Interiors: The Latest Architecture and News

The Darlington Public School in Australia by fjcstudio has been declared the World Building of the Year at the World Architecture Festival 2024. fjcstudio previously won Building of the Year in 2013, making it the first practice in WAF's history to win the award twice.

The ultimate accolades of World Building of the Year, World Interior of the Year, Future Project of the Year and Landscape of the Year were announced today as hundreds of delegates from across the world convened at a final Gala Dinner at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. The announcement follows the final day of WAF, in which prize winners across all 42 categories have been competing for the winning titles.

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Travertine —known as lapis tiburtinus by the ancient Romans— has endured for centuries as one of the most iconic materials in Italian design heritage. This limestone has left a lasting mark on architectural history, from the monuments of the Roman Empire to contemporary works like the Church of 2000 and the Ara Pacis Museum. Over time, its aesthetic has evolved alongside art and design, adapting to technical advancements while preserving its essence and relevance in modern architecture.

Before the emergence of AI, the internet, and TV— books and manuscripts were the primary vessels of knowledge. These artifacts, now echoing voices from the past, have played a fundamental role in shaping our shared legacy. A pivotal moment in this evolution came in the 15th century with Gutenberg's invention of the printing press, which revolutionized access to information and laid the groundwork for the democratization of knowledge. As a result of their historical and cultural significance, many early manuscripts and incunabula (books printed during the earliest period of typography) have been preserved in libraries and often remained in the shadows.

Worldwide, libraries have started unveiling these collections to the public, driven by a growing openness to showcase their 'treasures'. This allows a broader audience to appreciate the richness of these historical materials. While this effort fosters a deeper understanding of cultural heritage, it also introduces several challenges. One of the most critical is preservation, which must be carefully balanced with functional considerations. Key decisions include selecting and designing display case solutions, such as those from Goppion, that harmonize with the interior design and layout while providing effective protection.

Barragán, Bofill, Graves, and Le Corbusier are architects renowned for their exceptional and sensitive use of color. In their approaches, color takes on an importance comparable almost to functionality, achieved through a nuanced and comprehensive perception of their context. But what is color? From a technical standpoint, it is a visual perception that arises from the interaction of light with our eyes and brain. However, when we explore its meaning on a more emotional and poetic level, it takes on a deeper significance. For Ricardo Bofill, color infuses life into architecture, while for Charles-Édouard Jeanneret, —better known as Le Corbusier—, it serves as a powerful tool to evoke emotions and create spatial illusions.

In 'Polychromie Architecturale' Le Corbusier argues that color is not only a decorative element but also a fundamental tool for creating environments and enhancing the functionality of architectural spaces. This idea, developed between 1931 and 1959, is articulated around a system composed of a range of colors, where each tone has its relevance and contributes to creating atmospheres that transcend mere architectural design. An example is JUNG's LS 1912 toggle switch range, which combines classic design with advanced control options and showcases the diverse hue variants of the 63 colors in Le Corbusier's color system.

It's often said that trends come back, but terrazzo appears to be the exception—never truly fading from popularity. With a long tradition of craftsmanship, terrazzo has maintained its relevance over the centuries, continuously adapting to evolving creative expressions. Whether in homes, restaurants, or libraries, it demonstrates remarkable versatility, offering a unique combination of technical qualities, mottled aesthetic, and timeless appeal. As it evolves, terrazzo adapts to modern building standards and growing environmental awareness, ensuring its relevance in contemporary architecture and design while expanding sustainable solutions.

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.

Greek and Roman cultures laid the foundations for modern civilization, leaving a lasting legacy in philosophy, literature, mathematics, and art. Although their contributions in these areas are significant, they are sometimes overlooked. However, in disciplines such as sculpture and architecture, their influence has remained almost unchanged, deeply rooted in the classical ideals of beauty. This is exemplified by canonical works such as the Parthenon, the Roman Pantheon, and the Discobolus, which continue to captivate with their proportion, symmetry, and detail. Consequently, it is unsurprising that Greco-Roman classicism remains significant due to its aesthetic timelessness, revitalized throughout different periods, from neoclassicism to contemporary proposals.

In this modern context, the Greco-Roman mythology, epic tales, and classical architectural concepts inspire a fresh perspective on reimagining interior aesthetics. Embracing an avant-garde take on neoclassicism, a new wave of modern interiors adopts sharp strokes to define figures and details, such as pilasters and capitals, echoing the sinopia of historic wall frescoes. These designs transform monumentality into cozy and elegant atmospheres. By blending historical and contemporary references, they provide innovative figurative solutions that craft poetically scenic spaces. Arcadia collection exemplifies this approach, standing out as a tribute to classicism and presenting a unique visual narrative through its wall coverings.

Wood is undeniably an elegant choice for architectural projects, offering a natural and welcoming aesthetic that enhances any space. However, when exposed to the elements, this same wood demands a high level of maintenance. Sun, rain, and temperature variations can compromise its appearance and integrity over time, requiring regular care to preserve its original beauty. For many, this is the price to pay for the irreplaceable aesthetics of wood, but the search for alternatives that combine natural beauty with durability has grown, allowing the charm of wood to be enjoyed with less effort.

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.

Throughout history, the undeniable interrelationship between sound and architecture has shaped users' experiences. From auditoriums to offices, cultural centers, and schools, acoustics in architecture can manifest itself in two ways: as a determining element of a structure's shape and as a material. When discussing aesthetics, the latter aspect is particularly relevant, as any material that forms part of a composition aims to have a cohesive design with the rest.

Integrating acoustics through materials presents a significant challenge, as certain attributes such as color, texture, or dimensions may hinder harmonization with the overall design of the space. This can unbalance the experience of the environment, since, although the acoustics are improved, the interior atmosphere is negatively affected. This situation highlights the importance of selecting the right material that can enhance acoustics while maintaining the coherence of the design.

Marble held profound significance in Greek and Roman architecture due to its abundance, luminous surfaces, and subtle veining. Its durability ensured structures' longevity, while its cultural symbolism of purity and divine favor made it ideal for temples, theaters, and amphitheaters. As a symbol of perfection, marble facilitated intricate craftsmanship for decorative elements, inspiring architectural marvels and exquisite art, leaving a legacy of sophistication and refinement. 

Today, marble remains a symbol of excellence and refinement, prevalent in contemporary architecture and art. Its timeless beauty and durability continue to captivate clients and designers alike. In sculptures, furniture, and decorative pieces, marble's natural elegance elevates any environment. Companies like antoniolupi integrate marble into their designs, combining creativity and meticulous craftsmanship to redefine the possibilities of this natural stone in innovative projects. The Italian company—a leading designer and manufacturer of high-end products—has ventured beyond conventional boundariesin a quest for innovation, embarking on projects that redefine the possibilities of this naturalstone.