Past Turned Into Space by Pitsou Kedem Architects

The combination of modern design and the neo-classical structure from the 1930’s enabled the designer to create a world full of contrasts and tensions combined in one project; between elegant and industrial, between raw and ornamental, between simple and complex. Together, they enrich the structure, both architecturally as well as the relationships between the space and those in it, and tell the tale of two periods in one space. In order to preserve and respect the tradition and the past, the materials chosen for the apartment’s renovation were all raw materials. The open balcony, the adjacent courtyard paved in terrazzo just as are the apartment’s spaces, act as a silent and elegant peninsular between the apartment and the noisy, urban surroundings of the outside world.

All the furniture was carefully chosen to complement the common culture that connects between two periods in time. A touch of red paint also symbolizes the combination between rawness and industrial styling and the classical elegance of the apartment’s original period. The building has been designated for preservation with severe building restrictions as part of the Tel Aviv preservation plan. The area, known as the “White City” is the site of Tel Aviv’s founding and was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 2003. The structure itself consists of a rustico ground floor that is the foundation for two additional floors with renaissance style arches. The ground floor apartment was previously the home of Israel’s first Prime Minister, David Ben Gurion which lends historic significance and magic to the building and the apartment.

Past Turned Into Space, Tel Aviv, Israel, by Pitsou Kedem Architects
Photography by Amit Goren

A space by plajer & franz studio

“A space”, located in Berlin Mitte, is a temporary showroom for real estate agency Ziegert Immobilien offering a great platform to show and sell a range of apartments being built at this location by Natulis Group AG. The showroom has been designed by Berlin based plajer & franz studio. It’s design is marked by the mix between rough and edgy – according to the building site character of the location – and very refined and elegant elements. This symbiosis turns the space into an eye-catcher while offering great opportunities for counseling and sales conversations.

A space, temporary showroom, Berlin, Germany, by plajer & franz studio

126 Walsh Street by Carr Design Group, MAA Architects and Neometro

A collaboration between Neometro, MAA Architects and Carr Design Group, 126 Walsh Street comprises four single-level luxury residences in one of South Yarra’s coveted Royal Botanic Garden’s precinct. Sitting somewhere between a house and an apartment, each residence offers generous proportions with a high degree of craftsmanship. Like its layered external screening, the interior embraces a multitude of textures, materials and hues. Softening Neometro’s signature concrete roof, the design incorporates a palette of natural materials of stone, timber and marble.

126 Walsh Street, South Yarra, Australia, by Carr Design Group, MAA Architects and Neometro

Room On The Roof by i29 interior architects

Room On The Roof is located in the small tower on de Bijenkorf in Amsterdam, a unique spot in the historic heart of the city that has been converted into a cultural haven. Together with the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, de Bijenkorf has invited national and international artists to work on their projects in the studio, ranging from performances, poetry and light art to dance, music, film and photography. It’s fully equipped for the artists, with a telescope for enjoying panoramic views of the city, a bed for dreaming, a special menu for meals, and its Dam Square location providing a source of inspiration. The works resulting from time spent in Room On The Roof will be shared with the public.

Room On The Roof, Amsterdam, Netherlands, by i29 interior architects
Photography by Ewout Huibers

A London Penthouse Apartment by Amos and Amos

Amos and Amos redesigned the layout of the 241-square-metre penthouse and sub-penthouse at 21 Wapping Lane to create a well defined and luxorious space that does justice to its setting and spectacular views. They arranged the kitchen, dining room and living space around one corner, and grouped the more private bedrooms and bathrooms around the opposite corner.
Design approach was to create a penthouse interior that represents a true departure from the norm. The result is a contemporary luxe interior that balances immaculate detailing and bespoke design with a carefully selected material palette evoking a strong metropolitan feel. The spiral stair was designed to access the rooftop terrace, which offers uninterrupted 360 degree views across the capital.

London Penthouse Apartment, London, England, by Amos and Amos, for Ballymore

u2i new Head Office by Morpho Studio

u2i’s new seat is located in a former cable factory in Zabłocie – a post-industrial district in Kraków. More than 800 m2 of space include work and relaxation areas designed in a modern way. The office part comprises two large conference rooms, several smaller ones, and an open space with upholstered benches intended for less-formal purposes. For the comfort of u2i’s employees, the company’s seat offers a number of conveniences both for larger official meetings and cosy co-working, e.g. in the open space at the table for working while standing up. In the central part of the office, there is a veranda with a swing, leading to the gaming room. Employees also have a kitchen with an open bar and a spacious dining room at their disposal. The prevailing material is ash wood, and light, subdued colours have been used in the entire interior. u2i’s original colours – greens and yellows – were complemented with shades of grey and black.

u2i new Head Office, Krakow, Poland, by Morpho Studio

Pen Store by Form Us With Love

Pen Store is a new retail space that behaves like a shop, a gallery, an atelier and a supplier warehouse – a new brand experience, designed by Form Us With Love. With the aim to provide a long sought after creative hub for local studios and pen loving people, the Pen Store has become the place to gather and share ideas of sketching, drawing and writing, using the best materials on the market.

Pen Store, by Form Us With Love
Photos by Jonas Lindström

Pullman Tour Eiffel by Mathieu Lehanneur

Pullman Tour Eiffel just opened with the second sample of Mathieu Lehanneur’s “Business Playground” concept: reinvention of the meeting room as a perfect illustration of the “blurring” of private and professional life. This room reflects the brand’s “Work hard, Play hard” motto as well as its guests’ lifestyle. It combines performance and pleasure with a fresh take on the traditional aspects of a meeting: a meeting table designed like a poker table, a private area for informal conversations or breaks, and a cabinet of curiosities. All these features are designed to stimulate creativity and reinvent international hospitality codes. After the success of first Playground at Pullman London St Pancras, the concept is gradually rolled out across the 80 Pullman’s hotels network.

“Poker Table” The table is a key element in a small gathering like a board meeting. In the “Business Playground” room, the central table is given an additional dimension. Mathieu Lehanneur has reinterpreted it as a poker table which notably features a leather edge. This table is designed to make people want to participate in the meeting, just as they would want to engage in a game, they want to take part, be a player and stay constantly focused.

“Canopy Break” During a meeting day, it is important to have relaxing moments and less formal exchanges between the intensive work sessions. To allow participants to escape or opt for a different meeting setting, a dedicated bubble-like space has been created. The Pullman “Canopy Break”, allows participants to relax comfortably and take an organic break or have an informal conversation.

Mathieu Lehanneur explains: “Between two meetings, the Pullman “Canopy Break” provides an escape route that is both organic and digital. Designed to offer a pause but also as an informal extension of the meeting, the Pullman “Canopy Break” is somewhere else, outside, under the trees.”. At last, an object for imaginary travel, but also for growth strategy, Mathieu Lehanneur has designed a giant globe. The entirely white “Earth Ball,” revealing countries and continents through its simple relief, seems in equilibrium, ready to roll at any moment. Through this object/sculpture, the “Work hard, Play Hard” motto is embodied here more than ever. Pullman has furthermore made it an iconic object by placing it in each of its lobbies worldwide.

Business playground for Pullman Tour Eiffel, by Mathieu Lehanneur
Photography by Felipe Ribon

Room 506 by Jaime Hayon for Raddison Blu Royal Hotel

Jaime Hayon reveals a total design for Room 506 at the iconic SAS Royal Hotel (now Radisson Blu Royal Hotel Copenhagen). In 1958, Arne Jacobsen designed a room in this hotel – Room 606 – which is still preserved to this day. Both designers are known as rare multi-talented artists with the ability and the courage to create designs on any scale. Hayon’s total design of the room that includes furniture, works of art, bedspreads, lamps etc.has a playful expression, with passion for organic shapes, exclusive materials, extraordinary craftsmanship and a clear aesthetic expression.

“In our past six years’ collaboration, I think we have achieved a great evolution for the Fritz Hansen brand but also a great evolution in my own work, moving forward my design with the idea of making the most of minimum means. Coming from the Mediterranean, to be able to make an imprint on Danish design has been an incredibly special experience for me. The idea for this room is to create a luminous space that brings joy and genuine comfort through the Fritz Hansen designs along with some of my own designs and art. Together with Fritz Hansen, I have created bespoke designs just for this room, always in reflection of our shared principles of working with the best materials and aiming for simplicity and maximum comfort,” says Hayon.

Room 506, by Jaime Hayon, for Raddison Blu Royal Hotel

Garage in a Living Space by i29 Interior Architects

A formerly garage space in Amsterdam’s area de Pijp, turned into a spacious house naturally lit by large roof lights. The interior with a generous 230m2 on one floor level is finished in a simple material palette. The repetition of rectangular rough oak wooden surfaces is in great contrast with the stark white walls, black surfaces and grey cast flooring. The custom designed kitchen includes a large wooden sliding door to cover integrated storage areas, with a contrasting black cooking island in front. Built-in cabinets and a fireplace have the same characteristics and contrast in materials. Wooden walls from top to bottom with built-in doors are marking the entrance to the more private areas such as bed and bathrooms. Outdoors is a patio in between the living and master bedroom. In order to connect inside and out, i29 interior architects designed a 20 m2 hand knotted carpet with a natural mossy pattern. The excess of natural light in combination with the soft layer of green and beige resembles the outdoor experience while being inside.

Garage in a Living Space, Amsterdam, Netherlands by i29 Interior Architects