The first-floor bathroom is divided into separate functions so that it can be used by more than one person at a time: the space includes a water closet,a shower, and a larger area with a pair of sinks. The towel racks and fixtures are from Kohler.

The most dramatic view in the apartment, the First Presbyterian Church looms large in the Kovel living room.

Just as the stairs use movement to change how residents experience the space, the walls also provide a new and subtle awareness: concrete ridges—seen right—cast changing shadows that mark the passage of the sun. Features like these, in the words of Carmona, “manipulate your experience, bring [a] different consciousness,” and elevate your awareness of the space.

Dunlop demonstrates the deck’s secondary use: as a launching pad into the concrete plunge pool on the first floor.

Spiekermann and Dulkinys agree that their house—the first they’ve built from the ground up—is definitely different.

Vogue released its first issue on December 17, 1892.

1923 First Triennale di Milano (originally held in Monza as a Biennial exhibit).

Spraying the first module with primer.

The house as first found in 1999.

At the base of the first floor landing, black recinto volcanic stones divide the first floor’s informal dining area from the living room. This floor also features a bedroom and kitchen while the floor above holds a master bedroom, master bath, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, an entertainment room, and patio. The stairs—which are all-oak—descend to a ground-floor playroom and outdoor deck.

The seeds for Frank Lloyd Wright's collaboration with prefab builder Marshall Erdman were planted when Erdman hired the architect to design the First Unitarian Society meeting house in Madison, Wisconsin. [Photo credit courtesy The Kubala Washatko Architects (TKWA) via ArchDaily]

Visitors climb from level to level via a retractable steel ladder, which begins at the ground-floor plunge pool. The architects used industrial materials like steel and concrete throughout to "keep it raw,” according to Kampshoff.

Falck, a Danish health care company, worked with Designit to redesign the standard first-aid kit. The simple, colorful kit presents an intuitive visual representation of the materials contained within, making it easy use in an emergency. It is divided into four easily accessible sections representing four common first-aid needs: burns, bleeding, bruises, and sprains. Image courtesy of Designit.

1911 - Miele introduces the first washing machine with its own electric motor.

Chunky steel bed frames in the bedrooms were Siegal’s first attempt at furnishings.

A sculptural freestanding washbasin by Gessi is found in the first-floor powder room. The hex tiles are courtesy of Dear Human.

The first of the concrete truck arrives early in the morning.

The North Beach public library was the first in the series.

This is the Mary Garwood Yancy Gallery on the first floor.

The First Floor plan C: Kitchen/Dining/ Living Area D: Deck E: Bathroom

A stack of Tio chairs, part of Massproductions' first collection.

The tent was the first temporary structure commissioned by Design Miami.

The first module (part of the master bedroom) is lowered into place.

Here's the first module as it arrived at the site early in the morning.

Sunlight easily finds its way into the first floor of the studio.

Exterior and interior of Harry Weese's First Baptist Church in Columbus, Indiana. Photo by Leslie Williamson.

In the entryway, what at first appears to be a rug is actually cut blue glass terazzo designed by Marwan Al-Sayed.

Herzog + de Meuron used a variety of industrial materials throughout Dominus Estate. After ascending the stairwell to the second level, one is met by brutalist, concrete floors, a wire-mesh ceiling, floor-to-ceiling glass, and sunlight that shines through the gabions. A varnished-wood handrail contrasts with the metal, stone, and glass, adding warmth to the otherwise cool setting.

Referencing the First Presbyterian Church’s slate roof, 12 + Alder makes nice to its divine neighbor.

Yves Behar delivers the first lecture at the 2011 Compostmodern conference.

Case in point, one of his first creations was the Orbiter lamp, which was devised in 1967 as a functional and mechanically-based design. The simple arc treatment turned it into a timeless piece that’s still in production today.

Dwell also debuted the first physical pop-up Dwell Store.

The metal shed, where Lisa Sette and her husband lived temporarily, was featured on the cover of Dwell’s first issue.

A small room divider offers a place to hang Cathy’s painting Pelevision, which was inspired by her first trip to the island.