ARCHITECTURE « trace blog

KENGO KUMA: The Starbucks

March 16th, 2012 § Leave a Comment

One of the things I most loved about Japan was unexpectedly discovering the most spectacular contemporary buildings sitting on quiet corners.

I love the work of many Japanese architects – to me, they set the standard. However, for this post, I wanted to portray the wow factor I’m talking about. As in “Wow… I went to buy a cup of coffee and the Starbucks looked like this!”.

This Starbucks, situated in Fukuoka in Southern Japan, is on a street that leads to one of the most major shrines in Japan, Dazaifu Tenmagu. Traditional 1 – 2 story Japanese buildings line the street. Architect Kengo Kuma sought to harmonize with this townscape by creating a fluid space through the use of an intricate woven system of sticks.

Here, the architect alludes to the traditional use of wooden post-and-beam structures in Classical Japanese Architecture and the system of joinery where wooden edges and pegs are used to secure joints (without the use of metal fasteners for primary structural roles). Also characteristic of Japanese architecture, the structure itself is the main element of the architectural design (it is not hidden within walls but exposed to express form and pattern).

Kengo Kuma’s expressive use of space reminded me of what architecture can do. Working in interiors has its rewards, but I must say, seeing his projects gets my heart racing, mouth watering and quite frankly, makes me miss architecture.

For more of Kengo Kuma’s brilliant work click here!

Marbella House by A-CERO

March 6th, 2012 § 3 Comments

Okay, so I’ve been magnetically attracted to the Mediterranean lately (but then again, who doesn’t love it?). While happily browsing the internet I came across images of the Spanish firm, A Cero’s, exquisite Marbella house.

On the exterior, linear planes clad in horizontal bands of stone fly over reflective ponds filled with river stones. Large irregular black-tinted windows appear like the openings to sacred tombs. And, both by night and by day, the entire place is strategically lit to accentuate the architecture.

On the interiors the minimalism continues with neutral tones and finishes accentuated by statement pieces like the amazing kitchen chandelier. In the rock garden, there are 3 spectacular root sculptures from Luminaire.

Beautiful.

CHARLES STREET TOWN HOUSE by Messana O’Rorke

February 25th, 2012 § 2 Comments

This 1853 Greenwich Village house recently got a facelift and new bones. Yep, the historical façade was restored according to the books while the interiors were gutted and reinforced with a new steel structure that allowed for a more open layout.

Observe the small details that make the interiors like the cove lighting where the ceiling meets the exterior walls, the flush threshold between the bathroom and wood flooring, and the gorgeous rectilinear sinks.

The offset fireplace is a charming minimalist move in the bedroom.

And, I love this white marble backsplash with grey veining climbing up the walls.

For more on this project visit:

HOTEL SEZZ by Christophe Pillet

February 20th, 2012 § 1 Comment

Designer Christophe Pillet’s Hotel Sezz is a modern beauty along the French Riviera. Olive trees, stone walls, azure waters and royal palms on the outside reveal you are in St. Tropez. But inside, the clean minimalist lines, updated wood paneling, colorful accents, and mid-century inspired furniture creates a bright Californian vibe.

Besides the charming location, I’m loving the minimalism with pops of reds and chartreuse, the double height brushed aluminum shutters and the smooth gray stone flooring found throughout the hotel. Sometimes modernism can make spaces distant and serious but here I feel it does just the opposite. I could just see guests lounging, dining and relaxing in a cool layed-back vibe. As a matter of fact, I could REALLY see myself on one of those loungers having a mimosa while reading a good summer book…

My New Home: THE DEN

January 22nd, 2012 § 3 Comments

I’ve started 2012 in a new home! We closed January 3rd, moved in January 4th and slept here for the first time on the 5th. It’s now been almost 4 weeks. Naturally, the more time passes by, the more ideas pop into my head for what the spaces can become.

First of all, I realize I have completely contradictory tastes. There is the minimal modernist in me that came from my days in architecture school. There is this love for everything natural and vernacular from my childhood in Rio de Janeiro. There is this inexplicable love for nostalgic and old things that I believe can be traced from my love for history and travels abroad. There’s also my feminine side that’s attracted to shiny, soft and pretty things like silk, cashmere, crystal, flowers, colors, and ornate patterns.

How do I mesh all those things into 1 home? Well, I’m guessing it might be a bit tricky, but it’ll be a fun challenge.

Today I used my den for the first time. I now have a white Parsons desk, a reading lamp and a camel leather office chair. I want to paint one wall with chalkboard paint (an idea I’ve been drooling over for sooo long) and place the Distressed Wood Bookshelf from West Elm immediately adjacent to it. In front of the bookshelf I want to create a cozy reading spot with a beautiful leather butterfly chair, a fluffy pillow and a floor reading lamp. The desk area will have two Parsons desks with Ikea Besta cabinets above and under-cabinet task lighting.

So here’s my take on creating a modern vintage vibe (a marriage of my loves) while providing all the necessary storage for my den.

Hope you like!

ALVARO SIZA: Iberian minimalism

August 3rd, 2011 § 2 Comments

Designer Feature vol. 5

Sports Center, Llobregat, Spain

I love the work of Siza. His projects arise as natural reactions to the physical, cultural, and, I could almost say, spiritual environment which they inhabit. He masterfully blends *vernacular architecture with minimalism to create poetic references to place while exploring issues of form and space. When I think of Siza’s work I always imagine these large spans of white-washed walls or these intricate plans where every turn and edge has been thought out. That’s part of his genius – being able to work from the largest scale of the site plan to the minute details of where the concrete meets the wood.

The following are some of my favorites of his many projects…

*vernacular architecture uses methods of construction which use locally available resources and traditions to address local needs.

Boa Nova Tea House, Matosinhos, Portugal

Boa Nova Tea House, Matosinhos, Portugal

Mimesis Museum

Mimesis Museum

Mimesis Museum

Mimesis Museum

Mimesis Museum

Mimesis Museum

Church of Marco Canaveses, Portugal

Church of Marco Canaveses, Portugal

Leca Swimming Pools, Leca da Palmeira, Portugal

Leca Swimming Pools, Leca de Palmeira, Portugal

Leca Swimming Pools, Leca da Palmeira, Portugal

Leca Swimming Pools, Leca de Palmeira, Portugal

Portugal Pavillion, Lisbon, Portugal

Serpentine Pavillion, London, UK

Anyang Pavillion, Korea