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Collection by Luke Hopping

Sophisticated Penthouses from Cape Town to Copenhagen

These plush top-floor apartments frame their views and fill their spaces with modern design.

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Reddy swapped out the spiral iron staircase for a modern wood one protected by glass walls.
Reddy swapped out the spiral iron staircase for a modern wood one protected by glass walls.
With the help of Sarah Zames of General Assembly Design, Brian Crano and David Craig merged two apartments into one while preserving their general layout. One apartment serves as a space for entertaining while the other, housing a bedroom and home office, retains a more intimate character.
With the help of Sarah Zames of General Assembly Design, Brian Crano and David Craig merged two apartments into one while preserving their general layout. One apartment serves as a space for entertaining while the other, housing a bedroom and home office, retains a more intimate character.
A large kitchen island makes up for the lack of upper cabinet space and separates the kitchen from the living room. The cabinetry is custom made by Henrybuilt, hidding all appliances other than the copper BlueStar range.
A large kitchen island makes up for the lack of upper cabinet space and separates the kitchen from the living room. The cabinetry is custom made by Henrybuilt, hidding all appliances other than the copper BlueStar range.
Karen and Richard Barrow’s waterfront apartment in Cape Town, South Africa, was created by Cécile & Boyd’s. The firm used many furnishings of their own design for the project, including two custom-made sectional sofas, a wood-and-metal coffee table, a collection of glass vases, and the brass floor lamps. The two natural leather chairs are from B&B Italia.
Karen and Richard Barrow’s waterfront apartment in Cape Town, South Africa, was created by Cécile & Boyd’s. The firm used many furnishings of their own design for the project, including two custom-made sectional sofas, a wood-and-metal coffee table, a collection of glass vases, and the brass floor lamps. The two natural leather chairs are from B&B Italia.
Custom hammered-copper tiles add texture and reflect light in the master bedroom. The bed, steel-and-walnut side tables, and brass lamps are all custom-made by Cécile & Boyd’s.
Custom hammered-copper tiles add texture and reflect light in the master bedroom. The bed, steel-and-walnut side tables, and brass lamps are all custom-made by Cécile & Boyd’s.
The "daytime" living quarters in the penthouse are dark, from the floor to the furnishings. The dining table is by Jasper Morrison for Cappellini (with an Aalto vase by Iittala on top). The chairs are by Ag Fronzoni also for Cappellini.
The "daytime" living quarters in the penthouse are dark, from the floor to the furnishings. The dining table is by Jasper Morrison for Cappellini (with an Aalto vase by Iittala on top). The chairs are by Ag Fronzoni also for Cappellini.
The penthouse living room is furnished with Ile Club by Piero Lissoni for Living Divani. The Metropolitan Riverside Park City Lights rug is by Merida.
The penthouse living room is furnished with Ile Club by Piero Lissoni for Living Divani. The Metropolitan Riverside Park City Lights rug is by Merida.
Completed in 2008, the Mountain Dwellings is the second of BIG’s three projects in Ørestad, a new neighborhood in Copenhagen where development is attracting many new inhabitants. The result does looks like a mountain—hence the building’s name and the inspiration for the mural of Mount Everest that adorns the 82-foot-high facade.
Completed in 2008, the Mountain Dwellings is the second of BIG’s three projects in Ørestad, a new neighborhood in Copenhagen where development is attracting many new inhabitants. The result does looks like a mountain—hence the building’s name and the inspiration for the mural of Mount Everest that adorns the 82-foot-high facade.
Every apartment has a terrace measuring around 1,000 square feet, with both private and semipublic spaces. “The cool thing about a garden is it’s yours,” says architect Bjarke Ingels. “If you’re on the wooden part, you can suntan in your bikini bottom or go without pants.” If, however, you walk out onto the artificial turf, you can see what’s going on with your neighbors (and they can see you).
Every apartment has a terrace measuring around 1,000 square feet, with both private and semipublic spaces. “The cool thing about a garden is it’s yours,” says architect Bjarke Ingels. “If you’re on the wooden part, you can suntan in your bikini bottom or go without pants.” If, however, you walk out onto the artificial turf, you can see what’s going on with your neighbors (and they can see you).