin Atelier has created for the Sydney Modern extension at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

Designed by Akin Atelier with surfboard designer Hayden Cox, the Gallery Shop is located in the entrance pavilion of the gallery that was recently completed by Pritzker Architecture Prize-winning studio SANAA.

The retail space is conceived as a “translucent bubble” within the entrance area, the studio said, and it aims to challenge the typical commercial experience in a museum shop.

Gallery shop interior designed by Akin Atelier in Sydney Modern — Akin Atelier has created the Gallery Shop at Sydney Modern

“The shop captures natural light throughout the day, bringing dynamic reflections and refractions of the city while holding people, objects, and books within its centre,” Akin Atelier told Dezeen.

“[It] showcases products to passers-by through the lens of the resin walls – gently maximising the identity of the space while preserving the architectural experience of the new building.”

The Gallery Shop comprises two resin walls that curve around its displays, with a gap between the two of them forming the entry point.

shop interior designed by Akin Atelier in Sydney Modern — It has curved walls made from a resin

The installation is placed in the northwest corner of the entrance pavilion, to the left-hand side of its entrance, meaning that its distinctive resin walls are visible from the street.

Its walls are constructed of 29 modules formed of 12 tonnes of resin. According to the studio, the resin is a type of “bio-resin” manufactured to incorporate biological matter.

resin walls of retail space at sydney modern — It sits within the building’s entrance pavilion that was designed by SANAA

“It is composed of a minimum 26 per cent biological matter,” said the studio.

“[This reduces] the amount of embodied carbon as well as reducing toxicity during the manufacturing process.”

The distinct tonal gradient of the bio-resin was achieved by hand pouring layers of colour into custom moulds – a process that took 109 days.

Meanwhile, its glossy translucency was achieved through hand sanding followed by seven rounds of hand polishing.

Gallery Shop interior designed by Akin Atelier — The translucent material allows natural light through the space. Photo by Tim Salisbury

The resin’s earthy hues reference the sandstone used in the original Art Gallery of New South Wales, while its gradation is a nod to the layered nature of Sydney’s bedrock of sandstone.

“The handmade nature of resin casting and finishing allowed for experimentation across colour and form while addressing the patinated qualities of the outside environment,” explained Akin Atelier.

Inside the Gallery Shop, adjustable resin shelves line the curved walls, housing books and publications. Stainless steel is used for display plinths, providing a contrast to the warm tones of the resin.

The project has been shortlisted in the small retail interior category of the Dezeen Awards.

Akin Atelier also recently used tactile materials such as onyx, plaster and travertine to form the interiors of a branch of the womenswear store Camilla and Marc in Melbourne.

The photography is by Rory Gardiner unless otherwise stated.

Reference

Interior Design

Ten houses with outdoor showers for connecting with nature

By Zarkon Group,04/08/2023

There are few things more therapeutic than bathing under an open sky. In this lookbook, we collect 10 outdoor showers from around the world.

A grotto-like house in Hawaii, a brutalist surfer’s refuge and a Swedish villa feature in this list of projects that demonstrate different approaches to the outdoor shower.

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring sunken baths, hammocks and indoor trees.

Villa Pelícanos by Main Office — Photo by Rafael Gamo

Villa Pelícanos, Mexico, by Main Office

Villas at this seaside holiday complex in Sayulita, renovated by architecture studio Main Office, feature outdoor showers cut into the coastal rock.

Tropical flora and the thatched roofs overlook the pale concrete walls and pebbled terrazzo floor.

Find out more about Villa Pelícanos ›

Volcanic rock near house — Photo by Douglas Friedman

Kua Bay Residence, USA, by Walker Warner Architects

Kua Bay Residence by Walker Warner Architects is perched on a mountainside in Hawaii among volcanic rock formations.

Taking advantage of the dramatic surroundings is a private outdoor shower that looks up to the mountains and feels like a rocky grotto, with the adjacent shallow water feature designed to mimic molten lava.

Find out more about Kua Bay Residence ›

Litibu house shower — Photo by Luis Young

Litibu house, Mexico, by Palma

This semi-outdoor shower in a Mexican holiday home by architecture studio Palma opens up to the backyard through slatted wooden doors.

The effect of the sunlight streaming in is enhanced by the bathroom’s long, narrow form, high ceiling and dark concrete walls.

Find out more about this Litibu house ›

Open-air showers — Photo by Ana Paula Álvarez

Casa Nu, Mexico, by Chris Luce

Casa Nu, also in coastal Mexico, was designed by architect Chris Luce as a functional sanctuary for surfers.

Among the outdoor spaces is a board-formed concrete block containing open-air showers for use after surfing, alongside laundry facilities and a surfboard rack.

Find out more about Casa Nu ›

Exterior of Villa MSV by Johan Sundberg — Photo by Markus Linderoth

Villa MSV, Sweden, by Johan Sundberg Arkitektur

An outdoor shower sits on a patio next to the sauna and bathroom spaces at this house in Sweden designed by Johan Sundberg Arkitektur.

It is partially covered by a larch canopy but to catch the sun, it is located on the southern side of the home.

Find out more about Villa MSV ›

Casa Las Vistas outdoor shower — Photo by Andres Garcia Lachner

Casa Las Vistas, Costa Rica, by Zürcher Arquitectos and Taller KEN

The main bathroom of Casa Las Vistas opens onto a patio with an outdoor shower, nestled among large potted plants in a nod to the surrounding forests.

Weathered copper piping on the shower is one of the few rustic touches within the large Costa Rican house, designed by Zürcher Arquitectos and Taller KEN.

Find out more about Casa Las Vistas ›

Salt Point Residence by Reddymade and Ai Weiwei — Photo by Ashok Sinha

Salt Point Residence, USA, by Reddymade and Ai Weiwei

Chinese artist Ai Weiwei helped architecture studio Reddymade to design a corrugated metal extension for a house in Salt Point, New York.

At the southern end, the walls and gabled roof extend to form a porch featuring an outdoor shower fitted into a mirrored wall and looking out across the landscape.

Find out more about Salt Point Residence ›

Coral Pavilion is a beach house in Lagos that was designed by cmDesign Atelier — Photo by Tolu Sanusi

Coral Pavilion, Nigeria, by CmDesign Atelier

The freestanding yellow-pipework shower outside Coral Pavilion was designed by German studio Tarantik & Egger.

Its colour contrasts with the coral-pink concrete pool terrace and simple white form of the main beach house, created by Tosin Oshinowo-led studio CmDesign Atelier.

Find out more about Coral Pavilion ›

Harrison Residence by Jeffrey Dungan — Photo by William Abranowicz

Harrison Residence, USA, by Jeffrey Dungan Architects

A semi-outdoor double shower steps down onto a first-floor terrace at this house in the Florida Panhandle, designed by Alabama practice Jeffrey Dungan Architects.

With the paved floor, white-rendered concrete walls, arched opening and cut-out window shelf, the shower room resembles a small garden pavilion.

Find out more about Harrison Residence ›

The Voxel outdoor shower — Photo by Adrià Goula

The Voxel, Spain, by the Institute of Advanced Architecture of Catalonia

Students and researchers from Barcelona’s Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia built this wooden cabin in the Collserola natural park as a place for self-isolation during the coronavirus pandemic.

It features an outdoor shower that is both raised off the ground and positioned outside the structure’s main elevation, wrapped in charred and slatted timber panels.

Find out more about The Voxel ›

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring sunken baths, hammocks and indoor trees.

Reference

houses

Barde vanVoltt gives historic Haarlem house a contemporary update

Taller Héctor Barroso envisions Mexican houses as “silent architecture”

Lovers Unite revives interiors of mid-century Silver Lake home

Juan Alberto Andrade adds workspace to multifamily housing in Ecuador

Ome Dezin restores 1960s California residence by A Quincy Jones

modular cabins made of aluminum and glass embed into village houses in china

Superposition Village Initiative Transforms Rural China

pods are inserted into the houses’ existing structures

Antonino Cardillo designs Elogio del Grigio house as “miniature palazzo”

monolithic concrete volume houses sports hall in switzerland

COMAMALA ISMAIL takes over the design of Sports hall in Vernayaz

stone and concrete interact with the neighboring mountains

Akin Atelier houses Gallery Shop at Sydney Modern in “translucent bubble”

Ten houses with outdoor showers for connecting with nature

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