Every week we highlight those submissions which have been frequented by our readers and jury, in the lead-up to the reveal of Interiors of the Month winners and honourable mentions. Here are the five most-viewed projects between 21 and 28 April 2023.

LITTLE ISLAND

Ten Design

A high-rise residence in Shantou, China, Little Island (currently scored at 6.03; Large Apartment) was conceived by Ten Design. Spatial elements inspired by nature – like a lifted island structure – and warm materials are geared at giving the residents an intimate, relaxing domestic environment. ‘Interesting concept that creates unusual experiences for a home,’ says Philip Staszewski, partner and architect at Ivy Studio. However, he notes, ‘The raised floor seems to create a general inconvenience in many circumstances.’ 

Read more here.

TAOXICHUAN HOTEL UNBOUND COLLECTION BY HYATT

Aim Architecture

Jingdezhen’s Taoxichuan Hotel is part of Hyatt’s Unbound Collection (7.86; Hotel). The hospitality destination celebrates the Chinese city’s heritage in porcelain manufacturing and artisanship. Aim Architecture created a series of spaces that chart this history, complemented by the David Chipperfield brick architecture. ‘Lovely how the context of the location, its history and craftsmanship has features centrally in the narrative of the hotel,’ shares Asha Sairam, principal at Studio Lotus.

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SUETOMI AOQ CAFE STAND

Ryohei Tanaka | G Architects Studio 

A small coffee stand adjacent to Kyoto’s train station, Suetomi AoQ (7.83; Bar) functions as a ‘signboard’ to lead visitors to the nearby flagship of Suetomi, a confectionery brand. The space stands out with its materiality – soy sauce and ammonium chloride were used to patinate the copper façade. When closed at night, a backlit roll screen covering the stand turns it into a billboard. Mauro Brigham, founder and creative director at Ncbham, says that the café ‘offers a minimal yet striking use of colour and texture blending retail and urbanity elegantly.’

Read more here.

HOUSE ZINSEKI

Reiichi Ikeda Design

Renovating a century-old house and barn in Jinsekikogen, Japan, Reiichi Ikeda Design developed a home (7.98; House) for a couple to decompress on weekends. The architects utilized the vernacular Japanese interior features, finding modern ways to add to the existing design language. ‘The integration of old and new is seamless, this gives a calmness and simplicity to the space,’ comments Andrew Martin, founder and creative director at AMD Interior Architecture. 

Read more here.

SAZEN

Fumihiko Sano Studio

The design of Tokyo tea store Sazen (7.76; Single-Brand Store) is aimed connecting people with tea culture, envisioned by Fumihiko Sano Studio. Natural resources – like cracked soil, wood and lime – present a grounded retail and hospitality experience that interprets the past, present and future of tea-drinking. ‘Thoughtful design combining retail and ritual,’ says Ad de Hond, founder and creative director of ADHdesign. ‘Really like the simplicity in material choices.’ 

Read more here.