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Fès el-Bali is the oldest walled part of the city of Fez, Morocco. Its network of very narrow streets and alleyways — some of which are only two feet wide — make it accessible only to pedestrians and occasionally bicycles or motorbikes. With a total population of 156,000, the area is believed to be the biggest car-free urban neighborhood in the world.

See more here: https://bit.ly/2SfA4pl

34.061111°, -4.977778°

Source imagery: Maxar

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Pembrokeshire is a county in the south west of Wales. The county is home to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, the only coastal national park of its kind in the United Kingdom, which includes a 186-mile walking trail, the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. In the north of the county are the Preseli Hills, a wide stretch of high moorland with many prehistoric sites and the probable source of the bluestones that were used in the construction of the inner circle of Stonehenge in England.

See more here: https://bit.ly/3wWl2TX

52.014500°, -5.087222°

Source imagery: Maxar

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Exhibiting an ease we’ve come to expect from Sandra Weingort, this New York City apartment acts as a serene and comfortable backdrop to her clients’ impressive art collection. Contemporary pieces play with mid-century staples to form a harmonious and sometimes unexpected respite from the teeming city below.

With a generous 130sqm at her disposal – not your regular New York shoebox apartment – Weingort was tasked with building her clients collection of comfortable and contemporary furniture, and boy did she not let us down. Mid-century French designers, Brazilian pieces and Swedish furniture all rub shoulders in this veritable feast of collectible design.

Related: Downtown New York City Pied‐à‐terre by Sandra Weingort.

The art collection is sophisticated but not without moments of eccentricity and whimsy. The client’s Art Advisor, Alex Glauber from AWG Art Advisory, intentionally brought together artists of different generations who share a stylistic affinity to create juxtapositions that function on several curatorial levels – both visually and conceptually.

In the living room, a covetable Axel Vervoordt stone coffee table floats in the middle of the interior, paired with raw textural finishes and muted furnishings; the space’s colour comes from the artwork. A very Lynchian Louise Lawler photograph interrelates with the unmistakable Serge Mouille wall sconce which, large and graphic, might as well be an artwork in itself. On the opposite wall sits a familiar Ellsworth Kelly colour field artwork in breathtakingly simple red and blue.

While everything in the apartment sits in sophisticated equilibrium it’s the moments of surprise that take the cake. A glass desk by René-Jean Caillette sits askew in the middle of the room, unanchored – and, you cannot tell me otherwise – perfectly placed. On the opposite corner sits a dusty rose lounge chair and ottoman by Pierre Paulin that departs from the mostly rectilinear furnishings.

Careful not to overwhelm the bold art collection the walls were painted in warm tones and paired with creamy woven rugs, linen blinds and earthy ceramics, adding monotonal texture to the enveloping abode.

While I could go on (and on, and on) I’ll spare you the fangirling and let the clear love for simple and understated pieces with rich, natural and genuine materiality speak for themselves. Enjoy!

| The article NYC Greenwich Village Apartment by Sandra Weingort. appeared first on Yellowtrace. |

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Inspired by “the indoor and outdoor living houses of Brisbane”, while encapsulating northern light and distributing it evenly among the shared spaces, is the captivating East Fremantle House. Designed by Nic Brunsdon and built by TALO Construction, this 230 square metre family residence is an extension of a heritage Federation House in Western Australia; and a contender for 2021 WA Architecture Awards. Quiet, quaint, and classic at the front, what lies behind is a “lumpy extension” that proves you don’t need a mass build to maximise living spaces.

Conceived through the client’s curiosity of Burnsdon’s North Perth House, this project incorporates a heritage home on a narrow plot (as always) that runs east-west. The clients desired an extension that would align with the architecture’s history and the context of the site.

Related: Marine House in South Fremantle by David Barr Architects.

A consideration to sustainability in the architectural design influenced the extension to be a handle-like form made of geometry that resembles children’s wooden building blocks. The clients, a growing family with two infant children, requested a home that would grow with their lifestyle and potential space for additional relatives.

The original house is gently restored to comprise of three bedrooms before revealing a corridor with kitchen, dining, entertainment lined in a queue that ascends into a staircase leading to an attic sleeping quarter. The new arm cradles a generous garden room (or void) that sits in front of the kitchen accessible via sliding glass panels, beckoning glorious flooding of natural light into central spaces. A second entrance is tastefully introduced through the side of the property, offering personal space for storage, and studying.

The stability in materiality and timelessness in style are the hallmarks of this project. Externally, light nectarine timber and tactile white stucco-clad the extension shell. Internally, a striking colour-blocking palette adorns the interior likening to seasonal changes. A moody curved masonry entrance of the original house transitions into a breezy summery open area made of antique-gold exposed timber ceiling and white rendered brick walls – backlit by concaved and boxy pockets of natural light. The blank canvas is collaged with a niche peppered marble benchtop and polished concrete floors before returning to classic dark stained timber floors. A sculpted concrete sunken lounge at the rear with plush blue carpet offers a picturesque grassy experience of the garden room. The bathroom on the ground is paved with burnt burgundy vertically tiled bathrooms – a moody autumnal ensemble amplified with dramatic lighting reflected from the northern courtyard. The longing for fall is contrasted by the ensuite above with the summer swimming pool to fulfil a light-filled ablution space.

Brunsdon’s eye for quality material and a well-curated arrangement allows for a growing relationship between the architecture and the family members. A level of quiet confidence, although ready to become a canvas for vulnerable sentiments – excitement awaits within the East Fremantle House.

| The article East Fremantle House by Nic Brunsdon. appeared first on Yellowtrace. |

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The sublim, tonal Cromatica collection by Formafantasma. “A lexicon of colour shades for mixing in large size and its submultiples.” See our preview of this stunning collection here.

Rilievi collection designed by Enrica Cavarzan & Marco Zavagno of Zaven. “The alternation and symbiosis between concave and convex, recessed and raised.”

Chimera collection by Elena Salmistraro merges rigour with self-expression, in a graphic grammar laden with symbolic meaning. See our in-depth article on this collection here.

As the world grapples with a myriad of monumental issues, like climate emergency, social injustice, the biggest health crisis in over a century and so forth, the role architecture and design can play in creating a better future has never seemed more pertinent. From our approach to creating new budlings and interiors, our attitude to re-establishing existing ones, how and what we chose to specify in our projects all play a part in having an awareness of the world on a deeper level.

Perhaps, just like so many others (myself included), you’ve questioned whom you support and what you champion in all aspects of your life, including your agency in your own domains of influence, however small or large they may be.

With sustainably being, without a doubt, one of the most pressing challenges the world faces today, shining a spotlight on those who are seeking to set new benchmarks and improve the status quo, has become a personal quest and an issue close to my heart. This responsibility becomes all the sweeter when brands in question have an offering that’s seriously appealing too.

Re-edition of the Lapis vase by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, photographed at the Fondazione Castiglioni in Milan.

Cristina Celestino in the studio, working on her Policroma collection for CEDIT, which launched at Salone del Mobile in 2019.

Enter CEDIT. Or, to be precise, CEDIT – Ceramiche d’Italia (Made in Florim), a sub-brand of the much larger parent company Florim. Having been re-launched to the market in 2016, this Italian-in-origin and international-in-spirit brand is renowned for its ground-breaking designs. Conceived as large format ceramic tiles on which artists can express their creativity, CEDIT isn’t interested in the ordinary, but rather seeks to stand out from the aesthetic perspective.

Over the years, the brand has worked with the biggest names in Italian design, including Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Ettore Sottsass, Enzo Mari and Alessandro Mendini, cementing it as a critical contributor in the history of the design universe.

Related: Chimera Ceramic Collection by Elena Salmistraro for CEDIT.

Watch this lovely video with Primarosa, Anna, Ferdinando, Pera & Anna – CEDIT employees who are in their 60s, 70s and 80s – one of them started with the company at the age of 14 and remains there till this day.

A COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY

Florim’s approach to sustainability intersects with its business strategy, not as an abstract concept but as real actions embracing the three areas of responsibility: economic, social and environmental.

In 2020 Florim became the first ceramic company in the world to become B Corp certified, formally stating its commitment to operating not just for profit, but also for the good of the planet and the community.

Florim is the first ceramics corporation in the world to become a Benefit Corporation.

Watch the video “Being sustainable is a daily choice” with the faces of some of the Florim people who contribute to making the company even more responsible, every day.

For Florim, being accountable means developing and creating a sustainable product of very high quality. It means a focus on people – both the staff and their families. Not only generating profit to reinvest in the local economy but also providing direct, genuine support to those most in need. Acting responsibly also means protecting the environment through improvements to processes and products to reduce environmental and energy impact.

CEDIT VALUES

CEDIT recently launched a campaign that celebrates its five core principles, cleverly expressed as an acronym of its name – C for Culture, E for Ethics, D for Design, I for Identity, T for Talent – all of which seamlessly overlap with the broader business strategy for Florim.

They go on to talk about these values in more detail. For example, Culture talks to the “Curators of knowledge, cultivated through creative dialogues and exchange of experiences.” Ethic stands for “the responsibility to protect our environment, work together to shape our future.” Design promotes the idea of “investing in research, the most sublime form of knowledge. To be the architects of innovation, protagonists of a process that takes us ever onward.” Identity goes back to 1947 when their legacy began. “Timeless values, and ever-evolving artistry, reveals the unique identity. A living heritage that surrounds us today.” And Talent talks to the “Italian art of making. Through imagination, through passion, through life.”

The amazing Policroma collection by Cristina Celestino celebrates recurring geometries and infinite combinations, an homage to Italy’s famed marble and marmorino plaster finishes.

THE FUTURE

Today, CEDIT continues to promote contemporary creativity in keeping with their great tradition, creating ceramic collections conceived by top Italian designers like Formafantasma, Cristina Celestino, Federico Pepe, Zaven and Elena Salmistraro.

“The culture of beauty, art, architecture and design has always been a part of CEDIT’s DNA,” says Claudio Lucchese, president of Florim and the son of Giovanni Lucchese, who founded the company in 1962.

With sustainability, ethics, high quality and nurturing of talent being just some of the values charting high of their agenda, there are plenty of reasons for CEDIT to go straight to the top of the pile when considering the next statement finish for your project.

For more information on CEDIT and to explore all of their collections visit florim.com/cedit.

Araldica by Federico Pepe is bold, bonkers and not for the faint-hearted. “The miscellany of bright, contrasting, pure colours. The extroverted manifestation of decor.” Boom!

This Yellowtrace Promotion is proudly supported by CEDIT – Made in Florim. Like everything we do, our partner content is carefully curated to maintain the utmost relevance to our readers. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Yellowtrace. 

[Images courtesy of CEDIT – Made in Florim.]

| The article CEDIT’s Unique Design Language Shaped Around Five Core Values. appeared first on Yellowtrace. |

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British design duo Child Studio has transformed a disused London post office into a Japanese restaurant Maido. Located in Saint John’s Wood district, near the famed Abbey Road crossing, the late modernist building provided a rich source of inspiration for the designers.

The interiors present a subtle blend of European and Japanese design influences. “Our aim was to rediscover and celebrate the unique history of this building and the neighbourhood”, commented Alexy Kos and Che Huang, the founders of Child Studio. “The post office was built in the 1960s and our design pays tribute to London’s modernist heritage of that era. The Japanese references are subtle and present themselves through the choice of materials, the play of geometric patterns and the hand-crafted woodwork detailing.”

The dialogue between the East and West continues with the curated selection of antique and contemporary furniture: the iconic moulded plywood armchairs designed by Norman Cherner in 1958 are paired with the cast aluminium stools by the celebrated Japanese designer Naoto Fukasawa.

Related: Humble Pizza in London’s Chelsea by Child Studio.

The walls across the entire space are clad in dark cherry wood panelling with antique brass sconces by Stilnovo, the Italian pioneers of rationalist design. The shallow alcoves are decorated with large abstract paintings. Child Studio devised a suspended coffered ceiling in a soft blue hue, and the refined geometric pattern motif continues on the quarry tile flooring.

The focal point of the space is the central island counter where the sushi master prepares and serves authentic Japanese dishes. The reflective curved steel panelling of the bar is complemented by the sculptural table lamp ‘Pipistrello’ designed by Gae Aulenti in 1965.

Related: Cubitts Brighton Eyewear Store by Child Studio.

A large semicircular glass block partition subdivides the space into two, forming a quiet lounge at the back of the restaurant. The daylight filters through the textured glass, creating a calm and serene atmosphere. ‘The inspiration for this feature came from the facade of Saint John’s Wood Library, the next-door building of the same era”, explain Alexy and Che. “It has a small and unassuming shopfront, but the library entrance is a beautiful combination of square glass blocks and dark wooden framework.”

Engaged with the local history and woven in the fabric of the neighbourhood, this restaurant demonstrates how a carefully researched and well-considered design can balance the contemporary sensibility with a touch of nostalgia.

| The article Child Studio Transforms 1960s London Post Office into a Japanese Restaurant. appeared first on Yellowtrace. |

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Hvar is a Croatian island on the Adriatic Sea, known for its lavish summer resorts, cerulean coloured water and pearly white sand. Sitting amongst this picturesque backdrop is a new resort designed by Paris-based LA.M Studio. Hotel Maslina (meaning Olive) achieves luxury and serenity surrounded by the untamed and untouched nature of the island.

“It was essential to use natural materials, to create a peaceful, elegant ambience,” says LA.M Studio founder, Léonie Alma Mason.

Designed to be at one with the environment, materials such as wood and Brač island stone – used in the lobby and basins – are sustainably soured and chosen to mimic the interaction of natural materials in the sun.

Related: Baja Club Hotel in La Paz, Mexico by Max von Werz Architects & Jaune Interiors.

For other parts of the resort, darker colours are utilised to reference the shadows cast by the forest of pine trees, with hues of green, grey and dark blue when the sun is at its peak. This is evident in the black terracotta walls and olive, black lava stone tables, contrasting with the brushed brass details. In the hotel bar, terracotta, bronze mirrors, glass lamps, and white curtains warm the interiors while adding an ethereal and fresh atmosphere.

Léonie explains that the interplay between a festive vibe and opulence is also evident in the spatial arrangement and inclusion of larger areas. “The luxury here resides in the larger spaces, the magnificent environment and the use of local and natural, noble materials,” she says.

Related: Prioritising Repurposed Materials: Bermonds Locke London by Holloway Li.

Inspired by nature’s elements, three private villas boast ample living spaces, and 50 other rooms and suites also have a strong connection to the outdoors with wooden bathtubs, walk-in showers and framed vistas of the coastline.

Each detail has been intricately designed, and when paired with impeccable customer service for a relaxing and easy-going experience, Maslina achieves its five-star status as a travel destination that reconnects visitors with nature while lifting their spirits. Our bags are packed!

Related: Villa Mandra in Mykonos, Greece by K-Studio. 

| The article Hotel Maslina in Hvar, Croatia by LA.M Studio. appeared first on Yellowtrace. |

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Ankara is the capital and second-largest city of Turkey, with upwards of 5 million residents. This Overview shows traditional red-tiled roofs in the city’s Çankaya district, which contains many government buildings, embassies, museums, theaters, and universities. The light blue building in the bottom left houses the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, the nation’s parliament.

See more here: https://bit.ly/3wRuI23

39.909666°, 32.863205°

Source imagery: Airbus Space
© CNES 2020, Distribution Airbus DS

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Exhibiting an ease we’ve come to expect from Sandra Weingort, this New York City apartment acts as a serene and comfortable backdrop to her clients’ impressive art collection. Contemporary pieces play with mid-century staples to form a harmonious and sometimes unexpected respite from the teeming city below.

With a generous 130sqm at her disposal – not your regular New York shoebox apartment – Weingort was tasked with building her clients collection of comfortable and contemporary furniture, and boy did she not let us down. Mid-century French designers, Brazilian pieces and Swedish furniture all rub shoulders in this veritable feast of collectible design.

Related: Downtown New York City Pied‐à‐terre by Sandra Weingort.

The art collection is sophisticated but not without moments of eccentricity and whimsy. The client’s Art Advisor, Alex Glauber from AWG Art Advisory, intentionally brought together artists of different generations who share a stylistic affinity to create juxtapositions that function on several curatorial levels – both visually and conceptually.

In the living room, a covetable Axel Vervoordt stone coffee table floats in the middle of the interior, paired with raw textural finishes and muted furnishings; the space’s colour comes from the artwork. A very Lynchian Louise Lawler photograph interrelates with the unmistakable Serge Mouille wall sconce which, large and graphic, might as well be an artwork in itself. On the opposite wall sits a familiar Ellsworth Kelly colour field artwork in breathtakingly simple red and blue.

While everything in the apartment sits in sophisticated equilibrium it’s the moments of surprise that take the cake. A glass desk by René-Jean Caillette sits askew in the middle of the room, unanchored – and, you cannot tell me otherwise – perfectly placed. On the opposite corner sits a dusty rose lounge chair and ottoman by Pierre Paulin that departs from the mostly rectilinear furnishings.

Careful not to overwhelm the bold art collection the walls were painted in warm tones and paired with creamy woven rugs, linen blinds and earthy ceramics, adding monotonal texture to the enveloping abode.

While I could go on (and on, and on) I’ll spare you the fangirling and let the clear love for simple and understated pieces with rich, natural and genuine materiality speak for themselves. Enjoy!

| The article NYC Greenwich Village Apartment by Sandra Weingort. appeared first on Yellowtrace. |

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Tekesi Bagua City is located in China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Founded in 1937, the city is famous for its planned layout in the shape of a Bagua — an arrangement of eight symbols used in Taoist cosmology to represent the fundamental principles of reality. The center of Tekesi Bagua radiates out onto eight streets and is connected by four ring roads from the center to the city’s edge.

See more here: https://bit.ly/3pcQkUg

43.214866°, 81.839622°

Source imagery: Airbus Space
© CNES 2020, Distribution Airbus DS