Oslo penthouse, Norway
Stian Schjelderup and Øystein Trondahl
This 400 sq m penthouse has a 360-degree aspect onto the city and a carefully planned internal arrangement to ensure the space makes the most of daylight – the interior’s bright materials defy any gloom. This apartment, located in the city centre, initially consisted of three smaller units, but now comfortably spreads out to cover the whole floor. Norwegian-born architects Stian Schjelderup and Øystein Trondahl of local practice Schjelderup Trondahl were called in to turn the fragmented space into a fluid, continuous, open-plan layout, created in a subtle style with minimalist details. Elegant simplicity was key for the architects. ‘It was a great challenge to conceal all the ventilation piping and other necessities while at the same time maintaining state-of-the-art craftsmanship and the simplicity of the atmosphere,’ says Schjelderup. Writer: Massimo de Conti
Mews House, London, UK
Russell Jones
Compact living has never felt so spacious; enter Mews House, a two-bedroom home on a cobbled little street in Highgate, North London. Using a subtle palette of materials, architect Russell Jones has transformed a garage and overgrown garden in a recently regenerated area into a serene haven for modern living. Continuous lines and light-coloured, earthy tones create a sense of spaciousness, reflecting the natural sunlight brought in through floor-to-ceiling windows on the ground level, as well as tactically placed dormer and skylights upstairs. A floating staircase of light oil-finished Douglas Fir creates a focal point for the minimalist, open plan living space. Photography: Rory Gardiner
Okinawa House, Japan
John Pawson
In their search for the ideal year-round holiday retreat from their ‘box-shaped house’ in Tokyo, a Japanese family enlisted John Pawson Architects to design them a modern and minimalist vacation home on the island of Okinawa, the country’s southernmost prefecture. Developed by Taishi Kanemura, from Pawson’s London office, the execution of the interior programme and external shape of the home was led by the site’s catenary curve. Local limestone was used in two spaces within the home, featuring different finishes in each place; the kitchen unit’s countertop showcases a honed and polished version, while the property’s external pavement has a brush-hammered look. The Okinawa house is a bright and open family home that showcases Pawson’s signature simple, uncluttered and natural style. Its clean and tranquil atmosphere and far-reaching ocean views provide a calming and meditative residential escape away from the buzz of the metropole. Photography: Nacasa & Partners
FGN House, Fagnano Olon, Italy
Oasi
This family home designed by Busto Arsizio-based architects Oasi is an exercise in subtle concrete architecture. Named FGN House, the building is composed of three simple volumes which interlock in different ways, creating a variety of spaces, both inside and out. The structure sits on the grounds of an old fruit orchard. Its layout is simple; a generous main ground level houses the open-plan living, dining and kitchen areas. The ground level remains in constant dialogue with the outdoors, through large openings that look out towards the garden and the different courtyards formed by the concrete formations – there’s a main entrance patio and a further two terraces in different parts of the house. The architects worked with concrete as their main material of choice, adding wooden details where needed, creating a sense of clean, sharp minimalism and gentle refinement. Photography: Laura Cavelli
Grigio, Tokyo, Japan
Apollo Architects & Associates
This house in Tokyo is designed by Japanese practice Apollo Architects & Associates, headed by Satoshi Kurosaki. Featuring raw concrete inside and out, the house, called Grigio, was created as a simple box. It may appear closed off but the architect has cleverly carved out parts to make it light and open inside. Decorative elements were kept to a minimum throughout to create a streamlined, minimalist appearance. At the same time, the refined colour palette features a simple grey scheme that helps create a sophisticated, gallery-like feel, perfect for art display. Two levels above ground and a sunken basement floor contain a spacious arrangement that comprises the master bedroom suite, children’s room, the family sitting room and an open-plan living, dining and kitchen area. The courtyard sits at the volume’s heart, centering the design. Photography: Masao Nishikawa
Yamaguchi Sake Brewery, Kurume, Japan
Case Real
Design studio Case Real renovated this Yamaguchi Sake Brewery based in Kurume city. A traditional, cedar-beam property was constructed on the site in the early 1800s by Yamaguchi family ancestors. The renovation pivots around a new connective courtyard and a secret garden sparsely ornamented with slim native trees and off-white pebbles. It offers a distinct, meditative area for brewers to unwind mid-shift. The dedicated lounge space is a zen environment. Walls are rendered in sweet-chestnut shades and vast windows fill the space with light. A characterful, polished stone flow recalls the structure’s early days, and original beams stand sturdy overhead; a reminder of the family’s longstanding sake brewing heritage. Photography: Hiroshi Mizusaki
