“There was too much visual pollution disturbing the simplicity. The goal was to allow the existing buildings to work within a totally new program, each still distinguishable by its own destiny.” —Architect Bart Len

REBAR Shelf System by Jonas Schroeder, produced by Joval GmbH.

“A building can have far greater impact than the space it stands in.”—William Carpenter, architect and resident

In the ground-floor gallery, 40-foot-long library shelving is punctuated by floor-to-ceiling columns made from white acrylic panels that conceal low-cost fluorescent-tube lighting.

Lightroom 2.0 was inspired by artists’ lofts and Decatur’s industrial past. The gallery floors are polished concrete and the exposed joists are Georgia-Pacific engineered lumber.

Clad in copper panels that Holl had fabricated by the Kansas City, Missouri, company Zahner, the house is daylit by a host of rectangular skylights (inspired by the musical staff) punched through the roofs and the pool’s floor.

The Living Machine System operates partially underground and partially above ground. The visible parts of the system are planted with vegetation that not only aids the system, but creates an attractive garden.

Another view of the galleries.

The Cy Twombly Gallery, also by Piano, shares space on the Menil Collection's campus. Based on a sketch by Twombly, the building is topped by white canvas sailcloth ceilings that allow natural light to filter into the gallery.

The Kathmandu photo gallery.

The facade of Rogues Gallery.

Three afternoons a week, Wenes opens the gallery and “my private space belongs to the public,” she says. On the box is a piece by Tamara Van San.

Keiko and Taku Shinomoto have two simple rules for their store: that the items come from Japan and that they have been well made by artisans. Just off busy Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice, California, the shop carries homewares such as Kaikado metal tea canisters.

Designed by Ariane van Dievot, the Avandi Candlestix Candle Holder Set is a series of three sleek candlestick holders. Crafted in solid brass, each candle holder has a decidedly modern shape, and includes a pointed top for both securing a candlestick and stacking other holders in the series. Each candle holder has a leather base branded with the Avandi logo.

The Aesthetic Union creates posters, business and greeting cards, and other printed matter.

A custom limited-edition espresso machine created by Mario Hugo for De'Longhi and commissioned by 160/90.

One of the older machines on the factory floor.

The Cog Candleholder series from Tom Dixon blends elegance and industrial inspiration. Each statuesque holder is made out of machined raw aluminum on a traditional lathe that is brass plated and finished with a clear lacquer. Without candles, the candleholders have a tremendous presence; with candles, the holders are defined by their substantial height.

Close up of the sewing machine stitches.

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

Take advantage of the holiday to tackle tasks you’ve been putting off: Paint that powder room, change the hardware in the kitchen, or hang the artwork that’s been leaning against the wall. Right now, homes are the nucleus for all life’s events; use this time to cultivate a healthy headspace by making your home your sanctuary.

Trejos incorporated a variety of reused and recycled material into the project, such as shipping pallet tables, beds made from recyclyed plastic, and couches crafted in Costa Rica.

Each 3/4-inch-square tessera is cut by hand on a machine that was adapted by a traditional sewing machine.

During construction, Trejos and her team had to trim part of the cedar tree. They utilized the excess wood for stairs and in other parts of the home, including the bathrooms.

The wood sculpture from the market continues up through the second floor and provides a dynamic backdrop for the contemporary furniture area.

Tucked behind Tortoise General Store is Tortoise, a gallery-like setting where designs from Ryota Aoki, Hiroto Nakanishi, and Masanobu Ando are on display.

Huts in the Old Harbour used to be where fishermen did their baiting work and tended to their daily catch. Today they house shops, galleries, restaurants, and whale watching excursions among other things. Photo by: Tiffany Orvet

One of the leading local contemporary art galleries in Manila, Silverlens—which also has a presence in Singapore—is owned by Isa Lorenzo and Rachel Rillo, both photographers. They represent much of the exploding Manila art scene, including Patricia Perez Eustaquio, Gary Ross Pastrana, Maria Taniguchi, Pio Abad, and Renato Orara, the only Philippine artist actively collected by the Museum of Modern Art.

A gallery occupies the lower level. "The house really ended up becoming a vessel through which the art is experienced," says Dolezal. To learn more about how architects design around art collections, view our story on the Housemuseum in Melbourne, Australia.

Architect Ulrich Hamann of the London-based firm Foster & Partners created a seamless addition to the 19th century Neo-Classical building that was home and studio of artist Franz von Lenbach. For the Galerie im Lenbachhaus und Kunstbau, as the new addition is known, Hamann wrapped the exterior in brass. Making this eye-catching statement, he set if off from the palatial style of the museums that surround it. Image courtesy of Lenbachhaus Gallery and Museum.

An installation at the Storefront for Art and Architecture.

Another view of the social scene at REBAR. Photo by Søren Schaumburg.

The galleries feature sliding sun screens made from Richlite, a sustainable material that is made locally from recycled paper, organic fiber, and phenolic resin.

Spacecraft Gallery — 2865 North Park Way, spacecraftstudio.com

A hydraulic machine at the La Bâthie power plant