(via: designboom)

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The project is the brainchild of Seoul design studio Intg, known for their modern, clean lines, sharp angles and dynamic shapes, and, most importantly, designs that, despite their seemingly futuristic bent, focus on the integration of form and function. Though initially imposing, their spaces are meant to fit comfortably into everyday life. The firm’s under-construction Haesol School in Seoul is a great example of how they express their forward-thinking design ethos through usually banal buildings like schools (and of course, banks).

Hana Bank, a prestigious banking institution in the business district of Seoul’s Yeouido Island, aims to create a space where its customers can experience the best in digital service. In a world where more and more people are relying on mobile and internet transactions for their banking, Hana recognizes the need for private spaces where customers feel at ease and comfortable, all while experiencing the best service possible.

And Intg was the right firm for the job, immediately grasping the institution’s desire to blend privacy with comfort, efficiency with serenity. Dubbed Gold Club Yeouido, the lounge, according to a recent article by Wallpaper, “[blends] the digital with the analogue and the physical” with a space that’s technologically tricked-out but still focused on the customers’ needs and comfort in a “gentle, tactile interior full of textures and serene color tones.”

The club is also meant to evoke a feeling of exclusivity, with added perks and more sophisticated spaces for the various membership levels. Spread out over two floors, the over 1,100-square-meter space includes spots that are VIP-access only, including a “floating” meeting room “inspired by [both] classical and Oriental elements,” according to the Intg design team.

The surrounding areas are distinct yet flexible. Providing spaces for customers to complete their designated banking chores, the rooms are designed to serve different needs through both adaptable and sophisticated means. Meant to “loosely [reflect] traditional Korean residential architecture,” according to the designers, the arrangement echoes Korean houses in their layout and rooms existing as distinct, interspersed islands, each with their own function. Surrounded by soothing, natural hues and a pleasing dichotomy between soft and hard textures. the area is somehow still welcoming despite its seemingly sparse decor.

After being approached with their latest project for state-of-the-art private lounges in the prestigious Seoul institution Hana Bank, design studio Intg discovered that even “in a highly digital environment, customers still visit bank branches to handle complicated tasks, which come with an emotional burden.” Their goal in creating the bank’s digital dens was to create spaces that perfectly blended customer comfort with the efficiency of tech-savvy experiences: a true VIP experience meant to soothe and serve customers in an increasingly digital world.

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GRNDCNTRL is envisioned as a “Shanghai nightlife cultural center” that inspires people to see and be seen, putting on sartorial displays that rival Manhattan’s Studio 54 in its heyday. While the underground aesthetic emphasizes a sense of being hidden and secretive, with DJs tucked into dark corner booths, GRNDCNTRL arranges multiple levels of booths around a large open area. Wenqiang was inspired by the way ancient Greeks built theaters on hillsides so audiences can sit on stone chairs overlooking circular performance areas. From the moment guests walk in, they’re drawn into what feels like an entirely different reality. The visuals are a little surreal, with bright white lines of light cutting across a dark multi-level space.

“Art does not examine known reality, but seeks the truth of ideals,” says Wenqiang. “The entrance reveals an avant-garde, experimental, and immersive ambience, evoking vivid imaginations and taking people to a surreal world full of mysterious light and shadows.The wall decorations adopt a balanced composition, featuring the style of stage setting. A sequence of symmetrical, curved lighting installations draw on the deep, long lane form of local antique Shikumen buildings, with lines and rhythms guiding experiential circulations and extending inward.”

Leather, steel, brass, and jade accents contrast the field of black, which is itself multiplied by mirrors on almost every wall. “In order to balance the non-reflective and reflective black materials, all the stitching and structural closure became the biggest problem,” Wenqiang notes. The strips of LED lighting define the space and blur its edges at the same time, making it unclear which spaces are real and which are mere reflections. A bar lined with beautifully patterned jade and a central column clad in black mirrored stainless steel become visual anchors in the larger performance area, with its nearly 30-foot ceilings. A band of LED screens behind the lifted DJ booth can be raised and lowered to add additional ambiance.

This big hall “features the hip-hop music style with a strong sense of artistry and technology,” while the smaller hall is inspired by house and techno music with immersive lighting and shadows to create “a film-like retro atmosphere.” Lounges with mirrored ceilings visually echo the ever-changing and shifting lighting patterns so guests almost feel like they’re in a video game. The restrooms are a little more grounded, meant to provide a “backstage” respite from the lights and music.

Whether the design inspires clubbers to recreate the exclusive exhibitionist atmosphere of Studio 54 remains to be seen, but it will certainly take them on a journey.

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Led by chief architect Boris Voskoboynikov and creative department head Maria Akhremenkova, VOX produced an 11,200-square-foot, two-story lounge that includes a restaurant, bar, conference room, private meeting cubicles, and even a child’s play area.

Several statement pieces in the lounge point visitors towards the stars. The focal point of both levels is the floating staircase that orbits around an illuminated elevator. Stepping into the lift doors, visitors might picture themselves ascending a rocket silo.

Adorning one wall of the conference room is a statement-making relief of Gagarin’s helmeted face. Dozens of saucer pendant lights hang at various lengths over the table in this area, achieving the effect of a virtual asteroid belt. Plus, the reflective tabletop acts like the moon, reflecting light all around the chamber.

The designers adhered strictly to a blue and white color palette (with stainless steel accents) for this project — the hues Gagarin would have seen as he blasted off from the earth into the heavens for the first time. Alabaster and gray floor tiles are reminiscent of clouds, and much of the seating is upholstered in a deep, electric blue, mimicking the night sky. A gradient-printed glass hallway mirrors that sensation as patrons pass through. “The color reminds us of a rocket shooting into the mesosphere,” Akhremenkova says.

Large, flat circles of lighting in the meeting rooms simulate solar flares. Even the bathrooms hint at outer space with their hovering orb toilets and planet-like mirrors. Still, the lounge’s most overt nod to astronaut travel is an acrylic-lined “capsule,” an abstract version of Gagarin’s own transport into the cosmos, Vostok 1. While patrons relax inside the dark, circular booth, “it passes on this amazing story to a new generation,” Akhremenkova notes. “My seven-year-old daughter took part in the advertising shoot and still recalls the capsule with delight.”

The VOX team not only did a stellar job on the VIP lounge aesthetic, but they also paid thorough attention to the practical elements. “Apart from fulfillment of applicable mandatory requirements, it’s also essential … to create [a] comfortable atmosphere and the feeling that the company truly cares about every individual passenger,” said Akhremenkova in an interview with Design Mate. “In particular, when designing the premises interior, we carefully considered the availability and location of electric sockets, since Wi-Fi access and the ability to freely use the electronic gadgets are highly important for the passengers…When the interior is well-designed even in such small details, then you will probably feel yourself calm and comfortable in such an environment.”

According to the company’s website, Vox’s philosophy is that “architecture and interior design are exercise[s] in the structural arrangement of space and rewiring the mind.” The firm has already completed several other Russian priority lounges, including The Horizon in the Platov airport, and they all exhibit the idea the idea that true architectural value manifests itself in “abundant space, infinity, openness, and freedom as a lifestyle.”

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New York City-based architecture and design firm Stonehill Taylor aims to bring that feeling back at the TWA Hotel. The only in-airport hotel at John F. Kennedy International Airport, the TWA makes use of the head house of the TWA Flight Center airline terminal, designed in 1962 by renowned architect Eero Saarinen. The terminal was preciously declared a city landmark in 1994, which protected it from demolition even as other parts of the airport were knocked down and renovated around it.

The building itself already had the iconic look of air travel from yesteryear. Stonehill Taylor was brought in to infuse the guest rooms, Sunken Lounge, Connie cocktail lounge, and other public spaces with that same flair, simultaneously updating them for modern sensibilities. The design team took inspiration from the year 1962, the first time an American was able to circle the Earth and a time when aviation was “the promise of the future” signifying the beginning of a new era.

Outfitted in period-appropriate furnishings, the guest rooms enjoy views of the tarmac. There’s definitely something Mad Men about them, but you’re not entering a time warp. The vintage details that accent each space feel tasteful rather than forced, and the inclusion of TWA-branded toiletries in the bathrooms is fun.

But the standout is definitely the cocktail lounge set in the vintage Lockheed Constellation “Connie” L-1649A Starliner, which features refurbished vintage airplane seats in cherry red, banquette seating, and what the architects describe as a “reveal moment,” when guests can see the plane’s original interior frame encased in glass. The cockpit is also visible, restored with authentic controls and switches.

The firm explains that “by offering a modern refuge with a thoughtful, strong sense of design and space, the rooms are meant to make guests feel the same appreciation and excitement for aviation that travelers once felt during the rise of the industry.”

“Set back on either side of Eero Saarinen’s iconic TWA Flight Center, two newly built wings designed by architects Beyer Blinder Belle and Lubrano Ciavarra house the 512 guest rooms. Sixties-inspired elements include select Saarinen-designed Knoll furnishings, a martini bar, a vintage rotary phone, and gleaming terrazzo tiles in the bathroom with Hollywood-style vanities. The rooms have a crisp white palette accented with warm walnut elements and brushed brass.”

They add that “custom furnishings and lighting, like the wood trim, which follows along the ceiling edge and softly illuminates the room, [reference] midcentury design. In many of the rooms, beds are positioned to let guests enjoy the exciting rhythm of the runway or the glory of Saarinen’s TWA Flight Center.”

The TWA Hotel officially opened in May 2019, and rates are quite reasonable, currently running between $160 and $200 per night.

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In the world of hospitality and travel accommodations, the competition is fierce. The 2019 edition of the Sleep & Eat design event highlighted some of the most impressive innovations in that sector, all of which are expected to be coming to a hotel near (or far from) you in the next few months. The show took place on November 19th and 20th at London’s Olympia London exhibition center, awing both visitors and industry leaders with interactive displays and notable keynote speakers. In particular, these pieces and guestroom sets stole our hearts:

Miaja Design Group’s

Camping Experience Illusion

It was extremely easy to feel like we had one too many cocktails in this lounge design filled with murmurs of a forest and an exotic floral aroma wafting all throughout. On top of that, the stools here were topped with wood and surrounded a faux fire displayed in a realistic-looking fire pit. The art on the walls rounded out the camping motif for a beautifully uniform effect.

twenty2degrees’ Double-Duty Guestroom/Party Suite

Sometimes you feel like resting, and other times only a party can make the night complete. All the conventional furnishings in this guestroom set can be hidden, even the custom bed, leaving lots of room for mingling and maybe even a little dancing. When the party’s over, it’ll only take a few minutes to pull out all the creature comforts you might need for a good night’s rest. And that line for the bathroom? It’s for the Negroni cocktails flowing from a handy tap hidden inside.

Megre Interiors’ Flower Power VIP Lounge

This year’s Sleep & Eat VIP Lounge was adorned in a bold floral fabric that inspired smiles and good vibes. Just to make sure everyone got the “love and communication” message, a fire pit with faux flames was also artfully incorporated into the room.

Hat Design’s Flexible Guestroom Installation

If you ever wished you could get all your wants and needs met without leaving your hotel room, you’re closer than ever to having that fantasy come true. This guestroom has just about everything you could imagine, including a wardrobe, storage area, vanity, shower, table with stools, TV, and even a private gym. When you’re ready to retire for the evening, just push it all behind a curtain and climb into a round bed you can easily move around as you please.

Maria Tibblin & Co.’s Double-Duty Divider

No matter who you’re sharing a room with, there usually comes a time when you both just need a little alone time. This bookcase does double-duty as a room divider that gives you just enough privacy without any feelings of isolation.

Wilson Associates’ Hub Lounge Lighting Fixtures

When business meetings and seminars start to wear on your soul, the gentle radiance of round “Eclipse” wall pendants softly illuminating soothing colors in your room will help calm you down. The coolest thing about these lights is the fact they’re painted the same exact hue as the wall, allowing them to “disappear” when they’re turned off.

Luis Eslava’s GRADIENT Room Dividers

Nothing ruins the ambiance of a large room like bulky room dividers. These lovely specimens made of small anodized aluminum links come in eight versions, lighting up whatever room they’re in as two pure colors play off their reflective surfaces.

Photos courtesy of InteriorDesign.net

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THE WELL’s official website bills the center as “your complete ecosystem for wellness,” in which “your health is integrated, proactive, and personalized, leading to a more balanced you.” The company behind THE WELL uses the science of Western medicine and the wisdom of Eastern healers to foster holistic healing both physically and mentally. The facilities include a Meditation Dome, spa, private training gym, co-ed sauna, Movement Studio, Reflexology Lounge, library, organic restaurant, and annex for private parties. Not only does the club provide physical treatments like acupuncture and yoga, but it also offers several health education options, including sessions with personal trainers and weekly curated fitness programming. The intention is to help provide necessary services while also empowering members to take wellness into their own hands.

The club was designed by Rose Ink Workshop, a creative agency that mainly works in interior design. The company’s goal is to “place extra emphasis on crafting unique branded experiences … that make people smile.” THE WELL mixes luxury and simplicity to create a completely serene aesthetic. The motifs are apparent all throughout: light open spaces, neutral tones, lush greenery, and natural wooden fixtures. The design was specially planned to help members appreciate the design of human body and feel at one with all living things.

The Reflexology Lounge, for example, has white washed walls decorated with off-white macrame. The room also boasts gray and beige lounge chairs, gray side tables, and similarly neutral-toned blankets and baskets. The only pop of color here comes from racks of lush green plants. The wellness center’s Mindful Movement Studio is painted in the same stroke, with soft white walls and gentle lighting present all throughout. This space is mainly open and features a full-size mirrored wall.

The other areas of the club keep the same aesthetic but include elements designed to boost their unique intentions. The Meditation Dome has plush carpeting and a table filled with tall off-white candles, while the gym features color-coordinated weight-training machines and rope light fixtures made to complement an actual climbing rope. Rose Ink clearly put a lot of thought into designing interiors that not only accompanied THE WELL’s experiences, but enhanced them, too.

As great as all these spaces may be, the library is by far the most colorful room in the wellness center. The walls are of course white, but they’ve been paired with a teal carpet and a blush pink couch. This room is also decorated with colorful accent pillows and centerpieces, while the shelves on its walls are adorned with artworks in varying shades of yellow, pink, and orange. In here, members receive educational programming from doctors, teachers, and authors.

General membership for THE WELL costs a hefty $375 a month, but the price is cut to $210 if you’re under 32. While that price tag might still make you wince, it will certainly hurt a lot less with a face mask on and a tasty green juice in your hand.

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Spring may have only just begun, but we’re already dreaming about barbecues, backyard parties, picnics, and lounging by the pool. Seems like the perfect time to get our homes and patios ready for summer with seasonal items that are perfect for entertaining, soaking up some rays, sprucing up the yard, and lazing around with a good book in hand.

Summertime Melamine Plates ($8 Each) — West Elm

Get yourself in the mood for some summer fun with plates featuring seasonal imagery by West Elm. Made of unbreakable melamine, they’re perfect for use outdoors and go great with other melamine items in solid colors.

Macrame Hammock ($179) — Urban Outfitters

Is Urban Outfitters’ macrame hammock dreamy or what? Featuring a durable woven sling supported by wooden dowels at either end, it’s even finished off with boho fringe.

Jungle Love Outdoor Throw Pillow ($29.99) — World Market

Cute and vivid, World Market’s “jungle love” outdoor throw pillow is perfect for patio use and can easily be wiped with a damp cloth when dirty. As the company puts it, “Wild lemurs, zebras, lions, and more peek out from the lush, colorful foliage for a fun forest display.”

Color Pop Flatware Caddy ($49) — West Elm

This dedicated summertime flatware set will reduce the amount of disposable plastic utensils you burn through and help you keep your regular flatware tucked safely away in your kitchen. The 16-piece set from West Elm is especially great for barbecues, parties, and picnics.

Daisha Outdoor Bean Bag Chaise Lounge ($263.99) — All Modern

Ergonomic and capable of molding to any body type, the Daisha outdoor bean bag chaise lounge might just be the comfiest way to spend an afternoon in the sun. It’s available in nine colors, and its removable, washable cover is resistant to water, extreme weather, UV rays, and mildew.

Crystal Totem Candlesticks ($29 – $44) — West Elm

West Elm’s crystal totem candlesticks bring a playful pop of graphic color to whatever table or shelf they’re placed on, whether you use them indoors or out.

Galvanized Stand-Up Cooler ($199) — Pottery Barn

Plastic coolers are great to take on the go, but Pottery Barn’s galvanized stand-up cooler makes beverages easier to reach and doubles as a table when it’s not in use.

Nile Glass Planter ($149.00) — CB2

Bring some of Pantone’s color of the year, “Living Coral,” into your indoor or outdoor spaces with CB2’s Nile Glass Planter. Made of handblown soda lime glass in swirls of white and terra cotta, this pot is generously sized at 16 inches in diameter and watertight.

Black and Cream Reversible Indoor/Outdoor Rio Floor Mat ($19.99 – $39.99) — World Market

Reversible and able to withstand just about anything the weather might throw at it, this 100-percent polypropylene indoor/outdoor rug from World Market boasts a versatile black-and-white print. It’ll really bring your patio together.

Palermo Copper Wood Burning Fire Pit ($239.99) — Wayfair

Keep your backyard parties going long after the sun sets with a wood-burning fire pit like this hammered copper bowl and stand from Wayfarer. It comes with a log grate, spark screen, fire poker, and cover.

The post Welcome Summer with 10 Sunny Home and Patio Accents first appeared on Dornob.

Modern sea baths build on these early ideas either by creating “sea pools” on beaches or building floating platforms, which themselves might offer diving boards, stadium seating, saunas, bathrooms, changing rooms, boat launches, and other amenities. A new example of the latter has popped up on the island of Bornholm in Denmark, and it looks like a gorgeous way to spend a sunny afternoon.

The Hasle Harbour Bath by White Architects is a sculptural space that’s bringing a little vitality back to a town hit hard by the decline of its fishing industry. Once a hub for shipping, fishing, and ferry service, the local port has grown quiet in recent years. But the things that are truly unique about Hasle Harbour are its numerous breakwaters, which protect it from the surge of the Baltic Sea but also make it feel distant and disconnected from life on land. The architects wanted to revitalize the area and make use of its isolated waters by creating a fun public area with views of the horizon.

Made of two timber stair formations protruding from a floating concrete platform, the Harbour Bath design takes inspiration from “flying carpets” to create a viewing platform and outdoor lounge, offering swimming pools of various depths along its inner edge and diving boards for swimmers who want to interact with the open water.

“The intention was for people to walk, sit, and lie on the new structure, which gave rise to the design concept of outdoor ‘carpeting’ that folded over the breakwaters,” White Architects explain. “The largest of these, the ‘flygande mattan’ or ‘flying carpet,’ forms the main structure. Welcoming all ages and abilities, the open design allows visitors to intuitively interact with the structure.”

“The unusual name refers to the tip of the Z-shaped structure, [which] shoots seven meters above the water’s surface, evoking the dynamism of the mythological carpet. At this westerly point, visitors are rewarded with views of the Hasle harbour, the sea, and the formidable sunsets.”

Hasle Harbour Bath adds to a collection of similar destinations throughout Denmark and elsewhere in Europe and the U.K. In addition to the old Ribersborgs Kallbadhus in Sweden, established in 1898, and Copenhagen’s Kastrup Søbad, built in 2004, bathers can also enjoy The Harbor Bath by world-renowned Danish architecture firm Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) in Aarhus.

If the Hasle Harbour Bath’s piqued your interest, you’ll definitely want to check out a few more unusual swimming spots, including the Kastrup sea bath and Berlin’s Badeschiff.

The post Harbour Bath: Swimming Pool Platform Set Into the Danish Seas first appeared on Dornob.

Countless possibilities to build nearly every situation of sitting or laying down comfortably are the result. Armchairs, couches, a carpet or a bed…there’s even one pillow shown with a square cutout for storage or to hold a planter. Price available upon request…which is often a polite way of saying, ‘This ain’t gonna come cheap, friend.'”

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Most commonly associated with sports, leather furniture, pool tables, and refrigerators dedicated exclusively to beer, man caves are seen as places where men can relax and be themselves. In the popular imagination, these spaces are ugly, gleefully disheveled, and probably smell a little funky. But some proponents of the man cave argue that they can be just as thoughtfully designed as any other interior space — all it takes is the incorporation of a few decidedly “masculine” features and aesthetic sensibilities.

This spacious lounge by Inhouse Brand Architects in Cape Town, South Africa is one example of a refined take on the man cave trope. Measuring just over 2,000 square feet in size, it occupies a previously underutilized segment of a luxurious residence, providing a new “industrial-inspired dream pad” for the family’s teenage son and his friends. The designers tailored the space to his interests, which include skating, surfing, playing pool, and watching television.

In fact, a private indoor skate bowl serves as the crown jewel of this teen lounge, taking up an entire room. Getting it into place was no easy feat — the designers originally envisioned the bowl as a stepped-down recess, but as it turned out, the structure couldn’t support the weight of its framework. Instead, they removed an entire floor of the home and replaced it with timber fins, flexible plywood, and polystyrene supports.

“To embellish this remarkable feature, emerging South African street artist Jack Fox applied his signature illustrations to the walls surrounding the bowl,” say the architects. “The celebrated artist worked without a set design and completed the impromptu artwork in a twelve-hour, nonstop operation.”

“Another striking design feature comes in the form of a grandiose, curved timber wave that cascades from the ceiling down to the floor to create an extraordinary zone for watching movies. This ‘wave’ is crafted out of steel fins that are clad in timber and lit up with three LED strips. It is kitted out with surround sound to produce a genuine movie theater experience.”

A skateboard rack beside the bowl shows off the teenage resident’s most prized possessions and allows them to double as art. The space is primarily black and white and full of stark contrasts, with a concrete ceiling setting off the rugged materiality of the skate bowl area beneath it. It’s a retreat that’s sure to make many a teen boy envious, but let’s be real: plenty of teen girls (and adults of all genders, for that matter) wouldn’t mind having a space like this to call their own.

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Available in manual or automatic models that you either slide open on rails or push a button to retract, these glass and polycarbonate swimming pool enclosures can open all the way on warm, sunny days or close completely for a greenhouse effect. That makes them a lot more versatile (and aesthetically pleasing) than indoor pools, which tend to be dark and musty. And if you’ve ever huddled in an outdoor hot tub in the rain, enjoying the warm water but wishing for a roof, you’ll appreciate the genius of dome-shaped spa covers.

Of course, in addition to their main function as pool covers, these retractable enclosures are great for creating weather-resistant outdoor spaces for lounging, dining, and housing children’s play equipment.

Libart Freestanding Pool Cover

This traditional home on the coast of Maine overlooks the beautiful Casco Bay, so why wouldn’t the owners want to spend as much time in the yard as possible? Known for being quite blustery, this New England location isn’t exactly hospitable for year-round outdoor recreation. To make their backyard more versatile, the owners purchased a stunning retractable freestanding pool enclosure from Turkey-based company Libart. Now, their hot tub and fiberglass pool can be enjoyed regardless of the weather, without having to worry about the cover’s minimalist, transparent walls obstructing the stunning views.

Round Dome-Shaped Orient Pool Cover

Perfect for round swimming pools and hot tubs alike, the “Orient” style pool cover by Pool & Spa Enclosures has a bit of a futuristic look and comes in your choice of frame color, from silver to cobalt to faux wood. You have to admit, they look pretty cool. These domes are just as decorative as they are functional.

Aquacomet Pool Enclosures

Extra-wide, rounded, angular, and domed. An Estonian company called Aquacomet offers virtually every configuration of pool enclosure you can think of, all elegant and crystalline, displayed in photos that will make you long for a Mediterranean vacation. These manual retractable pool covers have handles on their sides so you can easily slide them open on their rails, and they’re made of aluminum and polycarbonate.

Abrisud Wall-Mounted Pool Enclosure

This lean-to pool cover design attaches directly to an adjacent structure, creating an attractive arched shape reminiscent of Victorian conservatories. The difference is that these panels aren’t fixed in place. The benefit of a lean-to enclosure is being able to enter directly from the house without first having to step out into less-than-ideal weather conditions. It’s hard not to daydream about lounging in a bikini with a tropical drink in hand while it’s snowing just beyond the glass.

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One simple and highly effective workaround is the use of transitional indoor/outdoor areas that feature lots of operable windows or walls that open wide on demand. These “rooms” can be fully enclosed when you want to keep them cool and shady or transformed into patios or verandas when you want to brighten them up and let in a breeze. For a recent renovation project in Australia’s Barrington heritage area, Matt Gibson Architecture + Design put an unusual and elegant spin on the standard transitional space.

The architects attached a modern black volume to the rear of a traditional brick villa, continuing the addition’s wooden floor and ceiling right out into the yard. There are no walls to close off this new dining and lounge area, which projects out over the grass. Instead, the space has been equipped with a set of massive, two-story-tall woven steel mesh curtains that filter out sunlight, limit glare from the west-facing direction, and provide privacy when desired. The free-flowing nature of these curtains creates a sense of movement and fluidity that contrasts with the solid brick structure.

The translucent “buffer” enclosed by the mesh curtains makes use of the yard’s extra square footage and helps regulate the temperature inside the rest of the villa. The curtain also functions as a rain screen, and unlike conventional textiles, it won’t ever fade, get dirty, or encourage the growth of mildew.

Drawing inspiration from the traditional Japanese “hiro-en,” or deep veranda, the architects created a seamless series of spaces that bleed into one another and form a threshold between inside and out. Discreet walls can be closed to secure the innermost spaces or left open to make the entire home feel much larger. Now, these living areas can be sheltered from the sun in the summer or bathed in light during the winter for additional warmth.

The architects explain: “The contemporary addition challenges the concept of building low quality, replica additions that attach themselves to the heritage fabric and in effect compromise, confuse, and diminish the integrity of the original. The intervention here is instead contemporary and interactive, activating and opening up the compartmentalized interior to previously under-utilized green space, and at the same time preserving and augmenting the cultural significance of the original building. Spaces and eras are distinguishable, yet able to bleed into each other, allowing subtle connectivity. Each space, whilst unique, continues a dialogue that is integral to the story of the whole.”

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Flat 227 by OODA — Porto, Portugal

Portuguese design firm OODA created a spacious atmosphere in this two-story apartment by incorporating floor-to-ceiling windows, using lots of white paint, and installing a newly enlarged full-height stairwell—complete with a net stretched across part of it to form a built-in hammock. The net is located next to a window with incredible views of the sea and proves that comfortable lounging areas can fit into surprisingly small spaces.

Tadeo 4909 by Proyecto Cafeína — Puebla, Mexico

The architects at Proyecto Cafeína created two-story lofts with lots of character for a new 8-unit condominium in Puebla, Mexico. The design features a sharp contrast between exposed materials, like brick and concrete, and a clean glass exterior. One of the building’s most interesting features is its net lounge area, which has been tucked away in a quiet, sunny corner.

Maison NW by Nathalie Wolberg — Saint-Ouen, France

Just outside of Paris in the town of Saint-Ouen, architect Nathalie Wolberg has converted the former headquarters of a printing house into the workshops and living spaces of nine artists, including herself. Maison NW was created as a laboratory for testing out new designs, environments, and furniture arrangements. The experimental structure contains all kinds of cool rooms and features, including a built-in hammock. According to Wolberg, the large net “allows the individual to extract himself from the surrounding environment, and makes the body become gravity-conscious.”

Micro House by Ruetemple — Moscow, Russia

The Russian firm Ruetemple was charged with the difficult task of designing a 300-square-foot apartment that would be comfortable, spacious, fun, and practical for both adults and children. They tackled this challenge by utilizing as much vertical space as possible and integrating several built-in storage elements. The architects removed the floor of the area above the living room and, leaving only the support beams in place, replaced it with a built-in hammock that would allow a family to see and talk to each other from both levels of the home. Before having its floor removed, this upper room felt claustrophobic and was not even tall enough to fit furniture in.

Baan Moom Residence by Integrated Field — Bangkok, Thailand

Integrated Field managed to pack enough space for gardening, dreaming, creating, resting and enjoying nature into just three stacked stories for a Bangkok family of five. The home was designed around a series of openings that promote daylight transmission, ventilation, and visual connections. Naturally, the team chose to install a net lounge over one of them.

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