Exposed beams

Conceived as a retreat and sanctuary space this small accessory structure is carefully sited in the rear garden of a large wooded lot in Northwest DC.  The building not only creates visual interest in the garden, it serves as the focal point for family gatherings and outdoor activities.  The space is fully conditioned which allows for use throughout the year.   Allen Russ Photography, LLC The owners inhabit the space daily as painting studio, yoga room, and an escape from the noise of the city.  The windows, brick, slate, and copper echo the material palate of the existing house.   Allen Russ Photography, LLC This allows the studio to remain deferential to the larger main structure while creating a lante... More

This project by Mitchell + Corti Architects began with an old terrace house: run down, tired and blue, with mock features, a tight spiral staircase, haphazard layout, low ceilings and jaded decor. We were approached to assist our young client in boosting this property’s spirits from dejected to dynamic by creating an invitingly bright and well-organised home.We set out to marry a traditional exterior with cleverly designed contemporary spaces. Caption Through vaulting and exposing the shape of the traditional butterfly roof, we were able to insert large expanses of glazing and in doing so obtain light penetration that resonates throughout the building. This key design move also allowed to accommodate double the storage capacity... More

At the base of a ski resort, this chalet references regional agricultural architecture, rather than romanticized notions of the ski chalet. Modest in scale, the barn-like structure has its own dynamism through its iconic form that lunges towards the mountain slope. The design was conceived for a family of five to live simply and comfortably within a small footprint. Simple and functional bedrooms, bathrooms and a large mudroom on the ground floor encourage the family to congregate upstairs in an open, light-filled space on the second storey that comprises the living room, dining room and kitchen. Under a gabled roof, the upper floor is like a tent that provides shelter, and opens at each end to offer picturesque views of the ski slope towa... More

The Bower Activities Center (BAC) introduces a light-filled hub of activity and care programs to the pastoral campus of Youth Villages in the city of Bartlett, an outlying suburb of Memphis, TN.  Youth Villages, “a nationally recognized leader in the field of childrens' mental and behavioral health,” provides residential, academic, and developmental services for children and teens with “emotional, mental, and behavioral problems.”  Initially designed to house only the Food With Class program –  an educational class where teens learn to develop teamwork and professional skills in a commercial kitchen setting – and a few other support services, the scope of the design quickly grew as Youth Vi... More

Working in the historic center is always a fascinating challenge and a great responsibility especially if you are in Firenze.Via degli Orti Oricellari is a road that connects Borgo Ognissanti to the Santa Maria Novella Station by tangling the garden of Orti Oricellari from which it takes its name. The apartment in question is situated on the first floor of an ancient building dating back to the 19th century.Its location allows the view of the garden and an excellent exposure to natural light. The current plan does not represent the original configuration, but is the result of a series of changes that have adapted the interior spaces to the needs of people who have lived there over the time.At the time of the survey, the building was in a... More

Space Group proudly present this refurbished 3,000 square feet residential unit within a converted dog biscuit factory, originally built in 1890. The exciting building complex, called The Old Spratts Factory, falls within a Conservation Area.  This particular building used to contain the grain & flour warehouse and two bakeries. It was originally converted very poorly and some of the original features suffered as a result of that, plus the functionality for residential use was also compromised. Caption The task was to catapult this amazing space into the 21st Century. This was achieved thanks to a real team effort of a crafty contractor with clever ideas and appreciation for details, visionary clients which very conveniently... More

LOS ANGELES, CA— The Los Angeles Design Group (The LADG) has completed House in Los Angeles 1, a multifaceted art studio and residential compound for a pair of professional visual artists, a painter and a photographer. The project comprises an addition to the clients’ existing mid-century home, a guest house that provides studio space for their work, and dedicated structures for exhibitions and events during which guests can move seamlessly between indoor and outdoor space. Situated in the middle of a deep residential block in Los Angeles’s Highland Park neighborhood, the compound’s four structures are joined to the street by a long drive and scatter fluidly across the expansive half-acre hilltop lot, redefining tra... More

Remodeling this 1950’s rambler entailed refreshing the main floor, plus an addition of a second story Master Suite; all designed in a minimalist aesthetic to heighten the lush, retreat-like experience of the site. Diffuse light floods in from high windows, filtering in and around open spaces, and through frosted glass wall panels. The result is serene and meditative – perfect for this bedroom aerie, and befitting the new-found beauty of this mid-century classic.  The existing house was a classic mid-century structure: a big overhanging roof with exposed beams, large expanses of windows, and a richness of wood interior finishes. However the floor plan was chopped-up and inefficient, needing aggressive reworking, especially... More

In the heart of Piedmont, immersed in the vast hillside vineyards that encircle the Langhe, stands Agrisuite Il Cedro, a new style of agritourism that offers suites of rooms. The structure stands on the old Monfalletto Estate, property of the Cordero di Montezemolo family. It has four splendid independent apartments, an outdoor pool and an absolutely breathtaking view that includes the ancient cedar of Lebanon (cedro, in Italian) that stands imposingly between the rows of hills and gives its name to the estate.The modern style and neutral colours of the interiors provide a pleasing contrast to the farm building’s exterior architecture, which remains appropriate to the location and its traditional agricultura... More

This residential project,from the foundations to the interior design, is the work of Turra Arredamenti, who paid particular attention not only to the architectural design and home automation systems, but also to the choice of materials and finishes, without losing sight of the need to achieve the A+ energy efficiency class, one of the most important aspects of both everyday life and environmental sustainability. The soul of the building is revealed in the living area, an elegant, roomy open-plan space in a contemporary style in neutral shades. In it, wooden elements, beige upholstery and a high ceiling with white-painted exposed beams blend together to create an evocative atmosphere of stark purity. The L&L Luce&Light l... More

Tuscan Transformation: Dubai-based VSHD Design expands its international portfolio with the completion of their first U.S. residential project VSHD Design, a Dubai-based interior architecture firm specializing in residential and commercial projects, is proud to unveil a luxurious residential design within the Four Seasons Orlando Resort in Florida. With 22,000 sq. ft. this project marks the first residential undertaking of the firm in the United States. “From the onset, we realized that we were facing numerous challenges with this project,” notes Rania Hamed, interior architect and founder of VSHD Design. “In addition to strict regional building and environmental codes, there were requirements imposed by Four Seasons Res... More

Communicating spaces punctuated by exposed beams are the leitmotiv of RS HOUSE, a former wash-house of a typical building in the heart of Garbatella (Rome) being converted into a 75sqm apartment. There are three elements giving character to the entire apartment and underlining its distinctive features: The trapezoidal lift shaft which is completely covered in a warm color contrasting with the milky-white exposed beam; shaped shelves run towards the kitchen, connecting with cabinets serving the sleeping area. Moving around the trapeze and following the shape of the plan, you reach the bedroom.   The lighting highlights the walk-in closetmade entirely in oak, cladded by a large window on one side that protects the master bedroom which... More

Lady Marmalade has been a mainstay of the Toronto brunch scene since 2009. Their newly renovated space, designed by Omar Gandhi Architect in collaboration with SvN, is located on an up-and-coming stretch of Broadview Avenue just north of Dundas Street. The building exterior retains its original character, including the original brick front façade.   The new, large storefront window provides a glimpse into the bright interior for passersby and dedicated Lady Marmalade brunch patrons. The cedar cladding hints at what to expect inside, and will develop its own patina over time to complement the aging brick cladding. A modest addition at the back provides additional square footage for the kitchen and dining areas. The design is an... More