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 7 and 14 April 2023.

VISUM SHOWROOM

Pitsou Kedem Architects

For the design of the Visum showroom in Herzliya, Israel, Pitsou Kedem Architects put the company’s only product, an innovative aluminium architectural solution, at centre stage (Single-Brand Store, 8.40). The material enables a special opening mechanism for windows, by allowing its parts to easily open and close. Visitors are gradually exposed to the material throughout the cave-like space made using recycled industrial metal sheets in combination with Visum. ‘The way the space is designed is beautiful, by way of recycling the perforated metal sheets,’ says Ad de Hond, owner and creative brand strategist at ADHdesign. ‘The light and exterior shining through the curtains makes the space more interesting and calmer,’ 

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LYFE BAKERY INTERIOR DESIGN

Projject

Located in a trendy area of Guangzhou, China, the Lyfe Bakery was designed by Projject to connect the space with the building and the surrounding neighbourhood’s original character (Restaurant, 7.73). The original mud bricks were maintained and left exposed in the interior while concrete was used to form the main barista area. ‘I really like the transparency, austerity and how the space was peeled back to the roots of the building bridging the interior with its exterior,’ explains De Hond. ‘The design feels timeless, sustainable and modern.’

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SPACE OF MUWI

Atelier Itch 

Using a term that means ‘doing nothing’, the Space of Muwi was designed by Atelier Itch for four yoga masters in Jeju, South Korea, as a space for them to live and practice yoga and meditation (House, 6.64). The log cabin is divided into four distinct spaces, each hosting a different function. The space makes use of natural materials like wood and lava rock to connect to its island surroundings. Large windows integrate the interior spaces with its exterior full of endemic plant life and nature.

WATERTOWER UTRECHT

Zecc Architects

An unused water tower in Utrecht, the Netherlands, was transformed by Zecc Architects into a residential space comprising several studio apartments and a six-floor house (Large Apartment, 7.10; Material, 6.89). An elevator runs the height of the space connecting each of the home’s levels with one another. The home's private functions like its living spaces and guest rooms have been placed on the lower floors while its master bedroom occupies one of the uppermost floors, benefitting from views of the city. The home makes use of the tower’s industrial roots with materials like masonry and anthracite steel frames. ‘The conversion of the water tower was well-executed despite the challenges associated with the shape of the space and natural lack of daylight,’ shares De Hond. 

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ZHIWAI

DSArchstudios

DSArchstudios designed its own 260-sq-m office in Najing, China (Small Office, 7.31). Making use of the difference in building heights in the commercial district, the designer created a rooftop garden adjacent to the workspace to provide a space for relaxation and incorporate nature into the office’s design.  ‘This is an interesting take on small office design – it’s great how the exterior is incorporated into the experience,’ says De Hond. I really appreciate the differences in heights, sunken seating elements, materials and varied shapes, which make the space feel more residential and less corporate.’ 

See more here.