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 12 and 19 July 2024, shared with feedback left by the jury.

AFTER YOU DESSERT CAFE

SpaceLab

A popular bakery chain opened a new location in an office building in the Phaya Thai district of Bangkok (Single-Brand Store, 6.61). The 320-sq-m space is divided by a series of wooden modular structures into four main zones: an entrance, a communal area, a mezzanine and a kitchen. A semi-transparent canvas creates privacy and defines the distinct functionalities of the space. ‘SpaceLab successfully subdivides the space without creating definitive obstacles,’ says Agata Kurzela, founder and design director at Agata Kurzela Studio. 'The organizing timber grid enhances spatial clarity, and the material palette is minimalist. In less experienced hands, this limitation might produce an austere outcome, but here, the result is quite the opposite – light, airy and inviting.’

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THE RADICAL

Suomi Design Works

Located in the River Arts District of Asheville, North Carolina, The Radical Hotel is a 70-room boutique hotel housed in a converted 1920s warehouse (Hotel, 5.70). Suomi Design Works drew inspiration from the building's unique history, its industrial background and graffiti-covered walls. Exposed concrete and brick complemented by textile additions create a theatre-like environment in the lobby. Layers of colour and texture are introduced by light sculptures and eclectic furnishings. Each room has a distinct character, created by the unique artworks that are painted directly onto the walls. ‘Contemporary baroque, oozing with artistic flare,’ says Kurzela.

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DUNE HOUSE

Oyo Architects

A historic building in the Belgian Dunes has been reimagined as a house (House, 6.52). Dune House is built on the foundations of a residence bombed during World War II. Oyo Architects’ design approach maintains the unique character of the building and maximizes the residents’ experience while reducing environmental impact. The majority of the wooden interior structure was retained, while old façade panels were replaced with black-stained insulating wooden planks. The architect created a space that caters to the residents’ lifestyle while preserving its historical character. 'The relationship between the exterior and the interior establishes a new relationship with its context and generates a very comfortable atmosphere,' says Mireia Luzarraga, cofounder at TAKK.

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DURAT INSTALLATION ALCOVA MILAN 2024

Linda Bergroth

Celebrating circular economy and creativity, Durat’s installation Porta dei Colori presented during Milan Design Week 2024 was set among the 15th-century columns of Villa Bagatti Valsecchi (Exhibition, 5.88). The vast palette of colours and textures aimed to showcase the wide range of uses that Durat’s surface materials provide and created an inspiring contrast with the location’s historic backdrop. Aligning with the company’s principles, Linda Bergroth’s design ensured that all parts of the installation could be reused. The chosen location has a symbolic meaning for Durat, as the building has been upcycled aligning with the company’s values. The designer drew inspiration from the use of materials in classical Italian architecture, and the continuation of this tradition by modern and postmodern designers.

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IL PALAZZO: NUDE PROJECT MILAN FLAGSHIP STORE

El Departamento

Design studio El Departamento transformed a classic building in Milan’s commercial district into a contemporary store for fashion brand Nude Project (Single-Brand Store, 6.10). The new location offered new possibilities for experimentation with the brand's spatial identity. Italian palazzos served as the main inspiration for the space's conversion with elements like carpets, mirrors, large decorative lamps and velvet curtains used throughout the 98-sq-m space to evoke their grandiosity. The store’s ceiling serves as a main focal point. A faux-coffered ceiling, mimicking Renaissance fresco paintings is juxtaposed with contemporary references, bridging contrasting interior details together.

Read more here.