feb 18, 2016

all images courtesy of alexis dornier

the design of this restaurant on the indonesian island of bali pays homage to the famous acapulco chair, while subtly referencing the food on offer. first produced in the 1950s, the distinctive chair — usually made of brightly colored vinyl cords — became very popular in mexico as outdoor lounge seating. the eatery, named ‘la pacha mama’, appropriately serves mexican cuisine with a vegetarian twist.

designed by alexis dornier, the restaurant’s inner courtyard is covered with a canopy supported by bent steel tubes that rise above the existing building below. the vertical structural elements form a hybrid of a truss, a vault, and an arch, interwoven with rubber recycled from old truck tires. this structural framework provides space for plants and flowers to grow. the restaurant’s kitchen is viewed from the street through two large windows, with stairs leading to the sheltered terrace above.

the restaurant is covered with a canopy supported by bent steel tubes

stairs lead to a sheltered terrace

the design pays homage to the famous acapulco chair

bent steel tubes rise above the existing building

the vertical structural elements form a hybrid of a truss, a vault, and an arch

the supports are interwoven with rubber recycled from old truck tires

the structural framework provides space for plants and flowers to grow

the restaurant’s kitchen is viewed from the street through two large windows

may 25, 2016

all images courtesy of formo design studio

formo design studio was approached with an odd request, to combine a laundromat and patisserie into a single interior. titled with practical appropriateness ‘wash coffee’, the unique project comes from the client, a french pastry connoisseur, who wanted to provide quality delicacies. laundry facilities make visiting that much easier; why not enjoy a cup of coffee and a snack while taking care of something necessary at the same time? 

seating

the interior, designed by formo, follows in line to the business’ simple, unpretentious example. industrial materials (form works, piping) are paired with re-claimed items (freight container door, metal halide lamps). finishes were removed from most walls, and mismatched furniture — including an OSB couch — helps evoke an understated homeyness. perhaps laundry will always be boring, but a fresh, buttery brioche would certainly make it an easier chore to handle. 

a glass wall allows visual connection between laundry and bar areas

OSB sofa

spatial context — relation to washer and dryers

waiting area 

a recycled freight container door was repurposed as a sliding door

entrance detail

plan

jul 20, 2016

‘urby staten island’ is a residential development in new york that places a strong emphasis on experience and community. located on the north shore waterfront, it is the largest new construction development in the borough, with a total of 900 apartments and 35,000 square feet of commercial space. the scheme is the first in a planned series of developments set to open in other cities, with the next urby expected to open later this year in jersey city.

the residential development seeks to place a strong emphasis on experience and community

urby staten island has been conceptualized by real estate firm ironstate and dutch architecture and interior designersconcrete. conceived to offer a better rental-housing product, the concept is geared towards ‘contemporary urban residents’. alongside studios, and one and two-bedroom apartments, urby offers a range of social spaces that encourage neighborly interaction. these include an urban farm, a communal kitchen, and an apiary that encompasses several beehives.

the concept is geared towards ‘contemporary urban residents’

measuring a total of 5,000 square feet, the scheme is organized around one of new york city’s largest urban farms. the plot grows over 50 varieties of produce and includes a greenhouse and picnic tables for shared dining and composting. the facility even has its own farmer-in-residence. a large communal kitchen teaches culinary classes, hosts chef tastings, and incorporates produce from the urban farm within gourmet meals. beehives are located on the roof with the goal of producing honey to be served in the on-site café.

a large communal kitchen teaches culinary classes and hosts chef tastings

the development also includes a 5,100 square foot fitness center, an outdoor pool, landscaped courtyards with fire pits, wi-fi enabled green spaces, and a 300-car garage. the LEED certified project features a number of environmentally conscious elements such as filtered water filling stations in the lobbies, electric car chargers in the garage, and storage for up to 500 bicycles.

the scheme is located on the north shore of staten island

individual apartments come equipped with built-in wardrobes, storage spaces, bookshelves, window treatments, lighting, and wi-fi. residents have keyless building and apartment entry through smart technology systems located throughout the development, while every apartment comes with its own washer/dryer. urby also features 35,000 square feet of commercial space, which will soon include a selection of boutique restaurants and shops.

the scheme is organized around one of new york city’s largest urban farms

located on the north shore of staten island, the development is just a few minutes away from the st. george ferry in the neighborhood of stapleton. urby provides views of the statue of liberty, verrazano bridge, brooklyn, and lower manhattan. ironstate’s transformation of the site — which was a former U.S. navy yard — is part of the city’s $32 million USD plans to reconnect the community with the waterfront esplanade.

the development includes a 5,100 square foot fitness center and an outdoor pool

residents have keyless building and apartment entry

apartments come equipped with built-in wardrobes, storage spaces, and bookshelves

studios, and one and two-bedroom units are available

the scheme is part of the city’s plans to reconnect the community with the waterfront esplanade

architecture in thailand: party / space / design is a bangkok-based studio with more than ten years of experience inarchitecture, interior, graphic, and exhibition design. ‘thinkin’ outside the fox’ is a local café that they designed, starting from the idea of thinking outside the box—in reference to the café’s name. this premise encouraged them to start from scratch and break all the rules of interior design. located in a 3-story commercial building, the concept visualized the space as several stackable boxes, leading the team to restructure the building to make it look spacious and airy.

a 3-story commercial building hosts the coffeehouse

the concept threw in three keywords: tree, hint, and light. for the first one, party / space / design added a triangular shape to the roof of the building, resembling a tree house and the big trees along bangkok’s thonglor area. as for hint, they aimed to amaze the café visitors by suggesting the place used to be inhabited by foxes. the 9-meter high wall resembles the entrance way to the fox cave. lastly, as the building is quite dark, the façade was completely clad in glass, allowing natural light to flow freely.

the concept visualized the space as several stackable boxes 

inside, the café has been divided into three different areas: the shop, the dessert bar, and the dining area. as soon as the customers walk inside, they will be impressed by the collection of foxes and will then enjoy the food and beverages it offers. the decoration is simple, with a white tone being contrasted by wood details and hanging plants. the result is an easygoing café with a natural and comfortable environment.

view from the second floor 

a fox path has been suggested on the 9-meter high wall

dining area

the café has been divided into three different areas: the shop, the dessert bar

white and wood predominate the atmosphere

shop area

second floor

a lightbox holding the ‘thinkin’ outside the fox’ logo

glass façade

all images courtesy of przemysław turlej and damian beżowy

zrodlo.bar is a new whiskey bar based in ponzan, poland, which has been refurbished by architect adam wiercinski. it is located in the basement of a tenement house on taczaka street – one of the most popular streets in the city centre with lots of restaurants and cafes.

three structural boxes were placed inside the bar, holding all of the furniture products together

before its renovation, the space was desolate and in very bad condition. after an intense cleaning operation the team discovered original brick walls and square shaped wooden flooring. the idea was to preserve the original look of the place, with an addition of a new independent structure. together with an investor, they decided to banish the use of ready-made products, instead choosing to design each piece individually, including lighting objects and furniture.

three structural boxes were placed inside the bar, holding all of the furniture products together. none of the components, except surface mounted electrical installations were screwed into the original walls. in the entrance room, opposite the main door, there is the first steel box bar. it is made of steel profiles and nets, rusted metal and raw MDF which covers the bar top surfaces. located on the right side of the entrance is the second steel structure, which contains seating areas and storage space for bottles.

 

after an intense cleaning operation the team discovered original brick walls and square shaped wooden flooring

when choosing a colour palette for the interior they decided on subtle graphite colours that complimented the colour of the brick walls, along with small bursts of colour. a long neon light for example, follows the ceiling of the bar tying all of the structural elements together. this neon theme is repeated throughout the space, with fluorescent orange chairs and furniture.

during the summer, many of the parking spaces in taczaky street are turned into cafe gardens which many people congregate to. zodlo.bar follows suit with quirky handmade outdoor furniture, giving people the option to enjoy the sun, or escape underground in to its sophisticated and modern interior.

the space contains fluorescent orange chairs and furniture

a long neon light follows the ceiling of the bar tying all of the structural elements together

during the summer taczaky street becomes a cultural hub

the structural theme of the bar is repeated in the choice of furniture

eye popping colour compliments the steel structures