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.
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.
The millwork hides the bed and desk, but it also conceals the air conditioner. “Everything is integrated,” says Losada-Amor. “That’s what keeps it clean.” Even the garage door mechanism is hidden here.
The millwork hides the bed and desk, but it also conceals the air conditioner. “Everything is integrated,” says Losada-Amor. “That’s what keeps it clean.” Even the garage door mechanism is hidden here.
Villa Hohenlohe by Philipp Architekten won the prestigious Hugo Häring Award in 2014.
Villa Hohenlohe by Philipp Architekten won the prestigious Hugo Häring Award in 2014.
Inspirational spaces
Inspirational spaces
The architects removed decorative wood beams and wood paneling, and raised the ceiling to reveal a bright, open space. The existing fireplace mantle was swapped out for Bolection molding, a minimal-yet-traditional profile that allows more space for wall art. Hendricks installed the sconces and Noguchi lantern above the clients' wood table and chairs.
The architects removed decorative wood beams and wood paneling, and raised the ceiling to reveal a bright, open space. The existing fireplace mantle was swapped out for Bolection molding, a minimal-yet-traditional profile that allows more space for wall art. Hendricks installed the sconces and Noguchi lantern above the clients' wood table and chairs.
The stairs are one of the best parts of the renovation and were assembled on-site, stretching from basement to the top floor.
The stairs are one of the best parts of the renovation and were assembled on-site, stretching from basement to the top floor.
The powder bathroom features a custom stone sink and white oak vanity base built by the homeowner.
The powder bathroom features a custom stone sink and white oak vanity base built by the homeowner.
The dining room table was designed by the couple and manufactured by Carlick Furniture; surrounding it are limited-edition chairs from Fritz Hansen that commemorate the 60th anniversary of Arne Jacobsen’s Series 7 design.
The dining room table was designed by the couple and manufactured by Carlick Furniture; surrounding it are limited-edition chairs from Fritz Hansen that commemorate the 60th anniversary of Arne Jacobsen’s Series 7 design.
The master bathroom is a calming oasis of marble. The couple often relax here for a moment of tranquility.
The master bathroom is a calming oasis of marble. The couple often relax here for a moment of tranquility.
The kitchen and dining area seamlessly flow from the living room. Designed for entertaining, the space offers a 20-person dining table, three Gaggenau ovens, and a massive central island.
The kitchen and dining area seamlessly flow from the living room. Designed for entertaining, the space offers a 20-person dining table, three Gaggenau ovens, and a massive central island.
The formal dining room, accessible from the kitchen through a set of walnut doors, features an original stone fireplace that dates to the 13th century.
The formal dining room, accessible from the kitchen through a set of walnut doors, features an original stone fireplace that dates to the 13th century.
The master bath has a tiled shower and a double vanity.
The master bath has a tiled shower and a double vanity.
The master bathroom is brightened by custom lighting and natural light shining through the tempered glass shower wall.
The master bathroom is brightened by custom lighting and natural light shining through the tempered glass shower wall.
The master bath includes double vanities, a freestanding bathtub, and a hidden built-in television.
The master bath includes double vanities, a freestanding bathtub, and a hidden built-in television.
This prefab house is built around a system of 4' by 4' concrete modules and a reusable formwork to save on costs and materials.
This prefab house is built around a system of 4' by 4' concrete modules and a reusable formwork to save on costs and materials.
The staircase steps straight through the facade’s metal grid, establishing a connection between the home’s interior and exterior.
The staircase steps straight through the facade’s metal grid, establishing a connection between the home’s interior and exterior.
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.
Farnley Hey’s heart is a large, double-height living area, dubbed "the dance floor
Farnley Hey’s heart is a large, double-height living area, dubbed "the dance floor
In the living room, a Nelson bench doubles as a coffee table, and a wood-burning stove from Cleanburn Stoves set in a white brick hearth keeps the space warm.
In the living room, a Nelson bench doubles as a coffee table, and a wood-burning stove from Cleanburn Stoves set in a white brick hearth keeps the space warm.
Found in Seis am Schlern, Italy, this ornate, gothic-style staircase is a showstopper. The black metal tread and railing heighten the home’s drama and elegance. Designed by Italy’s Network of Architecture, the idea behind the detailed staircase design is that the further one ascends, the more it heightens intimacy.
Found in Seis am Schlern, Italy, this ornate, gothic-style staircase is a showstopper. The black metal tread and railing heighten the home’s drama and elegance. Designed by Italy’s Network of Architecture, the idea behind the detailed staircase design is that the further one ascends, the more it heightens intimacy.
The open kitchen has an attached dining table, and is located outside of the secondary glass facade enclosure. This allows not only for natural ventilation while cooking, but also views to the greenery beyond.
The open kitchen has an attached dining table, and is located outside of the secondary glass facade enclosure. This allows not only for natural ventilation while cooking, but also views to the greenery beyond.
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.
"There aren’t many row houses that treat vertical circulation and the relationship between public and private spaces the same way as [this house]," Shane says. White oak treads and a painted steel handrail make up the home's signature staircase.
"There aren’t many row houses that treat vertical circulation and the relationship between public and private spaces the same way as [this house]," Shane says. White oak treads and a painted steel handrail make up the home's signature staircase.
Architect Aarne Ervi built the classic Villa Koivikko in 1958 on a lakeside just outside Helsinki. When Studio Petra Majantie and Oopeaa recently restored the building, they had to design the bathroom without the home’s original plans. They used matte-glass mosaic flooring, ceramic tiles matching the living area's hearth, and copper fixtures. High windows let in a lot of natural light, but they added undercabinet lighting and built-in cabinet lighting to create a beautiful balance.
Architect Aarne Ervi built the classic Villa Koivikko in 1958 on a lakeside just outside Helsinki. When Studio Petra Majantie and Oopeaa recently restored the building, they had to design the bathroom without the home’s original plans. They used matte-glass mosaic flooring, ceramic tiles matching the living area's hearth, and copper fixtures. High windows let in a lot of natural light, but they added undercabinet lighting and built-in cabinet lighting to create a beautiful balance.
One of the two bathrooms. Ceramic tiles, which have the appearance of micro cement, cover the walls.
One of the two bathrooms. Ceramic tiles, which have the appearance of micro cement, cover the walls.
The updated bathrooms include floating mahogany vanities with black, leather-finish granite countertops.
The updated bathrooms include floating mahogany vanities with black, leather-finish granite countertops.
An oversized vanity in one of the bathrooms complements the large glass and stone shower.
An oversized vanity in one of the bathrooms complements the large glass and stone shower.
Inside, the eye goes immediately to a floating staircase along one wall. Hand painted by local artist Tess Thomas, its wood treads add a pop of color within the voluminous great room.
Inside, the eye goes immediately to a floating staircase along one wall. Hand painted by local artist Tess Thomas, its wood treads add a pop of color within the voluminous great room.
Double vanities run along both sides of the room, illuminated from above by full-width skylights. In the center of the space, a free-standing soaking tub sits in front of a marble-clad wall, with both a shower and walk-in closet on opposite sides.
Double vanities run along both sides of the room, illuminated from above by full-width skylights. In the center of the space, a free-standing soaking tub sits in front of a marble-clad wall, with both a shower and walk-in closet on opposite sides.
A more formal dining area can be found just steps from the kitchen in the glass-wrapped atrium.
A more formal dining area can be found just steps from the kitchen in the glass-wrapped atrium.
Amy Tangerine worked with Dan Brunn Architecture to turn her home into a quirky, lavish abode in Los Angeles, California. The primary bathroom, in particular, has exquisite balance, creating almost identical dimensions for the soaker tub and shower. This large bathroom fills with natural light thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows. One of the finer details is the sliding glass door on the shower side, which opens to enable the user the sensation of showering in the fresh outdoor air.
Amy Tangerine worked with Dan Brunn Architecture to turn her home into a quirky, lavish abode in Los Angeles, California. The primary bathroom, in particular, has exquisite balance, creating almost identical dimensions for the soaker tub and shower. This large bathroom fills with natural light thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows. One of the finer details is the sliding glass door on the shower side, which opens to enable the user the sensation of showering in the fresh outdoor air.
The open layout brings breathing room to the new dining area. To the right is the home's central opening, built around a set of custom stairs.
The open layout brings breathing room to the new dining area. To the right is the home's central opening, built around a set of custom stairs.
An old mango tree, welcoming visitors to the grounds, inspired the arrangement of this Semarang home designed by architect Tamara Wibowo for her family of five. Three volumes—living, service, and office and garage—are clad in concrete to alleviate solar gain and maximize cross-breezes through large openings lined with teak. Floor-to-ceiling glass opens the dining room, marked by geometric Tegel Kunci tiles, onto greenery.
An old mango tree, welcoming visitors to the grounds, inspired the arrangement of this Semarang home designed by architect Tamara Wibowo for her family of five. Three volumes—living, service, and office and garage—are clad in concrete to alleviate solar gain and maximize cross-breezes through large openings lined with teak. Floor-to-ceiling glass opens the dining room, marked by geometric Tegel Kunci tiles, onto greenery.

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