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 28 July and 4 August 2023.
FREITAG STORE SHANGHAI
Kooo Architects
Minimizing CO2 output drives the design of Freitag’s Shanghai store, which opened earlier this year (7.43; Single-Brand Store). Taking over a former textile factory, Kooo Architects gutted the existing building and reused as many elements as possible, including bricks and rubble from the demolition of ceilings and walls. When new materials were necessary, the designers ensured these were sourced within a 100-km radius of the site. Programmatically, the store communicates Freitag’s environmentally conscious ambitions by offering its customers a repair shop on its first floor. On the rooftop, one can find a terrace home to a great biodiversity of plants. This decision opens up the structure to its neighbourhood, making the store not only a sustainable structure but also an inviting space for the surrounding community.
See more here.
THE DOCK
M Moser Associates
Partnering with a global consultancy company, M Moser has designed The Dock, an innovative workplace in Amsterdam, the Netherlands (5.83; Large Office). While the previous office emphasized individual work, this new one uses flexible furniture and programmatic diversity to foster a collaborative, team-oriented atmosphere. A central court provides an open environment where coworkers can gather and discuss, with playful graphics suggesting alternative internal layouts. Having conducted workshops and interviews with people from across the firm during the strategy process, M Moser ensures that the office is genuinely responsive to the needs of those using the space.
See more here.
PEN SPACE
Pensando en Blanco
Located just a stone’s throw away from Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain, this intimate community space, refurbished by Pensando en Blanco, frames the surrounding Basque Country’s hilly landscape (6.78; Cultural Space). The main building materials include hemp, bamboo, limestone, plaster and cedar, which are all sourced naturally. An honest architectural language was employed, with materials left untreated and construction methods exposed. The use of hemp improves breathability and acts as a thermal mass, regulating heat gain and loss. Despite working with an existing structure, the designers have made the building feel distinctly modern, employing a simple, geometric aesthetic that also contributes to the calming qualities of the space.
See more here.
THE NED NOMAD
Soho House Design and Stonehill Taylor
Wanting to respect the heritage of the existing building, Soho House Design and Stonehill Taylor blend the old with the new in their design of the Ned Nomad Hotel (5.45; Hotel). Certain architectural features have been left untouched, such as the original flooring and intricate ceiling details. The designers juxtapose these historic elements with an eclectic mix of interventions, from vintage furniture pieces and a fireplace sourced from a French castle to a painted mural. As the visitor walks through the vibrant hotel, they are transported into the 1920s – then the ‘60s – all infused with a contemporary twist. New York City is proudly referenced throughout, with colour schemes mimicking the city’s sunset and its architectural and cultural history put on show.
See more here.
FANJI EXHIBITION HALL
The One Design
Furnishings company The One Design has designed an ‘architectural living room’ in which its products are displayed (5.41; Exhibition). The display hall is stripped back, relying on the elemental craft of positive volumes and negative space to immerse the visitor in the delicate qualities of light and shadow. Decorations are limited, ensuring the visitor’s focus remains on the geometric forms in the space and the rhythms produced between them. By transforming the showroom into an immersive, home-like environment, The One Design elevates the shopping experience into one of artistic value.
See more here.
