outfits Archives

Los Angeles design studio Gharib Studio has contrasted concrete floors and exposed ceilings with soft-pink walls and clean lines for a jewellery store in Austin.

Created for the friendship jewellery brand Little Words Project (LWP), Gharib Studio used elements of the merchandise to inform the store’s pink material palette and incorporated arches throughout the space to contrast the industrial elements of the building, which were left exposed.

According to Gharib Studio founder Nora Gharib, the team followed the common phrase “everything is bigger in Texas” when designing the concept store.

“I wanted to amplify the brand in a grand way by taking the LWP brand aesthetic and localizing it to Texas by pushing the standard design elements, such as the brand’s bracelet arches and beading table experience, then accentuating it,” said Gharib.

A retail store with silver with long white tables — Arches and soft tones contrast with the space’s industrial elements

Visitors enter the store into a large, primary space, where built-in display cases were integrated into the walls.

On one side, the display resembles small bookcases and on the other, the bracelets are displayed throughout a series of arches.

Archways with tables and chairs — Long tables lead to the seating area at the back of the space

At the centre of the primary space are two long tables with metallic-coated bases, also used for display. A circular display table in the middle was created to resemble a vanity, with merchandise incorporated throughout.

Gharib inserted three arches along the back of the space, in part to accentuate the height of the space, and to draw visitors to the space beyond them, which serves as a beading area.

Velvet chairs underneath aluminum light fixture — Metallic details were informed by the charms found on the bracelets

This space was outfitted with CB2 Castell Chairs in burgundy, with similar tables as the main space, except with pink bases instead of silver.

A neon sign that reads, “You can sit with us” hangs above the tables.

Textured dusty-pink wallpaper by Belarte Studio was used to line the space, while the remaining interior was covered in a rose pink hue.

Metallic accents throughout the store, including aluminium light pendants, a metal trimmed mirror and the display table’s metallic bases, were informed by the metal charms found in LWP bracelets.

Space with velvet chairs and textured wallpaper — It is the brand’s first store in Austin

The space’s utility elements were left exposed on the ceiling, with red track lighting running the perimeter of the space.

Other retail projects recently completed in Austin include a mid-century post office turned grocery by Side Angle Side.

Gharib Studio is a Los Angeles-based studio founded by Nora Gharib in 2023, focused on retail and brand design.

The photography is by Casey Woods Photography

Project credits:

Architectural designer: Gharib Studio

General contractor: Paco Santander Construction

Reference

Colourful interior of studio for Method Architecture

Interior Design

Method Architecture outfits own Houston studio with vibrant mural

By Zarkon Group,04/01/2024

Texas studio Method Architecture has completed an office for itself in Houston with maximalist design, vibrant colours and a mural at its centre.

The 8,612-square foot (800-square metre) studio was completed in 2023 with a reception area, open office plan, private and collaborative meeting spaces and staff lounges.

Located in the mixed-use East River development, designed by architecture studio Page, the office was designed to serve as an inspiration source for the studio’s clients.

“Our approach was to pursue maximalism with the goal of creating an environment where our clients would feel safe expressing their bold and innovative ideas with us,” Ashley Bettcher, Research and Design Specialist with Method Architecture told Dezeen.

Table tennis table in Method Architecture's studio — The office was designed to serve as an inspiration source

“Creativity has no limits and great design doesn’t necessarily need to cost more. Method’s new Houston office perfectly encapsulates that mantra.”

The “ego-free” focus of the design is a nearly 50-foot multi-wall mural by local artist David Maldonado, known for creating nearly 20 pieces of public artwork throughout Houston.

Multi-wall mural by David Maldonado — David Maldonado created a multi-wall mural for the studio

With pops of magenta, cobalt, and yellow, the mural features icons from the city and state like the skyline, a rocket for Johnson Space Center, a bluebonnet as the Texas state flower, and the neighbouring Buffalo Bayou.

The artwork also slips in custom motifs representing the studio, such as Method’s rubber duck mascot.

Acoustic baffles suspended from the ceiling — Light grey flower-like acoustic baffles hang from the ceiling

“This feature piece of artwork helps set the tone for the remainder of the office including bold colors, geometric patterns and shapes and a secondary mural designed and installed by Maldanado featuring drip paint in mirroring colorways located at the back of the office,” the team said.

The mural is complemented by a 3D-printed wall installation behind the reception desk composed of the studio’s signature “M” logo and the raw ceiling with exposed mechanical lines all painted a vibrant shade of fuchsia.

Half-arched portal at Method Architecture office — Clients pass through a half-arched portal

Light grey flower-like acoustic baffles hang from the ceiling adding to the maximalist design. Light blue bicycles are mounted on one wall as another unique installation.

From the reception area lounge, clients pass through a half-arched portal – created with custom millwork and embedded lights – into the main office space which includes rows of desks over custom greyscale carpet.

Desks and geometric carpet in self-designed studio — Hotel desk stations accommodate hybrid work styles

Hotel desk stations accommodate hybrid work styles for both in-office and at-home work.

“Cozy architectural work booths are nestled amid the bustling breakroom and office areas, offering a quiet refuge for more private work, private conversations or meals with coworkers,” the team said.

The workspace is flanked by six meeting rooms: a large creative conference space, three medium-sized conference rooms and two smaller huddle spaces.

The all-white conference room was left intentionally blank to showcase the client’s material selections with tunable white lights to adjust the light temperature for each project.

An M-shaped window cutout opens the conference room to the rest of the office.

In the break room, bright blue suede fabric adorns the walls to provide an unexpected texture and pale blue lamp shades – reminiscent of the shape of inverted cupcake liners – serve as a geometric juxtaposition to the rounded banquette boxes.

Bright blue-walled break room — Bright blue suede fabric adorns the walls in the break room

“Plush, psychedelic-inspired fabrics in meeting booths and distinctive light fixtures keep the space feeling light and fun to inspire creative design,” the studio said.

In addition to being designed for flexible workflows and teams, the space features multiple sustainable and WELL features like ample daylighting, repurposed materials and ergonomic furniture.

Other recently completed projects in Houston include Nelson Byrd Woltz’s grassed park that bridges a six-lane highway and Modu’s design for a wellness building with a self-cooling exterior.

The photography is by Ana Larranaga, Method Architecture.

Project credits:

Architecture: Method Architecture
MEP: Telios Engineering
General contractor: Burton Construction
Furniture: AGILE Interiors, MDI, OP,
Flooring: Interface, Shaw Contract
Tile: Trinity Surfaces, La Nova
Textiles: Knoll Textiles
Masonry: Upchurch Kimbrough
Demountable partitions: DIRTT
Countertops: CAMBRIA
Mural: David Maldonado
Lighting: Lighting Associates Inc.
Signage: ARIA Signs

Reference

View of Montreal restaurant with white brick

Interior Design

Ménard Dworkind outfits Montreal restaurant with custom wine storage

By Zarkon Group,02/01/2024

Canadian studio Ménard Dworkind has created an intimate French restaurant in the Villeray neighborhood of Montreal complete with warm interiors and a custom white oak wine cellar.

Known as Casavant, the 850-square foot (80-square metre) brasserie-style restaurant was completed in September 2023 on the ground floor of a 1920’s residential building, replacing a sandwich shop.

Ménard Dworkind (MRDK) designed the small restaurant – which seats 45 patrons – to bring diners together in a space that combines art deco influences with Montreal’s vibrant culinary scene. It was designed to “blend timeless elegance with a contemporary twist”.

Located on the corner of the block, the guests enter the rectangular interior through a white brick facade. Natural light comes in from multiple directions through large, black-framed storefront windows.

Monttreal restuarant with wine cellar — Large windows let in plenty of light

The floor is speckled with 3D-patterned matte tiles by Daltile arranged in a custom mosaic, while beige tile climbs up the walls.

Burnt orange corduroy banquette seating wraps around the two outside walls with two linear high-top tables floating freely in the space. The vintage French bistro chairs were acquired from another restaurateur.

Vintage furniture in Montreal restaurant — Vintage furniture was used

The party wall serves as the focal point with the bar and custom white oak wine cellar and displays a selection of natural wines in raw wood cabinetry with rounded corner glass-front doors.

“The wine cellar has been the focal point as soon as we started discussions with the clients,” said partner Guillaume Ménard. “It was important to be able to see it from everywhere you sit or stand.

“Since it’s wall mounted, it attracts the eye pretty quickly with action going on behind the bar as well as the light coming out of it,” he said.

The compact kitchen – with an open pass-through window into the dining space that shows off the lively action of cooking – and the dark blue restroom corridor are tucked at the back of the restaurant.

“The ceiling boasts a unique, funky patterned alcove made from colorful acoustic panels, contributing to the restaurant’s eclectic and inviting character while helping with the acoustical comfort,” the team told Dezeen, referencing the tray-like inset with a blush, maroon and peach abstract graphic.

Montreal restaurant — It has a ceiling clad with acoustic panels

“We really like the addition of the patterned acoustical panels on the ceiling,” Ménard noted.

“It adds depth, comfort and colors to the space. It also acts as a lantern since it is lightened up by a dissimulated LED strip.”

Wine cabinet — A custom wine cabinet was installed

In addition to the locally crafted and sourced materials, artistic details occur throughout the space like a painting from local artist Nicolas Grenier and a vintage Medusa pendant light by Carlo Nason, which displays the restaurant’s charm through the glazing to passers-by.

Two of Ménard Dworkind’s previous restaurant interiors in Montreal include the Italian 1960’s-inspired design for Tiramisu with a chrome service counter and large leafy plants and the retro-themed design for Caffettiera Caffé Bar with a checkerboard floor and teal accents.

The photography is by David Dworkind.

Project credits:

Team: Guillaume Menard, Fabrice Doutriaux
Contractor: Avodah Construction
Ceramic floor and wall tile: Daltile
Lighting: humanhome
Stools: Uline
Upholstery: Bisson Bruneel
Acoustic panels: Akustus

Reference

Living room with bronze fireplace, two armchairs and transparent staircase

Interior Design

ATRA outfits Olson Kundig-designed house in West Hollywood

By Zarkon Group,16/09/2023

This townhouse in Los Angeles by US firm Olson Kundig is outfitted by furniture brand ATRA with “the best that Mexico has to offer”.

The Garden House, which sits between West Hollywood and Beverley Hills, was designed as one of eight single-family homes that form the The Houses at 8899 Beverly development.

Each of the two-storey residences was designed by Olson Kundig with a unique look and layout while retaining a cohesive language across the set.

For this particular house, which is decorated for a fictional future client, Mexico City-based design studio and furniture brand ATRA used many of its own products to create an environment that complements the architecture.

Sculptural dining table, branch-like chandelier and textured wall artwork — To decorate the house, ATRA used several of its own products including the dining table, along with pieces by Mexico-based artists and designers

“We wanted to sublime the minimalist architecture and the simplicity of the volumes by keeping the home versatile – imagining that the owner could be a young family as well as a Hollywood actor or a tech entrepreneur and that the design should not only fit but inspire all the above,” said the ATRA team.

From the street, the house presents as austere – comprising dark cladding materials and emphasised horizontally by an extended flat roofline and porch cover.

Volcanic stone desk — The volcanic stone desk in the study is also designed by ATRA

The building is entered into a double-height space from the side, effectively splitting the plan into north and south areas.

A staircase with open risers and glass balustrades rises up through the central void, its transparency allowing views from one side of the house to the other.

Kitchen with wooden cabinetry and thin metal stools against the island — Earth tones are used throughout the ground floor, including in the kitchen

The living room to the north is anchored by a large bronze feature that frames a fireplace, while ATRA’s Egge velvet sofa and pair of armchairs face one another across a low stone coffee table.

On the other side of the staircase is the dining room, where the brand’s sculptural Pebble dining table sits below a branch-like chandelier by Isabel Moncada, and beside a highly textured artwork by Julio Rizhi.

Vertical striped painting behind a burgundy-hued lounge chair — Upstairs, bolder colours are used to appear like “happy accidents”

“We curated the best that Mexico has to offer to enhance this house with unexpected artworks and thoughtful designs,” said Gabriella Kuti, ATRA’s lead designer.

Earth-toned furniture and textured finishes are used prominently throughout the ground floor, including a volcanic stone desk in the study and warm wood cabinetry in the kitchen.

A slightly different colour palette was employed upstairs, where grey sheen walls and burgundy-hued chairs are found in the primary bedroom.

“Some unusual warm and vibrant colors were introduced like a happy accident,” said ATRA.

Works by international artists in the home include a wall piece by Ghanaian artist Serge Attukwei Clottey made from a patchwork of yellow gallon containers, and bold-striped paintings by French artist Edouard Ng.

Private patio with plunge pool — A private patio at the back of the house features a plunge pool

Tucked out of view at the back of the property, a small outdoor patio features a square plunge pool and sculptures by Pablo Arellano.

The eventual owners of the house will also have access to the amenities of the adjacent residential tower 8899 Beverly, including a pool, a covered dining area and gardens, an indoor fitness centre and a yoga studio.

House exterior with dark cladding and flat roof — The architecture by Olson Kundig comprises dark materials and exaggerated horizontal planes

ATRA also provided furniture and decor for a show apartment in New York’s One Wall Street designed by FrenchCalifornia, and launched its Nerthus-Sofa modular system in 2020.

The company was founded by Alexander Díaz Andersson, who is also its creative director and works across furniture, sculpture, interiors and hospitality projects.

The photography is by Michael Clifford and Nils Timm.

Reference

outfits

Gharib Studio outfits Austin jewellery store with pink walls and arches

Method Architecture outfits own Houston studio with vibrant mural

Ménard Dworkind outfits Montreal restaurant with custom wine storage

ATRA outfits Olson Kundig-designed house in West Hollywood

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