MIMA Light: A sculptural house with a flexible floor plan

Supra-Simplicities designed a modular home unit, titled 'Everything All on Track,' which won first prize in Buildner's second Modular Home competition. This design focuses on maximizing the flexibility and movability of domestic living. The core concept involves a roomless structure built around an internal infrastructural track grid, allowing the living space to be adapted to the user's evolving needs, influenced by social or environmental changes. The modular house incorporates a sophisticated track and carrier system to facilitate easy, systematic operation and directional flexibility. All internal elements, including furniture, objects, and operable partitions, are equipped with wheels, enabling them to be moved along the home's plan. A cross-shaped junction in the track system provides occupants with the freedom to relocate items along two perpendicular axes, significantly enhancing the versatility of the interior space. The track infrastructure extends beyond the interior, with tracks on the roof and beneath the floor supporting essential units such as roof panels, rainwater collectors, photovoltaic panels, water supply systems, and septic tanks. By intentionally creating a 'roomless' design, the house avoids static divisions into conventional spaces like bedrooms, dining rooms, or living rooms. Instead, it offers a dynamic open zone that can be reconfigured for various domestic functions. This modular open plan allows users to personalize the characteristics and functions of their living environment based on their preferences. The ability to move furniture, objects, and partitions along the track system provides an almost infinite number of spatial arrangements, contributing to a versatile and customized living experience. This design aims to provide a high degree of adaptability and comfort, allowing residents to continually redefine their home environment. #ModularHome #FlexibleDesign #SupraSimplicities #TrackSystem #ResidentialArchitecture #InteriorFlexibility #OpenPlanLiving #AdaptableSpace

The 'Archimede' floor lamp, designed by Rome-based Marco De Masi, draws inspiration from the legendary 'burning mirrors' attributed to the ancient Greek mathematician and inventor Archimedes during the siege of Syracuse. Historically, Archimedes is said to have used these mirrors as a weapon to ignite the Roman fleet. De Masi's contemporary lighting design reimagines this ancient principle, translating it into a functional and aesthetically compelling floor lamp. The 'Archimede' lamp features a distinctive construction comprising a Calacatta marble base and a hinged steel mirror. The light source is discreetly integrated within the marble base. From this point, light is projected onto the steel mirror, where it undergoes reflection and refraction. A key innovative aspect of the design is the dual finish of the steel mirror, which incorporates both brushed and polished surfaces. This deliberate choice allows the lamp to produce two distinct lighting effects: a direct, focused beam of light, and a more scattered, diffused illumination, offering versatility in ambiance. The selection of materials underscores a blend of classic elegance and modern industrial design. Calacatta marble, known for its luxurious appearance and durability, forms a stable and visually appealing base, grounding the lamp with a sense of solidity and sophistication. The use of steel for the mirror component introduces a contemporary, sleek element. The hinged mechanism of the mirror suggests adjustability, allowing users to direct or modify the light distribution according to their needs or preferences, although specific details on the extent of adjustability are not provided. This design serves as a testament to how historical concepts and scientific principles can be reinterpreted to create modern functional art. The lamp is not merely a source of illumination but also a piece that provokes thought, connecting contemporary design with a rich historical narrative. The concept of harnessing and manipulating light, central to Archimedes' purported invention, is elegantly applied to enhance interior spaces. The 'Archimede' floor lamp was submitted through Designboom's 'DIY submissions' feature, highlighting its emergence from independent design initiatives. Overall, the 'Archimede' floor lamp by Marco De Masi exemplifies innovative lighting design that marries historical inspiration with modern material use and functional versatility. Its ability to create varied lighting moods through a cleverly designed reflective surface makes it a notable piece in contemporary interior decoration and lighting solutions. #LightingDesign #FloorLamp #MarcoDeMasi #Archimedes #MarbleDesign #SteelMirror #ContemporaryDesign #ProductDesign

This blog post details the transformation of a ground-floor condominium unit on River Valley Road into a unique living space that evokes the feel of a landed property. The homeowner, a lawyer in her mid-30s, sought a tranquil retreat to de-stress from work and travel. Lim Shing Hui, the principal architect at L Architects, was tasked with the renovation, which spanned 12 weeks for the 1,119 sq ft, two-bedroom unit. Upon initial inspection, Shing Hui identified the apartment's potential, particularly its access to a beautiful patio adorned with trees, plants, and water features. This outdoor connection inspired her to design the living room and bedroom to seamlessly integrate with a garden-like environment, blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor living. A crucial discovery during the renovation was the presence of additional ceiling space above the existing false ceiling. The removal of the false ceiling revealed lofty pitched ceilings, which became a cornerstone of the design strategy, reinforcing the vision of a house-like ambiance within a condominium. The apartment's original state was described as old, dark, cold, and sombre. Shing Hui aimed to redefine the negative perceptions often associated with ground-floor units, particularly in land-scarce Singapore where landed properties are rare and aspirational. The renovation aimed to transform these perceived drawbacks into delightful features reminiscent of a landed home. A key aspect of the design involved maximizing natural light. The original kitchen wall was removed to allow more sunlight to penetrate deeper into the interior, also expanding the dining area. The floor plan was conceptually divided into three distinct zones: the living area, the dining area, and the master bedroom. Each of these zones features its own pitched roof, creating the illusion of separate, smaller houses within the larger apartment. To further enhance this distinct zoning and sense of transition, occupants must cross thresholds marked by granite steps surrounded by river pebbles when moving between areas. This architectural choice is intended to create the feeling of traveling from one "house" to another, contributing to the overall landed property aesthetic. Shing Hui deliberately chose not to introduce a loft, a common approach for high-ceiling apartments, as the homeowner's simple lifestyle and minimal possessions made the existing open floor area sufficient. Instead, the pitched roofs and ceilings were strategically utilized to evoke the archetypal image of a house, which is deeply ingrained in architectural symbolism. The architect's objective was to challenge conventional notions of condominium living and eliminate the stigma associated with ground-floor apartments. The unique "house form" within the apartment often surprises and intrigues visitors, who typically anticipate a standard condominium interior. This design, however, was not merely an arbitrary choice but a contextual response to the site and the client's needs. It aimed to read the spatial requirements of the rooms and infuse visual appeal with deeper meaning, transcending mere interior decoration. The homeowner, who moved into the unit in September 2020, has found that the transformed space has positively impacted her lifestyle, leading her to prefer staying home and hosting friends for meaningful conversations, underscoring the success of the design in creating a comfortable and inviting retreat. #CondominiumDesign #PitchedCeilings #InteriorArchitecture #LandedPropertyFeel #GroundFloorRenovation #NaturalLight #ZonedLiving #Minimalist

The article details the extensive renovation of a three-story American Classic house in Pantai Mutiara, North Jakarta, undertaken by interior designers Yandi Prayudhi and Ariesta Anastasia from Ilcasa Studio. Initially, the clients, a young couple with two children, sought to add two bedrooms and eliminate the basement due to a history of flooding. However, during the design phase, their needs evolved, prompting the addition of an extra bedroom, a new level, and an elevator, alongside numerous interior modifications. This expansion necessitated the involvement of architect Suman Lie, who collaborated with Yandi and Ariesta on the architectural layout, while much of the original layout remained intact. The clients desired a more contemporary and youthful interior feel, moving away from the intricate details of a traditional American Classic style. The designers opted for a lighter, fresher Contemporary American style, incorporating subtle profile details. Ariesta emphasized that the house should be both comfortable and functional, capable of impressing guests with a sense of luxury that aligns with simplicity and modern aesthetics, rather than ostentatious displays of wealth. The overarching goal was to create a 'homy and comfortable' atmosphere throughout the residence. The renovation transformed various spaces within the house. Upon entering, a spacious foyer in earth tones with golden accents welcomes visitors, featuring a rhombus-patterned marble floor, an organic crystal chandelier, and a monochromatic painting. The soothing aquamarine swimming pool is visible straight from the entrance, complemented by grey wall panels that highlight the artwork and sofa. A hallway leads to a multifunctional lounge area with a round marble table and chairs, overlooking the pool. This space serves as a study area for children and a guest reception spot. A guest bedroom, one of the new additions, is located behind a door in this area, adorned with abstract paintings that complement the room's colors and the ivory marble floor, which was preserved from the old house at the request of the previous owner. Further inside, a white profiled doorway leads to the stairs, elevator, dining room, pantry, and living room. This area, with its large window offering views of the sea, yachts, and neighboring houses, was designed with a 'sea breeze' concept. Earth-toned furniture is accented with blue elements in the sofa, cushion covers, carpet, and paintings, bringing the coastal theme indoors. The visible pool and vertical garden enhance the natural feel. Fixed furniture pieces, such as the floating credenza and pantry, were custom-designed by Ilcasa, while loose furniture was selected from Melandas. A sentimental piano, owned by the husband since childhood, adds a touch of nostalgia. Adjacent to the living room is a lounge area, situated between the pool and back patio. The clients' initial desire for a Balinese resort feel was refined by the designers to a simpler, toned-down version, incorporating a wicker wall panel as a focal point and wooden walls with satin textured white duco paint. A sofa with a solid wood frame and a chaise lounge contribute to a tropical, relaxing ambiance. The second floor is dedicated to the master bedroom suite, featuring a lounge room with a sofa and TV. The flooring in the master bedroom area, excluding the bathroom, was replaced with parquet for a cozier feel. Consistent with the 'sea breeze' theme, a bluish wallpaper is applied above the bedhead. Cleverly camouflaged doors on either side of the bed conceal a video game room and a toilet, the latter added for convenience based on the architect's suggestion. The master bathroom is designed to evoke a resort or luxury hotel, boasting a large freestanding bathtub, a wall with Balinese-inspired decorative carving, dual basins, and separate shower and toilet facilities. A walk-in closet for the wife, complete with a vanity, and a separate wardrobe for the husband, are located just outside the bathroom. Both the master bathroom and walk-in closet feature earth tones and warm lighting. The top floor houses the children's rooms, each with a desk, playing corner, and en-suite bathroom, along with an additional room whose function is yet to be decided. The entire renovation process spanned nearly four years, including delays due to the pandemic, ultimately transforming the old house into a comfortable and warm home for the family. #HomeRenovation #InteriorDesign #PantaiMutiara #IlcasaStudio #ContemporaryAmericanStyle #LuxuryHome #ArchitecturalRedesign #ClientCollaboration #SpaceTransformation