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Cádiz is an ancient port city surrounded by the sea in southwest Spain. Because the city was constructed upon a spit of land that cannot support high-rises, its skyline has not substantially changed since medieval times. A portion of the “Old City,” an area characterized by narrow winding alleys connecting large plazas and markets, is seen in this Overview.

See more here: https://bit.ly/3jj4zov

36.533333°, -6.283333°

Source imagery: Maxar

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Volare is a new Italian trattoria in Amsterdam West that transforms into a bar called Bomboloni’s on the weekends. Designed by Studio Modijefsky, the interior conjures up memories of Italian summers thanks to its soft colours and rough surfaces, arches and patios and sensual swagger mixed and utter simplicity.

Entering Volare feels like stepping straight into Italy, with a twist. Traditional and playful graphics combine with a palette of soft red, orange, white and blue tones to transport visitors back to the Amalfi Coast in the 1960s. The golden age of this Mediterranean icon is elegantly recalled via original and timeless elements like ceramic tiles, chalk plaster, rough textures, striped patterns and cotton fabrics, wall recesses and wooden details mixed with Italian marble. Together they evoke white sandy beaches and colourful striped parasols blended with an easy-going vibe and the entertainment only Italians can bring to the table.

Legendary Italian architects seem to be the hidden directors of this project. Their way of playing with graphics and architecture pops up everywhere in the repetition of lines, shadows and wall slits. A harmonious balance between a simple background and cheeky elements gives a touch of freshness and uniqueness to a primarily traditional context.

Related: Arie ‘Op de Hoek’ Bar in Amsterdam by Studio Modijefsky.

Mellow, delicate tints open the doors to an informal but refined cocktail bar. The bar’s structure follows the lines of the open kitchen, and its shape is an offset of the building perimeter. By demolishing all the non-bearing elements and preserving the masonry walls, the interior, which had been divided in two, is now united. Removing the extra volumes has cleared the visual pathways and created optimal sightlines. As a result, the bar design is a perfect balance between space and volume. The back bar is a totem upon which bottles are showcased between layers of wood, mirrors and marble. Behind it, vertical stripes are crossed by orange shelves holding pitchers and antique limoncello glasses. Together they form a sculptural yet tactile sensory effect.

Walls and columns combine to form wall tables, ideal for people to enjoy a drink with a snack. High and low seating outline the entire bar area, together with the blue and white stripes, different tiles, and natural stones. The fresh graphics and shapes on the stucco walls go hand in hand with the Scarpa-inspired slits and neon light detail on the ceiling.

A single step leads to the patio area, where soft loose cotton fabric drapes from the ceiling in a regular rhythm. Here the striped pattern alternates between pastel yellow and beige. The latter, together with the graphics, delineates the pizza making area, and leads to the bespoke wooden wine cooling cabinet and the private dining area downstairs. Reserved for special events, this room is illuminated by long lines of warm light spheres hanging from the ceiling, which is covered in soft textile for the entire length of the interior. An irregular and illusory artwork on the left wall plays with perspective and tricks the eye.

Volare’s grand finale is the trattoria. An angular chef’s table welcomes guests to an interactive experience that provides a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the operations of a working kitchen. A symmetrical grid of silkscreen printed posters overlooks the custom benches, outlining the perimeter of the room. On the opposite side, a light beige wall is segmented by stripes of mirror, creating a game of rebounds and reflections between the exterior and interior. The galaxy of details, textures and colours could be overwhelming, but instead of competing for attention, they relax the eye as well as intriguing it.

This game of light and colour symbolizes Volare’s role as the place where inside and outside meet. The calm and beauty of its design form the perfect background for a truly Italian sensory and culinary experience — a modern trattoria that winks to the past but embraces modernity. In the best Italian traditions, Volare is somewhere to enjoy the good things in life in good company. As they say in Italy: aggiungi un posto a tavola!

Related: Ramona Amsterdam by Studio Modijefsky.

| The article Volare & Bomboloni’s in Amsterdam by Studio Modijefsky. appeared first on Yellowtrace. |

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Nurjol Boulevard is a 1.3-mile (2.2-km) long pedestrian zone in the center of Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan. It runs from the Ak Orda Presidential Palace (seen at bottom) to the Khan Shatyr Entertainment Center (top), passing through gardens, fountains, “Lovers Park” and the iconic Baiterek Tower monument. Nur-Sultan, formerly known as Astana, has been Kazakhstan’s capital since 1997 and is home to about 1.1 million people.

See more here: https://bit.ly/3piz5mj

51.127208°, 71.436947°

Source imagery: Maxar

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Helsinki based studio Yatofu Creatives have designed a new post office in Ningbo Bund, China on the banks of the Yongjiang River. Home to the province’s first post office, the new location sought to revive the establishment’s former significance and re-establish its role as the centre of the community.

Collaborating with neighbouring store Nordic Books, an emphasis on lifestyle was formed fusing contemporary and cultural interests. Nostalgic forms combine with a festive palette of greens, white and rich shades of red allowing the historic references to live in a contemporary context.

As visitors enter, the space opens up into a double-height atrium, with a post office and checkout counter on the first floor and a striking and dynamic white staircase structure sweeping through the space from the first floor up to the mezzanine. The eye-catching staircase is clad in perforated metal mesh, creating a transparent and bold visual statement while incorporating functional writing surfaces and retail display structures.

Related: Sonica “First Landings” Workspace of the Future by Kingston Lafferty Design.

The second floor sees the continuous extension of the mesh staircase structure as well as display shelves painted in a deep hue of crimson, with two built-in reading booths featuring green leather and custom lighting. The third floor, which is entered through a bridge from the adjacent premise, is a private children’s event and workshop space, surrounded by undulating panels of glass windows and inspired by community rooftop gardens.

The brief from the client was posed as a question “How can we reimagine the role of the post office in the community?” The initial research led to the realisation that post offices are often seen as most necessary during times of celebration — this means holidays, festivals, birthdays, and of course the culturally significant Chinese New Year. This led to the redefinition of the brief itself to create a post office that combined its normal functions with gift retail, cultural events, and a children’s event/play space.

The interior therefore becomes a one-stop shop for customers looking to send greetings and presents for celebratory purposes that also serves as a gathering point for the community’s families for seasonal events.

Through this project, Yatofu Creatives deliver a fresh perspective on the role of the post office in the modern setting. Reaching beyond its founding purpose of sending and receiving mail, the interior offers a hub where visitors can connect with one another through the sharing of gifts, memories, and events.

Related: Buda Hotel Chengdu by Archetype Design Organization.

| The article Bund Post Office and Shop by Yatofu Creatives. appeared first on Yellowtrace. |

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Here’s a selection of a few images that will be on display at our virtual exhibition for Nearmap NAVIG8 2021! Which one is your favorite?

1. Adventuredome, Las Vegas
2. Boats in Marblehead, Massachusetts
3. Trucks at Port of Los Angeles
4. Niagara Falls
5. Retired planes at Davis Monthan AFB

We’re also excited to announce that our founder Benjamin Grant will be delivering the keynote address at this year’s event on October 20th. Visit https://bit.ly/3vmRHm0 to learn more!

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Whenever I think of a ‘milk bar’, I imagine that vintage montage of bike rides down the brown-tinted lens of summer suburbia with pink, blue chromatic tinsels flying around the handlebars as we veer to the local milk bar for a good smoothie or ice cream. Okay, maybe I may have watched way too many romantic comedies — but I still get those vibes when I look at Kennedy Nolan’s Milkbar House.

Located in North Fitzroy in Melbourne, Milkbar House, true to its name, is a corner block home built with the classic archetype of a milk bar with the owner’s residence attached. Taking the beloved narrative, Kennedy Nolan refits the house with lovely transitional experiences while evoking that rosy nostalgia feeling within.

Milkbar House was attached with a dreary white Victorian weatherboard structure, which the clients requested to be transformed into a home that would fit a “very large garage and a large productive garden”, explains Pat Kennedy.

An enthusiastic challenge, the architects turned to compartmentalising of spaces — one inspired by the Medina of Arab cities as well as the existing high that once fronted the original milkbar (and one that is almost impossible to obtain due to new Planning Regulations). The inspiration additionally served as an exciting opportunity to capture the thresholds that would offer a form of respite and privacy from the street front.

Related: Belmont House in Kew, VIC by Kennedy Nolan.

Repainted in milky white, the existing wall frames the requested large garden timely orientated to the north and is embraced by the kitchen, living and dining areas. The garden, demarcated by a circular green ‘oasis’ is crowned by a circular cloister in preparation for strings of vines to curtain around the lawn as time permits. Connected to the east side sits the large garage, closed off by a sliding door to shelter bikes, bins and compost away from the picturesque scene. The west, however, contains a study nook structured with a view of growing trees transforming into ‘an abstracted, vegetal jali’.

In true Kennedy Nolan fashion — both the exterior and interior of the house is a patchwork that thoughtfully introduces playful elements while reflecting the site’s history. Weather worn awnings are now replaced with bolder and comical ones (also camouflaged in white) accompanied by geometric window bars to offset the quality of playfulness.

Related: Caroline House in Melbourne by Kennedy Nolan.

The living room is a mixture of granite-like terrazzo and exposed brick hints to the former milk bar’s floors and shiny fixtures; while the darkened timber found in the newly introduced clerestory, boxed window frames and other timber fixtures resonate with the former’s joinery. The language of stone and timber are repeated in a similar but with softened textures in the bedrooms also located in the west. And among the greys and browns, square mint tiles and painted joinery against the pale gold-brass coloured tapware and cabinetry handles block themselves in the kitchen and wet areas — replicating a similar aura of the ‘oasis’ created from the garden.

From the smallest detail moments to bold gestural statements, Milkbar House is certainly one would envy and perhaps become inevitably drawn to. Rather than riding the bike for that dessert run, it’s now substituted with a mindful walk under the sunsetting skies — hopeful they’ll be able to witness the pocket of bliss shared through the former milk bar’s door.

Related: Calm Drama: Elsternwick House by Kennedy Nolan.

| The article Nostalgia Reinvented: Milkbar House by Kennedy Nolan. appeared first on Yellowtrace. |

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An amazing array of hills and valleys surrounds the small community of Ridgeway in Winona County, Minnesota. Located in the southeastern corner of the state, Winona County is part of the Driftless Area — a swath of North America that escaped all three phases of the Wisconsonian Glaciation. As a result, the terrain here is much different than the rest of Minnesota, which averages out to be the fifth-flattest state in the USA. Interstate 90 can be seen in this Overview, passing through Ridgeway on its 3,200-mile (5,150-km) route from coast to coast.

See more here: https://bit.ly/30A0bLu

43.908877°, -91.551905°

Source imagery: Maxar

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Colorful fall foliage is seen in Bow, New Hampshire, USA. Around this time of year, with the arrival of colder temperatures, leaves begin to change their colors, thereby creating this marvelous and fleeting view. Visiting this part of the country to observe the magnifcent landscapes is known as “leaf peeping.”

See more here: https://bit.ly/3mY46Jt

43.127639°, -71.543472°

Source imagery: Nearmap

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Saltwater evaporation ponds surround Areia Branca, a coastal city near the northeastern tip of Brazil. Areia Branca is one of the most important salt production hubs in the country, with an average annual yield of 5.5 million tons — around 98% of Brazil’s total production. Salt collected here is used in thousands of different products, including food, cosmetics and industrial chemicals.

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

-4.955830°, -37.136900°

Source imagery: Maxar

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Cheese steals the show in this new project by Barcelona-based Cobalto Studio. Affectionately named Formaje, this artisanal cheese brand founded by Clara Díez and Adrián Pellejo has opened its first shop located in Chamberí, a neighbourhood in the centre of Madrid.

A temple to cheese, the name comes from a disused Spanish word referring to the mould that was formerly used to shape the popular product. Both referential and reverential, the concept was inspired by the idea of ‘giving shape’ as Cobalto Studio looked to wrap the space in a minimalist envelope that complemented and elevated the cult antipasto.

Conceived as a massive refrigerated pantry, the volume is split into two zones with the ground level acting as an exhibition area and a lower space that works as a cheese tasting area and cellar. A weighty and monolithic granite counter takes centre stage in the reception area, as mountains of cheese in various textures sit atop — mirroring its rough exterior. A nod to the authentic architecture of Madrid, the materiality draws parallels with the rich history of the Chamberí neighbourhood.

Natural raw materials, such as granite and wood act as a serene backdrop as cheese becomes the material of note within the interior. Sandy coloured walls are lined with high wooden shelves as a myriad of beige cheese wheels are stacked long and wide — echoing the creamy tones of the enveloping space.

Highlighting the characteristics of the star product, this simple yet refined design works to create a warm and timeless atmosphere. Artisanal in both products and space the interior acts as a holistic extension of the values of the brand.

Cobalto Studio is a diverse practice focusing on a little bit of everything from art direction, creative direction and set design to event concept design, interior design and even prop styling. With such a varied portfolio, the studio has a keen eye for aesthetics and a strong focus on concepts.

Related: Design Food — Culinary Architecture.

| The article Temple to Cheese: Formaje Madrid by Cobalto Studio. appeared first on Yellowtrace. |