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 July 2023.
ARTIS VENTURES
Studio O+A
Having relocated from San Francisco’s buzzing downtown area to the Barbary Coast district, Artis Ventures captures the classy atmosphere of this seaside location with its new office designed by Studio O+A (Small Office; 6.77). The existing structure, once the home of the San Franscisco Playboy Club, has a rich history, and the design team has responded to this by leaving elements of the original brickwork exposed. Timber slats cover other parts of the walls, generating a homely feel that simultaneously references the area’s port history. A ring of activity has been established in the space, and with all of these focussing on hospitality, the atmosphere produced is a dynamic and community-oriented one.
See more here.
NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY RETAIL SPACES
Alex Cochrane Architects
Designed by Alex Cochrane Architects, the National Portrait Gallery’s new gallery and exhibition shops introduce a fresh, contemporary aesthetic to the illustrious Victorian structure (Single-Brand Store; 7.23). The Grade 1-listed building was carefully restored, with windows uncovered and floors repolished. This has enabled the original architectural qualities of the space to be felt and further enhanced using shelving that mimics the shapes of existing arched doorways. The spatial interventions are modular and flexible, allowing the interior layout to adapt to the needs of the museum over time, and recycled materials have been employed, reducing the project’s embodied carbon.
See more here.
INNOVATION CENTER MIZUNO ENGINE
Koyuko
Eager to elaborate on its specialization in R&D, sports brand Mizuno has opened an innovation centre – designed by Koyuko – in Osaka, Japan (Large Office; 6.52). This creative environment facilitates the testing of prototypes and measurement of human data in order to develop products that encourage wellbeing for customers. The multistorey building incorporates research labs, formal workspaces and leisure areas, and these are interconnected in a way that facilitates casual encounters between coworkers. Cocreation and collaboration underpin the company's ethos, and this new centre provides the physical framework within which coworkers can strive towards a healthier future, both mental and physical.
See more here.
DOKUBA + EL AMIGO
Schemata Architects
Framing the serene views of Japan’s Seto Inland Sea, Schemata Architects’ Dokuba + El Amigo provides a space to escape the chaos of city life (House; 7.41). The house is made up of multiple structures, which are carefully integrated into the mountains in order to avoid visual disharmony. The design taps into the Japanese idea of Zen, steering clear of excessive decoration and instead relying on a more minimal aesthetic. The architectural response encourages passive heating and cooling, with openable plywood units facilitating cross-flow ventilation and a sunken concrete structure acting as a thermal mass.
See more here.
S-GAME OFFICE
Lycs Architecture
Chinese game developer S-Game – creator of Phantom Blade – recently opened its new Beijing office, designed by Lycs Architecture (Small Office; 6.36). The designers bring the company’s flagship game to life, employing a dark and enigmatic visual language referencing the ‘Shadow Realm.’ The extensive use of black is juxtaposed using curved timber, metal and glass, and the conventional forms of chairs and tables are warped. The product of these manipulations is a workspace that escapes the doctrines of real life, emphasizing the creative and fantastical nature of video game production.
See more here.
