Every week we highlight the FRAME Awards submissions that have been frequented most by our readers and jury. Below are the five most-viewed projects between 9 and 16 August 2024, shared with feedback left by the jury.
Straordinaria
We+
Designed to capture the philosophy of Elica – an Italian company specializing in cooking appliances – the Staordinaria installation invites viewers to connect with their surroundings (Set Design, 8.06). Located in the courtyard of Palazzo Litta in Milan, the installation’s sleek materiality and vibrant hues create contrast with the building’s Baroque architecture. The company’s latest cooking appliance inspired the design of the installation. Around 1,300 translucent mesh fabric tubes, subtly coloured and suspended by a gridded top, create an ethereal flow, simulating the merge of warm and cold air. ‘This installation beautifully blends air, nature and colour, capturing the essence of the flow of heat,’ says Xuechen Chen, architectural designer at X.C Studio. ‘It's light, dynamic and immersive. The setup is soft yet elegant, with a powerful and clear theme.’
Read more here.
London Underground Popup Store
Showmakers
London Underground, the world’s first subway system with a history spanning 160 years, has launched a streetwear collection with a pop-up store (Pop-Up Store, 8.60). Embodying the spirit of the underground transportation system, the brand celebrates this new endeavour with the opening of a pop-up store designed by Showmakers. The London Underground Popup Store space aims to capture the essence of the Underground's tunnels with a narrow maze-like layout. Colour plays a key role, as a pale green hue is incorporated throughout the space. ‘There are so many aspects that catch my attention,’ comments Arthur Guimarães, chief executive officer at Arthur Guimarães Architects. ‘The highest point for me is the sculptural form, that brings the company with a history of 160 years to the next generation.’
Read more here.
Human Hub Tenneiji soko
Schemata Architects
A 54-years-old factory in Aizu Wakamatsu, Japan has been revamped to serve as a multi-purpose co-working space (Co-Working Space, 8.16). The first floor includes a workshop for traditional crafts, a store, a shared kitchen and a café, while the second floor serves as a co-working space for local companies. The two-storey building, owned by a local company specializing in lacquer techniques, showcases its heritage in the space. With a limited budget, the project focused on creating a space to celebrate local production in the age of mass production and to work towards circularity. ‘I love the way they strip down the structure and use it as the design feature of the space,’ says Mark Eric Magno, principal at Aedas Interiors. ‘This gives it a raw and honest space similar to an artist’s blank canvas for them to let their creativity go wild.’
Read morehere.
Unico No.11 Cottage B&B
SlowStudio.cn
The Unico No.11 Cottage B&B's location behind a preserved historical temple in a mountain village in northern China had a great deal of influence on its design (Hotel, 8.58). Blending modern living with the countryside’s rustic aesthetics, the interior celebrates the natural surroundings such as the change of seasons. Natural wood and stone, contrasted with a vibrant colour palette and nuanced lighting, create a space where dwellers find comfort and respite. A semi-circular skylight on the roof introduces natural light during the day and an immersive view for stargazing during the night. 'Interesting use of forms and colour to create a very cozy yet vibrant space,' says Magno. 'The stargazing loft structure with skylight would be a unique feature for any hotel. I love the use of the big windows to frame nature as a dynamic artwork piece as seasons change.’
Read more here.
DJI Flagship Store
Various Associates
Located in Shenzhen, China, the design of the DJI flagship store is inspired by the brand’s drone products and is imagined as a 'launch park' (Material, 9.40). It seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor elements to create a welcoming and interactive retail environment, complemented by a trial flight experience park. To address the existing construction's inadequate shading and to regulate high indoor temperatures, the building’s shell mainly consists of aluminium grilles, which provide controlled natural light and minimize the need for air conditioning. The shop comprises a product display area, an outdoor trial space on the second floor and a photography gallery on the third. ‘The overall look is really impressive,’ says Guimarães. ‘The dynamism of DJI is well-represented in the sculptural forms and the inner skin.’
Read more here.
