Created for sunglasses brand “Breathe,” the 322-square-foot space has a larger-than-life presence from the moment you glance through the door. In retail, it’s a bit of a gamble to make the space itself stand out as much as the product, but in this case, the designers have created an environment that encourages shoppers to get comfortable. Diverging somewhat from the more geometric aesthetic Masquespacio is known for, the shop has a loungey vibe that invites you to come in and hang out for a while.

The backdrop to the product is fittingly neutral to show off the shelves of frames, jewelry, bags, t-shirts, and other wares, but it’s not without its own visual interest. Amorphous perforated metal shapes cling to the walls, offering sculptural pegboards that make it easy to transform the displays. Similar wavy lines are seen in the table lamps and mirrors. To the designers, these curves help give the shop a “human” touch.

“As always in Masqueespacio’s designs, Breathe’s new store can count on a touch of color, in this case lavender and earth green,” they say. “Although the chosen colors are less usual and color has been limited to floors and walls mainly. This way, they can combine easily with the different colors from the products for sale. On the other hand, as always, all elements of the project have been designed by Masquespacio, including the furniture and the decorative lighting.”

That’s what gives the space its cohesiveness. Every piece feels bespoke and made to work in concert. The same terrazzo seen in the purple and green floors is echoed in small details like a business card holder on the counter. The result feels fresh, modern, and full of personality, which a lot of retail design simply lacks.

All this is par for the course for designers Ana Milena Hernández Palacios and Christophe Penasse, who founded Masquespacio together in 2010. Based in Spain, the firm consistently creates interiors that look like works of art, complete with custom-designed furniture and fixtures. Previously, they created The Student Hotel, a stylish co-living space with graphic flair in Barcelona, which we loved for its “youthful joie-de-vivre,” and Nozomi Sushi Bar in Valencia, which accents minimalist Japanese style with a stunning cherry blossom ceiling feature.

“Combining the two disciplines of their founders, interior design and marketing, the Spanish design agency creates custom-made branding and interior projects through a unique approach that results in fresh and innovative concepts. In 2020 they were named ‘Young Talent of The Year’ by Elle Decoration International Magazine, while in 2019 they have been awarded ‘Interior Designers of The Year’ by the Spanish edition of The New York Times’ T Magazine. Previously they also have been awarded with the ‘Massimo Dutti New Values’ award by Architectural Digest Spain and the “Wave of the Future” award by Hospitality Design USA, next to continued international recognition by media specialized in design, fashion, and lifestyle trends.”

The post Masquespacio’s “Breathe” Sunglasses Shop in Bogotá Sports a Fresh-Feeling Color Combo first appeared on Dornob.

Designed by Columbian architect Octavio Mendoza, Casa Terracota is located in Villa de Leyva, Colombia: just over 20 minutes from the town’s central plaza, yet worlds away from any other type of architecture. Made completely out of clay, the 5,400-square-foot structure is a reflection of the artist’s love for the surrounding landscape. The project was inspired by a conversation he had with his niece, when she planted the “what if” idea that eventually evolved into creating an entire home out of clay. Twenty years later, Mendoza refers to the structure as the largest piece of pottery in the world.

After planning out the design, he began sculpting the clay one section at a time, allowing the material to dry and harden naturally in the sun. After that, he baked the material to a hardened finish. This required building fires in each section and keeping them lit for days on end. The result is a home that challenges modern architecture to a competition in sustainable practices, artistry, and endurance.

Crafted from the natural elements of wind, fire, water, and earth, Casa Terracota is the ultimate form of sustainable architecture. In addition to being completely organic, it’s also completely fireproof. That means it’s a nearly indestructible solution to areas susceptible to wildfires. Even better, these natural elements are also self regulating, keeping cool on hot summer days and warming overnight using the heat retained during the day.

Endless unique features embellish the design with whimsical touches, including contoured walkways, built-in counters, and natural lighting. Even the handle alongside the stairway is a one-of-a-kind expression of natural elements.

As the project developed, Mendoza realized it was a gift to the planet and an opportunity to inspire other architects to return to eco-friendly building options. He says: “The earth allows us to work organically and artistically because there are endless possibilities to lift it and we have not yet discovered them. That is why I tell young architects to learn to look, to look the other way because the world is very wide and their perspective can change.”

The project began in 1999 with the intent to marry a building to the land using organic materials. Since its completion in 2016, Casa Terracotta has remained opened for daily tours and is used as a meeting place for artists and craftsmen who continue to teach, grow, and learn.

The post Casa Terracota Represents Sustainable Architecture Made Entirely of Clay first appeared on Dornob.

Finders Keepers?

Back in 1981, an American company known as Sea Search Armada first found the San José. Colombia quickly claimed the famous ship — along with all the cargo in it — as their own. After battling it out in court for 30 years, a judge finally decided in 2011 that Colombia had patrimonial rights to the vessel but that the bounty would be divided equally between them and Sea Search Armada.

A Fly in the Ointment

Enter the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, who found the sunken ship still untouched off the Colombian coast in November 2015. More specifically, the team used a robotic submarine, the REMUS 6000, to determine the ship’s location and contents through sonar. REMUS was also able to identify the ship by taking photos of its cannons, which are engraved with some very unique-looking dolphins, at 30 feet away.

Rob Munier, the Vice President of Marine Facilities and Operations at Woods Hole, explains: “We’ve been holding this under wraps out of respect for the Colombian government,” although some think that the estimated $17 billion booty may have played a part in the company’s silence. However, The Washington Post reports that the “researchers at Woods Hole say they have no financial stake in the haul.”

The History of the San José

In the early 18^th century, the San José, a heavy triple-masted, square-rigged sailing ship, was a favorite of the Spaniards. Armed with 62 cannons, the ship departed South America in 1708, making its way back to Spain to deliver emeralds, silver, and gold from the Peruvian mines in Potosi (which many historians believe were obtained under questionable circumstances). When his attending warships were delayed, the Spanish commandant decided to leave without them, even though the War of Spanish Succession was already in full swing. Before his reinforcements could catch up with it, four English warships overtook the San José and sunk it, with most of the ship’s 600 odd passengers losing their lives.

What’s Next

Colombia has revealed plans to construct a museum and high-tech conservation lab to commemorate the San José. The country also plans to put the treasure on public display. The national government has already started fundraising to recover the bounty.

Of course, Spain has other plans. They claim that the riches rightfully belong to them since they’re on one of their historic ships. UNESCO has even entered the arena at this point, warning Colombia that they “would cause the irretrievable loss of significant heritage” if the unearthing of the San José was commercially exploited.

However this saga finally ends, it sounds like no typical treasure hunter will ever get the chance to roll around in the piles of gold and silver resting in the hull of the San José.

The post Shipwrecked 300 Years Ago, the San José Has a $17 Billion Bounty on Board first appeared on Dornob.