Storytelling

What does Li Bai, lyrical poet from the Tang Dynasty, architectural brutalism, and a modern-day cosmetics store in a shopping mall have in common? Allow us to introduce the newest HARMAY store, in the heart of Chengdu, where journey and discovery meet the future of shopping.  Dirk Weiblen Dirk Weiblen Dirk Weiblen Li Bai, famed poet of the Tang Dynasty, wrote in the poem “The Hard Road to Shu”, the stairs to heaven are easier to climb than the road to Sichuan. With Chinese e-tailer HARMAY’s fourth brick and mortar location in Chengdu, Sichuan, AIM Architecture has bridged the gaps between the power of a journey, and the beauty of discovery.  AIM’s HARMAY playbook always involves an element... More

The Power of porcelain Set in phase 2 of Taoxichuan, the Art & Tourism development in the heart of Jingdezhen, the project celebrates all things ceramic in a one-of-a-kind hotel, The Unbound Collection by Hyatt. Wen Studio The project, named “The Road of a Fascination,” is a story of a journey: Like the long and fascinating life of porcelain, a journey toward the unknown, the unexpected, an urge to find the truth, and all the encounters in between.  Wen Studio With this in mind, the physical spaces are divided by themes that feature the porcelain journey from China’s origin, eventually spread and influence in the broader world, and return to its native home. The different spaces are the origin (Lobby)... More

Perched on a cliff where the forest meets the sea, the Stone + Shadow Villa is a canvas of nature and modern design. Crafted for a sculptor, this villa encompasses a sanctuary where creativity flows freely. The artist’s studio and exhibition space are seamlessly integrated into the home, fostering both creation and inspiration. The design, characterized by bold minimalism, embraces raw concrete and green stone elements, blending luxury with the essence of nature. Every corner whispers elegance and artistry, offering a retreat where every moment is an inspiration. Designed and rendered by VURTO Designed and rendered by VURTO Designed and rendered by VURTO Designed and rendered by VURTO Designed and rendered by VU... More

The municipality of St-Élie-de-Caxton has teamed up with the firm Agence Spatiale for the design and implementation of a courtyard to host various artistic and cultural performances in the Nature and Culture Park. The place encourages meetings and gatherings while honoring the imaginary surrounding Saint-Élie-de-Caxton. To facilitate the integration of this courtyard with the appearance of a festive tent in the municipal landscape, the concept is inspired by the traditional Canadian roofs of the municipality and reinterprets it in its own way. The use of wood responds directly to the park’s furniture, as a reminder of the surrounding forest. The interior architecture opens like a book in which the spectator is at the heart of the st... More

What appears as a small, wooden building on the outside transforms into a thriving beehive on the inside through integrated architecture and scenography. Gigantic honeycombs made from a material mimicking wax split the interior into different sections. Two large cells resemble a queen larva’s gestation cell. In these cells, you can lounge, listen to stories, and consider new perspectives about nature and its preservation as your knowledge expands. Supper organism In contrast with our individualistic society, the honeybees’ world depends on collectivity. Individual bees fulfil the same role as collaborating cells in a human’s body: the colony is a super organism. Much in the same way, the information embedded in each of t... More

“THE NARRATIVE TO AN ANCESTRAL FOLKTALE OF THE COCONUT ISLAND”Fascinating oriental flavors complement a wondrous experience playing out at KOKO Restaurant, a dining outlet of The Village Coconut Island Resort Phuket serving self-service breakfast, casual gastronomic dinner, to midnight cocktails.  From a forgotten native folktale of a misfortunate fisherman, believed to be Coconut Island’s pioneer, who was saved ashore after a boat wreck accident by hugging a floating coconut to the island, Studio Locomotive made assumptions further towards his surviving journey and settlement that latter became the design concept of KOKO Restaurant; the fisherman discovered a freshwater pond in this ‘cave’ and decided to... More

Neutelings Riedijk invited fashion designer Iris van Herpen to interrupt the red travertine stacked volumes with white concrete friezesIris van Herpen, famous for designing innovative dresses for the likes of Cate Blanchett, Beyoncé and Lady Gaga, was invited by Neutelings Riedijk to collaborate on the rock like facade of the renovated Institute for biodiversity Naturalis in Leiden. Inspired by the museum’s collection she developed a special technique to produce the striking 3D concrete strips.The exterior of the stacked stone volumes mimic a geological structure. The travertine was cut to reveal its red colour and create a natural rough character. The nature theme was taken further by Neutelings Riedijk with a three dimensional concrete st... More