Warm beige hues update Résidence Esplanade in Montreal

Design pair Michael Godmer and Catherine Lavallée created a sequence of meditative, beige-tone spaces in the partial renovation of this home in Montreal.

Résidence Esplanade is situated in Mile End, a trendy area of Montreal host to various eateries, coffee bars and vintage stores.

The property was originally built as two separate apartments, but five years ago was converted into the two-floor house it stands as today.

The colour beige has been applied throughout Résidence Esplanade

Much of the property's unique decor details were eliminated during the renovation works. Its new owner, a young professional who collects furniture and works of art, tasked Michael Godmer and Catherine Lavallée with designing a slightly more distinctive interior.

"We wanted to add identity to the house's soul," Godmer told Dezeen.

He and Lavallée have, for now, overhauled the home's upstairs landing, study and one of its bedrooms – the rest of the rooms will be worked on at a later date.

Walls in the bedroom have been loosely limewashed

The three revamped areas have been completed in various shades of beige, a colour that the design pair says is "reminiscent of the soft winter light" that they saw on the first day they visited Résidence Esplanade.

In the bedroom, walls have been loosely rendered with lime paint that leaves behind an eggshell-coloured finish.

A tall wardrobe inlaid with cane panels has been set towards the rear of the room, while a white-oak sideboard has been set beneath the window so that the owner can display personal trinkets or ornaments.

In the corner of the room is also a blush-pink slouch chair.

In the study, a work desk has been set into a niche in the wall

Limewashed surfaces continue into the home's study. An oak work desk has been built within a niche in the wall, accompanied by a simple black tub chair and a spherical pendant lamp that dangles from the ceiling.

Textural interest is added by the corrugated panelling that has been set at the back of the niche.

Finally, fluted glass doors with buttermilk-coloured framing have been fitted in front of each of the rooms on the first floor.

The back wall of the niche is corrugated

Godmer and Lavallée say they plan to apply a similarly calming aesthetic throughout the rest of the home when they start the second phase of the renovation.

"We are also looking at adding a mezzanine and a rooftop terrace for [the owner] to enjoy summer days having views of Mont-Royal mountain," added Godmer.

Fluted glass doors have been installed on the home's first floor

Résidence Esplanade is one of several homes that Michael Godmer has designed in his home city of Montreal. Others include Elmwood Residence, a Victorian-era townhouse in the Outremont neighbourhood which Godmer updated by creating a sequence of monochromatic living spaces.

Earlier this year, Godmer also made over the Montreal home that he shares with his partner, Mathieu Turgeon and their two poodles. Inside, it boasts fresh white walls and an array of wooden fixtures and furnishings.

Photography is courtesy of Catherine Lavallée.

---

Project credits:

Design: Michael Godmer and Catherine Lavallée
Construction: Frédéric Lalonde
Cabinetmaking: Il Fabrique

The post Warm beige hues update Résidence Esplanade in Montreal appeared first on Dezeen.

from Dezeen https://ift.tt/3fmfnzh

Zsuzsanna Horvath makes lamps from laser-cut plywood

Hungarian designer Zsuzsanna Horvath uses laser-cut birch plywood to make the Illan Pendant Light for Italian light company Luceplan.

Horvath piqued Luceplan's interest when she displayed a prototype of her design at Salone Satellite during last year's edition of Milan Furniture Fair.

The lamp is made of birch plywood

Illan means something temporary or fleeting in Hungarian, a concept Horvath sought to capture in the simple and delicate design.

Precise laser-cutting technology is used to score equidistant lines through a thin sheet of plywood.

Gravity creates the lamp's shape

When hung from above, the wood drops into the lampshade's distinctive curved shape.

"The idea of the lamp comes from experimentation with models of laser cutting applied to different materials," explained Horvath.

"When sheets of paper and wood are cut geometrically, they take on new characteristics, suspended by the force of gravity."

Illan Pendant Lights are available in three sizes

A warm-toned LED light sits inside the shade, leaking through the slats to create a golden, diffused light.

"The simple concentric cutting motif shapes wood into a three-dimensional sculptural object that reacts to the slightest movement of the air, while the warm glow of the light creates a relaxing sensation, reflecting on the wooden surface," said Horvath.

"The lamp is on the borderline between art and design, balancing functional quality, good looks and a bit of the magic we need in our everyday life," added the designer.

The lamps use warm-coloured LED lights

Available in three versions, the Illan Pendant Light can be up to a metre wide. It is suitable to hang as a single piece or in a cluster of different sizes.

Horvath is a Hungarian designer and architect based in Copenhagen, where she runs her own studio.

The Illan Pendant Light is shortlisted for Dezeen Awards 2020 in the lighting design category, alongside a bedside lamp that reads to children and a glowing ring light that can rotate 320 degrees.

More examples of plywood design include these laser-cut plywood lamps by Italian studio Bjørne and a modular lighting collection made from aluminium and plywood by London-based designers Tino Seubert and Theodora Alfredsdottir.

The post Zsuzsanna Horvath makes lamps from laser-cut plywood appeared first on Dezeen.

from Dezeen https://ift.tt/3pOEXBI

Charred wood and greenery conceal IDIN Architects' Office in Thailand

Thai firm IDIN Architects has slotted a studio it designed for itself into a narrow site in Bangkok and obscured it from view using tall trees and blackened wood.

IDIN Architects' Office is designed to have an "invisible presence" that is overlooked by passersby, offering the studio's employees privacy and respite from the city.

It is among the five projects shortlisted for business building of the year at Dezeen Awards 2020.

IDIN Architects' Office is obscured by tall trees

"Unlike the other stand-alone office designs, IDIN Architects decided to walk away from creating an iconic appearance for its office," the studio explained.

"The key idea unfolds from creating a creative working place with high privacy and then develops towards an idea about the invisible presence of the building in an urban context."

Charred wood has been used to give it "invisible presence"

IDIN Architects' Office takes the form of a series of staggered but interlinking volumes, shrouded by their dark charred-cedar cladding.

The volumes are punctured by courtyards and terraces that overlook the wall of trees and greenery that envelop the site.

While providing privacy for employees, the trees help to absorb noise from the surrounding streets, provide shelter for birds and animals and offer the studio relaxing views of nature.

The cafe is the only space visible from the street

Inside, the office's staggered form creates three distinct zones divided into public, semi-public and private spaces. The public zone contains a cafe and is the only space visible from the street.

Tucked behind the cafe is the semi-public area that contains all of the studio's workspaces, while the private zone at the rear accommodates residential space for the studio's founder.

Courtyards puncture the building

IDIN Architects' intention is for this layout to "filter" the flow of visitors, while also creating a playful sequence of rooms that offers them a feeling of discovery as they walk through it.

"The visitors can experience the rhythm of hide-and-seek throughout the building," explained the studio.

"Like reading a book, the upcoming chapters disclose slowly, as the readers keep reading the next page, each section of the space features different characters."

The workspaces have views out to the trees

To help prevent IDIN Architects' Office from overheating, its west elevation takes the form of a solid, windowless wall while the south-facing side is only used for circulation.

The north facade is lined with floor-to-ceiling glazing, providing spaces throughout the office with views of the trees and natural lighting that is consistent throughout the day.

Black walls inside the office mirror the exterior cladding

To help maximise the office space's connection to the outside, the interiors are lined with black walls that mirror the exterior of the building.

This is teamed with light wooden floors and furnishings, including floor-to-ceiling bookcase walls office chairs and tables and office chairs and tables.

Light wood bookcases and flooring feature in the offices

Jeravej Hongsakul founded IDIN Architects in 2004. Its name is an acronym for Integrating Design Into Nature. Other recent projects by the studio include JB House – a dwelling designed for a couple who wanted a space that would allow them to focus on their individual hobbies.

Among the other projects shortlisted for business building of the year at the Dezeen Awards 2020 is Kohan Ceram Central Office in Iran by Hooba Design Group and a recyclable market in China by LUO Studio.

Photography is by Spaceshift Studio and Ketsiree Wongwan.

---

Project credits:

Architect: IDIN Architects
Architecture team: Jeravej Hongsakul, Eakgaluk Sirijariyawat, Sakorn Thongdoang, Wichan Kongnok
Interior architect: IDIN Architects
Interiors team: Thuwanont Ruangkanoksilp
Landscape architect: Walllasia
Structural engineer: Pakanut Siriprasopsothron
System engineer: Eakachai Hamhomvong, Panot Kuakoolwong
Contractor: ArtCon
Interior contractor: Diidia

The post Charred wood and greenery conceal IDIN Architects' Office in Thailand appeared first on Dezeen.

from Dezeen https://ift.tt/3kUJfng

Eight comfortable living rooms with inviting interiors

With winter approaching in the northern hemisphere, Dezeen has selected eight snug living rooms with cosy features including fireplaces and wood-lined walls.

This is the latest roundup in a series providing visual inspiration for the home. Previous articles in the series showcased colourful kitchens, bedrooms with statement walls and domestic bathrooms designed by architects.

---

Villa Weinberg, Denmark, by Mette and Martin Weinberg

The inviting living room inside this 1940s cottage in Aarhus is almost entirely lined with oiled oak boards.

Although it is devoid of sofas, the seating bench that runs around the room's periphery has been topped with comforting tan-leather cushions and woolly throws. There are also a couple of beanbags for inhabitants to relax on.

Find out more about Villa Weinberg ›

---

Ocean House, Australia, by Rob Mills

Concrete isn't typically associated with cosiness – but architect Rob Mills has applied it throughout the living room of this house on Australia's Great Ocean Road, adding homely details like a plump sofa, a shaggy rug and a fireplace.

"I don't see the design as being stark," Mills said. "The interior is organic and tactile, and incorporates neutral fabrics."

Find out more about Ocean House ›

---

Carriage House, USA, by Workstead

Exposed-brick walls smattered with remnants of paint and plaster lend a cosy, lived-in quality to this lounge, which sits inside a Charleston home that dates back to the 1800s.

Cane cabinetry, red-leather armchairs and an olive-green sofa provide extra touches of warmth.

Find out more about Carriage House ›

---

Avalanche House, New Zealand, by Intuitive Architects

Pitched ceilings and plywood-lined walls make this holiday home in Wanaka feel much more like an intimate cabin.

Intuitive Architects have finished its lounge with more cosy decor elements like fluffy cushions, a wood burner and even a trio of tree branches, which have been stood in the room's corner.

Find out more about Avalanche House ›

---

North Bank, UK, by Elliott Architects

Walls washed with pale-brown plaster give a rustic warmth to this living area, despite its lofty proportions and large windows which look out to the countryside of Northumberland.

Tucked in the corner of the space is a daybed dressed with a patchwork blanket, fur throws and plush cushions, forming a perfect spot for inhabitants to snuggle up.

Find out more about North Bank ›

---

Central Park Road Residence, Australia, by Studio Four

Studio Four orientated the design scheme of this Melbourne home around the concept hygge – a Danish term used to describe feelings of cosiness, comfort and general contentment.

Its living area rather aptly features a warm mix of blackened timber surfaces, copper light fixtures and tan-leather armchairs. The focal point of the room is a huge fireplace topped with a five-metre-high steel flue, where inhabitants can gather on chilly winter evenings.

Find out more about Central Park Road Residence ›

---

Cottage in Hai Zhen, China, by Sun Min and Christian Taeubert

The creative pair behind the renovation of this cottage on the rural outskirts of Beijing opted to retain the property's rustic features, while introducing slick contemporary elements.

In the lounge, cracked plaster walls, worn ceiling beams and an old wood burner have contrastingly been paired with wire-frame chairs and steel cabinetry, forming a cosy yet balanced space.

Find out more about the cottage ›

---

Seaside Abode, Denmark, by Norm Architects

Weathered beams of dark-stained timber clad the central gabled wall of this living room. Just in front are a couple of marble side tables, a thick fringed rug and taupe-coloured sofas.

These earthy, tactile details are meant to foster a sense of warmth within the space, but also reflect the rugged coastal landscape of Denmark's North Zealand region, which can be seen through the home's expansive windows.

Find out more about Seaside Abode ›

The post Eight comfortable living rooms with inviting interiors appeared first on Dezeen.

from Dezeen https://ift.tt/36UXIe6

This week we looked at 30 architect-designed kitchens

This week on Dezeen, we continued our series of pieces focused on visual inspiration for the home, with a roundup of 30 architect-designed kitchens.

The roundup includes a huge variety of kitchens designed by architects including John Pawson, Amin Taha, Ryue Nishizawa, John Wardle Architects and Note Design Studio.

Previous pieces in the series focused on design for the home include 30 bathrooms designed by architects and seven bedrooms with statement walls and 10 colourful kitchen interiors.

Demolition of Tadao Ando-designed wall in Manchester begins

In architecture news, this week saw demolition begin on part of Japanese architect Tadao Ando's only building in the UK. The six-metre-long concrete wall in Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester, forms part of a pavilion, which will remain.

In Barcelona, the city council announced its plans to create numerous squares by transforming a third of the street in its central Eixample district into green car-free public spaces.

Hack Care is an IKEA-style catalogue of DIY adjustments for dementia-friendly homes

In design news, Lekker Architects and Lanzavecchia + Wai created a manual filled with tips on how to hack IKEA products to better serve people living with dementia.

Also focused on the home, Zaha Hadid Design released a range of door handles that can bring the studio's characteristically sinuous style into interiors.

The Crown costumes move "from forensic accuracy to flights of fancy" says Amy Roberts

We interviewed The Crown costume designer, Amy Roberts, who explained how she used the wardrobes of Princess Diana and Margaret Thatcher to reflect their complex relationships with the Queen in the latest series of the television show.

Roberts achieved this by creating costumes that combined "forensic accuracy" with "flights of fancy".

LG Display and Dezeen launch €46,000 OLEDs Go! design competition

This week also saw Dezeen team up with LG Display to launch a  global design competition called OLEDS Go!

The contest, which has a prize fund of €46,000, challenges contestants to create beautiful designs that make innovative use of OLED technology.

Century-old Japanese dwelling transformed into minimalist guesthouse

Popular projects on Dezeen this week include a 100-year-old townhouse in Kyoto that was converted into a moody and tranquil guesthouse, a bakery in Copenhagen with off-white walls and terrazzo floors and five terraces of brick housing in London designed by Peter Barber Architects.

This week on Dezeen is our regular roundup of the week's top news stories. Subscribe to our newsletters to be sure you don't miss anything.

The post This week we looked at 30 architect-designed kitchens appeared first on Dezeen.

from Dezeen https://ift.tt/2IV5xZe