Mahogany

This September, critically acclaimed British designer Lee Broom once again completely transforms his East London studio during the London Design Festival. For the third year, in what is becoming a studio tradition, the space will be unrecognisable from the year before for this unique event. This year, the must-see destination becomes the Crystal Bulb Shop, a general store complete with sawdust floor, mahogany counter and a shopkeeper. It will also mark the first time the Crystal Bulb will be shown in the UK. Another manifestation of Broom’s award-winning interior design talent, the Crystal Bulb Shop is a contemporary take on an old shop with a surreal twist. Old fittings are juxtaposed against panels reflecting over 200 Crystal Bulb... More

This 9,694 square foot modern residence pays homage to the craftsman architecture of the early 1900s with its originality, simplicity of form, use of natural materials and the visibility of handmade details. Much like its turn-of-the-century predecessors, the design rejects opulence and mass-produced housing elements. At the center of the house is a stone hearth – an integral part of a home, a symbol of warmth and family. Here, the stone fireplace wall is multi-functional: it extends vertically through the second floor and roof; and horizontally, penetrating the exterior wall to become a landscape feature along the pool. Within it, the stone wall houses the double-sided fireplace serving the formal living room and the more relaxed family... More

Completed in 2010 for a well-regarded mosaic artist client, this provocative 2,500 sq. ft. private residence in rural Virginia re-defines outdoor living. In designing the project, GRADE responded to two disparate conditions of the site: the expansive views of Chesapeake Bay and the mystic wooded area on which it resided. The objective was to reconcile the client’s need for a studio in which to design and create while not rendering the space hermetic and closed off to its surroundings. GRADE brought nature’s elements indoors, establishing a foundation of earthy textures including natural mahogany wood and a curved zinc rooftop, complemented by imported materials such as Italian marble. Through thoughtful design, the house became an appara... More

Designed for a young family relocated from Austria, this project shared the typical constraints found in many close-in suburban Washington D.C. homes; poor circulation, small spaces, and no access to the yard. Requirements of the work included larger dining and living spaces, a modest kitchen, a first floor powderroom, and a more dynamic dialogue with the site. Conceived as a pavilion in the landscape, the design attempts to create a transparent addition that minimizes the distinction between the interior and exterior. Zoning restrictions mandated a single story solution that would not block light to the neighbor’s house. Programmatic spaces within the structure are articulated by individual volumes and organized by a series of stuc... More

The 1.75-acre site is wedged between steep avalanche fields beneath Shadow Mountain and overhangs Castle Creek below. Topography slopes twenty-four feet across the building envelop and the angularity of it offered both challenges and opportunity. The site offers expansive views and an ‘in-town’ location while exposed to intensive full-day sun and avalanche concerns. The program is separated into service, private and public wings and utilizes the grade change to link and unify the 10,600 square foot residence. The plan accepts the many angularities of the site and the resulting architecture reflects this. Because of the exposed site and proximity to the entrance to Aspen, its massing and scale were required to be ‘reduced’ in apparent siz... More

A Modern Balinese Retreat Located off a walk street in Manhattan Beach with panoramic ocean views, this 4,500 square foot residence was designed as a modern South Pacific Island retreat. Drawing inspiration from their favorite vacation destinations, the client set the tone for their ideal lifestyle. The intent was to achieve an “architecture pure, clear, clean, neat and healthy,” possessing tropical overtones, natural materials and a hint of luxury. Large operable windows and doors provide abundant natural light and ventilation. They allow for an open and airy feeling, while letting in the rhythmic sounds of the nearby ocean. Outdoor decks are oriented toward the horizon and set the stage for watching Southern California sunsets. V... More

The sharply cut solitaire is positioned as a contrasting alien in a garden overlooking the lake of Zurich. The open plan, as a continuous vertical space, forms the flowing analogy to the softness of the surrounding landscape. Framed by its load bearing steel structure, the spaces evolve in a spiral movement from the garden to the roof level. With the gain of height, the programme transforms itself from more public functions to exclusive private functions. The outdoor terrace with swimming pool forms the peak of the spiral. To the spaces below, the pool acts as a skylight and spreads a specific sub aquatic atmosphere. The construction methods and materialization are derived from shipbuilding: ribbed floor decks,welded steel cladding an... More

This replacement residence is referred to as Ravine House, as it is both oriented around and fundamentally concerned with its wooden ravine setting. The ground floor steps down to follow the sloping site topography, resulting in one-and-a-half-height spaces at the ravine edge. Glass walls define the interior and exterior. A steel structure permits spaces to be cast into the ravine and allows oversized sliding glass and mahogany panels to provide direct access and a real connection to the exterior. A rear terrace, garden wall, and "lookout" pavilion complete the residence and the occupation of the ravine site as a coherent whole. At the junction of the built and the natural these landscape features reconcile the modern home with the subl... More

Caption   Nestled in the hills of Southern California this home is view oriented but also creates the feel of a multilevel residence wrapped around a central courtyard of walkways and water. Caption   A slight Asian flavor can be found in the slatted entrance gate edged with bamboo, the dark honey mahogany floors, and roof rafter details. But the use of warm, natural materials, stone and slate, make this a contemporary western classic. Caption   Water is brought to the edge of the living space, creating a delightful floating effect. Caption Caption The pool and patio area are also enhanced my Marc’s signature use of large sculpted bowls – here filled with fire and greenery. Captio... More

The furnishing of superyachts is a job for specialists: creative spirits who manage to create luxury, comfort and space in a complex, technical object. Marilyn Bos-de Vaal and Frank Pieterse, with their Art-Line Interiors, belong to that select group of designers who have made a name for themselves in this demanding field. They have by now built up an impressive - awardwinning - oeuvre, and work world wide with the best of the famous yacht builders. Their aim with every new project is to meet the client’s wishes, within the parameters of the vessel. Clients usually seek them out precisely because of their creativity. ‘Vive la Vie’, built at Lürssen Yachts, is a prime example of their talents. “With a yacht’s interior, it’s primarily abou... More