When Pablo Pérez Palacios’ Mexico City–based architecture firm PPAA was tasked with building an apartment tower to meet La Colonia Roma's need for additional housing, he faced a problem familiar to developers in historic neighborhoods everywhere. The site was occupied by a dilapidated home that dates to 1925, and local laws required that the facade and part of the structure be maintained. PPAA’s innovative approach was to cut the original three-story home in half, preserving enough of the building to front the street and hold two apartments replete with classic Victorian details like high ceilings and restored millwork. In the back of the lot, they designed a sleek eight-story apartment tower that would hold an additional nine apartments, for a total of 11 units. Not bad for a site that was previously an uninhabited single-family house.
When Pablo Pérez Palacios’ Mexico City–based architecture firm PPAA was tasked with building an apartment tower to meet La Colonia Roma's need for additional housing, he faced a problem familiar to developers in historic neighborhoods everywhere. The site was occupied by a dilapidated home that dates to 1925, and local laws required that the facade and part of the structure be maintained. PPAA’s innovative approach was to cut the original three-story home in half, preserving enough of the building to front the street and hold two apartments replete with classic Victorian details like high ceilings and restored millwork. In the back of the lot, they designed a sleek eight-story apartment tower that would hold an additional nine apartments, for a total of 11 units. Not bad for a site that was previously an uninhabited single-family house.
A vibrant yellow pocket door adds a playful splash of color in the bathroom/laundry area on the lower level.
A vibrant yellow pocket door adds a playful splash of color in the bathroom/laundry area on the lower level.
A small terrace outfitted with an H55 easy chair by Björn Hultén offers a view of the San Francisco Bay.
A small terrace outfitted with an H55 easy chair by Björn Hultén offers a view of the San Francisco Bay.
The cabin’s concept was simple: To create a cabin that is small and sparse yet spatially rich. The 55-square-meter (592-square-foot) cabin, commissioned by a private client and completed in 2016, comprises a large living room, bedroom, ski room, and small annex with a utility room. It functions off the water and electricity grids.
The cabin’s concept was simple: To create a cabin that is small and sparse yet spatially rich. The 55-square-meter (592-square-foot) cabin, commissioned by a private client and completed in 2016, comprises a large living room, bedroom, ski room, and small annex with a utility room. It functions off the water and electricity grids.
The concept of this Scandinavian getaway was simple: To create a cabin that is small and sparse yet spatially rich. The 55-quare-meter (592-square-foot) cabin, commissioned by a private client and completed in 2016, comprises a large living room, bedroom, ski room, and small annex with a utility room. It functions off the water and electricity grids.
The concept of this Scandinavian getaway was simple: To create a cabin that is small and sparse yet spatially rich. The 55-quare-meter (592-square-foot) cabin, commissioned by a private client and completed in 2016, comprises a large living room, bedroom, ski room, and small annex with a utility room. It functions off the water and electricity grids.
The concept of this Scandinavian getaway was simple: To create a cabin that is small and sparse yet spatially rich. The 55-quare-meter (592-square-foot) cabin, commissioned by a private client and completed in 2016, comprises a large living room, bedroom, ski room, and small annex with a utility room. It functions off the water and electricity grids.
The concept of this Scandinavian getaway was simple: To create a cabin that is small and sparse yet spatially rich. The 55-quare-meter (592-square-foot) cabin, commissioned by a private client and completed in 2016, comprises a large living room, bedroom, ski room, and small annex with a utility room. It functions off the water and electricity grids.
A 55-inch Samsung Smart TV, a gift, is one of few indulgences.
A 55-inch Samsung Smart TV, a gift, is one of few indulgences.
A 55-foot nautical-themed sofa runs along one side of the pool deck.
A 55-foot nautical-themed sofa runs along one side of the pool deck.
Available for as low as $55,000, the Artist Bothy is a multipurpose, prefab hut designed to promote a creative spark in residents.
Available for as low as $55,000, the Artist Bothy is a multipurpose, prefab hut designed to promote a creative spark in residents.
At 55 Monterrey, historic details like the bay window seen here are rolled into a space that feels very modern.
At 55 Monterrey, historic details like the bay window seen here are rolled into a space that feels very modern.
A contemporary apartment tower rises behind the restored townhouse at 55 Monterrey Avenue in Mexico City's Colonia Roma neighborhood.
A contemporary apartment tower rises behind the restored townhouse at 55 Monterrey Avenue in Mexico City's Colonia Roma neighborhood.
On the exterior of the office, a mural called “Awakened Flow” by Seb Humphreys (AKA Order 55) echoes the tranquil energy of the home.
On the exterior of the office, a mural called “Awakened Flow” by Seb Humphreys (AKA Order 55) echoes the tranquil energy of the home.
Swedish design by Metagram art AB, www.metagram.se
Swedish design by Metagram art AB, www.metagram.se
The living room, opposite the kitchen, provides a lounge area outfitted with a Womb chair and ottoman and Tulip coffee table by Eero Saarinen for Knoll and a Delano sectional sofa by Sphere Designs.

Photo by 

Sharon Risedorph
The living room, opposite the kitchen, provides a lounge area outfitted with a Womb chair and ottoman and Tulip coffee table by Eero Saarinen for Knoll and a Delano sectional sofa by Sphere Designs. Photo by Sharon Risedorph
Cortek Modern Planter 81-14 in GFC / No color. Retails for $14. Industry pros get an instant 15% discount. L 5.5" x W 5.5" x H 5.5" Keep it as is or make it stand out with the color you want. Exclusively at Modern-Touch Design in Los Angeles. 1525 S. La Cienega Blvd. 90035 www.ModernTouchDesign.com
Cortek Modern Planter 81-14 in GFC / No color. Retails for $14. Industry pros get an instant 15% discount. L 5.5" x W 5.5" x H 5.5" Keep it as is or make it stand out with the color you want. Exclusively at Modern-Touch Design in Los Angeles. 1525 S. La Cienega Blvd. 90035 www.ModernTouchDesign.com
The leftmost cabinet above the Duravit bathtub (equipped with KWC fixtures) occupies the space where a doorway once lead into the living room, creating unnecessary traffic from the home’s public spaces through to the master bedroom.The new bathroom features a minimal palette of white and teak. “It’s able to hold up on boat decks so is good for a bathroom,” Klug says. It also makes the heated floor that much nicer to walk on in the morning.

Photo by 

Eric Roth
The leftmost cabinet above the Duravit bathtub (equipped with KWC fixtures) occupies the space where a doorway once lead into the living room, creating unnecessary traffic from the home’s public spaces through to the master bedroom.The new bathroom features a minimal palette of white and teak. “It’s able to hold up on boat decks so is good for a bathroom,” Klug says. It also makes the heated floor that much nicer to walk on in the morning. Photo by Eric Roth
The 510 Cabin is one of Leggitt's designs, executed with the help of student apprentices.
The 510 Cabin is one of Leggitt's designs, executed with the help of student apprentices.
Domestic Matters
45" x 55" acrylic and marble dust on collaged antique linen
www.deblawrencecontemporary.com
Instagram @deblawrenceart
Domestic Matters 45" x 55" acrylic and marble dust on collaged antique linen www.deblawrencecontemporary.com Instagram @deblawrenceart
When chilled to 55 degrees Fahrenheit, Wisner said, the taste of Newton Vineyard’s Chardonnay “explodes in your mouth.”
When chilled to 55 degrees Fahrenheit, Wisner said, the taste of Newton Vineyard’s Chardonnay “explodes in your mouth.”
Parked for lunch were Torchy's Tacos, Man Bites Dog, and Holy Cacao.
Parked for lunch were Torchy's Tacos, Man Bites Dog, and Holy Cacao.
Botanical Carden by Postcarden
Botanical Carden by Postcarden
Bag by  Chester Wallace.
Bag by Chester Wallace.
Photo by Ty Cole.
Photo by Ty Cole.
The Magnolia Handbag by Alchemy.
The Magnolia Handbag by Alchemy.
For the living room of their house in Genk, Belgium, Michaël Verheyden and Saartje Vereecke mixed furnishings of their own design with classic pieces. Their G55 sling chair and Michel Ducaroy’s Togo sofa for Ligne Roset are both clad in black leather.
For the living room of their house in Genk, Belgium, Michaël Verheyden and Saartje Vereecke mixed furnishings of their own design with classic pieces. Their G55 sling chair and Michel Ducaroy’s Togo sofa for Ligne Roset are both clad in black leather.
A private residence in San Francisco, California, designed by Kennerly Architecture and Planning, winner of the New Practices San Francisco 2009 competition.
A private residence in San Francisco, California, designed by Kennerly Architecture and Planning, winner of the New Practices San Francisco 2009 competition.
Law Estates Wines spans 55 acres with full panoramic views of the Paso Robles countryside. The building reflects that of their varietals—showcasing natural characteristics in minimalist style. The design is a direct response to the natural materials of the site, its hillside topography, and climatic influences of the sun and wind.
Law Estates Wines spans 55 acres with full panoramic views of the Paso Robles countryside. The building reflects that of their varietals—showcasing natural characteristics in minimalist style. The design is a direct response to the natural materials of the site, its hillside topography, and climatic influences of the sun and wind.
Style: "Color tone - cool"
Style: "Color tone - cool"
Y's Store (2003)Ron Arad Associates and the Museum of Modern Art
Y's Store (2003)Ron Arad Associates and the Museum of Modern Art
5.5 x 5.5 m. house in Hokkaido
5.5 x 5.5 m. house in Hokkaido
The end of the Parkmobiles bear the names of their creators and partners: CMG Landscape Architecture, Recology, and Gardners' Guild, Inc.
The end of the Parkmobiles bear the names of their creators and partners: CMG Landscape Architecture, Recology, and Gardners' Guild, Inc.
Anchoring a corner of the Design Lab floor was the trifecta of  David Mast, Kendall Wilkinson, and Black Mountain Construction, who team up on design projects to create a seamless design-build experience for their clients. Here's Mast (center) discussing his "zen, less-is-more" design philosophy with two attendees.
Anchoring a corner of the Design Lab floor was the trifecta of David Mast, Kendall Wilkinson, and Black Mountain Construction, who team up on design projects to create a seamless design-build experience for their clients. Here's Mast (center) discussing his "zen, less-is-more" design philosophy with two attendees.
Sanctuary Tiny Homes builds customizable, eco-friendly compact dwellings. They offer two main models—Tiny Marta and Tiny Lucy—with a base price of $55,000. The company also offers tiny home shells starting at $17,000. One-on-one design and construction consultations are also available.
Sanctuary Tiny Homes builds customizable, eco-friendly compact dwellings. They offer two main models—Tiny Marta and Tiny Lucy—with a base price of $55,000. The company also offers tiny home shells starting at $17,000. One-on-one design and construction consultations are also available.
Monochromatic Cloudy pattern.
Monochromatic Cloudy pattern.

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