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Bil’ak collaborated with Mark Thomson, art director at HarperCollins, on a new set of dictionaries that exclusively employ the Bil’ak-designed font Fedra.
Bil’ak collaborated with Mark Thomson, art director at HarperCollins, on a new set of dictionaries that exclusively employ the Bil’ak-designed font Fedra.
A little Scandinavia in SoCal: AK Restaurant + Bar in Venice, CA
A little Scandinavia in SoCal: AK Restaurant + Bar in Venice, CA
Along with creative craft cocktails coming from the bar, the on-site restaurant serves Pacific Rim and American comfort food. Jewelry designer Anne Korte of AK Studio made the custom curtain for the project.
Along with creative craft cocktails coming from the bar, the on-site restaurant serves Pacific Rim and American comfort food. Jewelry designer Anne Korte of AK Studio made the custom curtain for the project.
Bil’ak’s designs for the 39- and 78-eurocent stamps were inspired by the patchwork of the Dutch landscape as seen from the air. The width of each letter, set in Bil’ak’s Fedra Serif, determines the width of the surrounding color block, echoing the centuries-old art of metal typesetting. Bil’ak sees the stamps as an homage to Dutch traditions.
Bil’ak’s designs for the 39- and 78-eurocent stamps were inspired by the patchwork of the Dutch landscape as seen from the air. The width of each letter, set in Bil’ak’s Fedra Serif, determines the width of the surrounding color block, echoing the centuries-old art of metal typesetting. Bil’ak sees the stamps as an homage to Dutch traditions.
The sunken living room is just one of many grade changes inside the structure. “We were adamant that we didn’t want something domestic,” says Andrew. “We wanted something surprising, that was hyper-animated, and that, when you moved through it, changed all the time.” The sofa, designed by the couple and Levenbetts, is upholstered in cotton velvet. The Habibi side tables are by Philipp Mainzer for e15, the fireplace tools by Fort Standard, and the doors by Fleetwood.
The sunken living room is just one of many grade changes inside the structure. “We were adamant that we didn’t want something domestic,” says Andrew. “We wanted something surprising, that was hyper-animated, and that, when you moved through it, changed all the time.” The sofa, designed by the couple and Levenbetts, is upholstered in cotton velvet. The Habibi side tables are by Philipp Mainzer for e15, the fireplace tools by Fort Standard, and the doors by Fleetwood.
Bil’ak designed the NDT Choreography Workshop poster using dancers to spell out “workshop.”
Bil’ak designed the NDT Choreography Workshop poster using dancers to spell out “workshop.”
The 260-square-foot Hytte module features tall ceilings of up to nearly 12 feet. Multiple windows fill the interior with natural light and frame views of the outdoors.
The 260-square-foot Hytte module features tall ceilings of up to nearly 12 feet. Multiple windows fill the interior with natural light and frame views of the outdoors.
Stepstone's narrow concrete pavers add a graphic touch to the garden.
Stepstone's narrow concrete pavers add a graphic touch to the garden.
When designer Hilton Carter furnished the industrial-style Baltimore apartment and work studio he shares with his wife Fiona, their dog Charlie and two cats Zoe and Isabella, he created a wondrous indoor woodland that offers all the benefits of being outdoors without leaving home.
When designer Hilton Carter furnished the industrial-style Baltimore apartment and work studio he shares with his wife Fiona, their dog Charlie and two cats Zoe and Isabella, he created a wondrous indoor woodland that offers all the benefits of being outdoors without leaving home.
The colors used in the interior were inspired by the surrounding landscape. The kitchen island is clad in solid timber fluting crafted from durable plantation-grown iroko with with a granite top. “The green-blue-brown color of the granite benchtops very much reminded me of the colors of the water in the nearby harbor of Tutakaka,” says architect Belinda George.
The colors used in the interior were inspired by the surrounding landscape. The kitchen island is clad in solid timber fluting crafted from durable plantation-grown iroko with with a granite top. “The green-blue-brown color of the granite benchtops very much reminded me of the colors of the water in the nearby harbor of Tutakaka,” says architect Belinda George.
A custom sofa was installed on the far side of the bathroom for even more space to relax.
A custom sofa was installed on the far side of the bathroom for even more space to relax.
Illustration by David Galletly
Illustration by David Galletly
Illustration by David Galletly
Illustration by David Galletly
Beyerdynamic AK T8iE in-ear headphones
Beyerdynamic AK T8iE in-ear headphones
"A well-performing house extension facing south on a small inner-city block built in rammed earth is not easy to achieve," said Welsch. "However, in this challenge was our opportunity: We decided that our extension will curl around to capture the sun, creating a communal courtyard and allowing the occupants to look at their own house rather than a paling fence."
"A well-performing house extension facing south on a small inner-city block built in rammed earth is not easy to achieve," said Welsch. "However, in this challenge was our opportunity: We decided that our extension will curl around to capture the sun, creating a communal courtyard and allowing the occupants to look at their own house rather than a paling fence."
Peter Bil’ak started the type foundry Typotheque with his wife and business partner Johanna in 1999.
Peter Bil’ak started the type foundry Typotheque with his wife and business partner Johanna in 1999.
Double doors connect the outside to a main living space in this “garden cottage” ADU.
Double doors connect the outside to a main living space in this “garden cottage” ADU.
Inspirational spaces
Inspirational spaces
In Bil’ak’s studio, he and his staff assemble and hand-draw the cover for issue #7.
In Bil’ak’s studio, he and his staff assemble and hand-draw the cover for issue #7.
Bil’ak takes a meticulous approach to Arabic type design, although he is unaware of the words’ meaning.
Bil’ak takes a meticulous approach to Arabic type design, although he is unaware of the words’ meaning.
Bil’ak takes a meticulous approach to Arabic type design, although he is unaware of the words’ meaning.
Bil’ak takes a meticulous approach to Arabic type design, although he is unaware of the words’ meaning.
The W.W. Stool by Philippe Starck.
The W.W. Stool by Philippe Starck.
Bil’ak conceived of the dance performance Due a due, in which what appears to be a dancer’s shadow is in fact a projection of another dancer.
Bil’ak conceived of the dance performance Due a due, in which what appears to be a dancer’s shadow is in fact a projection of another dancer.
The finished print measures approximately 5 x 5 feet.
The finished print measures approximately 5 x 5 feet.
This elevated prefab cabin along the Chilean Andes has a buffer zone that helps protect it against harsh climatic conditions. The 1,033-square-foot Casa R opens up to a "chiflonera," an intermediate space between the interior and exterior commonly found in Patagonian homes.
This elevated prefab cabin along the Chilean Andes has a buffer zone that helps protect it against harsh climatic conditions. The 1,033-square-foot Casa R opens up to a "chiflonera," an intermediate space between the interior and exterior commonly found in Patagonian homes.
Settled on a picturesque hillside in Somona, California, the Connect 5 residence features stunning floor-to-ceiling windows, which allow warm natural light to flood through the home.
Settled on a picturesque hillside in Somona, California, the Connect 5 residence features stunning floor-to-ceiling windows, which allow warm natural light to flood through the home.
The colored tile grout was sourced from Grout360. The tiles are from RAK Ceramics.
The colored tile grout was sourced from Grout360. The tiles are from RAK Ceramics.
Villa Engels, the home of the esteemed Belgian modernist Lucien Engels (1928–2016), was falling apart when its second owners bought it in 2013. Yet due to its heritage status, any changes they planned would have to be approved by the provincial preservation office. Engels completed the elongated, cantilevered residence in 1958, the same year he finalized the master plan for Expo ’58, the Brussels World’s Fair that famously featured the Atomium.
Villa Engels, the home of the esteemed Belgian modernist Lucien Engels (1928–2016), was falling apart when its second owners bought it in 2013. Yet due to its heritage status, any changes they planned would have to be approved by the provincial preservation office. Engels completed the elongated, cantilevered residence in 1958, the same year he finalized the master plan for Expo ’58, the Brussels World’s Fair that famously featured the Atomium.
Prentiss + Balance + Wickline Architects' created both public and private outdoor spaces in Chechaquo Cabin. A second-floor rear deck is propped up on the graded slope to host a secluded spot for a hot tub.
Prentiss + Balance + Wickline Architects' created both public and private outdoor spaces in Chechaquo Cabin. A second-floor rear deck is propped up on the graded slope to host a secluded spot for a hot tub.
Elsa, designed and built by Olive Nest Tiny Homes, is a 323-square-foot tiny house, complete with a pergola-covered porch, a swing, and a greenhouse. "We wanted to soften the look and the experience and extend the living space with something useful," says designer Melanie Aho, who launched the tiny home company with her parents Mary Susan Hanson and Randy Hanson. Elsa is outfitted with cedar shiplap, standing-seam metal exterior siding, and a standing-seam metal pitched roof. "The look is simple and earthy," Aho says. "We’re of Scandinavian heritage and are drawn to Scandinavian style and design."
Elsa, designed and built by Olive Nest Tiny Homes, is a 323-square-foot tiny house, complete with a pergola-covered porch, a swing, and a greenhouse. "We wanted to soften the look and the experience and extend the living space with something useful," says designer Melanie Aho, who launched the tiny home company with her parents Mary Susan Hanson and Randy Hanson. Elsa is outfitted with cedar shiplap, standing-seam metal exterior siding, and a standing-seam metal pitched roof. "The look is simple and earthy," Aho says. "We’re of Scandinavian heritage and are drawn to Scandinavian style and design."
British artist Hannah Sawtell and technologist Avi Flombaum created sawbaum.com, where users can create visual collages using multiple vine streams. "We wanted it to look like a visual comic book, with overlapping panels," said Flombaum. "And we wanted it to be fun!" Photo courtesy Rhizome.
British artist Hannah Sawtell and technologist Avi Flombaum created sawbaum.com, where users can create visual collages using multiple vine streams. "We wanted it to look like a visual comic book, with overlapping panels," said Flombaum. "And we wanted it to be fun!" Photo courtesy Rhizome.
The barn-style front doorsstay open during warmer months, giving a view of Eugenia’s garden. A floating desk, Hay Design coffee table and separate couch offer additional seating in the downstairs area.
The barn-style front doorsstay open during warmer months, giving a view of Eugenia’s garden. A floating desk, Hay Design coffee table and separate couch offer additional seating in the downstairs area.

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