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

When Tal Goldsmith Fish Design Studio were designing this home for a family, they decided to create a unique bookshelf that perfectly fits the living room.

A custom white geometric bookshelf was created to fill the wall above the fireplace, and it also doubles as an artistic feature in the room.

It’s made from aluminum and is a single unit so that it doesn’t have any complicated connections.

So next time your thinking of adding a bookshelf to your space, think about whether you want to make it a bit more unique than the standard designs we see so often.

Photography by Amit Geron

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

this residential renovation in taiwan occupies a building originally built by the japanese army during world war II. as part of huangpu village, taiwan’s first military settlement, the neighborhood quickly fell into disrepair after japan was defeated. rather than being demolished, the village was subsequently listed as a protected cultural landmark. in 2015, citizens were encouraged to apply for temporary residence within the neighborhood.

a wooden sliding window that faces the garden has been remade from solid wood

HAO design was asked to restore one of the site’s dwellings — retaining the original structure and keeping the historical context. conceived as an experimental living studio, the property has been designed to host workshops, lectures, and hands-on cement work. the scheme also provides an art residency, allowing members of the renovation project to practice their interior design skills.

the structure of the ceiling was also preserved, but painted to echo the room’s timber tones

‘although renovating an old house was an exciting task, the house when we took over was falling apart,’ explains HAO design. ‘there was no water or electricity.’ considering the historical significance of this building and its special cultural value, the design team sought to create a space that wasn’t in conflict with the existing architecture.

a japanese-style room serves as the property’s main space

for instance, the roof tiles were characteristic of a japanese building, however leaks were a serious problem. the team applied a waterproof coating before restoring the tiles. ‘the red gate symbolic of a military village had already been replaced by a modern aluminum gate, so we decided to introduce the industrial feature of kaohsiung by presenting a red freight container gate which reflects the culture and landscape of kaohsiung city,’ adds HAO.

the scheme has been conceived as an experimental living studio

upon entering ‘J.Y. studio’ one enters an enclosed courtyard that connects to each area of the plan. the patio contains tropical plants suitable for the climate of southern taiwan: succulents, japanese ivy, small cacti, agaves and crane flowers have all been planted. the courtyard also incorporates elements of playfulness — a bright pink door and a large lego-style table.

the design retains the original structure and its historical context

internally, many of the original elements have been retained. a japanese-style room forms the property’s main space, hosting a preserved wardrobe that has been turned into a functional wall cabinet. the structure of the ceiling was also preserved, but painted in cocoa to echo the room’s timber tones. a wooden sliding aperture that faces the garden has been remade from solid wood, while the lower part of the window was replaced with glass — allowing natural light and views.

an enclosed courtyard connects to each area of the plan

an adjacent room retains its original ceiling, terrazzo flooring and brown walls. ‘we arranged track lighting here and set it out as an exhibition space,’ says HAO. ‘we decorated the space with taiwanese armchairs produced in the 50s using R-shaped wooden tenons; a classical japanese karimoku sofa popular in the 60s; taiwanese trumpet stools reminiscent of pop art from the 70s; and a yellow floor lamp symbolic of the space age.’

the courtyard incorporates elements of playfulness — a bright pink door and a lego-style table

a workshop provides space for hands-on production

bright pieces of furniture contrast the dwelling’s original materials

the patio contains tropical plants suitable for the climate of southern taiwan

an adjacent room retains its original ceiling and terrazzo flooring

the interior includes taiwanese armchairs produced in the 1950s 

the studio viewed from the passing street

floor plan

(above) different elements provide spatial tension
image © orlando gutiérrez

madrid-based zooco estudio has transformed a 36 square-meter open space with a clear and concise geometry into a real home covered in mosaics. the concept aims to compress and expand the bands that run around the perimeter of the site in order make the best out of the small space, while dividing it in a surprising way. different elements provide spatial tension, configuring the necessary circles to accommodate the house in its minimum expression. the scheme is very clear: to fill the perimeter as the serve space and to empty the center, generating the habitable area.

the scheme fills the perimeter as the serve space and to empties it in the center, generating the habitable area
image © orlando gutiérrez

each wall has a goal and a function by creating one central stay where life is carried out. the surface of each of these vertical planes exhibit the different scenes that daily life requires. looking at the apartment from left to right you can find: the resting area, formed by a wall that connects the sleeping area and the rest area; the bathroom, with a wall showcasing an urban environment; the kitchen and the dining area, where you can find everything you need to use; and finally, a green area with aromatic herbs that allow to disconnect from everyday life and enjoy an exceptional place.

the concept aimed to compress and expand the bands that run around the perimeter
image © orlando gutiérrez

zooco estudio perceives this property as a whole, like a set. the use of space in different ways creates a unique concept without forgetting practicality and comfort, without restrains. a great part of the project is covered by mosaic glass developed by hisbalit. the intention was to create a singular and unique space using distinctive materials: the touch of wood on the floor, the effect of a ceiling coated by mirror and the play of colors and mosaics, that provides the whole space a point of attachment.

each wall has a goal and a function by creating one central stay where life is carried out
image © orlando gutiérrez

the surface of each wall exhibits the different scenes that daily life requires
image © orlando gutiérrez

different materials divide the apartment space
image © orlando gutiérrez

the use of mirrors on the ceilings contributes with the enhancement of the small area
image © orlando gutiérrez

zooco estudio perceives their creation as a whole, like a set
image © orlando gutiérrez

a green area with aromatic herbs allows to disconnect from everyday life
image © orlando gutiérrez

the use of space in different ways creates a unique concept without forgetting practicality and comfort
image © orlando gutiérrez

a great part of the project is covered by mosaic glass developed by hisbalit
image © orlando gutiérrez

the bathroom has a wall showcasing an urban environment
image © orlando gutiérrez