Biophilia

In the Netherland's Eem Valley, NarrativA architecten has designed a carbon-negative observatory for an ecological farmstead that combines biophilic design with passive principles and bio-based materials. The Natuurobservatorium de Eemlandhoeve, replete with a green sedum roof that makes it merge with the landscape, is reminiscent of a mushroom with gills—the challenge, the architect's explain, was to structure the building's organic form onto a simple grid so that it could be built relatively easily and inexpensively with the community. NarrativA architecten NarrativA architecten ❌︎ Remove Applied Products block will be inserted here     Design The organic shape of the observatory evokes that of a mu... More

Set within a natural clearing along the riparian valley floor of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, the ChaChe Residence by Ward | Blake Architects takes a biophilic and site-responsive approach that integrates architecture, ecology, and energy efficiency. Gabe Border The home's shed roofs rise toward mountain views and extend to form deep eaves, creating passive solar control, protection from harsh weather, and shaded outdoor terraces that expand the living spaces while reducing solar heat gain. Gabe Border ❌︎ Remove Applied Products block will be inserted here Site integration and ecological restoration The project responds to a complex site defined by multiple water setbacks, existing berms, and flowing creeks. A curving sod-r... More

Developed for HVM Incorporadora, Maya is an Architectural Manifesto that dares to redefine what it means to live well in the Brazilian Midwest. The project, which aims to dissolve the boundary between luxury and nature, transforms exposed concrete into a living celebration of the power of the Pantanal wetlands. Pedro Mascaro Pedro Mascaro HVM Maya was born from an essential premise: living in a building without renouncing the sensory experience of living in a house integrated with nature. The project is simultaneously a response to the territory and a proposition for a new way of inhabiting. From the beginning, the strategy was clear: to bring the neighbor park into the architecture, dissolving the boundaries between landscape, m... More

Aidlin Darling Design has completed the University of Virginia (UVA) Contemplative Commons, a pan-university building designed to support student wellbeing through immersive, experiential learning and reconnection to nature. The four-storey U-shaped building houses multi-purpose studios, research spaces, and a range of sensory-led learning environments. Drawing from Thomas Jefferson’s vision of the university as a living landscape—where architecture and the natural environment shape the experience of learning—Aidlin Darling Design uses biophilic principles, passive strategies, rainwater capture and reclaimed materials to create a restorative space that has achieved LEED Gold certification. Matthew Millman Matthew... More

Orange Grove Road is among Singapore's most prestigious addresses, a stone’s throw from the 150-year-old UNESCO-honoured Botanic Gardens, and close to the hustle and bustle of Orchard Road—akin to Singapore’s New York’s Fifth Avenue. Amidst the demure volumes of mostly residential blocks between Botanic Gardens and Orchard Road, the lenticular façade articulation of the hotel's eight-storeyed form shimmers, coyly beckoning visitors towards the surprising twists of amenities concealed in the hotel podium below.  Shiya Creative Studio, Courtesy of DP Architects Arriving at the drop-off point, guests are greeted with the same lenticular treatment at the podium, belying the verdant vegetation nestled in... More

In the Fluxo Apartment, the starting point for this interior design was the structure itself. The industrial style comes through strongly in the choice of materials and in the project’s overall language—but everything was designed to go beyond aesthetics. The countertops were made in exposed concrete. Concrete slat cladding covers portions of the walls with vertical texture. A black stone mosaic gives the staircase a striking presence. Gray porcelain tiles, white marble, black marble, and gray quartz complete the mineral palette that runs through the spaces.None of this, on its own, might suggest warmth—but that’s exactly where the project begins to surprise. Andre Mortatti When the industrial style is approac... More

How do you keep alive the roots and essence of who you are?In the Origami Apartment, that answer didn’t come in words. It came through spaces, choices, and sensations. An interior design that not only embraces Japanese aesthetics but gently revives what has always existed within this family—the connection to their origins. Even in Curitiba, on the other side of the world, you can feel Japan in every detail. And that’s what this home is about: belonging, reconnecting, and transforming the house into a refuge of memories, warmth, and meaning. Renata Salles The interior design of this apartment doesn’t aim to fill every space—it values emptiness. Here, silence is part of the composition.Doors disappear, lin... More

The new eye clinic in Wiener Neustadt shows how functional design can work with natural materials. Glass partitions from the LESA range, with veneered profiles and clay panels, fit naturally into the overall design, creating a healthy and calming environment. Matej Hakar Matej Hakar The clinic moved from an older location to a multifunctional center near the train station to better meet patient needs. The layout allows smooth movement from the reception to waiting rooms, doctors’ offices, and examination rooms. The rooms are divided by LESA glass partitions with veneered profiles. Wooden veneered doors add to the natural look. In smaller rooms, walls do not reach the ceiling, removing the need for a top door frame and... More

Focusing on redefining a smart lifestyle, this project emerges as a vibrant ecosystem that interconnects and forges community. Bioma encompasses recreation, leisure, work, relaxation and well-being, exceeding not only expectations, but also anticipating the needs of those who experience it.   Bioma is a mixed-use tower designed to reintroduce permeability and pedestrian activity into a neighborhood increasingly shaped by enclosed blocks and car-dependent infrastructure. Located on one of the principal streets of Costa del Este and directly across from a major commercial center, the project takes advantage of its strategic position by prioritizing access, flow, and openness at street level. The building&rsquo... More

Kyndryl, newly separated from IBM, faced a daunting task: to establish its own unique identity. Their Bangalore office design project was more than just aesthetics; it was a chance to define their brand and culture. With a tight deadline of eight months, the Space Matrix team faced the challenge of integrating advanced technology, sustainable materials, and an inclusive environment while maintaining a cohesive brand story. Space Matrix Space Matrix approached this project with a focus on innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability. The core idea was to create a workspace that not only reflected Kyndryl's values but also fostered a sense of belonging and inspiration. Space Matrix Every detail of the office design was carefully cr... More

Travel Portland’s new Visitor Center extends a bold, cheerful “Welcome to Portland!” to visitors and locals alike, offering free resources and curated recommendations in a one-of-a-kind space. Following 2020’s pandemic and civil unrest, as travel dropped and local businesses struggled, it was clear Portland needed a cheerful advocate to share affirming, welcoming new narratives about the city. Envisioned as a catalyst to revitalize downtown and transform the city’s reputation, the Visitor Center is vibrant community hub that celebrates the best Portland has to offer. David Papazian Photography David Papazian Photography The design of the Visitor Center captures the spirit of Travel Portland’s m... More

As a public building in a transitional urban area, the goal for the Ambulance Service and Medical Examiner Facility was to create a highly functional, sustainable, and pragmatic building that is also a space where employees in high-stress jobs can relax, socialize, and connect with nature. Surrounded by a railroad, convenience store, and a storage facility on three of the sides and a mundane parking ramp across the street, the challenge was to create an oasis in a banal context. Main Street Studio Main Street Studio The two-story, 34,000-square-foot facility needed to efficiently house multiple user groups — the medical examiner, county facilities personnel, EMTs, and six ambulances — in a way that clearly demonstrate... More

Align Design and Architecture has completed a high-spec 11,000 sq ft scheme for a leading global insurance company, high up in a glass-and-steel tower in the heart of the City of London. The scheme includes evocative cues inspired by the company’s Bermuda HQ location, as well as incorporating many wisdoms from the 3,000-year-old practice of Feng Shui. The latter finds form in the site plan and the placing of key activities within that, as well as through intriguing curved wall and ‘dragon’s tail’ corridor shapes. Many bespoke fixtures and features, meanwhile, from sand and sea blue colouring to ripple-effect glass and wall treatments, scallop-edged bespoke joinery and bespoke, stalactite-inspired lights, refer to the... More