Surfaces Archives

For this lookbook, we’ve collected eight kitchen interiors that marry the natural textures of wood and stone to create visual interest while remaining practical.

Stone is a hardwearing and durable material, making it a popular choice for kitchen worktops, while wood adds a sense of warmth to interior spaces when applied to walls, floors or kitchen cabinets.

In these kitchens, the natural grain of wood is complemented by striking stone surfaces, including cool-toned limestone, travertine, and a range of dramatically veined marble.

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring mid-century home renovations, interiors centred around dining tables and spaces finished in reclaimed materials.

Muswell Hill house, UK, by Architecture for London

English studio Architecture for London renovated and extended this Edwardian home in London using natural materials in a bid to keep embodied emissions to a minimum.

In the kitchen, cabinets were lined with oak wood while pale grey limestone was used for the floors, worktops, prep counter and a chunky window seat.

The studio also exposed the original timber roof beams and complemented the minimal material palette with lime plaster on the walls, forming an airtight layer to mitigate heat loss.

Find out more about the Muswell Hill house ›

Wood-lined kitchen interior with a marble island by DAB Studio — Photo by Daniëlle Siobhán

Zwaag family home, Netherlands, by DAB Studio

For the kitchen renovation of this home in Zwaag, the Netherlands, Dutch interiors practice DAB Studio covered the walls and cabinets in Afromosia wood, and the floors and ceilings in smoked black-oiled oak.

The Afromosia wood was quarter-sawn to reveal a decorative grain pattern and add a sense of playfulness to the space, while an Arebescato Orobico marble kitchen island acts as the room’s centrepiece.

Find out more about Zwaag family home ›

Travertine stone kitchen island and backsplash with oak cabinets — Photo by David Dworkind

1980s Quebec home, Canada, by Ménard Dworkind

A sculptural travertine island sits at the centre of the kitchen in this 1980s home in Quebec, which was renovated by Canadian architecture studio Ménard Dworkind.

The studio also used a travertine slab to create a sliding backsplash, inserted into the warm oak cabinetry to conceal additional storage space.

Find out more about the 1980s Quebec home ›

Kitchen in Twentieth house by Woods and Dangaran — Photo by Joe Fletcher

Twentieth, USA, by Woods + Dangaran

For this kitchen in a Santa Monica home, Los Angeles studio Woods +Dangaran used a dark grey marble with bold white veining to form the island worktop and the surrounds of a recessed space in the wall units.

White oak lines the floors, while a darker shade of walnut was used for wall panelling, cupboards and the sides of the island.

Find out more about Twentieth ›

Palm Beach house in Sydney by YSG with stone kitchen island

Sydney Palm Beach house, Australia, by YSG

Informed by the rustic beach clubs of Ibiza and Cancun, Australian interiors studio YSG overhauled a holiday home in Palm Beach, Sydney, with a mix of sunny colours and textures.

In the kitchen, the studio sanded down the wooden floorboards to achieve a warmer tone and added an island made from two types of stone – Giallo Siena marble and travertine – to recall “the ombre shades of a freshly poured tequila sunrise”.

Find out more about the Sydney Palm Beach house ›

Minimal interiors of forest retreat designed by Norm Architects — Photo by Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen of Norm Architects

Forest cabin, Sweden, by Norm Architects

Danish studio Norm Architects kept the material palette minimal and rustic for this holiday cabin in a Swedish forest.

Handleless kitchen cupboards are finished in oak to match the floors, complemented by a stone worktop that extends up into a short backsplash.

Find out more about the forest cabin ›

Brooklyn Loft by Dean Works — Photo by Daniel Salemi

Brooklyn Loft, USA, by Dean Works

White marble with grey-and-blue veining provides an eye-catching worktop, backsplash and shelving in the kitchen of Brooklyn Loft, an apartment designed by local studio Dean Works.

Surrounding the marble is a large Baltic birch plywood storage unit that doubles as a room divider to separate the kitchen from the bedroom. A dark stone kitchen island was added to contrast the otherwise light-toned interior.

Find out more about Brooklyn Loft ›

Sunderland Road house in London by 2LG — Photo by Megan Taylor

Forest Hill house, UK, by 2LG Studio

Playful pastel colours characterise the interior of this Edwardian home in London, which was renovated by 2LG Studio.

The local firm aimed to balance Italian influences – in the form of the marble backsplash and kitchen island – with Scandinavian design elements such as the arched cabinets and grooved wood siding.

Find out more about the Forest Hill house ›

Reference

Interior Design

Eight concrete kitchens with raw and tactile surfaces

By Zarkon Group,27/05/2023

Kitchens with exposed concrete surfaces take centre stage in this lookbook, which includes homes in Mexico, Japan and Ireland.

Concrete is a ubiquitous material in architecture, but it is less commonly used in interiors – particularly in residential spaces such as kitchens.

However, its durability and impermeability make it an ideal surface material for cooking and food preparation, while its raw aesthetic can create a striking backdrop for dining and entertaining.

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. Other recent editions showcase airy balconies, marble bathrooms and gallery interiors.

House in Jiyugaoka, Japan, by Airhouse Design Office

Airhouse Design Office created this kitchen as part of its renovation of an apartment for a fashion fanatic in Nagoya, Japan.

Like the rest of the home, the kitchen’s walls, floor and ceiling have been stripped back to expose the concrete beneath. While some areas were left with chipped edges and plaster, others have been polished for a smooth finish.

Find out more about House in Jiyugaoka ›

Interior of Casa H3 by Luciano Kruk — Photo by Daniela Mac Adden

Casa H3, Argentina, by Luciano Kruk

This open-plan kitchen and dining room sits on the ground floor of a holiday home by architect Luciano Kruk in Mar Azul.

Blending seamlessly into the home’s concrete structure, it features geometric shelving and kitchen counters that extend from the walls and floor. Its industrial look is complemented by an enamel pendant light and a pair of wireframe chairs.

Find out more about Casa H3 ›

Concrete kitchen of Casa Alférez by Ludwig Godefroy — Photo by Rory Gardiner

Casa Alférez, Mexico, by Ludwig Godefroy

In a pine forest in Mexico, architect Ludwig Godefroy created a brutalist cube-shaped home that is built from concrete cast in situ.

This includes its kitchen, where the shelving and worktops are also all cast from concrete. Here, their raw finishes are juxtaposed with delicate ceramics and Danish designer Hans Wegner’s Wishbone chairs, visually softening the space.

Find out more about Casa Alférez ›

Sunken kitchen inside Flower House by Ezzo — Photo by João Ferrand

Flower House, Portugal, by Ezzo

The concrete worktops of this sunken kitchen double up as a smooth floor for the dining room at Flower House, a renovated dwelling in Porto.

Wood-fronted cabinets slot in beneath the flooring, which was hand-poured on site and has been covered with a waterproof coating to give it a polished look.

Find out more about Flower House ›

Toad’s House, Mexico, by Espacio 18 Arquitectura

Throughout the minimalist Toad’s House on Zapotengo Beach in Oaxaca, architecture studio Espacio 18 has left the concrete structure unfinished and exposed.

In the bar-style kitchen, the board-marked walls are teamed with glass ornaments and woven baskets, while a central island has been topped with a wooden countertop.

Find out more about Toad’s House ›

House T, Japan, by Suppose Design Office

This concrete kitchen is among the purposely dark and cave-like living spaces in the monolithic home that Suppose Design Office designed for its founder in Tokyo.

Its concrete walls and worktops have tactile finishes, which stand against a backdrop of large stone floor tiles and wooden furnishings.

Find out more about ›

Hollybrook Road extension in Ireland by TOB Architect — Photo by Aisling McCoy

Hollybrook Road, Ireland, by TOB Architect

Irish studio TOB Architect designed this concrete kitchen extension to evoke the feeling of “being a child under a very robust table”.

It was cast in situ as one geometric form with the goal of creating a seamless and cavernous look inside. The architect chose an otherwise restrained material palette of terrazzo, walnut and Accoya wood in an effort to retain focus on the texture of the concrete.

Find out more about Hollybrook Road ›

Casa Golf, Argentina, by Luciano Kruk

Another concrete kitchen by architect Luciano Kruk is found in Casa Golf, a holiday home on the Argentinian coastline.

Paired with black cabinets and extractor ducting, its dark-grey surfaces add texture to the space without distracting from the outward views framed by the variety of windows that line the space.

Find out more about Casa Golf ›

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. Other recent editions showcase airy balconies, marble bathrooms and gallery interiors.

Reference

Interior Design

Wood and stone surfaces bring “rich texture” to Primrose Hill House interior

By Zarkon Group,10/02/2023

Architecture for London has updated a 1960s house in London, creating an open-plan interior filled with natural materials and an improved connection to the rear courtyard garden.

The house is one of two detached properties set in a modernist estate in Primrose Hill that primarily consists of painted brick courtyard houses and small terraces.

The new owner asked Architecture for London to transform the interior into a modern layout that is better suited to their lifestyle.

“The house had a very broken plan consisting of lots of small rooms,” the studio’s director Ben Ridley told Dezeen. “The client wanted to create a family house that was more open plan with better views of the garden.”

Exterior photo of Primrose Hill House — The studio added a rooftop extension clad in white bricks

The remodelled interior improves the connection with the garden by incorporating a large picture window in the kitchen, along with sliding wood-framed doors in the living area.

The ground floor also contains a smaller reception area next to the entrance hall, with folding doors allowing this space to be separated from the kitchen and dining area.

Image of Primrose Hill House — Sliding wood-framed doors open the living room up to the garden

A bespoke blackened-steel staircase provides access to four bedrooms on the first floor, including a main suite with a juliet balcony overlooking the garden.

Following a detailed cost and sustainability review, a decision was made to demolish all of the property’s interior walls and rebuild them in order to achieve the required spaces.

Interior image of Primrose Hill House — The interior was finished in a rich material palette

This solution also offered the best energy-efficiency potential, according to Ridley, with a layer of wall insulation added alongside a heat recovery ventilation system (MVHR).

The home’s first-floor plate was replaced using steel beams and timber joists to enable the demolition of the ground-floor walls and the opening up of the interior.

Interior photo of Primrose Hill House — Flooring was used to define different zonessp

The project also involved the addition of a timber-framed rooftop extension, clad with white-painted brick to tie in with the rest of the house and set back so it’s largely hidden from view.

The extension contains a flexible mezzanine space for yoga and meditation that is accessed from the main bedroom suite.

Throughout the home, Architecture for London applied a pared-back palette of natural materials that is intended to create a sense of calmness and connection with the garden.

Internal walls treated with breathable lime plaster provide a neutral backdrop for furniture designed by architect Christian Brailey, which includes a dining table made from locally sourced London plane trees.

Photo of a dining area — Doors and windows are framed with wood

“We intentionally didn’t use a lot of colour so there’s a strong feeling of consistency,” Ridley said. “The choice of stone and timber brings a rich texture to the palette.”

A reference image of a Portuguese manor house, featuring a tiled trompe l’oeil frieze around a doorway, informed the use of materials to define space within the interior.

Photo of a bar at the home — The shared living areas have an open-plan layout

In the living room, stone floor tiles in different shades create a border around the room, as if an area rug has been placed on the floor to demarcate where furniture could be placed.

Ben Ridley founded Architecture for London in 2009 following his studies at London’s Barlett School of Architecture. The studio aims to create places that improve how people live and work, with a focus on reducing their operational emissions.

Photo of a staircase at the London home — Wood lines the interior walls of the home

Ridley’s own London house recently featured in our round-up of five UK house renovations designed to improve energy efficiency.

“Ultimately we are going to have to accept some changes in the appearance of our traditional homes,” he said, speaking to Dezeen as part of a feature on architects who have retrofitted their own homes.

The photography is by Christian Brailey.

Reference

Interior Design

Eight kitchens that benefit from generous marble surfaces

By Zarkon Group,14/01/2023

From veiny and earthy to sleek and spotless, our latest lookbook features eight kitchens from the Dezeen archive that prominently feature marble.

Marble is a metamorphic stone formed when limestone rock is heated and pressured in the Earth’s crust, making it crystallise and form a streaky, swirly mix. The smooth stone can be used on walls, floors and other surfaces, often in bathrooms or kitchens.

In larger kitchens, marble can be used to form sturdy islands, breakfast bars or dining tables while in smaller spaces, it can be used as an easy-to-clean splashback or countertop for meal preparation.

Here are eight interior projects that feature marble kitchens, including a playful apartment in Melbourne and a minimalist house in Canada.

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring homes informed by biophilic design, colourful 1970s interiors and homes with sliding doors.

Apartment 207, Brazil, by Belotto Scopel Tanaka

For the revamp of a 75-square-metre apartment in Brazil, architecture studio Belotto Scopel Tanaka employed a simple material palette of glossy, dark wooded cabinetry against black and white marble.

On one side of the marble breakfast bar, there is space for the residents to sit and enjoy meals; on the other, there are several drawers for crockery and kitchenware storage.

Find out more about Apartment 207 ›

Lawyers office by Arjaan De Feyter — Photo is by Piet-Albert Goethals

Deknudt Nelis, Belgium, by Arjaan de Freyter

Blackened steel, dark walnut fittings and deep-green marble slabs fill the interior of this pared-back office that Belgian studio Arjaan de Freyter designed for law firm Deknudt Nelis.

The same veiny stone used for the striking kitchen island has also been used to line the inner shelves of a full-height storage unit. Architect De Freyter chose the material to convey “decisiveness and professionalism,” he told Dezeen.

Find out more about Deknudt Nelis ›

Kitchen with terrazzo floor — Photo is by Benjamin Hosking

Brunswick Apartment, Australia, by Murray Barker and Esther Stewart

Like the majority of this Melbourne apartment, its L-shaped kitchen pays homage to the 1960s, with the same pistachio green tones and speckled flooring as its original mid-century interior.

The designers used Rosa Alicante marble on the top of the custom-made steel frame table and long countertops, which complements the terrazzo floor tiles beneath.

Find out more about Brunswick Apartment ›

Brooklyn Loft, US, by Dean Works

New York studio Dean Works added a statement multi-functional plywood unit in the kitchen of this Brooklyn apartment, giving its occupants some much-needed storage space.

Its in-built grey and white marble countertop was cut away to make space for a traditional white sink and a gas hob, while the shelves provide space above the counter for tableware, crockery and cooking utensils.

Find out more about Brooklyn Loft ›

Apartment in Belgium features green kitchen — Photo is by Piet-Albert Goethals

Belgian Apartment, Belgium, by Carmine Van Der Linden and Thomas Geldof

Local architects Carmine Van Der Linden and Thomas Geldof designed this coastal two-floor apartment to reflect its calm countryside surroundings.

Seaweed-coloured joinery and streaky Alga Marina marble surfaces make the kitchen the focal point of the residence and contrast the panelled birchwood cabinets and shelves.

Find out more about Belgian Apartment ›

Beaconsfield Residence by Sudio AC — Photo is by Andrew Snow

Beaconsfield Residence, Canada, by StudioAC

Located in Toronto, this Victorian townhouse renovated by StudioAC combines clean white hues with wooden furnishing and flooring.

The overhaul included opening up the interior by reorganising the layout, as well as installing a black marble-covered kitchen island to provide a darker contrast.

Find out more about Beaconsfield Residence ›

Light marble counter tops in a kitchen — Photo is by Raphaël Thibodeau

Cottage on the Point, Canada, by Paul Bernier Architecte

Designed by local studio Paul Bernier Architecte, this sun-drenched kitchen sits within a house extension in Cottage on the Point, a lakeside dwelling in Quebec.

The large glass windows that frame views of the surrounding trees and night skies also allow light to bounce across the pale marble surfaces that line the table, shelves and countertops.

Find out more about Cottage on the Point ›

Kitchen in Barwon Heads House — Photo is by Timothy Kaye

Barwon Heads House, Australia, Adam Kane Architects

Australian studio Adam Kane Architects blanketed the barn-style extension of Barwon Heads House in a monochrome interior palette and contemporary finishes.

The open plan kitchen and dining area is divided by a large marble dining table, while elsewhere in the cottage, matching slabs of travertine marble are used as countertops and coffee tables.

Find out more about A Barwon Heads House ›

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring interiors with Eames chairs, memorable pop-up shops and interiors informed by Bauhaus principles.

Reference

Interior Design

Ten kitchen interiors with polished granite surfaces

By Zarkon Group,11/09/2022

The durable, stain-resistant qualities of granite make it a choice material for kitchens. Our latest lookbook showcases 10 kitchens on Dezeen that celebrate the light-coloured stone.

Waterproof and scratch-resistant, the igneous rock granite has been used in construction and interior design for centuries.

Today, the versatile material is often used as an alternative to marble to top kitchen counters and work surfaces, as well as in bathrooms or on floors.

From a large grey granite kitchen island in a Mexican apartment to a chevron-patterned granite floor in a London house, the examples below showcase the many ways in which the stone can be used to furnish kitchens.

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks homes with characterful floating staircases that appear to defy gravity, atriums that brighten and expand residential spaces and calm green bedrooms that showcase the power of natural colours.

403 Greenwich, US, by Stefano Pasqualetti

A mix of materials including steel, marble, granite and wood were peppered throughout this New York residence, which Italian architect Stefano Pasqualetti aimed to make feel “soothing and timeless”.

In the open-plan kitchen, which offers views onto Tribeca’s West Historic District neighbourhood, walnut cabinets are fitted with granite worktops while a standout blackened metal staircase runs through the property’s core.

Find out more about 403 Greenwich ›

Grove Park by O'Sullivan Skoufoglou — Photo is by Ståle Eriksen

Grove Park, UK, by O’Sullivan Skoufoglou Architects

Designed for a client with a keen interest in the outdoors, Grove Park is a terraced house that offers expansive views of the greenery and wild woodland outside.

London-based studio O’Sullivan Skoufoglou Architects paired the ash-lined kitchen interior with creamy Shivakashi granite countertops and splashback and polished concrete flooring, which was cast in situ.

Find out more about Grove Park ›

A kitchen with grey granite countertops and wooden shelving — Photo is by Denilson Machado

DN Apartment, Brasil, by BC Arquitetos

Located in a 1970s building in the Jardins neighbourhood of São Paulo, this 230-square-metre apartment was designed for a landscape architect by local studio BC Arquitetos.

The apartment comprises a primarily warm natural walnut interior that is complemented with harder materials, such as concrete columns, stone flooring and granite countertops. A collection of mid-20th century art adds the finishing touch.

Find out more about DN Apartment ›

308 S Apartment by BLOCO Arquitetos — Photo is by Joana França

308 S, Brazil, by Bloco Arquiteos

Brazilian architecture studio Bloco Arquitetos transformed 308 S, an apartment in Brasília, by removing several walls and reconfiguring the challenging layout to make it more open plan.

To add to the stripped-back look, the architects opted for a neutral colour palette, while pale granite was used for the kitchen and bathroom countertops and flooring.

Find out more about 308 S›

Villarroel apartment by Raul Sanchez Architects — Photo is by José Hevia

Villarroel Apartment, Spain, by Raúl Sánchez Architects

The three main areas inside this apartment in Barcelona are distinguished by contrasting materials rather than traditional walls, making it appear more spacious and flexible.

Wooden floors and white-washed walls define the living area while functional spaces such as the kitchen – where a granite breakfast island takes centre stage – are completed in shades of grey.

Find out more about Villarroel Apartment ›

Casa Nicte Ha by Di Frenna Arquitectos — Photo is by Onnis Luque

Casa Nicté-Ha, Mexico, by Di Frenna Arquitectos

A large granite kitchen island with an adjoining wooden counter is positioned in the middle of the double-height kitchen and dining area inside Casa Nicté-Ha, a home designed by Di Frenna Arquitectos in Colima City, Mexico.

Elsewhere in the three-bedroom house, the studio mixed dark and light decor including white-painted walls, warm wood and concrete floors and exposed steel beams.

Find out more about Casa Nicté-Ha ›

A colourful kitchen with grey granite worktops — Photo is by Serena Eller

Diplomat Apartment, Italy, by 02A

Antique and mid-century furnishings join sleek, contemporary cabinetry to create this one-bedroom flat in Rome by local architecture and interiors studio 02A.

The stateless diplomat who owns and lives in the dwelling wanted to make his home a sanctuary filled with items he collected during his trips abroad.

Find out more about Diplomat Apartment ›

Berlin apartment by RAUM404 — Photo is by Noshe

Art-Apart, Germany, by Raum404

Swiss-based studio Raum404 chose to keep the interiors as minimal, white and spacious as possible in its renovation of Art-Apart, a 19th-century apartment-cum-gallery in Berlin.

The artist owner tasked the studio with creating a space that could be opened up to the public for exhibitions, which resulted in furniture that could be folded up and plenty of white cupboards that could conceal personal belongings.

Find out more about Art-Apart ›

Hackney House, UK, by Applied Studio

Black timber decor and plenty of windows were installed in architecture and interior design studio Applied Studio’s overhaul of this house in east London’s Hackney.

Afterward, the studio fitted the glass extension that houses the kitchen and dining table with chevron-patterned granite flooring.

Find out more about Hackney House ›

Kitchen in Golden Lane flat by Archmongers — Photo is by French + Tye

Golden Lane, UK, by Archmongers

Quirky modernist elements such as pops of primary colours and glossy furnishings were reinstated by Archmongers in its renovation of this 1950s flat in an inner city London estate.

In the peninsula kitchen, which is separated from the dining area by chunky white door frames, white cabinets are topped with steel, while grey terrazzo with granite chips highlights the counter end and splashback.

Find out more about Golden Lane ›

This is the latest in our series of lookbooks providing curated visual inspiration from Dezeen’s image archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks showcasing residential interiors bolstered by exposed wooden beams, living spaces with glossy surfaces that create depth and dimension and gardens with swimming pools that are made for summer.

Reference

Architecture

To Make Sure Neutral Architectural Surfaces Don’t Fall Flat, Just Add Texture

By Zarkon Group,03/08/202212/08/2022

At their best, blank white walls can make a room feel large and airy; on the other hand, expansive blank planes can also lend themselves to clinical or boring atmospheres. And while vibrant colors and bold patterns can inject some personality into spaces, they might not always be an option for homes and offices that are dimly light, narrow or cramped.

In such cases, where neutral tones like white and beige are preferable, adding texture to walls and ceilings can add movement and depth to a monochrome space. Subtle textural protrusions won’t take up much space yet will leave a strong impact. More and more architects are incorporating corrugations, curved profiles, shallow folds and more to add intrigue to greyscale walls and ceilings.

Images by Jonathan Leijonhufvud Architectural Photography

Nanchang Insun International Cinema by One Plus Partnership Ltd, Wuhan, China

Taking inspiration from the black font over white pages in books, the studio transformed the cinema into a heavily textured space. The different panels on the walls are reminiscent of the flipping of pages of masterpieces written by scriptwriters. In the lobby, visitors come across cashier tables that resemble giant stacks of paper — in reality, they are made of Corian.

Panels with slim triangular blocks are suspended from the ceiling to resemble a curtain of flipping paper. Even the columns in the space have been painted and textured to continue the black and white theme. The only thing breaking up the monotony of black and white is a series of green cylindrical spotlights that are put together in an abstract composition.

Huaxin Business Center by Scenic Architecture, Shanghai, China
Jury Winner, 2014 A+Awards, Office Building – Low Rise (1-4 Floors)

The aim of the project was to maximize green cover and protect the six trees present on site. This is achieved by elevating the main mass above the ground to leave more room for green spaces below. The four blocks of the building are connected by open bridges. On the upper level, the spaces holding important functions are covered in twisted aluminum strips on the outside. These strips add translucency to the walls and help establish connectivity with nature beyond. The thin panels, much like light strips of paper floating and twisting with the wind, give the building a very tactile quality and heighten the experience as people walk around and try to peek at the trees beyond.

Images by Sharyn Cairns

Paperbark by KOICHI TAKADA ARCHITECTS, Melbourne, Australia

The restaurant offers a zero-waste menu with locally foraged Australian produce that is designed to inspire and delight. The space reflects this awareness of nature and slow movement. It is inspired by the Victorian Dandenong Ranges and the organic lines of the native paperbark tree. Repurpose biodegradable fabric is used to create the contoured ceiling installation. The subtle tones and softness of the installation help people form an emotional connection with nature while they dine and thereby create more awareness around conservation.

“Light Arrival” Yorkshire Ceiling by Flynn Architecture & Design, Crystal Lake, Illinois

Fluid lines on the ceiling of the sunroom help soften the rectangular edges of this space. Instead of going the digitally designed route, the ceiling is hand sculpted using translucent contoured panels that cover low-voltage LED strip lights for a diffused glow. During the day, when the lights are turned off, the shadows created by sunlight add more dimension to this three-dimensional installation. Fans suspended from this ceiling feature a similar curved profile.

Norwegian embassy in Athens by gfra, Athens, Greece

Unlike traditional origami, the art of kirigami uses small cuts in paper along with folks to create intricate, three-dimensional patterns. The Norwegian embassy in Athens uses this technique to imitate mountains reflecting in the fjord waters. Lights placed above this wooden structure enhance the folds and make this the focal point of the overall space.

Images by Alik Usik and Serhii Nikiforov

Tween Coexistence by Dmytro Aranchii Architects, Kyiv, Ukraine

Curved and bent strips of white shape all elements of this space — right from the ceilings to the reception desk. This technique also helps the furniture to blend into the walls, visualizing fluid circulation. The waiting area contains a large reception desk and an L-shaped sofa that blends in with the stairs leading to the interior spaces. On the ceiling, one can see two distinct patterns: one that originates in the reception area and another that continues along the transition to the inner spaces.

Images by Anil Patel

1102 Penthouse by Apical Reform, Ahmedabad, India

Much like a handcrafted contour model, planes with gradually decreasing cutouts are layered on top of one another to create the ceiling. Similar cutouts are used to embellish the kitchen island and console. The entire space is decorated in a neutral palette of grey and white to create a calming atmosphere. The staircase leading to the terrace is also composed using folded strips of metal similar to the forms of kirigami sculptures. Despite its lightness, it still holds a strong presence within the space.

Images by Jun Murata

N STRIPS by Jam, Osaka, Japan

This project is a renovation of a multi-tenant building that holds living areas and office spaces. The previous blank façade of the building is transformed into an eye-catching display with the help of white fins. This was done to add more privacy as the plot across from it is meant to have an apartment building built on it in the future. Furthermore, the louvers help conceal any unevenness in the external walls as well as the new pipes installed. The extrusions also create constantly changing shadows throughout the day.

Reference

Architecture

FMG’s New Stoneware Surfaces Deliver Incredible Design Flexibility for Architects

By Zarkon Group,20/06/2022

One of the most challenging aspects of design is bridging the gap between concept and reality. Architects and interior designers are first and foremost creatives; they are visionaries who at times struggle to find the perfect material that will bring their concept to life without some form of compromise. Whether it be a change in budget, an unforeseen roadblock or a disconnect between designer and developer, using materials that can easily adapt to a modified design ensures a successful outcome.

Fortunately, Italian stoneware Brand FMG Fabbrica Marmi e Graniti, part of Iris Ceramica Group, has developed a new product with creatives in mind. After extensive research and a thorough development process, FMG’s new full-body porcelain stoneware surfaces offer a comprehensive selection of durable, flexible and color-forward stone composites. Through a combination of raw materials, pigmented powders and random mix of hues, a robust line of handmade-like, unrepeated stone effect surfaces have recently hit the market. Among the most distinctive stone composites from the collection are the Palladio, the Venice Villa and the Rialto.

Project featuring FMG’s “Venice Villa” full-body porcelain stoneware

FMG boasts a unique production system that presses toxic-free powders with raw materials into an extremely durable material. The result is a compact stoneware that is non-absorbent, resistant to atmospheric agents and frost-free. Such a product can be easily implemented in both indoor and outdoor spaces as well as in private and commercial settings. Due to its extreme durability, it can withstand high-traffic environments without compromising aesthetics and functionality.

What further makes full-body porcelain stoneware stand out is its special processing abilities, enabling this stoneware to be manufactured for each designer’s bespoke needs. Whether the design requires rounded, beveled or central curved edges, the stoneware can be cut to deliver the required shape.

Project featuring FMG’s “Palladio” collection

FMG’s collection pays tribute to the Brand’s Italian origins through its experimentation and interpretation of the traditional and well-loved Venetian terrazzo flooring. Terrazzo has been around for centuries and has managed to remain a popular floor treatment to date. From its Venetian origins to its wide popularity in the Art Deco movement – it maintains its relevance in today’s dynamic design world.

A common complaint of terrazzo is its susceptibility to cracks if not properly maintained or if installed on a poor structural base. The full-body porcelain stoneware’s durable surface ensures a long-lasting, crack-free product that achieves the beloved terrazzo aesthetic. This built-to-last product can be implemented in a plethora of surface types – kitchen countertops, chairs, and shower trays – thus offering a product that is multifunctional and in many ways more versatile than traditional terrazzo.

Project featuring FMG’s “Rialto” full-body porcelain stoneware in zinc

Such versatility is not only seen in its physical makeup but in its pronounced and adaptable aesthetic. Through a thoughtful mix of marble fragments, grit sizes and stones, this line offers perfectly textured and decorative surfaces. Each style boasts a terrazzo-esque design, and whether the preference is a tighter pattern or a looser look, there are various options to choose from.

The line comes complete with 30 color offerings, ranging from ivory to graphite. The variation of finishes ensures the designer’s ideal aesthetic can be achieved, from Naturale, Levigata (smooth) and Strutturata (structured) to Sabbiata (sandblasted). The Palladio, Venice Villa and Rialto all come with a 10 mm (0.4 inch) thickness, with eight different sizes available. Among the Brand’s typical size offerings — 120×60, 60×60, 60×30 and 20×20 cm — three new formats join this collection: 150×75, 120×120 and 75×75 cm.

Project featuring FMG’s “Rialto” in pink

FMG’s full-body porcelain stoneware truly celebrates the spirit and colorful architectural history of Venice. Even its products’ names — Palladio, Venice Villa and Rialto — pay tribute to Venetian architecture. Rialto echoes the bustling Venetian commercial district and Venice Villa pays tribute to the region’s astounding mansions, while Palladio references the prominent Italian Renaissance architect, Andrea Palladio.

Very few products can offer such flexibility all the while ensuring a long-lasting, high-quality finish, with the need to compromise on aesthetics. As a modern-day interpretation of classic terrazzo flooring, combined with highly resilient material qualities, FMG’s latest stoneware collection is one that architects and designers can rely on to realize their creative vision.

To learn more about full-body porcelain stoneware and explore all of FMG’s offerings, check out their website.

Reference

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