An Operational Hub in the Vineyard

In Buellton, California, Alma Rosa Vineyard Barn by Clayton Korte is designed as a new equipment barn serving more than 50 acres of planted vineyard. Positioned at the heart of the property, the building supports vineyard blocks on both sides of the winery, creating an efficient operational hub for daily agricultural work.

The barn is carefully sited within the gently rolling terrain of California’s Central Coast. Its placement responds to the contours of the land, while maintaining clear views across the vineyard rows. Rather than appearing as a purely utilitarian structure, the project takes cues from the agrarian character of the region, balancing functionality with a strong sense of place.

A Durable Structure for Agricultural Work

The steel-framed structure provides expansive open-air covered space for the storage and maintenance of heavy farming equipment, tools and picking bins. Enclosed areas are also included, offering year-round workspace and supporting the practical needs of vineyard operations.

With a total area of 3,569 sq ft, including 2,677 sq ft of covered space and 892 sq ft of open-air area, the barn is compact but highly efficient. Its organization reflects the daily demands of viticulture, where storage, maintenance, access and durability are essential.

 

 

Weathering Steel, Perforated Metal and Concrete

The material palette is restrained and rugged. Weathering steel, perforated corrugated metal and cast-in-place concrete were selected for their durability, low-maintenance qualities and ability to age naturally over time.

These materials give the barn a direct and honest expression. They allow the building to withstand the elements while gradually developing a more embedded relationship with the landscape. The architecture does not attempt to hide its agricultural function; instead, it gives that function clarity and permanence.

Light, Air and Partial Concealment

Perforated metal cladding plays a central role in the character of the building. It filters light and air, while partially concealing the equipment stored inside. This gives the barn a layered presence: open and breathable, yet visually controlled.

The result is a structure that remains functional without becoming visually heavy. Its minimalist form and careful material expression allow it to recede into the vineyard, blending with its agricultural surroundings while maintaining a quiet architectural refinement.

 

 

Long-Term Stewardship

Alma Rosa Vineyard Barn is designed to endure and evolve with the vineyard. Its robust construction, efficient siting and low-maintenance material strategy reflect a long-term investment in both land stewardship and operational performance.

The project shows how agricultural infrastructure can be designed with care, without losing its directness or utility. Here, architecture supports work, landscape and time, producing a building that is modest in form but precise in its relationship to place.

A Global Resort Rooted in Place

Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino is a luxury destination resort that upholds the standards of a global hospitality brand while remaining deeply rooted in its context. Set above the bay of Navarino in Messinia, Greece, the resort balances large scale with an intimate experience, luxury with restraint, and high-end amenities with a meaningful connection to land, culture and environment.

The project engages with a site of historical significance, ecological value and powerful natural beauty. Rather than treating the resort as an object placed in the landscape, the design develops a system of habitation, hospitality and environmental adaptation.

A Masterplan Inspired by Rural Typologies

The masterplan draws inspiration from Greek rural typologies, particularly the mandria: organic stone enclosures that adapt to the terrain and organize sloping land with quiet pragmatism.

This strategy is applied at a larger scale, organizing the resort’s different building units along the contours of the hillside. The 48 earth-sheltered villas are arranged in stepped, undulating rows, ensuring uninterrupted panoramic views from every unit and creating successive horizons across the site.

Most villas are organized in pairs, with only two visible sides that disappear into the ground and independent entrances naturally separated by planted slopes. In this way, the architecture develops as an extension of the hillside, rather than imposing itself upon it.

 

 

Privacy, Autonomy and Semi-Outdoor Living

The dispersed organization of the resort enhances the guest experience in several ways. Each villa enjoys privacy, autonomy and surrounding gardens, while the relationship between interior and exterior is structured through a sequence of transitions.

Interiors flow smoothly into shaded semi-outdoor living areas. Wide overhangs, deep-set openings and filtered views create a sense of calm and refuge, while maintaining contact with the broader landscape.

Restraint, Luxury and Material Presence

The resort combines restraint with richness. Stone and terrazzo are used in tactile, understated ways, while the interiors refer to Mediterranean textures and tones. Curated international details evoke the spirit of travel without distancing the experience from the place itself.

Space planning is intuitive and guest-centered, ensuring clear orientation, comfortable scale and carefully framed views. Circulation takes place outdoors wherever possible, allowing nature to remain a continuous presence throughout the resort.

 

 

Operational Foresight and Flexible Management

The resort also demonstrates operational foresight. Its layout supports scalable operation, as clusters of rooms or villas can be brought into or out of use seasonally, optimizing energy consumption.

Open-air circulation reduces the need for cooled corridors, while semi-protected spaces such as covered terraces and entry courtyards temper climate extremes, reducing mechanical loads and improving guest comfort.

A Contemporary Hybrid Typology

Creatively, the project avoids spectacle in favor of serenity. It does not mimic history, but listens to it. Traditional forms are abstracted rather than replicated, and reinterpreted through contemporary materials and construction methods.

The result is a unique hybrid typology, where the aesthetic of the “village” is not reproduced literally, but translated into a contemporary hospitality system. Architecture preserves local memory without becoming trapped in imitation.

 

 

Passive Strategies and Ecological Ambition

Sustainability guided every decision. Passive strategies include planted roofs, thermal mass and cross-ventilated spaces. Materials were sourced locally whenever possible.

Water-efficient landscaping, low-impact lighting and energy zoning further reinforce the ecological ambition of the project, aligning guest comfort with a lower environmental footprint.

A New Model for Hospitality

Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino offers a new model of resort-making: one that privileges relationship over image, groundedness over excess.

It demonstrates that a resort can be both luxurious and low-impact, international and deeply local — a place where architecture, landscape and guest comfort coexist in elegant alignment.

A Compact Cabin Between Forest and River

Located in Plain, Washington, on the edge of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Wenatchee River Cabin by Wittman Estes was conceived as a small retreat for outdoor life. The client had owned the nearly half-acre property for years, using it as a base camp for adventures in the surrounding landscape. After a decade of camping on site, often with friends, he decided to build a cabin that would keep the focus on the forest and the river.

The project began as a weekend retreat, but its use changed during the design and construction process. As remote work became part of everyday life, the owner started spending more time on the property and eventually chose to live there full-time once the cabin was complete.

Living Small, Living Well

With a footprint of 746 sq ft, the one-bedroom cabin is deliberately modest. Its compactness reflects both site constraints and a desire for a simpler way of living, where everyday life is shaped less by possessions and more by experience.

The owner’s direct involvement in construction was central to the project. This reinforced the need for a clear and minimal design, built with durable materials and simple architectural moves. Concrete, steel, cedar and restrained interior finishes give the cabin a sense of permanence while allowing nature, light and artwork to remain the dominant presence.

 

 

Elevated Above the Floodplain

Because the cabin sits within the river’s floodplain, the main living level is raised 10 ft above the ground on six concrete columns. This resilient strategy protects the home from seasonal flooding while minimizing its footprint on the site.

The elevated volume also creates a covered ground-level space beneath the cabin. This area functions as sheltered parking and a working space where the owner can maintain his vintage Bronco, protected from rain and snow. In this way, the floodplain constraint becomes part of the daily use and character of the building.

Three Levels and One Large Window Wall

The cabin is organized across three levels. The ground level provides the covered parking and work area; the middle level contains the main living, dining and kitchen space, along with a full bathroom; and the top level includes the bedroom, office, half-bathroom and a loft opening onto a cantilevered steel deck.

A single window wall, 20 ft wide and 24 ft high, directs the main views toward the Wenatchee River while screening neighboring properties. In the bedroom, a view portal looks across the living room and toward the river beyond, creating a vertical connection through the compact interior.

 

 

Owner-Built Steel Elements

The cabin’s material character is closely connected to the owner’s skills. A lifelong metalworker, he fabricated several elements himself, including the raw steel kitchen countertops and backsplash, the hemlock and steel dining table, and the tube-steel guardrails with expanded metal mesh infill.

These elements give the interior a direct, handmade quality. They also reinforce the logic of the cabin as a durable structure shaped by personal labor, weather and long-term use.

A Minimal Interior for Nature, Light and Artwork

The main living space is organized beneath a fir-framed loft, with a wood-burning fireplace creating a compact center of warmth. The interior finishes remain deliberately simple, forming a quiet background for the surrounding landscape, the changing light and the owner’s artwork.

Sustainability is approached through compactness, durability and efficient systems. The cabin uses an air-source heat pump for heating and cooling, with the wood-burning stove serving as the primary heat source. Locally sourced cedar siding and soffits further connect the building to the material culture of the region.

 

 

A Weekend Cabin Turned Full-Time Home

What began as a one-bedroom weekend cabin has become an everyday residence. Its modest scale, elevated structure and durable material palette support a form of living that remains close to the river, the forest and the changing conditions of the Pacific Northwest.

Wenatchee River Cabin shows how small architecture can produce a larger relationship with the world outside. It is a home shaped by restraint, resilience and the quiet ambition to live with less, but more directly.

A House Built Around Emptiness

In Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico, Kehai House by HW Studio is a small residence of 95 sq.m., designed by architect Rogelio Vallejo Bores as his own home. The project is described as “the architect’s house”: a house in which someone used to giving form to the dreams of others turns inward, asking how architecture can become coherent with a way of living.

The house was shaped by a limited budget, but also by a long personal path toward Zen, the Dharma and Japan. Its deepest idea is not the production of an object, but the creation of a void: a central emptiness capable of containing life, movement, silence and thought.

A Closed Box That Holds a Garden

From the outside, the house appears as a quiet, closed box in the urban landscape. Its almost hermetic presence does not reveal much of what takes place inside. Once the threshold is crossed, however, the apparent closure is understood differently: the box does not isolate, but protects.

At its center lies a stone garden. It is not touched directly, yet it defines the entire house. Like the stone gardens of Kyoto, its stones are not arranged to represent something, but to evoke a state of attention. On the bed of grey gravel, two wooden platforms float as places of pause: not simply floors, but surfaces for stopping, looking and being.

 

 

The Garden as Spatial Order

The garden is not decorative. It organizes the house. Around it, the domestic spaces are arranged like satellites orbiting stillness, each one maintaining a distinct role while remaining connected to the central void.

On one side, the kitchen and dining area unfold in a double-height space. Above them, a volume gathers the smoke from the fire, introducing both memory and practical resilience: the possibility that one day the city may not provide everything needed. On the other side, the living room becomes a space of contemplation, where large stones rest like islands in a quiet sea.

A House That Reconciles with Rain

There is no covered corridor between the living room and the dining area. To move from one to the other when it rains, one either gets wet or waits for the rain to pass. This decision gives the house its most radical everyday lesson: architecture here does not protect from the world, but reconciles the inhabitant with it.

The home does not attempt to neutralize weather, time or discomfort. Instead, it allows them to enter life gently, turning movement through the house into a conscious act.

 

 

Shōji, Light and Shadow

The shōji doors, made with rice paper, are not treated as an aesthetic reference alone. They operate as the real filter between interior and exterior. Light, passing through them, loses its hardness and becomes softer, slower and more atmospheric.

In this house, shadow is not simply the absence of light. It becomes light’s most delicate expression. Daylight does not enter abruptly; it settles, creating an interior defined by quiet transitions rather than visual excess.

Three Windows and an Interior Life

The program is austere. There are no unnecessary corridors and no grand gestures. The house is almost entirely without glass, opening only through three small windows toward what is considered truly worth seeing: a mountain, a neighboring pine and the tree planted at the center of the garden.

The bedroom is placed above, as a minimal and intimate space. A single circular window opens to the foliage of the central tree. It becomes an eye of the house, a point of contemplation rather than display.

 

 

Entering by Descending

The entrance does not rise; it descends. One enters by going down, as if bowing before something sacred. The staircase reaches the point where the stone offered structural stability, reducing unnecessary foundation costs, but the gesture is also spiritual.

To inhabit this house, one must leave a certain pride outside and enter with humility. Like passing through the torii of an invisible shrine, the act of entry becomes a quiet ritual.

Silence as Architecture

In Japanese thought, value is often found in the imperfect, the incomplete and the ephemeral. Kehai House follows this sensibility. It was not designed to impress, but to endure in silence.

Through limited means, careful spatial decisions and a central void that orders domestic life, the house becomes a meditation on how little architecture needs in order to become meaningful. It holds the light weight of an honest life.

A Museum Between Memory and New Identity

In Vila do Bispo, Portugal, Vila do Bispo Museum by spaceworkers is conceived as an intervention that preserves the identity of the place while giving the existing building a new civic role. The project works with the character of the original construction, not by erasing it, but by extending and clarifying its presence.

The design proposes the addition of a new volume to the existing structure, echoing the form of the adjacent naves. This gesture creates urban and formal continuity, while allowing the new addition to establish its own identity as the main entrance to the museum.

A Red Volume Completing the Existing Building

The new volume extends to the southern limit of the plot and accommodates the technical, administrative and social functions of the museum. By concentrating these uses in the addition, the project frees the inner core of the existing warehouses to receive the exhibition areas.

This redistribution of program allows the exhibition to become the central function of the intervention. The museum is therefore organized through a clear distinction between support spaces and public cultural space, while the new red volume gives the ensemble a recognizable presence.

 

 

Neutral Exterior, Black Interior

The two pre-existing naves, with approximately 680 sq.m. of covered area, are treated in a neutral grey tone. This chromatic strategy homogenizes the existing construction and reinforces its formal abstraction.

Inside, the same warehouse volume is lined in black, creating a controlled background for the exhibition. Against this dark interior, a dynamic organic form organizes the display route, creating thematic exhibition pockets and guiding visitors through the museum in a clear and intuitive way.

Red Exposed Concrete as Urban Marker

In contrast to the chromatic abstraction of the existing structure, the new volume is built in exposed concrete with red pigmentation. Its material presence turns it into a point of reference in the urban and aerial landscape, marking the territory with clarity.

The addition acts as a formal completion of the existing building. It recreates its geometry in a delicate way, through a balance of solids and voids that organizes entrances, areas of pause and the relationship with the surrounding landscape.

 

 

A Museum That Feels Already Familiar

The result is a museum that appears as if it has always belonged to the place. For older generations, it evokes the memory of the former granaries; for younger generations, it becomes the “red museum”, a new image in the collective memory of the community.

Through this balance between preservation and transformation, Vila do Bispo Museum establishes a dialogue between continuity and new identity. It is both a careful architectural intervention and a public landmark capable of anchoring itself in the everyday image of the town.

An Office Rooted in the Everyday Landscape

Located in Hashima City, in Japan’s Gifu Prefecture, Office in Hashima by Permanent and Atelier Nagara Architectural Design Office is a new headquarters for a company active in civil engineering and real estate. Set within a calm rural landscape of rice fields, the building was designed to be rooted in the local community and appreciated over time.

The project begins with the quiet value of the ordinary. The seasonal path of the sun, the movement of rice grasses in the wind, and the ripples forming on the water of the fields during rain are treated not as background scenery, but as the material of the architectural experience.

Architecture as a Device for Noticing

Rather than simply blending the building into its surroundings, the architects conceived it as an architectural “device” that makes people more aware of the landscape. Its role is not to disappear, but to sharpen perception: to bring light, wind, rain and seasonal change into focus through the presence of the building itself.

This approach is especially appropriate for a company closely connected to land, infrastructure and construction. The office becomes a place where work, community and landscape are not separated but drawn into a continuous everyday relationship.

 

 

A Roof That Frames Natural Phenomena

The roof is the building’s defining feature. Rising dramatically toward the east, it cuts a bold profile against the sky, while its eaves descend close to the ground. This strong gesture gives the building a recognizable silhouette without overwhelming the rural scale of the site.

A gentle undulation in the roofline introduces a subtle irregularity. Reflected light, the color of the sky and the movement of raindrops are brought into focus, allowing natural phenomena to become part of the architectural expression. The roof does not simply cover the building; it registers the changing conditions of the place.

Intermediate Spaces Beneath the Eaves

Inside, spatial organization is designed to remain closely connected with the exterior. Beneath the raised roof, the entrance and meeting rooms occupy a tall space that naturally draws the outside inward.

Courtyards and verandas are placed under the undulating roof, creating intermediate spaces between interior and exterior. These zones soften the transition from work environment to landscape, offering places for movement, pause and informal encounter.

 

 

Margins, Gardens and Interior Continuity

Throughout the building and the site, small margins and resting places are carefully arranged. Stones and greenery are introduced into the interiors, producing a sense of continuity with nature even while indoors.

The result is a flexible work environment that supports meetings, breaks and moments of observation. The office is not defined only by productivity, but also by the possibility of noticing seasonal change, light, rain and wind as part of daily working life.

Light, Wind and the Southern Openings

On the south side, large openings are combined with low eaves, balancing solar control with an intimate relationship to the garden. The building does not rely on a hard boundary between inside and outside. Instead, wind, light and other natural elements are softly drawn into the interior.

Through this calibrated relationship, the office creates a new everyday scenery for the people who work there, the local community and first-time visitors. It gives form to a quiet ambition: to make the familiar landscape visible again.

A House Organized Around the Pool

In Caesarea, Israel, architect Raz Melamed has designed E30 – House in Caesarea as a family residence where the swimming pool becomes the spatial and visual center of the project. Rather than treating the pool as an addition to the house, the design reverses the usual hierarchy: the residence is organized around it, allowing the outdoor leisure space to define the rhythm of domestic life.

The project was commissioned by a couple in their 50s as a weekend retreat for hosting their children and grandchildren. Over time, the brief evolved into a full-time residence, with multiple bedroom suites, generous communal areas and a strong emphasis on the relationship between interior, garden and pool.

A Continuous Black Steel Beam

The defining architectural element of the house is an exposed black steel beam, 44 cm in height. Instead of being concealed, the beam is expressed as a continuous line that organizes the plan, divides levels and frames the main public spaces.

Inside, the beam extends as a bridge, connecting the staircase to the bedroom wing. In the double-height living area, it cuts horizontally across the glazed façade, preserving open views toward the sky while reinforcing the linear geometry of the house. Toward the garden, the same element continues outward, supporting a cantilevered pergola that shades the outdoor seating area without columns and keeps the view toward the pool unobstructed.

 

 

Street Façade and Filtered Privacy

The entrance façade is composed of white plaster surfaces, articulated with horizontal joints and vertical wooden slats. The contrast between the white volume and the dark wood gives the house a restrained but clearly defined street presence.

The wooden elements also have a functional role. They conceal the staircase from the outside while allowing natural ventilation, creating a façade that works simultaneously as screen, threshold and environmental device.

Double-Height Communal Space

The main public areas are arranged as a sequence of dining and living spaces beneath a double-height ceiling. The open plan is defined by the black steel beam above, the large glazed openings toward the garden and a restrained material palette of wood, black metal and neutral tones.

Lighting is treated in layers. Suspended linear fixtures respond to the height of the space, while recessed spotlights support everyday functionality. Together, they give scale and clarity to the large interior volume.

 

 

Kitchen as a Tall Wooden Plane

The kitchen is organized in a parallel layout, with a large island and white Corian worktops. Behind it, a tall wooden façade conceals storage and mechanical systems, rising to the full height of the double-height space.

This wooden plane intersects with the black steel beam, turning a functional wall into one of the central visual elements of the interior. The kitchen therefore operates not only as a place of preparation, but also as part of the architectural composition of the public zone.

Suites, Basement and Upper Floor

The ground-floor master suite opens directly toward the swimming pool and is finished with parquet flooring. Its bathroom combines travertine surfaces with black granite walls, black fittings and white Corian elements, continuing the project’s controlled palette of light surfaces, dark accents and natural stone.

Additional bedrooms and leisure spaces are located in the basement and on the upper floor. A home cinema and games room extend the family program, while floating black steel stairs and a glass-railed bridge connect the different levels, maintaining visual continuity across the interior.

 

 

Garden, Travertine and Outdoor Living

The outdoor areas include multiple seating zones, an open-air kitchen and a swimming pool clad in travertine, aligned flush with the garden level. The same travertine flooring continues from the interior to the exterior, strengthening the connection between the living spaces and the garden.

Landscaping remains minimal, allowing the pool, pergola and structural line of the house to dominate the site. The result is a residence where the architecture does not simply frame outdoor life, but is shaped by it.

A Private Landscape at the Center of the House

Located in Austin, Texas, Tarrytown Residence by Alterstudio Architecture introduces a contemporary architectural language into an otherwise traditional post-war neighborhood. The house is organized around a private landscape, positioned between a walled garden along the street and a central courtyard behind.

Rather than treating the exterior as a secondary condition, the project places the out-of-doors at the center of domestic life. The interior opens decisively toward the landscape, held under a continuous ceiling plane and enclosed with custom site-glazed window walls that reduce the visual weight of the frame.

Between Garden, Courtyard and Interior

The house is conceived as a sequence of spatial thresholds. Visitors enter beneath the meandering limb of an adjacent Live Oak tree, moving through a carefully choreographed progression of spaces.

Throughout the plan, the architects balance two apparently opposite intentions: defining distinct rooms while maintaining a strong sense of continuity. Glimpses of adjacent spaces, changing views and unexpected moments around each corner give the house a layered quality, where movement becomes part of the architectural experience.

 

 

Light from Above

At the center of the house, an unexpected monitor opens the interior to the sky. This gesture brings balanced daylight into the deepest part of the plan, while framing views toward the tree canopy above.

In a home otherwise organized around horizontal continuity, this vertical opening becomes a quiet spatial event. It gives the center of the house a sense of height, atmosphere and orientation, allowing natural light to work as one of the project’s primary materials.

Vertical Moments in a Horizontal House

Although the residence is largely horizontal in its organization, two spaces introduce vertical intensity: a two-story library and a similarly scaled screened porch. Together, they expand the section of the house and create moments of unexpected spatial depth.

A glass-floored bridge from an office loft provides access to the upper bookshelves and extends toward the screened porch as a Juliet balcony. This element combines circulation, structure and view, turning a functional connection into one of the house’s most distinctive architectural moments.

 

 

Abstract Volumes and Controlled Privacy

The residence is framed by two abstract volumes clad in long-format black brick and black-stained cedar. These volumes complete the composition while shielding the interior from the street and from potential future neighboring development.

In a relatively dense suburban context, the house creates a carefully protected enclave. Privacy is not achieved through withdrawal alone, but through the precise placement of walls, glazing, courtyards and opaque material surfaces.

Construction as Atmosphere

Construction and detail play a central role in the character of the house, yet the expression of detail is deliberately restrained. The architecture is conceived as a primed canvas for light and shadow, natural materials and the presence of the garden.

A custom site-glazed window system minimizes the presence of frames, while steel elements — including custom structural columns, fascia and trim, a glass floor and steel bridge, and a double-height screened porch — introduce precision and depth. These details work together with black brick, stained cedar, purpose-built cabinetry and custom furniture to create a controlled but tactile domestic environment.

 

 

Hidden Color and Material Depth

Behind the restrained exterior and disciplined detailing, the interior includes unexpected moments of color and texture. These appear behind doors, at the back of bookcases and in carefully selected surfaces, giving the house a private richness that reveals itself gradually.

Tarrytown Residence is therefore not only a house of enclosure and transparency. It is a home shaped through contrast: between public and private, shadow and light, horizontal continuity and vertical intensity, precision and delight.

An Ecological Shelter in the Pyrenees

Forestone Cabin by the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC) is a 20 sq.m. experimental wooden dwelling located at MónNatura Pirineu, in the Pyrenees. Designed and built by the 2025 cohort of IAAC’s Master in Ecological Architecture and Advanced Construction, the cabin forms part of the Bio for Piri initiative, which promotes regenerative forestry and the sustainable use of local timber from Pyrenean forests.

Led by Fundació Catalunya La Pedrera and funded by the Biodiversity Foundation with European Next Generation funds, the initiative focuses on forest management, local material cycles and the development of architecture as an ecological tool. Within this framework, Forestone operates as a student-built prototype, a research project and a small inhabitable structure for two people, including a sleeping area, workspace and bathroom.

A Resting Rock in the Landscape

The form of the cabin is inspired by the rocky terrain of the Pyrenees. Conceived as a block of stone that appears to have rolled down the mountain and come to rest on the site, its faceted geometry is shaped by inclined walls and a sloping roof.

This sculptural form is not only symbolic. The geometry responds to programmatic needs, climatic conditions and solar exposure, adjusting ceiling heights and spatial proportions within a compact footprint. Carefully positioned openings frame views of the surrounding mountains and enable cross-ventilation, while operable wooden shutters provide complete darkness at night, reducing light pollution and supporting the site’s astronomical activities.

 

 

Local Timber and Fire-Aware Construction

The structure and envelope were built using locally sourced cross-laminated timber panels and charred wood from nearby forests. The exterior façade is made of pine boards with natural edges, charred according to the Japanese Yakisugi or Shou Sugi Ban technique, which burns the surface layer of the wood to increase resistance to insects, water, fire and mold.

The boards were cut to size and charred by the students themselves. Beyond improving durability, this treatment symbolically connects the cabin to fire management and prevention, a crucial aspect of regenerative forestry in the Pyrenees. The project therefore treats fire not only as a threat, but also as a material and cultural condition embedded in the landscape.

A Continuous Wooden Interior

Inside, the cabin becomes a compact, fully integrated wooden environment. Custom-made CLT elements, including the bed, built-in furniture, washbasin counter and seating, were designed and fabricated by the students at Valldaura Labs.

Architecture, structure and furniture are brought together as a single material system. The interior avoids unnecessary separation between building and object, allowing the compact space to function with clarity while preserving a strong sense of warmth and material continuity.

 

 

Hands, Wool and Stone

Forestone extends its material logic beyond timber. During an annual wool festival in the nearby town of Sort, students collaborated with local farmers to collect sheep’s wool. The wool was then washed, dried and transformed into felt at Valldaura, with the support of Dutch artist Rian van Dijk.

The resulting blankets, rugs and pillowcases furnish the cabin, integrating local craftsmanship and agricultural by-products into the project. During the same visit, students collected a stone from the surrounding landscape and manually carved it with power tools to create a unique washbasin. Through these gestures, the cabin becomes materially tied to its geographical and cultural context.

A Replicable Prototype for Forest Habitation

From the beginning, Forestone was conceived with an emphasis on replicability. It demonstrates how small-scale architecture can be built with local timber, regional knowledge and low-impact construction methods, while inhabiting forest landscapes without altering existing ecosystems.

The use of modular CLT elements, dry-assembly techniques and locally available materials allows the cabin to be adapted, replicated or dismantled as needed. In this sense, the project proposes a model of sustainable forest habitation, aligning architectural production with long-term environmental stewardship.

 

 

Education, Industry and Regenerative Forestry

Forestone brings together education, local industry, craftsmanship and regenerative forestry. Through its careful detailing, layered construction and direct connection to place, the cabin proposes an alternative approach to building in sensitive landscapes.

From January 2026, the cabin is open to guests at MónNatura Pirineu in Planes de Son, offering visitors the opportunity to inhabit the prototype and experience its relationship with landscape, materials and climate first-hand.

A Detached Workshop for Ceramics in West Seattle

In West Seattle, Ceramics Studio by GO’C is a new detached workshop and classroom, permitted as a detached accessory dwelling unit, or DADU. Designed for a compact urban residential lot, the building provides generous interior and exterior spaces for forming and firing ceramics, while allowing for future residential use.

The project was commissioned by a maker of functional ceramics whose work is deeply informed by the landscape and memory of Northern Saskatchewan. The design challenge was to create a space that could support her practice, reflect the quiet strength of her work and offer an inspiring environment for teaching others.

A Space for Making, Teaching and Gathering

Finding adequate studio space for ceramics in Seattle is difficult and costly, especially for a growing practice that requires room for sculpting, firing, storage, classes and pop-up shops. Having lived in the existing residence for several years, the client decided to build a dedicated studio closely aligned with her functional needs and design sensibility.

The new structure was conceived not only as a workspace, but also as a flexible neighborhood hub. Since its completion, it has been used as a ceramics studio, classroom, holiday pop-up shop, kitchen prep space, setting for communal dinners and, in the loft, as an office and guest bedroom.

 

 

Light as a Working Tool

Natural light is central to the project. Large skylights pierce the roof in three key locations: the loft, the main interior studio and the covered exterior kiln terrace. Each opening brings daylight where it is most needed, supporting both the precision of ceramic work and the atmosphere of the space.

A large cantilevered roof extends from the interior toward the exterior, creating a covered terrace for two kilns and expanding the usable area of the studio. This gesture connects making, firing and gathering within one continuous architectural sequence.

Structure, Wood and Material Continuity

Exposed rafters inside and outside create a clear structural rhythm, bringing warm wood tones through the entire building. The roof structure becomes a unifying element, visually connecting the interior studio, the loft and the outdoor working terrace.

A strong material transition defines the interior: white display walls below and warm wood above. This contrast supports the display of ceramic work while echoing the lines of the structure and the cantilevered roof. Linear up/down lighting illuminates the wood underside of the roof, adding warmth during Seattle’s long winters.

 

 

A Simple, Powerful Architectural Expression

The client’s ceramic practice is described through quiet forms, simplified designs and natural earthy tones. The architecture responds with a similarly restrained language: direct, warm and carefully detailed, without unnecessary visual noise.

Rather than producing a neutral utility shed, the project gives the act of making an architectural presence. It is compact but generous, modest but precise, and designed to support both solitary work and collective activity.

Built Through Collaboration

The project was built on a tight budget. The client worked full-time alongside the contractor during construction, while her partner and friends also contributed to the making of the space. This collaborative process gives the studio a particular character: it is not only a designed object, but a place shaped through shared effort.

Ceramics Studio brings together making, teaching, hospitality and future adaptability in a single small building. It demonstrates how a detached workshop can become both an intimate space of production and a generous social infrastructure for a creative practice.

A House in the Forested Landscape of Canela

Set within a residential condominium in Canela, in the mountainous region of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, House in Canela by 0E1 Arquitetos explores the relationship between architecture, construction technique and landscape. Surrounded by native forests and rolling hills, the house occupies a 500 sq.m. sloping plot, where the terrain drops approximately 10 m from the entrance to the chosen building site and around 15 m across the entire lot.

This topographical condition became one of the main conceptual drivers of the project. Rather than treating the slope and vegetation as obstacles, the design uses them as the basis for the siting, access and construction strategy of the house.

A Compact Retreat for Flexible Use

The house was commissioned by a family with a strong interest in architecture, who actively participated in discussions and decisions throughout the process. Conceived as both a weekend retreat and a short-term rental, the project required a compact and self-sufficient program capable of comfortably accommodating up to two couples.

Within approximately 120 sq.m. of built area, the house needed to ensure independence between bedrooms while maintaining generous spatial quality. The result is a small but carefully worked residence, where every square meter is tied to a clear functional and atmospheric intention.

 

 

Site Analysis and Minimal Impact

Before the design process began, a multidisciplinary team of biologists and surveyors carried out a detailed site analysis. Vegetation was mapped, trees were catalogued and species were classified as native or exotic, allowing the architects to understand the forested terrain with precision.

The house was placed in the only existing clearing on the plot, minimizing tree removal and reducing the need for major earthworks. This decision preserves the surrounding ecosystem and turns the forest into an active component of the architectural experience.

A Square Plan with Pinwheel Organization

The house is organized on a square footprint measuring 10.8 x 10.8 m. Within this regular geometry, the spaces are arranged dynamically in a pinwheel-like configuration. The living room occupies the center of the plan and acts as the main organizational core.

From this central room, the service areas and private zones radiate outward. Two independent suites, a kitchen, service area, barbecue area and terraces are connected to the central living space, creating a clear balance between communal use and privacy.

 

 

Light Steel Frame as Construction Strategy

The choice of a light steel frame system responds directly to the constraints of the terrain and to the experimental character of the project. Lightweight and quick to assemble, the system eliminated the need for concrete mixers on site and reduced impact on soil and vegetation.

A leveling slab acts as the platform for the metal structure, helping reduce waste, maintain a clean construction site and ensure precise control over the building process. Beyond its technical role, the steel frame also informed the architectural language of the house, allowing generous spans, accurate closures and a clear volumetric relationship with the landscape.

Industrial Materials at Domestic Scale

Instead of covering the steel frame to imitate conventional masonry, the house embraces its industrial logic. The exterior walls and roof are clad with trapezoidal sandwich panels, a material usually associated with industrial buildings, here applied at the scale of a domestic retreat.

The panels provide thermal and acoustic performance, require low maintenance and visually unify the building. Their installation demanded specialized teams, ensuring construction precision and a controlled finish. Externally, the dark-toned cladding reduces visual impact, allowing the house to appear discreetly among the trees.

 

 

Skylight, Openings and Forest Views

The asymmetrical roof culminates in a skylight at its highest point, creating the only direct view of the sky from within the dense forest. This opening brings consistent daylight into the interior, enhances the perception of space and creates shifting patterns of light and shadow throughout the day.

Generous floor-to-ceiling windows, 2.4 m high, bring in natural light and ventilation while turning the surrounding forest into a continuous presence inside the house. Slightly recessed rather than flush with the façade, the windows create a sequence of planes and framed views that add depth to the envelope.

Access Through the Terrain

Access to the house is carefully integrated into the slope. A staircase of 64 steps winds through the site, avoiding trees and roots. Each step measures 1.20 x 0.30 m, with intermediate landings of 1.20 x 1.20 m.

The staircase was adjusted during construction in response to the terrain. Centrally supported steps create subtle cantilevers, and together with the landscaping, they give the impression of a light, almost floating path through the forest.

 

 

Interior Planes, Wood and Slate

Inside, the architecture is organized in two visual planes. Up to 2.40 m high, the walls remain white, continuing through doors and terrace openings. Above this level, Tauari wood panels follow the slope of the roof, while black metal trim marks the material transitions and reappears at the baseboards.

Slate flooring reinforces the material palette. Originally supplied in 0.40 x 0.40 m slabs, it was cut into 0.10 x 0.40 m pieces, creating a pattern reminiscent of parquet. Over time, the slate develops a greenish patina, allowing the effects of climate and humidity to become part of the house’s character.

Living Room, Kitchen and Autonomous Suites

The living room, elevated about 2 m above the ground, opens onto a terrace with a hidden staircase leading to the garden. A wood-burning stove brings warmth to the cooler mountain climate and becomes a focal point in the central space. From here, the surrounding landscape unfolds like a constantly changing painting.

The kitchen faces the access side and maintains a direct relationship with the staircase and rear barbecue area. Basalt countertops are combined with cabinets in alternating white and wood finishes, following the interior’s broader material logic.

The suites are conceived as autonomous units. In the main bedroom, a wooden slat headboard incorporates a functional niche, while the bathroom door is camouflaged within the same plane, reinforcing visual continuity. Floor-to-ceiling windows open the bathroom to the forest, offering generous views while preserving privacy.

 

 

A Laboratory for Residential Construction

Started in 2021 and completed in 2024, House in Canela functions as an architectural laboratory. Its 120 sq.m. built area corresponds to the condominium’s minimum permitted size, achieved without removing trees by reducing lateral setbacks.

The construction process followed an efficient schedule: approximately two months for foundations, two weeks for assembling the steel structure and additional months for closures and interior finishes. Through this process, the project demonstrates how contemporary construction systems and materials rarely used at residential scale can respond to strict site conditions.

The result is a compact retreat that combines technical rigor with architectural sensitivity, offering an immersive experience of living within the landscape.

Modular Timber Architecture for Regenerative Tourism

Located in Barra dos Remédios, on the western coast of Ceará, Casa Daia Bungalows by UNA barbara e valentim forms part of a boutique hotel conceived around regenerative tourism, cultural immersion and a close relationship with the territory and its local community. Opened in 2025, Casa Daia is set within a remote and environmentally sensitive area, where architecture is asked to respond not only to program and comfort, but also to landscape, logistics and environmental care.

The project occupies a former farm of approximately 220 hectares, where mangroves, dunes, riverbanks, caatinga vegetation and coastal forest coexist in a complex overlap of ecosystems. Within this context, the bungalows operate as a precise and low-impact architectural insertion, using industrialized timber construction as a tool for hospitality in fragile territories.

Four Bungalows in Existing Clearings

The intervention consists of four bungalows, each approximately 90 sq.m., carefully positioned in existing clearings in order to avoid the removal of native vegetation. Shallow foundations and elevated decks minimize direct interference with the soil and preserve the natural permeability of the land.

The position of each volume was guided by studies of solar orientation and prevailing winds. Cross ventilation, shading and thermal comfort are achieved without relying on mechanical systems, allowing the buildings to work with the climate rather than against it.

 

 

Verandas, Overhangs and the Continuity of Landscape

The bungalows are defined by verandas, generous overhangs and large protected openings. These elements establish a continuous relationship between interior and landscape, allowing natural light, shade and air to become structuring parts of the spatial experience.

The architecture avoids a hard boundary between building and site. Instead, it creates shaded thresholds and open edges, where the experience of hospitality is shaped by the surrounding vegetation, the coastal climate and the slower rhythm of the land.

Modular BV: An Industrialized Timber System

The bungalows were built using Modular BV, a construction system developed by UNA barbara e valentim in partnership with the Brazilian engineered timber manufacturer Crosslam, and assembled on site by Abaeté Construtora e Incorporadora. The system is based on prefabricated modules made of reforested eucalyptus CLT, produced in a controlled factory environment and dry-assembled on site.

For a project located in a remote and environmentally sensitive area, this system offers clear advantages. It increases control over cost, time and environmental impact, while reducing waste and shortening the construction process compared to traditional high-end building methods.

 

 

Industrial Precision and Architectural Authorship

At Casa Daia, prefabrication is not treated as a limitation. By combining architectural authorship with industrial precision, the project proposes a model in which technology supports the architectural intention rather than replacing it.

The result is a modular timber system capable of responding to the environmental, logistical and cultural conditions of the site. Casa Daia is the second built example using the Modular BV system, following Modular Bahia, a single-family residence on the southern coast of Bahia that applied the same principles of independent timber structure, CLT enclosures, cross ventilation, shading and integration with the landscape.

Landscape, Community and Low-Impact Practices

The siting of the bungalows begins with the recognition of the environmental singularity of Barra dos Remédios, where multiple ecosystems and traditional ways of life coexist within a landscape that has resisted the passage of time. Before construction began, an extensive environmental zoning study was carried out, in alignment with the principles of regenerative tourism: minimal impact, integration with the landscape, appreciation of local culture and respect for the time of the land.

Casa Daia also maintains an ongoing dialogue with neighboring communities such as Pescada Nova and Praia Nova. The project prioritizes local labor, supports social initiatives and adopts low-impact practices, including rainwater harvesting, photovoltaic energy, waste management, agroforestry and the reduction of disposable plastics.

 

 

Architecture, Landscape and Community in Continuity

In a context marked by environmental and social transformation, Casa Daia positions itself as a sensitive and tangible alternative for contemporary tourism. The bungalows show how hospitality architecture can engage with remote territories without imposing itself on them.

Through modular timber construction, careful siting and a commitment to the surrounding community, Casa Daia articulates architecture, landscape and local culture in a relationship of continuity.

Lightness and Transparency

On a corner plot in Glyfada, with a southwestern orientation and openness toward the sea, Divercity Architects designed a residential building composed of three floor apartments and a two-level residence at ground level. The project responds to the conditions of the Athenian Riviera, where the Mediterranean climate encourages the daily use of outdoor space and turns balconies, terraces and gardens into essential parts of domestic life.

The building is developed through an architecture of slabs and large glazed surfaces, seeking a balance between light and shadow, view and privacy. Rather than treating the façade as a fixed boundary, the project uses it as a layered interface between the interior, the city and the surrounding landscape.

Balconies, Views and Filtered Privacy

Large openings and continuous perimeter balconies define the main façades, giving the residences a sense of transparency and lightness. The apartments open toward the view while remaining protected through a system of movable shading elements that filter sunlight without obstructing the visual connection from the interior.

These light shading screens create moments of privacy and allow the façade to change throughout the day. Their movement and material expression mediate between exposure and retreat, making the exterior envelope responsive to climate, orientation and inhabitation.

 

 

Vertical Gardens as Spatial Filters

A series of vertical gardens is integrated into the balconies, separating shared from more private zones. These planted elements introduce greenery into the experience of urban living, while also supporting the creation of a more favorable microclimate around the residences.

At night, the gentle lighting of the vertical gardens transforms them into luminous markers within the building’s composition. Their presence produces a subtle play of shadows and reinforces the dialogue between architecture, planting and atmosphere.

White Geometry and Precise Detailing

The clean white geometry of the envelope and the careful handling of details give the building a sense of clarity and duration. The architectural language remains restrained, allowing the contrast between solid slabs, transparent surfaces, planting and movable screens to define the project.

This balance gives the building a timeless quality, avoiding excess while supporting a generous mode of living. Light, air, shade and view become the main materials of the residential experience.

 

 

Ground-Level Residence, Water and Greenery

At ground level, the two-level residence is framed by water and planting. A large swimming pool defines the outdoor living area, while the perimeter planting visually connects the plot with the dense vegetation beyond its boundaries.

The result is a building that extends domestic life outward, using terraces, gardens and shaded thresholds to connect the apartments with the climate and landscape of Glyfada. Transparency and lightness are not only formal qualities here, but conditions of inhabitation.

A Wooden Façade in a Densely Wooded Setting

Built from scratch in a densely wooded area of São Paulo, MLL Residence by Dado Castello Branco Arquitetura is introduced through a wooden façade that immediately reveals the project’s organic character. The house is conceived in close relation to the landscape, where architecture, vegetation and everyday family life are brought into a continuous domestic experience.

The residence does not stand apart from its surroundings. It is framed by trees, shaded paths and generous timber elements, allowing the built volume to settle softly within the garden while maintaining a clear architectural presence.

Landscape as an Extension of Domestic Life

A defining feature of the project is the way the landscaped pathways, designed by Isabel Duprat, appear to flow naturally into the interiors. This continuity creates a direct connection between the residence and the neighboring property, which belongs to the resident’s brother.

The gesture reflects an important aspect of the family’s daily life: the tradition of gathering for shared meals. Landscape is therefore not treated as a decorative frame, but as an active part of the house, supporting movement, encounter and everyday rituals.

A House Organized Around Family Connection

The relationship between the two neighboring properties gives the project a specific social dimension. The pathways do more than organize circulation through the garden; they reinforce the bond between two houses and the family members who inhabit them.

A wide canopy shelters the walkway toward the second house, creating a protected passage through the vegetation. This architectural element turns movement between the two homes into a daily experience of proximity, shade and continuity.

Tropical Greenery and the Social Area

In the social area, a striking wall of Monstera deliciosa forms a lush green backdrop. Native to Central America and widely loved in Brazil, the plant introduces depth, texture and drama into the interior atmosphere.

This living surface reinforces the project’s broader intention: to allow vegetation to participate directly in the spatial experience of the house. Greenery is not kept outside the architecture, but becomes part of how the residence is perceived, used and inhabited.

Generous Openings, Wooden Eaves and Spatial Amplitude

The residence is defined by expansive openings, generous wooden eaves and a ceiling height of 3.50 m, all of which enhance the feeling of spaciousness. These elements allow the house to feel both sheltered and open, protected from the climate while remaining connected to the surrounding vegetation.

Through material warmth, landscape continuity and an emphasis on family gathering, MLL Residence forms a calm and generous living environment. The project turns the house into a place where architecture and nature support a shared way of life.

A Courtyard House Shaped by Urban Constraints

In Baghdad, Shatt Al-Arab House by Fran Silvestre Arquitectos is conceived from the limitations of its site. Located at street level on one of the city’s busiest avenues, the plot is defined by the geometry of the surrounding urban fabric and by the need to create privacy, openness and domestic calm within a dense metropolitan condition.

The brief called for a residence that would bring together a daytime living area, two nighttime rooms and a space for physical exercise. Given the limited size of the plot, the most immediate strategy would have been to build vertically, freeing part of the site for a garden. Instead, the architects chose to occupy the entire plot with an extensive single-storey volume.

A Horizontal Strategy for a Compact Plot

The decision to work horizontally allows the house to establish a different relationship with the exterior. Rather than concentrating the program in a compact vertical form, the project expands across the site and connects with outdoor space in two distinct ways.

The first is a perimeter garden, which acts as a filter between the house, the avenue and the surrounding streets. The second is a central circular courtyard, which becomes the main open space of the residence and the organizing element of the entire plan.

The Circular Courtyard as the Center of the House

The central courtyard gathers the more public and open areas of the house around it. In one direction, it creates a sequence of indoor and outdoor spaces that begins and ends in the perimeter garden, allowing the interior to extend visually and physically across the full depth of the plot.

This spatial sequence is defined by four glass boundaries that can be fully retracted along the side walls. When opened, they create a hybrid condition between interior and exterior, transforming the house into a continuous open space that stretches from one end of the plot to the other.

Perimeter Garden, Privacy and Retractable Boundaries

The perimeter garden plays a dual role. It protects the house from the intensity of the surrounding urban context, while also allowing each space to remain connected to greenery and natural light. As a boundary, it is not a hard separation, but a planted threshold that mediates between domestic life and the city.

The retractable glass enclosures reinforce this sense of permeability. They allow the living areas to change character according to use, climate and time of day, expanding the domestic interior into the garden and courtyard whenever needed.

Night Rooms, Service Cores and Spatial Clarity

In the opposite direction from the main open sequence, the two primary nighttime rooms are positioned with a more controlled relationship to the exterior. These rooms open only toward the perimeter, ensuring privacy while maintaining contact with the garden.

At the four corners of the house, enclosed cores concentrate the service areas. This clear distribution frees the central and perimeter spaces, giving the plan a precise organization in which open, private and service zones are carefully balanced.

A Rooftop Oasis Above the City

The roof completes the spatial composition of the house. Accessed by an internal staircase, it is conceived as an elevated oasis defined by a series of boundaries. On the outer edge, the vegetation of the garden provides privacy from the city.

On the inner edge, a sheet of water crowns the circular courtyard below. One side of this water element becomes deeper, allowing it to be used for bathing. The roof therefore extends the logic of the house vertically, creating a final outdoor space where vegetation, water and enclosure form a protected domestic landscape above the street.

 

A Midcentury Modern Home Reimagined in Alexandria

Located at the end of a cul-de-sac in Alexandria, Virginia, the Menachery Residence by MODE4 Architecture transforms a midcentury modern developer home into a more expressive, functional and enduring family residence. Framed by mature perimeter trees, the property benefits from a canopy that provides privacy and shade, grounding the house within its natural setting while allowing it to retain a confident presence in the neighborhood.

The project began as a radical rethinking of the existing house. Select portions of the original structure were retained in order to direct resources toward new construction, while much of the previous envelope was replaced after proving structurally unsound. This process allowed the architects to introduce a taller roofline and an entirely new massing composition, giving the residence a renewed architectural identity.

New Massing, Taller Roofline and Vertical Rhythm

The added height of the new roof enabled the vertical tower elements to be integrated within a broader and more cohesive form. Instead of appearing as isolated volumes, these elements now participate in a unified architectural composition, where proportion and rhythm shape the overall character of the house.

A key reference for the design was the visual movement of musical notes across a staff, inspired by the clients’ teenage daughter, who is a pianist. This idea informed the project’s vertical rhythm, producing a composition that feels carefully structured while retaining a lyrical quality.

 

A Contemporary Court-and-Garden Sequence

The first floor introduces a formal foyer, office, dining room, pantry with wet bar, powder room, mudroom, family room and a new three-car garage with integrated storage. The main stair anchors the plan, organizing the sequence from the driveway court to the double-height foyer and onward toward the rear garden terrace.

This spatial continuity reinterprets the traditional court-and-garden typology within a contemporary suburban context. Arrival, movement and domestic life are treated as parts of a single architectural experience, where the house opens gradually from the street-facing court toward the more private landscape at the rear.

A New Upper Level for Family Life

The second floor extends the program with a primary suite and attached bath, connected to the first level by its own private stair. The upper level also includes a bridge, secondary family room, guest suite, laundry, powder room and storage areas.

A new wing extends from the main house to form an L-shaped plan, strengthening the dialogue between structure and site. This configuration balances openness, privacy and flow, allowing the house to accommodate family life with greater spatial clarity.

 

 

Quiet Modernism Through Restraint and Precision

Through proportion, restraint and clarity of form, the Menachery Residence reflects MODE4 Architecture’s Quiet Modern ethos. The project does not treat renovation as surface renewal, but as a deeper transformation of structure, sequence and identity.

Calmness is achieved through precision rather than excess. The familiar language of the midcentury suburban home is reworked into a more timeless architectural composition, where massing, movement and family life are brought into careful balance.

Urban Housing Around Open-Air Courtyards

Located in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Southeast Portland, Brookland Apartments by Hacker proposes a residential model shaped around light, air, greenery and everyday contact with the outdoors. The 166-unit, five-storey building reintroduces natural connections within a dense urban setting, using a sequence of open-air courtyards to bring planted outdoor space directly into the life of the apartments.

A Residential Framework for Well-Being and Community

The project is conceived as a framework for well-being and community. Rather than treating circulation as a purely functional requirement, the building organizes movement around exterior walkways, planted thresholds and shared outdoor spaces. These courtyards operate as collective “front yards,” lined with seating, planters and vine-covered pathways, while also extending outward to form terraces along the building perimeter.

 

Bright Interiors and Shared Amenities

Inside, the apartments are designed with restraint and clarity. The residential mix includes micro studios, studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom units, supported by communal amenities such as a ground-floor lounge, coworking space, fitness center, sauna and rooftop commons. Simple, bright interiors, calm colors and natural textures create a measured contrast with the warmth of Western red cedar and the dense planting of the courtyards.

Natural Light, Fresh Air and Dual Orientation

A key aspect of the design is the relationship between private units and shared outdoor space. Each apartment is planned to maximize access to natural light and fresh air, with openings toward the internal courtyards as well as views toward the surrounding neighborhood. This dual orientation reinforces the connection between domestic life, collective space and the wider urban context.

 

Open-Air Circulation and Western Red Cedar

The 127,500-square-foot building uses its open-air circulation to encourage informal encounters between residents. Walkways and stairs line the courtyards, creating moments of contact and visibility across the building. Western red cedar surfaces wrap the outdoor voids, adding visual warmth on Portland’s cloudy days and offering a tactile, natural counterpoint to the building’s scale. Vine-covered trellises provide shade and texture along common paths, while planting softens the experience of moving through the complex.

Terraces, Rooftop Commons and Urban Well-Being

On the upper levels, the courtyards open toward terraces, expanding the sense of connection to the neighborhood. The rooftop commons further extends this social and environmental agenda, offering residents sunlight, views and shared outdoor space within the city. Mechanized parking stackers improve parking efficiency, allowing more of the site to be dedicated to housing and shared amenities.

 

Nature, Community and Density as One Strategy

Through its combination of compact living, generous communal areas and carefully integrated greenery, Brookland Apartments explores how urban residential architecture can support everyday well-being. The project turns circulation, courtyards and terraces into active spatial elements, creating a housing environment where nature, community and density are not treated as opposing conditions, but as parts of the same architectural strategy.

 

 

Architectural gestures

Located in a quiet neighborhood of Palaio Faliro, this small-scale 1950s house is reapproached through a series of restrained and precise architectural gestures. The project seeks to preserve the domestic identity and spatial memory of the existing shell while adapting it to the demands of contemporary everyday living.

 

Spatial Organization

The original layout of the residence is largely maintained, with selective interventions enhancing functionality and spatial flow. The central design gesture is the reconfiguration of the kitchen, which transforms from an isolated, enclosed room into an open core of daily life. Its extension toward the entrance reinforces the continuity of the interior, while its relationship with the living area is organized through the framing of the existing opening, allowing visual connection without fully dissolving the separation between functions.

 

 

Reintegration of Existing Elements

Rather than disconnecting the house from its past, the intervention seeks to creatively incorporate traces and elements of its previous life. The decorative plaster ceiling moldings are preserved as carriers of memory, while the original kitchen sink is restored and repurposed within the bathroom, acquiring a new function in a different spatial context. The residence thus becomes a field of continuity, where old and new coexist without resorting to nostalgic imitation.

 

 

Material Palette

The material palette follows a calm and tactile logic, shaped by natural textures, earthy tones and clear geometries. Wood acts as the primary element of warmth and continuity throughout the interior, while the stainless-steel kitchen countertop introduces a subtle contemporary tension within the otherwise restrained composition. In the bathroom, the relationship between refinement and rawness is reinforced through materials that reference exposed concrete and rougher flooring surfaces, intensifying the tactile experience of the space.

The project approaches the idea of an “urban holiday house”: an intimate domestic environment where simplicity, material honesty and spatial clarity coexist with a subtle sense of nostalgia. Without attempting to replicate the past, the design seeks to carry its traces into the present, allowing the house to evolve while preserving its distinct character.

 

Architecture in the in-between

The “Polikatikia” is located on the island of Karpathos and consists of six family residences. The project approaches dwelling within the island landscape not as a strictly typological exercise, but as a complex field where morphology, topography and the everyday experience of the Mediterranean climate collectively shape a unified architectural system.

 

Landscape Integration

The arrangement of the six residences is organized through a series of overlapping volumes that shift and subtly rotate, disrupting the strict orthogonality of the conventional apartment building. The composition evokes an initially solid mass that gradually appears to fragment, separate and split into distinct spatial elements.

These geometric displacements operate not only as formal gestures but also as environmental mechanisms, generating intermediate voids, shaded areas, natural light penetration, outdoor extensions and visual openings toward the landscape. The staircase is positioned precisely within the “in-between” void created by the displacement of the volumes, transforming this transitional space into the primary vertical connective tissue of the complex.

 

 

Design Philosophy

The architecture seeks to reinforce the relationship between interior and exterior space, following the principles of Mediterranean living. Large openings and the horizontal development of the primary volumes allow the living spaces to extend outward toward the landscape, creating a sense of spatial continuity with light, air and views toward the sea.

The transitional outdoor areas function as intermediate climatic zones, providing shade, protection from strong winds and different spatial qualities throughout the day. Through this compositional approach, the residence is not perceived as an isolated object, but rather as part of a continuous experience of place and climate.

 

 

Spatial Organization

The internal organization of each apartment is structured around three distinct functional zones. At the center lies the “service core” containing the auxiliary and wet areas, naturally illuminated and ventilated through light wells, enhancing both comfort and environmental performance.

The living spaces, including the living room, dining area and kitchen, are arranged toward the north, directly oriented toward the sea views and surrounding landscape. In contrast, the bedrooms are positioned on the southern side, protected from strong winds while benefiting from natural light.

The overall composition seeks to translate the particularities of island dwelling into a contemporary architectural language, where building, climate and landscape operate as interconnected components of a unified spatial experience.

 

Dissolving into the landscape

Located within a residential development on the outskirts of São Paulo, the project was conceived as a residence where architecture, landscape and everyday life operate as a unified spatial experience. It responds to a site bordered by a golf course and an artificial lagoon, establishing a careful dialogue between built form and the surrounding environment.

Rather than emphasizing monumentality, the design strategy seeks to fragment and soften the scale of the residence. The house develops primarily across a single horizontal plane, while secondary technical spaces and recreational functions are discreetly concealed within a lower level. This organizational approach allows the architecture to remain visually grounded within the landscape, reinforcing a sense of continuity with the terrain rather than imposing itself upon it.

 

Spatial Organization

The residence is structured around a central planted courtyard filled with native Atlantic Forest vegetation, transforming nature into an active spatial nucleus rather than a peripheral backdrop. This internal garden mediates circulation, light and visual continuity throughout the house, while simultaneously reinforcing the atmosphere of retreat and privacy that defines the domestic experience.

The program includes four bedrooms, expansive living areas and entertainment spaces organized around carefully framed views toward the surrounding landscape. The spatial composition privileges openness and fluidity, allowing interior and exterior environments to overlap continuously.

A generous covered gallery occupies the most privileged edge of the plot, overlooking both the lagoon and the golf course. In response to the Brazilian climate and its strong culture of outdoor living, this semi-exterior space becomes the social heart of the residence. Inclined concrete partitions regulate western sunlight, reducing heat gain during the afternoon while preserving visual openness and airflow.

 

 

Material Palette 

Material restraint and geometric clarity define the architectural language of the project. Concrete surfaces, controlled proportions and elongated horizontal lines establish a calm and cohesive architectural identity, while the interplay between solid partitions and open voids generates constantly shifting conditions of light and shadow.

The elevated swimming pool extends directly from the main living level, visually merging with the adjacent lagoon through reflective continuity. Its infinity edge creates a cascading effect toward the lower ground, transforming the pool into both an infrastructural and sculptural element within the composition.

The bedrooms, positioned toward the front garden, establish a quieter domestic zone where vegetation operates simultaneously as privacy filter and environmental mediator. Large openings reinforce the inhabitants’ connection with nature while maintaining controlled intimacy from the street frontage.

 

 

Construction

An essential dimension of the project was the collaborative relationship established between architect, clients and construction team. Specifically, the successful realization of the house depended largely on the owners’ commitment to preserving the integrity of the architectural vision throughout the construction process.

Despite geographical distance, the coordination between the architectural office and the construction company remained continuous and highly collaborative. This ongoing exchange enabled the project to maintain coherence from concept to execution, resulting in a residence where the built outcome closely reflects the precision and atmosphere of the original design intent.

 

Interconnected space

The project consists of two interconnected interventions: the restoration of a 1920s Cretan stone residence and the addition of a contemporary vertical extension, together forming a unified family home. Originally built as part of the refugee housing settlements of the early twentieth century, the existing structure represents a characteristic example of vernacular domestic architecture, now reinterpreted through a contemporary architectural language that allows the building to regain visibility and presence within the urban fabric.

 

Restoration Strategy

Rather than concealing the traces of the original dwelling, the intervention embraces the existing stone shell as a bearer of memory and spatial identity. Elements of the historic residence are preserved and incorporated into the new architectural composition, particularly within the lower level where the shared living functions are organized. Century-old details remain visible throughout the interior, contributing to an atmosphere that balances familiarity, permanence and subtle nostalgia.

 

 

Design Philosophy

The new extension is constructed through a lightweight metallic structural system combined with a timber roof and an additional loft level. The design approach seeks to establish a coherent architectural dialogue between the permanence of the original masonry structure and the lighter contemporary intervention. Clean geometric volumes, semi-transparent surfaces, generous ceiling heights and a restrained material palette contribute to an environment defined by spatial clarity and continuity.

 

 

Spatial Organization

Within the upper levels, where the private sleeping quarters are located, the architectural composition explores variations in height and section to introduce spatial complexity and moments of openness. The shifting interior volumes generate a sense of lightness and optimism, reinforcing the experiential quality of everyday domestic life. The result is a residence where restoration and contemporary addition coexist without hierarchy, producing a unified architectural narrative grounded equally in memory and transformation.

Linear volume

Conceived as a continuous linear volume that bends and unfolds across the site, the Courtyard Office organizes its program around a large internal garden that becomes the social and environmental core of the project. The building’s geometry creates a porous workplace environment where circulation, landscape and workspace remain in constant visual dialogue, fostering openness, interaction and environmental comfort.

 

Spatial Organization

The office develops sectionally between two and four levels, allowing the building mass to respond dynamically to orientation, climate and circulation requirements. At the southwest and northeast edges, the volume lifts from the ground plane, enabling prevailing south-westerly breezes to move naturally through the internal courtyard and enhancing passive cooling throughout the complex.

Additional lifted corners at the northeast and northwest ends generate generous double-height volumes that accommodate shared collective functions, including a cafeteria and a library. These spaces establish visual continuity between floors and encourage informal interaction across different departments and working environments.

The primary circulation spine traces the perimeter of the courtyard, maintaining constant visual contact with the landscape while connecting the office floors. Workspaces are arranged along the outer edges of the building envelope, opening toward planted gardens and benefiting from natural light and framed exterior views.

 

 

Climate-Responsive Design

The geometry of the building was carefully developed to maximize environmental performance. Its longest facades are oriented toward the north, ensuring consistent indirect daylight across the office interiors throughout the day. On the remaining elevations, angled louvers filter sunlight while directing views and light northwards, minimizing heat gain and reducing the building’s overall energy demand.

Natural ventilation strategies are embedded directly into the architectural form. The lifted ground conditions, landscaped courtyard and sectional variation collectively generate airflow through the building, creating comfortable internal conditions while limiting dependence on mechanical cooling systems.

 

 

Design Philsoophy

Drawing inspiration from the spatial logic of traditional Indian courtyard houses, the project reinterprets the courtyard not merely as an outdoor void, but as an active climatic and social device. Open and enclosed environments alternate throughout the complex, creating a varied sequence of volumes, orientations and atmospheres that support different modes of work and interaction.

The result is a workplace environment where architecture and landscape operate as a continuous system, balancing environmental efficiency with spatial diversity and human experience.

 

Levitating mass

The house is located in a quiet rural area, with one floor above ground and another dug into the earth. Featuring imposing black pigmented concrete, the design is centered around three main masses, creating a balance between open spaces and solid structures. The transparent central volume serves as the heart of the building, while the surrounding landscape plays an integral role in shaping the living experience.

 

Design Philosophy

The lower floor contains a large, excavated courtyard, which acts as a central gathering space. The central mass, over 5m high, offers clear views of the entire site. On either side, two long, parallel masses extend across the lot, reinforcing its length and creating a balanced composition. These masses penetrate the central structure, giving the appearance of floating concrete beams that stretch outward, enhanced by differences in the roof heights.

A floating bridge made of reflective stainless steel connects the entrance of the house across the courtyard, offering a clear view of the interior spaces. The path leads through a shallow reflecting pool, revealing the private areas of the house that are not visible from the street. This bridge also creates a visual link between the two long masses that extend through the structure.

 

 

Functional Organization

The upper floor includes the main living spaces, with a large living room, kitchen, dining area, and family rooms. The master suite features a walk-in closet, bathroom with a shower inside a reflecting pool, and a bedroom with views of the garden. A staircase made of dark natural stone leads to the lower level, where the wellness and leisure spaces are located, enhancing the flow between the levels.

The lower floor accommodates an indoor pool, gym, spa, cinema room, and a hospitality area, including a bar and wine room. Additional spaces for supporting functions, such as a laundry room and staff quarters, are also located here.

On the opposite side of the house, a large, landscaped garden includes a soccer field, pool, outdoor kitchen, and living areas, designed to support various social and recreational activities.

 

 

Material Palette

The house features clean, modern lines with black concrete facades, fiber-c cladding, and large glass openings. Dark natural stone flooring is complemented by blackened brass details. The design emphasizes an illusion of levitation, where the contrast between solid concrete and floating masses is achieved through roof disconnection and transparent elements.

 

Varying context

Located in Ílhavo, Portugal, the project unfolds as a single-storey residence that seeks to reconcile the programmatic requirements with the specific characteristics of the site. The plot is situated within an area that currently remains undeveloped along its periphery, though it is expected to undergo significant residential growth in the near future. Within this transitional context, the residence attempts to establish from the outset a clear relationship between private living and the surrounding landscape.

 

Functional Organization

The decision to resolve the entire program on a single level transforms the outdoor space into an integral component of the architectural composition. The remaining green areas are not treated as residual space, but rather as active elements of everyday habitation and the overall spatial organization of the house.

The arrangement of the volumes gradually defines the spatial hierarchy of the residence. As movement progresses deeper into the site, the spaces acquire an increasing sense of privacy and seclusion. Architecture employs the positioning and geometry of the volumes as tools for organizing daily life, creating a clear transition from the more public to the more protected functions.

 

 

Design Philosophy

The architectural proposal is structured around two distinct volumes, differentiated both formally and functionally in response to the specific content of the program. These volumes are strategically positioned on the site in order to maximize solar exposure, establish controlled relationships with the surroundings and frame the outdoor spaces.

At the same time, the openings and incisions of the façades allow for controlled natural light while reinforcing the continuity between interior and exterior space. In this way, the residence develops a constant visual and functional extension toward the landscape, integrating greenery into the spatial experience of the interior.

 

 

Material Palette

The form and materiality of the project draw reference from the region’s traditional constructions, reinterpreting familiar architectural elements through a contemporary compositional language. Clean volumes, inclined surfaces and a restrained material palette compose an architecture that engages with the local building tradition without resorting to mimicry.

The use of zinc surfaces, natural timber and bright neutral materials throughout the interior reinforces the understated character of the residence, while simultaneously introducing durability and timelessness to the composition. Light is treated as a primary architectural tool, shaping interiors defined by calm atmospheres and subtle variations of illumination throughout the day.

The result is a residence articulated with clarity and economy of means, transforming the relationship between built and unbuilt space into the central core of the architectural experience.

 

Domestic prototype

In the wake of the global realignment brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, Riverhouse emerged as a deeply personal exploration of domesticity. Situated within a protected river corridor in rural Rhode Island, the project reflects broader cultural shifts toward slower living, environmental consciousness and closer engagement with nature. Designed as both family residence and experimental retreat, the house reconsiders how architecture can support evolving modes of living, working and gathering.

Originally occupying the site was a deteriorating summer structure that had hosted a series of informal architecture camps since 2014. These gatherings brought together architects, collaborators and families in an environment centered around dialogue, collective reflection and shared living. Over time, the fragile building became increasingly unsustainable, prompting the architects to envision a new dwelling capable of preserving the spirit of the site while responding to contemporary environmental and spatial demands.

 

Domestic Prototype

The new residence occupies the footprint of the original structure while introducing a compact yet highly articulated architectural form. Elevated to comply with floodplain regulations, the house balances technical rigor with an atmosphere of informality and warmth. Conceived according to Passive House principles, the project incorporates triple-glazed openings, heavily insulated wall assemblies and rooftop photovoltaic systems with battery storage, allowing the building to operate entirely on electricity while minimizing year-round energy consumption.

Rather than emphasizing technological performance as an end in itself, the project integrates environmental systems seamlessly within the architectural language. The design maximizes natural ventilation and daylight through strategically positioned apertures, while outdoor rooms, terraces and roof gardens extend domestic life into the surrounding landscape. The architecture negotiates openness and enclosure through a sequence of carefully calibrated spatial conditions that reinforce the connection between interior and exterior environments.

The distinctive geometry of the house emerged through an iterative process of physical model-making. A folded blue metal roof descends asymmetrically across the facades, producing a diagonal ridgeline that creates dynamic sectional relationships throughout the interior. This manipulation of volume allows for double-height spaces, mezzanine rooms and carved outdoor courtyards that bring light deep into the plan while framing views toward the river and surrounding forest.

 

 

Material Palette

Material selection played a central role in shaping the identity of the project. Thermally modified ash wood cladding, unfinished plywood surfaces and handmade Lebanese tiles introduce tactile richness while maintaining a restrained material palette. Vibrant window frames punctuate the muted exterior composition, echoing the changing colors of the surrounding vegetation throughout the seasons.

Inside, the house is organized around a spacious communal living area designed for both everyday inhabitation and collective gathering. Storage systems are embedded within the architectural envelope to maintain spatial clarity, while each room is dimensioned with precision to maximize efficiency without sacrificing comfort. The spatial organization privileges adaptability and fluidity, allowing domestic routines, work and social activities to coexist seamlessly.

The project evolved through an extended process of collaboration involving architects, designers, artists and craftspeople. These interventions blur the boundaries between architecture, interiors and objects, reinforcing the house’s role as a continuously evolving environment shaped through collective authorship.

Construction itself became part of the project’s narrative. Built incrementally within a modest budget, the project relied heavily on the involvement of friends, collaborators and local builders. The process unfolded gradually, with many contributors living alongside the project as it took shape, reinforcing the architects’ broader understanding of architecture as a social and participatory act.

 

 

Design Philosophy

Beyond its role as a private residence, the project operates as an ongoing platform for exchange, experimentation and dialogue. Continuing the legacy of the original architecture camps, the project supports gatherings that foster conversation around architecture, ecology and collective living. A second phase currently underway introduces a pavilion, swimming pool and gardens intended to accommodate future communal events and workshops.

In this sense, Riverhouse belongs to a lineage of architect-designed experimental houses that function simultaneously as homes and spatial manifestos. Yet unlike historical precedents centered on formal autonomy, this project responds directly to contemporary concerns surrounding climate adaptation, evolving family structures and the redefinition of domestic space in an increasingly uncertain world.

The result is a residence that resists the notion of retreat as isolation. Instead, the project proposes an architecture rooted in openness, resilience and environmental sensitivity – a carefully inhabited structure that remains unfinished in the most productive sense: continuously adapting, evolving and engaging with the people and landscape that surround it.

 

 

Refined Materiality

This generational home was designed as a gathering place for an international client’s extended family. A longtime appreciator of modern design, the owner was looking to carefully craft a biophilic living space for his wife and young twins, as well as a home to entertain and host visiting friends and family.

 

Design Philosophy

The private site is situated on a flag lot, surrounded by open space with mature perimeter trees and vegetation. The 455m² structure consists of two forms layered perpendicularly. On the ground level, a kitchen, dining, and family room flow naturally into outdoor living spaces, centered around a passively cooled double-height living room that pulls cold air from lower levels to the warmer second story via strategically placed windows. A covered patio at the rear of the house and trellis at the front foster a sense of openness; the surrounding scenery is framed thoughtfully by architecture, becoming almost transparent.

The L-shaped structure nestles a protected, private courtyard and pool between the house and hillside, which directly connects to the guest suite. The suite is thoughtfully designed as a space for the client’s visiting parents. Supported by the lower level on one end and the hillside on the other, the private second floor is balanced gracefully atop its lower counterpart. The primary suite lightly floats above a grove of mature oaks, overlooking distant views of the San Francisco Bay to the north. On the opposite end, the twins’ rooms mirror each other as to “not to favor one over the other”, equally divided by a shared study nook.

 

 

Functional Organization

A double height stone clad fireplace connects the first and second floors, and wood slats splash patterns of daylight onto a rich material palette. A subterranean level houses the office, guest room, and nanny suite, complimented by lightwells that welcome natural light into each space. The office connects via an outdoor staircase to the covered patio -a primary outdoor gathering space for friends and family, with a fireplace and moveable wood slatted screens allowing flexibility to control exposure to southern sunlight.

 

 

Material Palette

The home’s materiality is subtle and refined, allowing natural textures to create visual contrast. The exterior is clad with bush-hammered travertine and reclaimed Ulin wood siding. A simple, warm interior palette of white oak paneling, black laminate, and white marble with brass accents allows the surrounding landscape to add color and light. Understated, comfortable furnishings accented with the daughter’s hand sketches create a warm, open, materially rich space deeply and intimately connected to the site and its occupants.

 

Reference point

The project’s design considers both the current state of the area and its future development. In this direction, a distinctive, contemporary architectural language is created with the aim of establishing a point of reference in the growing district of Voula.

 

Design Philosophy

The main idea is to create a double shell that envelops the building, providing the necessary privacy for users. The irregular shape of the plot and the narrow frontage on the adjacent streets, with large sides located at the plot boundaries, determine a need for private spaces while preserving a sense of continuity with the uncovered neighboring areas. The shell is traversed by a sparse perforation, contributing to the natural lighting of the interior of the building while ensuring the necessary privacy where needed. The perforations are clad with robust semi-transparent glass elements that create interesting reflections inside. The curved slabs, with their slight rotation, give the impression of a not-so-compact volume, offering intriguing shadows and different visual perspectives from the balconies.

Bioclimatic Strategy

In pursuit of sustainable development, local climate features were incorporated into the design. Water surfaces and green areas play a central role in creating a microclimate for residents and the neighborhood. On the ground floor, the designed shallow pond, with irregular islands and a swimming tank, is part of the approach. This composition, combined with the planting of gardens with interesting varieties of tall trees, creates a harmonized natural climate of coolness and tranquility at the entrance level, which extends to the surrounding neighborhood.

 

 

Custom Elements

On the balconies, green spaces are created, adding to the aesthetic quality of the exterior arrangement, and contributing to bioclimatic design. The perforated pergola on the roof level, acting as a filter, serves as an additional architectural element that creates ideal conditions for shading and ventilation, enhancing the aesthetic and functional character of the space.

 

Inclined tower

The project is located along the coastline of Limassol, 9 km east of the city center. Rising to a height of 50m, it consists of luxury apartments offering a 180° sea view. The construction of the building required the study and supervision of specialized consultants and contractors due to its large cantilevers, which gradually shift and extend away from the building’s core on the ground floor.

 

Design Philosophy

Each floor is displaced by 1.5m to maximize the orientation and create expansive, both covered and uncovered, south-facing verandas with views of the sea. This displacement results in the building sloping at an angle of over 20°, presenting unique technical challenges regarding the structure, vertical circulation, mechanical and electrical systems, and security. At the same time, it defines the building’s key feature, transforming it into an iconic landmark.

 

 

Urban Integration

The building leans toward the road and the urban landscape. On this elevation, behind the parametric perforated sloped GRC shell, the mechanical spaces are located, functioning as a vertical buffer zone between the public and private realms.

Water Element

In the horizontal dimension of the building, at ground level and spanning 50m in length, a water element connects the interior to the surrounding environment, reaching the shore. The elongated swimming pool, entirely clad in green marble, accentuates the north-south axis that links the urban landscape with the natural one, guiding the user from the public to the private space. The pool also serves as an area for leisure, relaxation, and rejuvenation.

The design, along with the selection of natural materials, plantings, and water elements, creates a sense of balance and a deep connection to the earth, both inside and out.

 

Bioclimatic shell

The project, located next to a traffic junction in one of the busiest and noisiest areas on the outskirts of Nicosia, is a medical center that provides day-care services across multiple fields, featuring modern and specialized operating rooms.

 

Design Philosophy

The elongated plot along Tseriou Avenue, oriented north–south, made it crucial to protect the building’s spaces from western and eastern solar exposure, as well as from excessive noise. The building is organized across six levels, two of which are underground. The ground floor, aligned with the adjacent pedestrian pathways, accommodates reception and service areas, a café, various gathering spaces, and offices. Medical areas, such as operating rooms and recovery rooms, are located on the first and second floors. The basement levels include support spaces and parking, while the third level houses mechanical installations.

The ground floor maintains a direct visual connection with the surroundings, is easily and immediately accessible from the sidewalk, and is surrounded by planting and outdoor areas for rest and dining. In contrast, the first and second floors are more introverted, with selective openings designed in direct relation to the functions they serve.

 

 

Facade and Shading Strategies

On the first and second floors, the eastern, western, and southern façades incorporate large rotating shading devices integrated into the building envelope, allowing generous outward views. When closed, they block sunlight and provide near-complete blackout conditions. On the western side, fixed perforated shading elements protect two external balconies directly connected to the vertical circulation, which can be used as breakout spaces.

On the northern façade, where solar protection is not required, a green wall covers the entire surface. In the intermediate zone between the wall and the vegetation, two balconies are constructed for plant maintenance as well as for relaxation. Spaces with direct visual contact to the green wall mainly include operating rooms and recovery beds.

 

 

Spatial Organization

The internal organization of the building, while overall reflecting the need for efficiency in patient care, is enriched with internal green atria and rest areas with balconies overlooking the city. These features create a well-lit and pleasant environment for both visitors and staff.

Set within a valley at the foot of a wooded hillside, the house is embedded in a landscape often veiled in shadow, protected by both slope and vegetation. The project emerges from this chiaroscuro condition, proposing the restoration of the original structure alongside the addition of a suspended extension – an intervention defined by lightness, openness and a renewed relationship with the surrounding environment.

 

Restoration Strategy

The existing building, a construction of notable character, has been carefully restored through a process of subtraction rather than transformation. Interior partitions and superfluous finishes were removed, allowing the spatial continuity to re-emerge while revealing the integrity of the original timber framework. Plaster coatings were stripped away, exposing the tactile qualities of stone and embedded flint, while existing shutters were cleaned and reinstated.

This approach reestablishes the house’s primary material expression and reinforces its anchoring within the Vexin landscape. The architecture does not impose a new identity but instead clarifies and amplifies what was already present, allowing the structure to reconnect with its historical and material context.

 

 

Design Philosophy

In contrast to the grounded, mineral presence of the original volume, the extension adopts a distinctly lighter architectural language. Positioned perpendicular to the existing structure, it extends beyond the shaded footprint to capture optimal sunlight. Elevated three meters above the natural terrain, the new volume engages directly with the slope and surrounding vegetation, establishing a dynamic spatial dialogue between ground and canopy.

A slender footbridge, constructed in wood and clad in polished stainless steel, connects the two volumes, framing views toward the forest while reflecting the sky. This transitional element reinforces the experiential sequence between old and new, shadow and light, enclosure and openness.

 

 

Material Palette & Structure

The extension is anchored by foundations of exposed aggregate concrete incorporating flint, establishing continuity with local construction methods and materials. Above this base rises a triangulated pine structure, articulated through a fine and rhythmic framework that defines the project’s light and elevated silhouette.

This structural system, both precise and expressive, supports an architecture that balances stability and suspension. The interplay between the restored mass and the lightweight addition generates a cohesive composition that explores contrasts – between heaviness and lightness, opacity and transparency, shadow and illumination.

Between anchoring and elevation, the project articulates a nuanced architectural response to its environment, proposing a dwelling that is both embedded in its context and open to transformation over time.

 

Industrial Archaeology

The existing building is one of the rare examples of the Brutalist architectural movement in Greece. It was constructed in 1972 and represents one of the most significant works by the Tombazis office. It served as a flagship for the company specializing in industrial concrete production.

The revival of the historic building posed an ethical challenge in terms of the intervention limit on the existing structure. It is worth noting that over its 50 years of existence, the building had been covered in various hues and materials, with the most recent being an ochre shade, which obscured its original Brutalist texture. Therefore, the initial intervention focused on restoring the original (1972) composition of exposed concrete in all visible elements of the building (40,000 sqm).

 

Spatial Organization

The goal for the interior was not to eliminate intervention through a faithful reconstruction of its original form. The radical spatial rearrangements inside aimed to create a new space that was always there, in the building’s “subconscious” since 1972. This effort was primarily guided by the 1.20m x 1.20m grid, corresponding to the dimensions of the typical element of the barrel-vaulted roof. This grid became the basis for every architectural and electromechanical element of the building, designed upon the natural, three-dimensionally projected grid that defined the barrel-vaulted roof.

To highlight the geometry of the roof as the driving force behind the entire design, all mechanical or other equipment was removed. This contrasted with the initial state of the building, where the roof was covered with various false ceilings and other architectural and electromechanical elements. Thus, the previously “buried” barrel-vaulted roof serves as a significant archaeological finding that determines the new morphology of the building’s interior and guides the space “towards absolute architecture” (Jean Pierre Raynaud – Maison de La Celle-Saint-Cloud).

 

 

Material Palette

A fundamental intervention in the interior of the building is the implementation of a clear functional access axis on the horizontal plane, with continuous water surfaces. Additionally, a vertical axis is created by a series of self-supporting marble cantilevers integrated with the central staircase. Earthy materials and minimalist clean lines are applied to enhance the Brutalist elements of the building through contrast. Water elements are modernized, redesigned, and expanded within the building’s interior, while the central staircase is reoriented to relieve congestion and widen the circulation routes (horizontal and vertical) of the common areas. The mezzanine is removed, and a complete reconfiguration is executed in the entrance area, aiming to create a clean and iconic reception space. Auxiliary spaces are added, and an opening is made towards the surrounding area of the ground floor event hall to create a multifunctional contemporary space. Raised floors are implemented on all levels to accommodate all mechanical installations while leaving the barrel-vaulted slab untouched and visible. The courtyard is highlighted in the Administration area, and a limited, open-plan arrangement is employed in the closed office spaces with extensive use of glass, along with a functional open layout for the office areas. Finally, the basement is excavated with the aim of creating a wine cellar and tasting area.

 

 

Sustainability Strategy

Regarding the building envelope, all roof and terrace insulation is reconstructed, including waterproofing and thermal insulation. Thermal bridging points on all horizontal surfaces are addressed, minimizing them on vertical surfaces without causing any alteration to the facades. Additionally, all external openings are replaced with modern thermally broken aluminum frames and energy-efficient glazing. Solar shading systems are implemented to control sunlight, while water elements in the building’s exterior are modernized and expanded to provide natural cooling and improve the microclimate.

The architectural treatment of the facades is discreet, almost reverential, in terms of highlighting the character and overall philosophy of the building. One could argue that the choice of the same materials – concrete and glass, but in their present-day interpretation, almost 40 years later – better serves the core of the initial idea that governs the entire building, while simultaneously giving it a much more contemporary image.

 

Continuous dialogue

Set within a site of remarkable natural beauty and surrounded by a golf course, the residence is conceived as an architectural composition that seeks to integrate seamlessly with its landscape. Through a careful articulation of volumetry and material expression, the project balances an extensive program with a sense of spatial clarity and harmony. The L-shaped plan is positioned at a slightly elevated level relative to the street, allowing unobstructed panoramic views across the otherwise flat terrain. This gesture establishes a gradual spatial transition while encouraging a continuous dialogue between interior and exterior environments.

 

Design Philosophy

The formal language of the residence is defined by the interplay of strong horizontal lines and a series of nuanced geometric transformations. Corners are beveled, curved, or inclined, generating a dynamic architectural composition that combines precision with expressive fluidity. The material palette reinforces this relationship with the surrounding landscape, employing light and earthy tones that enhance visual continuity. Wood elements, applied in panels and ceilings, are paired with a metal structure, while exposed light concrete introduces a subtle contrast against the warmer textures of the ground floor. A large, slatted panel on the upper level further accentuates the sense of lightness, contributing to the layered articulation of the façade.

 

 

Spatial Organization

The architectural composition unfolds through a clear organizational strategy that divides the residence into two primary volumes. A longitudinal wing accommodates the private program, including three suites, a physiotherapy space, and a home office, while a transversal volume concentrates the social and service areas, such as the kitchen, dining space, and auxiliary functions. Upon entry, gently inclined and curved walls guide movement toward the main living area, establishing a fluid spatial sequence that connects directly with the leisure zones. The integration of amenities, including sauna, spa, gym, and children’s area, is enhanced by retractable glass panels, allowing for flexibility and continuity. This entire leisure front is illuminated by zenithal natural light, ensuring both privacy and spatial clarity.

 

 

Lighting Design & Materials

Large, glazed surfaces establish a constant visual connection with the surrounding landscape, framing views and reinforcing the contemplative character of the residence. Architectural elements such as pergolas and inclined planes modulate light and shadow across the façades, introducing temporal variation throughout the day. On the upper floor, the master suite and additional bedrooms are arranged along the axes of the L-shaped plan, complemented by workspaces that benefit from the tranquility of the setting. A metal slat screen filters natural light while preserving privacy, and a continuous metallic eave outlines the volume with refined subtlety. Internally, the design language mirrors the exterior, combining warm tones, natural light, curated artworks, and selected furniture pieces into a cohesive and elegant spatial experience.

 

Working laboratory

Taller Di Frenna Arquitectos has developed its own architecture studio in Colima, Mexico, conceived as both a functional workplace and a platform for creative exploration. The building accommodates workspaces, meeting areas, audiovisual facilities and interior courtyards, organized within a series of clearly articulated volumes. Through the use of exposed materials, textural experimentation and the integration of natural light and vegetation, the project reflects the studio’s broader architectural ethos.  

 

Design Philosophy

The headquarters is conceived as an environment where architectural production and research coexist. Beyond accommodating the daily operations of the practice, the building operates as a space for experimentation, collaboration and the development of ideas.

The program includes open-plan workspaces, meeting rooms, audiovisual areas and a dedicated model-making workshop. These functions are arranged to foster interaction between team members and to support the various stages of the design process, from conceptual exploration to final presentation.

Rather than functioning as a conventional office, the building acts as a working laboratory, embodying the studio’s design methodology while enabling the continuous testing and evolution of architectural ideas.

 

 

Construction Logic & Materials

The architectural composition is defined by a sequence of clean, well-proportioned volumes. Emphasis is placed on the use of exposed, honest materials, allowing construction elements to remain visible and to express their structural and tactile qualities.

Concrete, steel, charred wood and stone form the primary material palette. Their combination, through varied textures and finishes, generates a layered architectural language that negotiates between industrial precision and natural expression. This material strategy reinforces durability while foregrounding craftsmanship and construction techniques.

The approach aligns with a broader design philosophy rooted in clarity of form, authenticity of materials and the integration of artisanal knowledge within contemporary architectural practice.

 

 

Courtyards & Spatial Organization

A network of interior courtyards structures the spatial organization of the building. These voids introduce natural light and vegetation into the interior, while establishing visual and physical connections between different programmatic zones.

The interplay between interior and exterior conditions produces a gradual spatial transition, where built volumes and natural elements coexist in a continuous dialogue. Variations in light, shadow and level contribute to a dynamic spatial experience, mitigating the monotony typically associated with enclosed office environments. These intermediate spaces also function as areas of pause and informal gathering, supporting a working atmosphere that encourages reflection, exchange and collective engagement.

The realization of the building involved close collaboration with local builders and artisans, whose contribution is evident in the detailing, surface treatments and material finishes throughout the project.

 

Urban upgrade

Along the axis that, from antiquity to the present day, connects the port of Piraeus with the center of Athens, Pireos Street, a concrete building of approximately 10,000 m² has been constructed, accommodating a fashion company alongside office functions.

 

Design Philosophy

The design of the building seeks to address two critical issues of the contemporary city: the maximization of greenery in relation to the built environment and the optimization of its environmental performance. The architectural composition is articulated through the coexistence of two distinct volumes: a single-storey retail space of 1,300 m² and a five-storey office building in an L-shaped configuration that encloses it, forming a clear boundary towards the adjacent structures and Pireos Street.

The roof of the ground-level volume is transformed into an intensively planted green roof, functioning as an elevated urban garden for both employees and the city. In this way, the project introduces a new topography, where greenery extends vertically, redefining the user’s relationship with the environment.

 

 

Spatial Organization

Employees benefit from a direct visual and functional connection to the garden, ensuring privacy and distancing from the noise of the busy urban artery. At the same time, ramps leading to the planted roof, in combination with the geometry of the curved volume, establish a spatial continuity that connects the ground level with a higher, publicly accessible plane.

The façades is differentiated according to orientation through shading systems such as louvers and stainless-steel mesh, regulating solar exposure and reducing thermal loads without compromising outward views. Each surface is conceived as an active filter mediating between interior and exterior conditions.

 

 

Sustainability & Technology

The green roof is maintained year-round through an automated irrigation system that utilizes rainwater collection and reuse tanks. The storage of significant water volumes supports the survival of the vegetation even during the summer months.

In parallel, the use of air-to-ground heat exchangers – large underground ducts – allows the introduction of naturally tempered air, contributing to the building’s microclimatic performance. A Building Management System (BMS) controls lighting, ventilation, and air conditioning, as well as window operation and internal shading, ensuring optimal indoor comfort while achieving substantial energy savings.

The project embodies a holistic approach to sustainable design, where architecture, technology, and landscape converge into a cohesive system that redefines the contemporary workplace.

 

Introverted courtyard

The house is located in a suburban area of Nicosia and was designed to establish a strong connection between indoor and outdoor living, drawing references from the urban Cypriot houses of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

 

Spatial Organization

This contemporary approach reinterprets the courtyard as the living core of the residence. The main spaces – living room, dining area, kitchen and two bedrooms – are arranged in an L-shaped layout around a central courtyard. At the heart of the composition, an elongated water element, the pool, acts as a natural extension of the living space.

The presence of water enhances the dialogue between inside and outside, while also contributing significantly to the formation of a favorable microclimate, providing natural cooling during the summer months. The courtyard thus becomes an intermediate space of everyday life, where the boundaries between private and open-air environments are softened.

 

 

Material Palette

The architectural proposal follows a strict minimalist logic, emphasizing geometric clarity and the elimination of any superfluous elements. The volumes are defined by clean lines, while the composition is structured around the balance between solid and void.

Exposed concrete is the dominant material, selected for both its structural properties and its restrained aesthetic. This unified materiality ensures coherence and durability, while the clean surfaces act as a canvas for the interplay of natural light and shifting shadows throughout the day.

 

 

Bioclimatic Strategy

The design carefully utilizes orientation and cross-ventilation to ensure optimal airflow and natural lighting. At the same time, the introverted organization of the residence guarantees a high level of privacy, in contrast to the surrounding urban context.

The result is a residence that engages with local architectural heritage, translating it into a contemporary language. Through the synthesis of space, material and climate, the project responds to current needs for quality of life, flexibility and a meaningful connection with the natural environment.

 

Renewed perspective

The project of Dexamenes matures gracefully over time, much like wine – a narrative defined by continuity, a gentle projection into the future, and a constant state of entropy. Quiet reinvention has become intrinsic to its character: the hotel evolves through modest gestures, extending itself layer by layer, season by season. Since its inception, it has consistently reactivated its existing components. The twin silos now pulse with wellness, art, and recurring culinary events, each iteration fostering an ongoing dialogue with the past.

 

Extension Strategy

In parallel, the building has sought its own modes of evolution, delicately emerging from its robust concrete base. A few years after its completion, as cultural and culinary programs continued to flourish, it became evident that the site could accommodate a new chapter in hospitality – an additional layer that would honor the original ethos while offering a renewed perspective. During the early stages of construction, when the interiors of the tanks remained inaccessible, time spent on their rooftops revealed a unique sensation of elevation. From this vantage point, the sky met the sea in a continuous, uninterrupted line. It was this immediate connection to the horizon that ultimately informed the addition of a new layer atop the concrete tanks.

 

 

Functional Organization

Eight new rooms now occupy this elevated structure. A lightweight framework of slender metal tubes and warm wooden planks hovers above the solid tanks, tracing the building’s geometry without imposing upon it. These refined elements dematerialize the presence of the new level, allowing a thin canopy to appear as though it floats effortlessly above the concrete volume. A linear water feature frames the horizon, visually merging the architecture with the sea. Sunlight reflecting off the wooden pergola animates the surfaces, reinforcing the nautical, raft-like character of the intervention. The new rooms extend the palette, aesthetic, and spatial logic of the existing accommodations. Each one opens toward the sea through a generous veranda, shaded beneath the pergola, while access from the rear courtyard integrates the upper level into the daily life of the hotel below.

 

 

Design Philosophy

From this elevated vantage point, guests engage with the silos, the cultivated vines of the garden, and the rhythm of activity below, now perceived from a distinctly different perspective. The addition does more than expand the hotel’s capacity; it encapsulates, activates, and extends the evolving narrative of Dexamenes. The rooftop of the rear tank remains intentionally open-ended, reserved as a space for experimentation and discovery. From here, the horizon stretches infinitely, uncharted and anticipatory, awaiting the next chapter in the life of the hotel.

 

Radical material reuse

Trace is a transformative deep retrofit residential project located on Drummond Street in Euston, London, designed by Bureau de Change for HGG London. The scheme reinterprets a four-storey brick building from the 1980s, extending it with two additional levels and accommodating five contemporary, light-filled apartments, while preserving and repurposing the majority of the existing structure.

 

Circular Economy Principles

At the core of the project lies a rigorous commitment to circular economy principles. Rather than opting for demolition and reconstruction, the design retains the original foundations, primary structure and defining architectural elements, including the characteristic archway, thus conserving the embodied carbon of the site. A key innovation is the development of a site-specific glass reinforced concrete (GRC) composite for the façade, incorporating materials harvested directly from the existing building.

The original mid-brown bricks are crushed and reused as visible aggregate, forming a new textured cladding that reconstitutes the building envelope. This process generates a materially expressive façade that both preserves and reinterprets the building’s history, allowing traces of the past to remain legible within a contemporary architectural language.

 

 

Design Philosophy

The architectural language draws from the layered historical context of Drummond Street and Tolmer’s Square, referencing Georgian urban typologies, the legacy of Euston Station, and successive phases of 20th-century redevelopment. The façade composition is informed by Georgian proportions, rustication, and articulated arches, reinterpreted through a contemporary construction system.

Organized within a rational grid, the openings reinterpret traditional segmental arches, enabling larger window apertures that enhance daylight penetration, cross-ventilation, and spatial quality. The inclusion of winter gardens at the rear further extends the living spaces, establishing a dynamic relationship between interior and exterior environments.

 

 

Layout & Urban Integration

The completed development comprises three two-bedroom apartments across the lower levels and two one-bedroom units on the newly added upper floors, each offering skyline views and access to outdoor terraces. The internal layouts are structured around double-aspect living spaces arranged in a stepped configuration, subtly organizing kitchen, dining, and living areas without rigid partitioning.

Aligned with the ambitions of the Euston Area Plan, the project promotes sustainable urban intensification while enhancing the character of the surrounding area. By demonstrating how existing structures can be elevated through adaptive reuse and material innovation, Trace positions itself as a model for low-carbon residential development within the contemporary city.

 

Programmatic coexistence

“Just Don’t Call it a Lab”

The Warren Woods Ecological Field Station, designed for the University of Chicago’s Department of Ecology and Evolution, constitutes the first certified Passive House laboratory facility in North America. With a total surface area of 220m², the building demonstrates how research environments can meet rigorous energy-performance standards while simultaneously supporting scientific inquiry, education, and community engagement. Situated within a 42-acre site in southwest Michigan, it establishes a framework for addressing critical questions related to ecology and human adaptation in the Anthropocene.

 

Programmatic Integration

The facility accommodates a fully equipped laboratory, seminar space, bathrooms, and a compact kitchen. A second-floor loft and an accessible roof deck provide flexible areas for retreats and collective activities, while three adjacent bunkhouses and a wash house support seasonal programs. The interior spaces are carefully daylit, balancing the technical requirements of scientific equipment with occupant comfort. This duality allows advanced research processes to coexist with the stringent demands of Passive House performance.

 

 

Environmental Strategy

Energy efficiency and programmatic complexity inform every aspect of the design. Laboratory spaces are strategically located in the cooler northwest corner of the building to counterbalance the heat generated by plant-growth chambers, ultra-low-temperature freezers, and DNA extraction equipment. A deep roof overhang mitigates solar gain on west-facing glazing, while a comprehensive ventilation system captures and redistributes or exhausts waste heat according to seasonal needs, ensuring optimal indoor environmental conditions.

 

 

Material Palette

The building is articulated through a combination of a long shed roof, expansive south-facing glazing, and operable perforated-metal screens that regulate solar exposure throughout the year. A super-insulated concrete slab contributes to thermal stability, maintaining consistent interior temperatures. The exterior is clad in distressed cedar siding, wrapping a series of abstract geometric volumes that anchor the structure within its wooded context while simultaneously expressing its technological and scientific character.

As both a research infrastructure and a prototype for sustainable design, the Warren Woods Ecological Field Station establishes a new paradigm for high-performance laboratory architecture in remote environments, aligning technical precision with ecological responsibility.

 

Constellation of volumes

An existing 40-year-old office building is stripped back to its primary structure and comprehensively reinterpreted to respond to contemporary workplace demands. The initial massing logic is recovered and clarified, transforming what was once a fragmented and visually inconsistent assemblage into a cohesive composition. The building is rearticulated as a constellation of twelve distinct volumes, each defined by its own cladding strategy and spatial atmosphere, establishing a new architectural identity rooted in differentiation and clarity.

 

Intervention Strategy

The intervention operates through a process of subtraction and redefinition. By removing non-essential layers, the original structural framework is revealed and reorganized, allowing the building’s inherent geometry to be legible once again. The front façade adopts a restrained material palette, articulated through subtle tonal variations of white, grey, black, and gold. A newly introduced curtain wall defines the primary elevation, while a sequence of cast-in-place terrazzo steps establishes a clear and generous entrance gesture.

In contrast, the rear elevation embraces a more expressive and playful language. Individual volumes are distinguished through color and material differentiation: a pale turquoise-clad elevator core, a striped black-and-white staircase punctuated by yellow window frames, a pink-rendered service core, and blue metal-clad office spaces. This chromatic distribution extends throughout the building, generating a dynamic interplay between interior and exterior surfaces.

 

 

Spatial Organization & Environmental Strategy

The building is reoriented to engage more directly with its adjacent natural park, introducing new openings within previously opaque façades. These interventions enhance visual connectivity while significantly improving daylight penetration, addressing the limitations of the original low ceiling heights.

At roof level, a landscaped green roof is combined with a circular pergola, forming a sequence of outdoor workspaces and social areas. These elevated spaces accommodate informal gatherings, events, and moments of exchange, extending the program beyond the conventional office environment.  

Sustainability is integrated as a core design parameter. The project incorporates high-performance insulation systems, energy-efficient glazing, locally sourced materials, and low-energy mechanical systems. Additional features include photovoltaic panels, electric vehicle charging stations, and bicycle parking, contributing to the building’s A+ energy efficiency rating.

Material Palette

The interior design negotiates between preservation and transformation. Existing black marble flooring is restored, while suspended ceilings are removed to expose the raw concrete structure and its irregular formwork. This juxtaposition of refined and unfinished surfaces establishes a consistent material language across all levels.

Each floor is further differentiated through bespoke architectural elements and furniture interventions. These range from sculptural marble seating installations to a vivid red perforated metal library and expansive shared worktables. On the ground floor, a generous red terrazzo staircase operates simultaneously as circulation and as an amphitheatrical space for events, linking to a luminous mezzanine above.

 

Geometric accents

The project concerns the creation of a car rental hub, located along the main road axis connecting the airport with the city of Chania. The central design concept is defined by the positioning of a pair of circular buildings along the imaginary extension of the nearby runway.

 

Design Philosophy

The geometry of the buildings is based on simple geometric forms, aiming to produce a clear and legible architectural ensemble. The two volumes are arranged on a unified plaza, which operates as a transitional element between built and unbuilt space. Between the two building entities, a metal canopy is introduced, functioning both as a unifying compositional element and as a threshold zone mediating the transition of visitors from the exterior into the interior of the complex.

The initial concept proposed the creation of two circular, single-space halls, organized through a peripheral arrangement of counters or kiosks, following a spatial typology commonly found in airport environments. At the same time, the design needed to accommodate the potential subdivision of the buildings into independent offices and retail units with direct access from the exterior. The circular geometry proved particularly effective in supporting multiple usage scenarios.

 

 

Functional Organization

At ground level, the buildings host the offices of four car rental companies, while the upper floors accommodate independent office spaces available for lease. The basement levels include auxiliary functions serving the retail units, visitor sanitary facilities, a car wash, and additional electromechanical installations.

The outdoor space is carefully configured to support the continuous circulation of small vans transporting customers to and from the airport, while also maximizing the number of parking spaces and vehicle handover points.

 

Material Palette

The folded metal envelope, aluminum cladding, and the use of high-specification glazing and panel systems form a coherent architectural vocabulary that aims to establish a distinct identity for the development, while simultaneously providing a flexible design framework for future expansion.

 

Citadel Within the City

Set within the Matosinhos Sul Urbanization Plan by Álvaro Siza, the former Brandão & Companhia canning factory occupies a privileged position near the coastline, retaining a strong connection to the industrial past and maritime identity of the area. The intervention reinterprets this legacy through a mixed-use development that consolidates healthcare, commercial, office, and residential functions within a unified architectural system, restoring the original envelope and chimney while introducing a contemporary layer.

 

Urban Integration

The proposal addresses the fragmentation of the existing structure by re-establishing continuity within the urban fabric. While the original volumetry occupied almost the entire plot, the project introduces permeable and green voids that allow natural light and circulation to penetrate the block. These interstitial spaces generate visual and physical connections between programs, enhancing accessibility to upper levels and fostering interaction within a dense, multifunctional urban environment. The ground floor accommodates commercial and service functions, offices are positioned on the first level, and residential units are organized in elevated volumes.

 

 

Programmatic Organization

At the entrance to the residential areas, a reception space opens onto a patio that operates as the central node of circulation, linking communal zones and distributing movement across the complex. The spatial hierarchy is structured to balance privacy and collectivity, ensuring fluid transitions between different uses. The distribution of the building mass into distinct volumes creates a dynamic composition that responds both to the scale of the plot and to the surrounding urban context.

 

 

Material Palette

The architectural language is articulated through a juxtaposition of materials with varying densities, notably pigmented concrete and aluminum stretched mesh. This contrast reflects the dialogue between past and present, emphasizing both the solidity of the existing structure and the lightness of the newly inserted volumes. Suspended above the courtyard, these elements introduce a sense of elevation and permeability, with a material palette inspired by the proximity to the sea. The intervention ultimately establishes a balanced relationship with adjacent buildings and the public realm, contributing to the revitalization of the block and supporting a broader strategy of sustainable urban development.

 

Consolidating functions

The Exeter Road Pavilion is an adaptive reuse of a modest Victorian garden outbuilding in northwest London, reimagined as a hybrid domestic and social space for an art collector and amateur DJ. Conceived as both a storage environment and a setting for leisure, the project consolidates diverse functions – archiving, display, gathering, and recreation – within a unified architectural gesture that extends from interior to landscape.

 

Design Philosophy

At the core of the proposal lies a continuous cabinet, operating as a contemporary cabinet of curiosities. Beginning within the refurbished structure and extending outward into the garden, this linear element accommodates an array of uses: art storage and display, shelving for books and vinyl records, a DJ station, a television, and personal artifacts. As it moves outdoors, it integrates recreational functions, including a ping-pong table, weights, and garden games, maintaining spatial continuity across interior and exterior domains.

Encased in a perforated stainless-steel screen, the cabinet oscillates between transparency and opacity. Its surface reflects and filters light, producing shifting visual conditions throughout the day. This duality allows the cabinet to simultaneously reveal and conceal its contents, reinforcing its role as both container and spatial mediator.

 

 

Structural Logic

The cabinet operates not only as storage but also as a structural system, supporting the canopy that extends over the outdoor space. The relationship between these elements introduces a deliberate tension, inspired by the precarious compositions of Fischli & Weiss. Rather than adhering to conventional structural logic, the design removes an expected column, redistributing forces through a counterbalancing system.

This equilibrium is achieved through a precisely milled marble mass embedded within a galvanized steel I-beam, paired with a tension rod anchored to a concealed concrete block below ground. The resulting configuration establishes a legible yet unconventional structural narrative, where balance is perceived as dynamic and contingent rather than fixed.

 

 

Materials & Sustainability

The canopy itself is composed of layered materials – marble, steel, and polycarbonate – articulated in a clear tectonic hierarchy. Stainless steel cladding on the cabinet mirrors the surrounding vegetation, while translucent roofing elements diffuse light into the space below. This material palette oscillates between raw and refined, grounding the project in both industrial precision and environmental responsiveness.

Through reflection, translucency, and spatial extension, the pavilion dissolves the boundary between interior and exterior. It becomes an instrument for observing seasonal and daily changes, where light, vegetation, and built form interact continuously. The project ultimately establishes a condition in which structure, storage, and landscape remain in constant and perceptible dialogue.

 

Core of everyday life

In the heart of the settlement of Pollonia in Milos, a polygonal plot is transformed into a complex spatial organism, where the notion of the courtyard is reinterpreted as the core of everyday life. The proposal reconstructs the atmosphere of the Cycladic village through a contemporary architectural language, creating an environment that balances between privacy and collectivity.

 

Design Philosophy

The plan unfolds along the perimeter of the plot, with independent rooms arranged as volumes tracing its boundary. Within, a network of courtyards and pathways is formed, composing a sequence of open and semi-open spaces. The visitor is invited to navigate this system, discovering hidden corners and inner gardens, and choosing between moments of seclusion or social interaction.

The architectural experience is structured as a succession of spatial transitions, where movement becomes a key tool for understanding the project. The routes are non-linear, gradually revealing the whole and reinforcing the sense of a village at a micro scale.

 

 

Materiality & Architectural Language

The volumes develop across two levels, forming a clear dual material expression. A grounded base of exposed stone anchors the composition, while the white upper level appears to hover lightly above it, separated by a subtle shadow gap. This contrast enhances the plasticity of the composition and articulates the relationship between heaviness and lightness.

The architectural language of projections, corners, and openings generates a dynamic interplay of light and shadow, constantly shifting throughout the day. Light operates as an active design element, revealing material textures and intensifying spatial perception.

Finally, a third layer of materiality is introduced through metal elements. Pergolas and vertical corten features define the boundaries of the gardens, filter light, and create intermediate zones of privacy.

 

 

Spatial Organization

The six suites, featuring double-height interiors, are conceived as minimal and luminous spaces of accommodation. The architecture avoids unnecessary decoration, allowing the contrasts between materials and light to shape the atmosphere.

The courtyard, as a fundamental element of Cycladic typology, re-emerges as a place of gathering and social interaction. Sheltered from the wind, it functions as an inner garden where guests form a temporary community. Through this gesture, the architecture establishes the conditions for shared experiences, conversation, and exchange.

The project constitutes a contemporary interpretation of the traditional settlement, where respect for place is combined with the creation of new modes of inhabitation. It is an environment that balances individuality and collectivity, offering a refuge of simplicity and authenticity within the landscape of Milos.

 

Lighting compositions

In mid-July, the new architectural lighting installation for the Hellenic Parliament Building and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was completed, accompanied by the energy upgrade of the underground parking areas and the complex’s nursery facility. The new lighting design seeks to redefine the nocturnal presence of the building and its surrounding space, situating the intervention within a contemporary framework of environmental responsibility and sustainability.

 

Lighting Philosophy & LED Technology

The new lighting scheme was implemented exclusively using advanced LED technology, with particular emphasis on chromatic consistency and precise control of the light sources. Each luminaire is digitally controlled in terms of both intensity and operating duration, allowing the creation of dynamic lighting scenarios with a high degree of accuracy.

The combined use of energy-efficient light sources and an automated high-precision control system ensures optimal energy performance. From sunset onwards, the luminous composition of the façades evolves subtly, with smooth transitions in intensity that respond to the time of day, the day of the week, and the season, forming a dynamic yet refined nocturnal image.

 

 

Technical Characteristics

A central focus of the study was the mitigation of light pollution. For this reason, the lighting system allows for the automatic adjustment of colour temperature, shifting from cooler white tones to warmer light. The warmer spectrum, characterised by reduced blue light content, significantly limits the impact on the night sky.

This transition takes place daily from midnight until dawn, ensuring that the lighting remains compatible with the city’s natural nocturnal environment. At the same time, the luminaires are equipped with precision optical systems, lockable aiming mechanisms and anti-glare accessories, minimizing light spill toward the sky.

At the compositional level, the lighting highlights the façades of both the Parliament Building and the Monument, emphasizing the rhythm and plasticity of architectural elements such as pediments, cornices, pilasters and porticoes, as well as individual features including the monument’s central relief, shields and inscriptions. In parallel, light sources with a high colour rendering index revive the texture and colour of the materials, as well as the sculptures of Eleftherios Venizelos, Charilaos Trikoupis and the figure of the Mother.

 

 

Energy Upgrade

The integration of the new lighting equipment was carried out with particular care, ensuring that the morphological characteristics of the listed historic building were preserved. The luminaires installed on the façades underwent special colour treatment to match the surface of installation, allowing them to remain almost invisible during the daytime. In addition, the historic lamp posts and decorative lanterns of the Parliament complex were restored and upgraded.

Over the 15-month construction period, the project presented significant technical challenges, as all works were carried out while the building remained in full operation. The age of the building, combined with the numerous interventions that have taken place over the past 180 years, made the management of electrical routes particularly demanding, while the hybrid nature of the lighting management system required the extensive installation of fibre-optic networks.

Specially designed luminaires were also developed for specific architectural elements, such as the coffers of the porticoes, ensuring that the final result responded fully to the particular spatial requirements. The interventions were carried out with the contribution of a specialized conservation team, ensuring the protection of the building’s aesthetic and historical integrity.

The project’s energy upgrade is particularly significant. In the five-level underground parking facility and the nursery building, nominal energy consumption was reduced from 137KW in the previous installation to 41KW. Furthermore, thanks to the intelligent lighting management system, the final energy consumption is limited to just 29KW. This substantial reduction enhances the overall energy efficiency of the complex while contributing to the sustainable operation of one of the country’s most emblematic public buildings.

 

Relief continuation

The hotel is located at the edge of the traditional settlement of Oia, at the top of the volcanic cliffs of the Caldera. The site has a steep slope, a south-western orientation and unobstructed views toward the sea and the volcano.

 

Restoration Strategy

Within the plot there were ruined cave structures previously used as storage spaces, stables and cellars, as well as an old cubic house located at the northeastern corner. The objective of the project was the reconstruction of the pre-existing buildings and the addition of new cave rooms and communal areas, forming a hotel complex.

As a result, the hotel includes a small reception area, sixteen rooms, a restaurant, a shared swimming pool and a gym-spa. These functions are arranged gradually across the six levels of the complex. The entrance, accessed from the main pedestrian path of the settlement, is located at the upper level together with the reception and an outdoor seating area.

 

 

Spatial Organization

A central outdoor staircase leads from the upper level to the restaurant and the pool, connecting the three intermediate levels that accommodate the guest rooms with their private courtyards and pools. The lowest level includes the spa reception, a small gym, massage rooms, hammam, sauna, sanitary facilities and storage areas, as well as a sheltered relaxation courtyard at the edge of the cliff.

The proposal aimed both at the faithful restoration of the pre-existing buildings and the construction of new cave structures in the spirit of a contemporary and subtle reinterpretation of the cubic morphology of the old settlement, while maintaining a continuous relationship with the natural topography of the Caldera. The form of the new cave spaces preserves the structure of the traditional ones, along with their geometric shapes, materiality and white color.

The typologies of the floor plans, as well as the openings, are oriented so as to frame the view toward the sea. As a result, the façades follow the natural contour lines as broken geometries, resembling folded retaining walls that integrate gently into the landscape. The layering of these compositional strategies ultimately defines the final form of the building and its strong spatial dynamism. The descending movement of the central outdoor staircase, from the hotel entrance to the lowest level, resembles a “crack” in the “body” of the building, guiding movement and directing visitors toward the various private and communal areas.

Materials & Lighting

The interior design follows a strict minimalist approach based on the principles of Cycladic architecture. In the pre-existing cave spaces, a “total white” atmosphere prevails, with subtle touches of iridescent gold and green, while soft curves and freestanding furniture with organic forms highlight and enrich their natural plasticity.

The aesthetic of the new cave rooms is characterized by more intense colors, in the spirit of a “vie en bleu”, with abstract references to the cosmopolitan resorts of the Mediterranean south. These references become more geometric, linking the shapes and volumes of the interior with the forms of the exterior composition.

The lighting of the complex operates in a discreet manner, enhancing the sculptural quality of the white volumes and the experience of movement through the landscape. Along the outdoor pathways and staircases, low-intensity linear luminaires are integrated into the architecture, emphasizing the geometry of the walls and guiding visitors during nighttime circulation. The illuminated pools act as diffused luminous surfaces within the composition, creating soft reflections across the cave volumes. Inside the rooms, lighting remains subtle and integrated into the curved surfaces, highlighting the minimalist aesthetic and the sculptural qualities of Cycladic architecture.

 

Horizontal form

Located in Agios Tychonas, Cyprus, this private residence is conceived as a clear architectural composition of horizontal and vertical volumes that respond to the natural slope of the site. The building rests on an exposed concrete structural frame that establishes a solid base, while the white-rendered upper level introduces a sense of visual lightness. Continuous south-facing glazing and wooden louvers reinforce the relationship between interior space and landscape, creating transparency and warmth. The overall composition emphasizes horizontality, directing views toward the horizon and the infinity pool, which operates as a spatial extension of the interior living areas. The project’s architectural identity balances the raw texture of concrete with warm wooden surfaces and glass, establishing a contemporary dialogue with the surrounding natural environment.

 

Spatial Organization

The functional layout is structured around an open-plan ground floor where living, dining and kitchen spaces unfold seamlessly toward the outdoor terrace and swimming pool. This arrangement strengthens the connection between interior and exterior while extending everyday living into the garden.

The upper level accommodates the private areas of the house. Bedrooms and bathrooms are organized along a linear circulation corridor and are complemented by perimeter balconies that enhance privacy while encouraging cross-ventilation. The clarity of the plan establishes strong visual axes that guide the gaze toward the surrounding landscape, while allowing flexibility of use and a comfortable everyday spatial experience.

Bioclimatic Strategy

Environmental considerations are integrated into the project from the earliest stages of design. The building’s orientation and form respond directly to the climatic characteristics of the site, enabling passive regulation of temperature and daylight.

Carefully positioned overhangs and cantilevered elements, combined with adjustable wooden louvers, mitigate solar exposure during the summer months while allowing the lower winter sun to penetrate the interior spaces. Large openings facilitate natural cross-ventilation and passive cooling, while the exposed concrete structure operates as thermal mass, storing and gradually releasing heat to maintain stable indoor conditions.

 

 

Materials & Landscape Design

The architectural expression of the residence emerges from the dialogue between its material palette and the surrounding landscape. Concrete, wood, glass and white render are employed with restraint, establishing a balanced composition that reflects both modernist clarity and sensitivity to place.

Strategic planting around the perimeter contributes to the improvement of the microclimate, while the presence of the pool and landscaped surfaces enhances evaporative cooling. The overall form of the building adapts to the topography of the site, minimizing environmental impact while shaping a calm and open living environment.

Through this approach, the residence functions as a contemporary retreat where interior and exterior spaces merge seamlessly. Each volume, opening and material choice contributes to a spatial experience that prioritizes sustainability, clarity and a strong relationship with the natural landscape.

 

Reflection of the City

The new National Gallery building, now incorporating a major expansion and museological upgrade of its exhibition spaces, constitutes an important landmark in the contemporary urban landscape of Athens: to the pre-existing building of 9,720 m², which is listed as a modern monument, an additional 11,040 m² was added, more than doubling the functional spaces to a total of 20,760 m².

 

Design Philosophy

Through the new proposal, additions were implemented between the two units of the historic building (“Building A” facing Vasilissis Sofias Avenue and “Building B” facing Michalakopoulou Street), at the point where they are connected by a bridge above the location of the Ilissos riverbed, while underground spaces (“Building C”) were also opened where the groundwater level permits. The interior of the complex was completely redesigned.

The new building volumes, characterized by large glass surfaces, clearly stand apart from the architecture of the preserved building, with its exposed reinforced concrete structure and white marble infill elements. On the Michalakopoulou Street side, the new National Gallery gained an additional floor, while in the void between the two old wings an additional depth of three levels was added.

In the garden created south of the historic main entrance, the Gallery acquires an independent entrance, while the configuration of the surrounding landscape recalls the presence of the Ilissos river, through the creation of a water channel and the extension of greenery. The museum also features visitor circulation ramps with views toward the city skyline, elevators and staircases, full accessibility for people with disabilities, and modern security systems.

 

 

Spatial Organization

The entrance to the building complex takes place through a multifunctional space of 910 m², where in addition to control, information and visitor services, multiple digital information systems provide access to content about the building, the collections and the activities of the Gallery.

The main Gallery shop is also located there, equipped with versatile display cases. From the reception area visitors can move either towards the exhibition spaces of the permanent collections or towards the temporary exhibition areas, as well as to the 350-seat amphitheater or the café.

The interior architecture and the museographic study shaped the spaces accessible along the visitor routes. The museological core of the National Gallery consists of the permanent exhibition halls on the first and second floors of Building B, where the permanent collection of Greek painting and printmaking of the 19th and 20th centuries is presented, the permanent exhibition hall on the second basement level of Building C, where the permanent collection of Western European painting and printmaking is displayed, as well as the halls for rotating exhibitions on the third floor of Building B, where the continuously expanding collections of Contemporary Art (20th and 21st centuries) are presented through a rotating program.

In the permanent exhibition halls, spatial organization is mainly achieved through the placement of fixed exhibition panels that extend across the full height of the space, contributing to the narrative continuity of the exhibits. Through the use of these panels, the path of the gaze is designed through the revelation and concealment of spatial depth, while directions and visual perspectives are created, encouraging multiple associations and readings of the exhibits and forming central configurations as thematic focal points.

 

 

Museography and Exhibition Strategy

In these halls, suspended ceilings with general and accent lighting have been installed, incorporating a translucent elastic sound-absorbing membrane, while the exhibition walls and panels with a final fiber gypsum board surface allow for the hanging of artworks.

The exhibition panels are supported by the floor and the structure of the translucent ceiling, allowing cable routing inside them from the ceiling wiring system. Similarly, cable routes along the perimeter walls are placed at their upper termination. The exhibition space, beyond the exhibition surfaces, is equipped with display cases that enrich the exhibited material with drawings, watercolors and prints, while the artwork security systems allow the identification of each work individually and the immediate monitoring of any change in its condition.

In the halls for rotating exhibitions, in order to address special requirements, a suspended ceiling system was implemented that ensures uniform general lighting, isotropic distribution of accent lighting for the exhibits, as well as the possibility of supporting exhibition panels and hanging exhibits or projection systems. In addition to the permanent collection exhibition halls, the second basement of Building C hosts the temporary exhibition hall, where the suspended ceiling–lighting–display system used in the rotating exhibitions of the permanent collection has been extended in order to provide a suitable supporting background.

At the junctions between exhibition halls and the horizontal and vertical circulation areas of the building, circulation, signage and information nodes are defined and marked by wood cladding on the walls and ceilings. The visitor route is structured as a sequence of exhibition halls and circulation nodes where visitors can orient themselves and redesign their route, obtain digital information about the content of each exhibition hall and view additional exhibition material related to the content of the halls in specially designed display cases.

Overall, the extensions and reconstructions include new exhibition spaces of 2,230 m², modern art storage facilities of 1,645 m² and a space dedicated to educational programs. The new museum is equipped with state-of-the-art conservation laboratories, administrative offices, as well as a library that develops across two floors. It also includes two café-restaurants, with the second, located on the top level of the building, offering panoramic views toward the Acropolis, Mount Lycabettus and the Saronic Gulf.

In the new building, 1,000 works can be displayed as part of the permanent collection, whereas previously the old building could accommodate no more than 400 works. The new temporary exhibition hall approaches 2,000 m², while the storage spaces can house up to 10,000 artworks.

 

Corrugated form

The proposal concerns the reconstruction of a seven-storey office building on Syngrou Avenue and seeks to assign a central role to the building’s architectural identity, shaping the surrounding urban and cultural landscape while serving as the primary means of presenting the building as a contemporary landmark within the city.

 

Design Philosophy

Through an analysis of the building’s relationship with its wider urban context, the design proposes the relocation of the main axis of movement onto the façade facing Syngrou Avenue. This gesture became the geometric foundation for the development of the new architectural expression of the building envelope.

Drawing on the experience of movement along the urban axis, a system reminiscent of chronophotography was conceived – an image that condenses the perception of sequential motion into a single, legible form. In this way, movement is translated into architectural language, granting the building a dynamic and recognizable presence within the urban fabric.

The composition is articulated through a system of vertical elements consisting of sixty-four custom-made, wave-shaped louvers, each with a unique geometric development. Their repetition and variation generate a rhythmic surface that changes according to the observer’s viewpoint and the trajectory of natural light.

 

 

Sustainable Design

A central objective of the project was the integration of sustainable design principles. The building was designed and constructed with the aim of achieving LEED Gold certification, incorporating strategies that enhance both energy efficiency and environmental performance.

Within this framework, a specialized parametric study was carried out for the façade louver system to ensure optimal penetration of natural light into the interior spaces while simultaneously providing thermal and visual comfort. The dynamic form of the façade therefore operates not only as an aesthetic feature but also as an active filtering system for daylight and shading, contributing to the regulation of the microclimate and the overall environmental performance of the building.

 

Façade Lighting Design

The sense of movement created by the wave-like louvers is intensified by the interplay of light and shadow throughout the day. Continuous variations in illumination transform the appearance of the façade, giving it a shifting character that responds to the movement of the sun.

During the evening hours, the building’s architectural identity is further emphasized through a permanent lighting installation designed specifically for each point, angle and element of the façade. A carefully calibrated sequence of subtle variations in white light runs along the building envelope, establishing a quiet dialogue with the city’s nocturnal landscape.

Particular emphasis was placed on minimizing light pollution. The lighting fixtures are controlled through specialized systems that allow them to operate at very low luminance levels, thereby protecting the surrounding urban environment.

At roof level, a recreational terrace with views towards the Acropolis is created, framed by planting. This space offers a moment of release for the building’s users, introducing an element of greenery and relaxation within the dense urban fabric of central Athens.

 

New connections

Eleftheria Square lies adjacent to the Venetian walls and the dry moat that surrounds Nicosia. These distinctive defensive fortifications, originally built during the Middle Ages and extensively restored by the Venetians in the 16th century, define the historic core of the capital, separating the old city from the newer districts that developed beyond the walls.

 

Urban Design Strategy

The transformation of the square into the city’s primary gathering space is based on the creation of new connections intended to contribute to the reunification of the divided capital. The design secures unobstructed views toward the historic walls, establishing them as an integral component of Nicosia’s identity, while simultaneously opening the moat to public uses, allowing it to host festivals and outdoor events.

The project elevates the level of the moat to form a bridge that connects organically with the surrounding urban fabric, creating a new civic square at the heart of the city. Within this framework, extensive archaeological excavations were carried out, alongside conservation and protection works for the historic Venetian fortifications. The project also includes the creation of two cafés within the square and the construction of a new underground parking facility, accessed from Omirou Avenue.

 

 

Elements of Circulation

Staircases and elevators directly link the square with the Solomos Square bus terminal, reinforcing the functionality and permeability of the area. The transformation of previously inaccessible areas within the moat into plazas, gardens, and palm-lined pedestrian paths establishes a new “green belt” around the city.

This belt has the potential to extend along the historic fortifications, forming a continuous network of public spaces that encircle Nicosia and reconnect the communities of the divided capital. In this way, the square acts as a catalyst for the activation of public space, offering new opportunities for social interaction and urban life.

 

 

Materiality & Lighting Design

Within the broader vision of transforming the moat into an urban park, the project’s fluid geometries emerge from the triangulation of the irregular forms of the fortification perimeter. Points of spatial intensity are transformed into seating areas, planting beds, or water elements, shaping a dynamic urban landscape. Granite paving introduces a sense of timeless solidity, while the open joints between the slabs function as a passive system for stormwater drainage. Newly planted trees contribute to the natural regulation of water levels, reducing erosion around the foundations of the medieval walls.

The upper-level bridge and its supports are constructed from sculptural concrete forms that ensure seismic stability, while the bases of the columns are shaped to function as integrated seating elements. Through this transformation, Eleftheria Square emerges as the largest urban public space in Nicosia. By bridging the Venetian walls and the moat, the square becomes a significant gateway to the old city, while the underground parking facility removes vehicular traffic from the historic center, facilitating its future pedestrianization. In this way, the project enriches the urban landscape of this historic district while simultaneously creating new public gardens and gathering spaces for residents and visitors alike.

Finally, the lighting design reinforces the square’s fluid geometry and acts as a spatial guidance system during the evening hours. Linear lighting elements are discreetly integrated along the contours of the curved surfaces and bridges, emphasizing the dynamic morphology of the composition and enhancing the legibility of the structure within the urban landscape. At the same time, low-intensity lighting fixtures embedded within the paving create a subtle “field of light” that follows the geometry of the circulation paths and areas of pause. This approach highlights the plasticity of the concrete surfaces, enhances the sense of safety, and transforms the public space into a nocturnal landscape where light operates both functionally and atmospherically.

 

 

Domestic landscape

The redesign of this compact urban apartment emerged through close and meaningful collaboration with its users, aiming to create an environment that responds to contemporary needs for living, working, and everyday flexibility. The project is grounded in the idea that spatial quality is not determined by size, but by clarity of organization, the flow of natural light, and the conscious integration of functions.

 

Spatial Organization

The original layout was reconsidered through a process of spatial reprogramming, with the primary strategy focusing on the creation of a unified open-plan environment. The selective removal of walls allowed new visual connections and spatial relationships to emerge, enhancing both the penetration of natural light and the continuity of movement throughout the apartment.

A key element of the composition is the custom-designed opening between the entrance and the dining area. This architectural gesture functions simultaneously as a light filter, a transitional threshold, and a spatial organizer, introducing clarity to the spatial sequence while reinforcing the perception of depth within the interior.

Material Palette

The material identity of the project is defined through a restrained yet expressive palette of natural materials. Wood and marble are combined in specially designed built-in constructions that accommodate storage, work surfaces, and everyday functions.

Furniture is approached as an architectural component rather than as independent objects. In this way, it becomes organically integrated into the spatial composition, reinforcing the sense of coherence and visual clarity within the interior. These integrated solutions enable the efficient use of space without visually overwhelming the environment.

 

 

Custom Elements

Particular emphasis was placed on flexibility and multifunctionality. Office furniture, storage units, and adaptable surfaces are carefully integrated so that the space can easily transform to accommodate different scenarios of use – from working from home to everyday living and social gatherings.

The final result is a bright and balanced domestic environment, where the clarity of the design, the consistency of the material palette, and the careful detailing transform a small apartment into a flexible and contemporary living landscape. Through targeted architectural interventions, the project demonstrates how compact living can be reimagined as a refined and cohesive spatial experience.