At ‘The Thai Silk Company’, Jim Thompson blends heritage with modernity in craftsmanship. Image Courtesy of Jim Thompson
Today, there are only a handful of names in the contemporary world of textiles that have a significant historical legacy and an incredible biography woven into their backstory. Jim Thompson is rich in romance. The Delaware native was a serviceman in South Asia and working for the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), the U.S. intelligence agency. When the conflict ended, he found himself in Thailand, building a new life rooted in his fascination with the beauty and craft inherent to the nation. It was a time when silk weaving was threatened by machine-made fabrics and he discovered a community of exceptionally skilled silk weavers in Bangkok. He worked closely with them to develop production and introduced them to other talented weaving communities, including one in Pak Thong Chai, Korat – a province in the North East of Thailand. His efforts were instrumental in reviving Thailand's silk industry, a legacy that endures today.
https://www.archdaily.com/1021734/elevating-interior-spaces-with-modern-textile-craftsmanshipMark C. O'Flaherty
In recent years, continuous material finishes enveloping interior spaces have become increasingly prominent, particularly in branding-focused retail environments. A continuous interior refers to using what are typically liquid-applied materials that are cured to create seamless, uninterrupted surfaces, eliminating the appearance of joints and seams—at least during the initial application. A growing range of products now offer various color options, textures, and practical properties, making these finishes more versatile. Interestingly, the aesthetic effect of such interiors is uncanny to the rise of 3D rendering software, where the seamless, fluid look mirrors the smooth, idealized spaces typical of digital renderings. This effect also contributes to a sense of scalelessness, as the absence of visible seams or joints makes it harder to discern the actual size of a space, often giving the illusion that the interior is larger than it is.
Italy's influence on contemporary design has been profound and captivating, with Italian architecture consistently bridging cultural heritage and innovation, from advancements in construction techniques to the evolution of the neoclassical style. A prime example of this integration is the Italian villa typology, which reached its zenith during the Renaissance with groundbreaking innovations. Villa Almerico —designed by Andrea Palladio and inspired by Alberti's treatise De re aedificatoria— exemplifies this evolution. Renowned for its centralized and symmetrical plan, its construction marked a turning point with classical proportions and the incorporation of courtyards and gardens as extensions of the living space, highlighting a remarkable contextual relationship.
Although Palladio's influence was so profound that his style defined much of European and American architecture in subsequent centuries, the concept of the Italian villa has endured and evolved. Its ability to combine functionality, aesthetics, and respect for the environment has allowed its fundamental principles to remain in force, now merging with new currents of contemporary design. A clear example is Villa Apua, a project by PAN Architetti inspired by the Versilian concept of buen ritiro. The house's meticulous design addresses the needs of its inhabitants while fostering an intimate, thoughtful connection with the landscape and the memory of Forte dei Marmi, a town nestled between the Mediterranean coast and the Apuan Alps. This harmony is further enhanced by the great flexibility of the antoniolupi collections, whose rich finishes and materials seamlessly integrate the living space with its furnishings and the surrounding environment.
https://www.archdaily.com/1021313/where-italian-style-meets-wellness-and-serenity-the-case-of-villa-apuaEnrique Tovar
Living in densely populated cities is a reality for many. While the benefits of urban living—such as proximity to amenities, infrastructure, job opportunities, and lifestyle—remain highly valued, homes have seen a significant reduction in square footage. The trend toward smaller apartments has become increasingly common, with interior design playing a fundamental role. Reducing square meters demands efficient use of space and smart floor plan layouts. However, far from generating dull spaces, creativity in design has led to interesting architectural solutions that condense high-quality living into what is often called a micro apartment or studio, studios of 40m2 or under.
How we perceive space is a crucial aspect of architecture and interior design, profoundly influencing our interaction with the environment. Consequently, spatial perception is shaped by elements such as furniture arrangement, lighting, color choices, and materials. The latter is particularly significant, as the same material can be employed in various ways, resulting in atmospheres with unique characteristics.
Fluted cladding is a good example of the potential for variations in material use. These are milled MDF surfaces with a linear pattern designed to decorate interior walls and ceilings. They can be applied to a variety of surfaces, though they should only be used in areas not exposed to humidity. The system is notable for its ability to accentuate space through different configurations. Depending on their arrangement and type of fluting, these configurations can modify the spatial experience by highlighting, directing, enveloping, and achieving visual balance in homes, offices, commercial spaces, and more.
https://www.archdaily.com/1019443/how-to-use-fluted-cladding-on-interior-wallsEnrique Tovar
Beyond the wide variety of landscape, environmental, economic, social, and cultural particularities that distinguish each region of Latin America, the renovation of interior spaces that make up domestic life generally focuses on achieving the greatest possible integration of environments along with providing flexibility, spaciousness, and better conditions for ventilation and natural lighting. Seeking to revalue unused spaces and/or give them a second life, renovations aim to transform the ways of living through strategies capable of involving the restoration of materials, the preservation of structures, the maintenance of installations, and more.
Inside is the sister festival of the World Architecture Festival (WAF), the world’s biggest live architectural awards programme, celebrating the very best in interior design. Both Inside and WAF finalists will present their projects to a panel of judges live at the international festival in Singapore.
The 2024 Inside Shortlist represents over 80 interior projects from across the globe, in cities including: New York City, Dubai, Beijing, Osaka, São Paolo, Phuket, Delhi, Auckland, Mexico City, Lisbon, and London. Leading design firms to feature in this year’s shortlist include Foster + Partners, Broadway Malyan, Nikken Sekkei and Office AIO. Many emerging design firms will also be on stage, live pitching against the big names.
Interior AI is a new platform that helps users generate new styles and even new functions for their interior spaces. The program uses the input of a 2D image of an interior space, be it a picture found on the internet or a photograph taken by the user. It can then modify this picture to fit one of the 16 preselected styles, ranging from Minimalist, Art nouveau, or Biophilic to Baroque or Cyberpunk. The program also allows users to select a different function for the room, kitchen, home office, outdoor patio, or even fitness gym, thus creating a completely new interior design.
Humans are social beings.The interaction between individuals is an essential part of the human experience and helps improve society as a whole. While architecture plays an important role in promoting spaces for people to meet, exchange and socialize, furniture can be a strategic tool for achieving this goal.
Browsing through our project library, one can find a number of examples of cafes and public spaces where communal tables become a central element in providing a place to meet. In many of these projects, the sinuous design of the tables, with protrusions and recesses, provides not only the possibility of various configurations of chairs for different group sizes but also different uses for the tables themselves, at times as planters, at others as slides or extensions of a workbench.
To differentiate themselves in competitive markets, the world's favorite retailers are tapping into retail design to cultivate communities of brand enthusiasts. Since traditional marketing methods no longer engage customers, physical spaces offer an avenue for more immersive and personalized experiences that match their values and lifestyles. Evolving customer preferences have led to the creation of authentic retail experiences that serve now as areas of recreation and entertainment. Designing outlets that encourage engagement, exploration, and a sense of belonging enables brands to foster loyal followings.
Piazza Gae Aulenti - Milano. Image Courtesy of Salone del Mobile.Milano
As Milan Design Week begins, the Italian city is transformed into the grounds of one of the most expansive celebrations of global design, with its streets and venues brimming with cultural events, exhibitions, large-scale installations, talks and conferences. At Rho Fiera, the 62nd edition of the Salone del Mobile.Milano brings together designers, architects, producers and leading figures of the design world, featuring over 1950 exhibitors which will remain open for the next 6 days. Additionally, across the city Fuorisalone opens up locations across the city with an engaging and varied cultural program.
Taller Frida Escobedo has unveiled a new residential project to take shape in Brooklyn, New York. The 209,000-square-foot project titled after its location, Boerum Hill – Bergen, aims to become a contextual addition to the neighborhood, adapting its materiality and scale to the surrounding context. The developers, Avdoo & Partners, also enlisted Workstead for interior design, DXA for master planning, and DXA and Patrick Cullina for landscape design. The project is scheduled for completion in 2025.
Flooring plays a fundamental role in defining the ambiance and atmosphere of a space. Among the variety of options on the market, solid wood plank flooring stands out as a timeless choice. Known for their classic beauty and enveloping textures, these floors not only enhance the visual aspect of a room but also provide exceptional thermal comfort, resistance, and resilience, able to withstand wear and tear and heavy traffic. Their easy maintenance and durability are further markers of their quality, making them one of the favorite choices of architects, designers, and homeowners in search of long-lasting elegance and functionality for their projects.
When we look at a meticulously installed floor, we often forget that it was once part of a tree that was taken through a series of processes to eventually become the flooring product beneath our feet. The round trunk of the tree naturally results in boards of different dimensions, from the wide widths of the central core to the narrower dimensions of the outer layers. Various methods can be used to optimize the use of these trunks, each with its advantages and disadvantages.
The facade of a building often serves as a reflection of both the urban fabric it is set in, as well as what lies behind it. Beyond aesthetics, facades hold important functional, cultural, and sustainable significance, especially in relation to the interior design. Although natural light, views, and spatial organization are influenced by the facade, architects have been prioritizing the relationship between the building's envelope and the quality of the interior, keeping in mind current cultural, economical, and environmental changes influencing the way people design their living space. So responding to these ever-changing needs and habits, along with the focus on overall wellbeing, architects offset the facade and ceiling - and in some particular cases, floors - to create interiors within interiors; secondary envelopes that protect the interior space from the outside environment.
For decades, cities around the world have been promoting their nightlife scene and the designed spaces in which these activities occur. Occasionally hidden away from the hustle and bustle, offering a sort of escapism from the day-to-day-routine behind red velvet ropes and intense security measures, or sometimes proudly on display for people from all walks of life to congregate and spend the evening under the glisten of a disco ball or flashing lights, nightclubs are an example of how fashion, culture, and societal norms influence an often overlooked and underground side of architecture.
A correctly sized kitchen island is more than just a functional architectural element—it's a key component of kitchen design. Beyond its primary functions, a well-sized kitchen island can serve as a versatile space adaptable to various household needs by enhancing workflow efficiency, providing additional storage, fostering social interaction, and contributing to the overall space aesthetics.
Whether utilized as a breakfast bar for quick meals, a study area for children's homework, or a hub for entertaining guests, its flexibility enhances the functionality and livability of any kitchen environment. Determining the appropriate size for a kitchen island, however, demands a meticulous approach, blending spatial considerations, workflow requirements, and design sensibilities.
The landscape of downtown São Paulo would not be the same without the presence of Copan. The building inserts Niemeyer's curves into São Paulo's dense verticality, creating a distinctive rhythm that becomes a landmark for all who encounter it. Besides accommodating around five thousand residents, the building serves various purposes, offering different typologies for its residential programs, varying apartment sizes, and prioritizing diversity among its tenants. Differences also emerge when we examine how each person inhabits a standard floor plan; renovations proposing distinct finishes and new layouts reflect the character of each resident but also showcase the inventiveness of the architects intervening in this classic structure. Thus, we gather here projects realized within this icon to demonstrate how each home is unique, even when created in series.
