The architect whose conversions sparked the loft movement

Piero Lissoni, art director for Sanlorenzo Yachts and designer of the interiors for the 56-meter superyacht *Virtuosity*, challenges traditional nautical design by advocating for yachts to be conceived as villas rather than conventional maritime vessels. He criticizes the common practice among shipyard architects of incorporating overly ostentatious materials, such as excessive marbles, hides, and exotic woods, which he believes often lead to vulgarity. Instead, Lissoni emphasizes a design philosophy that prioritizes functionality, comfort, and beauty, akin to the aesthetics found in well-designed homes. His approach suggests that luxury should not equate to splashy materials but rather to sophisticated design and practical elegance. Sanlorenzo actively embraces this cross-pollination of ideas by collaborating with architects and designers from outside the nautical industry, including notable names like Dordoni Architetti and Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel. Ferruccio Rossi, former general manager and president of superyachts at Sanlorenzo, highlights that these collaborations introduce fresh perspectives and stylistic elements, transforming the conventional interpretation of interior yacht spaces. He notes that while initially challenging to integrate these diverse design philosophies with the complexities of yacht architecture and its relationship with the dynamic marine environment, the shared goal eventually fosters innovation and unique solutions. Lissoni asserts that these 'outsider' perspectives have fundamentally altered design norms in the yachting world, moving away from outdated traditions towards a more modern and airy aesthetic. *Virtuosity* is the second vessel in Sanlorenzo's 57Steel series, with an exterior designed by Zuccon International Project. Bernardo Zuccon describes the 57Steel as a harmonious balance between its internal content and external structure, featuring a rational and simple exterior that discreetly houses its substantial 1,021GT volume. The yacht's design includes slightly forward-raked windscreens and an almost straight bow, giving it an explorer-like appearance, while a long foredeck maintains a light and elegant profile. This exterior design philosophy complements Lissoni’s vision, blurring the lines between a yacht and a land-based villa, especially regarding the seamless integration of interior and exterior spaces, allowing occupants to experience a constantly changing panorama. Key features of *Virtuosity* exemplify this innovative design. The aft deck offers a luxurious outdoor space with a three-by-two-meter heated glass-bottomed pool, complete with massage jets and large sunpads. Symmetrical staircases lead to a expansive 110-square-meter beach club, which can be extended by folding down the transom and two side platforms. This area is enhanced by the interplay of light and shadow from the pool above, creating a serene ambiance. The beach club is equipped with a bar, water toys, and custom furniture, including a Bubble Rock sofa by Living Divani and a large Samsung flat-screen TV concealed behind a magic mirror. A Carrara marble-clad steam room and Technogym fitness equipment further enhance the wellness offerings. Lissoni's sculptural staircase, which connects the main and upper decks, is a standout feature, earning a Judge’s Commendation at the BOAT Design & Innovation Awards. This staircase, constructed from steel with composite and carbon fiber, is more than a functional element; Lissoni envisions it as a 'twilight zone' or an intermediate space. Although the owners requested a banister for safety during rough conditions, the staircase maintains its artistic integrity. The main saloon’s interior reflects Lissoni's preference for high-quality, commercially available furniture from renowned Italian brands like Cassina, Minotti, and B&B Italia, featuring bleached wood walls and ceilings, and Kerakoll cement resin floors. These choices prioritize durability and sophisticated design over custom, potentially less robust, artisan creations. The yacht's layout is designed for both private and charter use, allowing for flexible segmentation of public and private areas. The main deck features an owner’s cabin with a California king-sized bed, Dedar upholstery, and an en suite bathroom with polarized glass sliding doors. Additional cabins on the lower deck are similarly furnished. A significant alteration in *Virtuosity* compared to its sister ship, *Alma*, is the relocation of a second owner’s cabin to the upper deck, which includes a private deck with a spa pool and an office with a green screen for video calls. The upper saloon offers a reconfigurable Francesco Binfaré On the Rocks sofa and a circular dining table for 14. The flybridge, with its DJ console and bridge, completes the yacht’s sophisticated design, underscoring the success of Sanlorenzo's collaboration with outside designers in creating a 'new generation' vessel that blends architectural principles with yacht design. #SuperyachtDesign #YachtInteriors #PieroLissoni #Sanlorenzo #Virtuosity #NauticalArchitecture #LuxuryYacht #ZucconInternationalProject #CustomYacht

A loft in a house is an elevated interior area accessible via stairs, typically overlooking a main living space like a living room or kitchen. Unlike a traditional room, a loft generally features railings instead of four full walls, offering an open design similar to an indoor balcony. These versatile spaces can serve various functions, including a bedroom, storage area, or an activity space, blending both aesthetic appeal and practical utility within a home. Lofts are commonly found in contemporary or industrial-style homes, where their open nature and often modern finishes complement the architectural design. They are also prevalent in smaller city apartments, providing a solution to maximize vertical space and create an additional room when square footage is limited. The specific appearance of a loft can vary depending on the home's architectural style. For instance, in industrial-style homes, lofts might feature black metal staircases and railings, possibly accompanied by exposed brick walls or visible beams and ductwork. Functionally, lofts are frequently used as offices or lounge spaces. Rachael Grochowski, principal architect and designer at RHG A+D, highlights their utility as offices, enabling adults to work while maintaining a connection with family members in the main living areas below. Lofts can also serve as libraries or overlook areas, with some office lofts even being enclosed with glass. While less common due to the lack of standard walls, lofts can function as bedrooms, particularly in single-occupancy apartments or for couples where privacy concerns are minimal. Sometimes, a lofted bedroom may include an en-suite bathroom, though it's also common for the sole bathroom to be on the main living level. Furthermore, lofts can be utilized for storage, offering easily accessible space for items like off-season clothing, holiday decorations, or crafting supplies, potentially transforming into walk-in closets. Designing a loft effectively involves creating intentional zones and defined spaces without relying on walls. The focus should be on the space's function, whether it's a reading nook, a bedroom, or an office, while adhering to the modern or industrial aesthetic often associated with lofts. Unlike finished attics, which are more secluded with standard walls and tend to have a rustic design, lofts prioritize open space, aesthetics, and functionality. Patty Cassidy, director of interiors at Ike Baker Velten, emphasizes this distinction. When furnishing a loft, neutral pieces, plants, and sleek accent pieces are often chosen to maintain a cohesive look with the rest of the home, as lofts are visible from the rooms below. The open design also means sound can travel easily between the loft and the main living areas. Lofts offer several advantages, including increased space, abundant natural light, and a modern, urban feel that supports contemporary design. However, they can present challenges with temperature regulation, requiring effective heating and cooling systems for year-round comfort. The cost of building a loft typically ranges from $10,000 to $35,000, depending on the project's scope and location. Adding a loft can increase a home's property value by 10% to 25%, making it a popular choice for homeowners seeking additional space, especially those appreciating an industrial or modern aesthetic. Nevertheless, if a loft replaces a closed bedroom, its appeal to potential buyers might vary. #HomeDesign #LoftLiving #ArchitecturalFeatures #InteriorDesign #SpaceUtilization #ModernHomes #IndustrialStyle #HomeImprovement

The article explores the integration of popular imagery into architectural design, specifically highlighting the project 'Rock It Suda' by Moonhoon. This project, which features mountain lodges designed to resemble imaginary pop icons, challenges the conventional aversion within architecture to designs that overtly incorporate popular culture references. It suggests that such designs, often dismissed as 'kitsch' or 'not-so-serious architecture,' can in fact demonstrate clever context-aware ingeniousness. The author discusses how architects, throughout their development, are influenced by various objects and images from pop culture, ranging from childhood video games like 'Space Invaders' to personal devices like Mac laptops. These influences often shape their inner world and, consequently, their architectural expressions. The core question posed is how direct references to popular culture can be successfully integrated into architecture without falling into the trap of producing grotesque or embarrassing designs, such as houses shaped like enormous fruits, which are frequently ridiculed online. 'Rock It Suda' is presented as a successful example of how popular imagery can be utilized in architecture. The project manages to distinguish itself by its witty satire and intelligent placement of these pop icons within a fairy-tale-like mountain setting. It avoids the pitfalls of mere imitation, instead offering a nuanced interplay between design and popular culture. The article implies that successful integration requires a conscious intent and a sophisticated understanding of context, moving beyond superficial mimicry. The piece also serves as an 'Architect's Guide to Popular Imagery,' inviting reflection on what works and what doesn't when architects draw inspiration from popular culture. It acknowledges the widespread influence of pop culture on individuals, including architects, and encourages a thoughtful approach to translating these influences into built forms. The discussion underscores that while some architects might shy away from such overt references, projects like 'Rock It Suda' demonstrate that there is a legitimate and creative space for popular imagery within architectural practice, provided it is executed with intelligence and originality. OpenBuildings, the author, is introduced as a community-driven encyclopedia of buildings, suggesting a broader interest in diverse architectural forms and concepts. The article's focus on 'Direct Quotations' implies that it is part of a larger collection examining how architectural designs directly reference external ideas or forms. This context further emphasizes the article's aim to explore unconventional yet successful architectural approaches that bridge the gap between high design principles and everyday popular culture. #ArchitecturalDesign #PopularImagery #PopCulture #Kitsch #RockItSuda #Moonhoon #ArchitecturalInnovation #DesignTheory #OpenBuildings

Deck-access housing, often criticized and associated with urban blight in the UK, is experiencing a resurgence, driven by a new generation of architects. This typology, famously dubbed "streets in the sky," was once a prevalent feature in 1960s social housing projects, designed to separate pedestrians from vehicular traffic. However, it quickly garnered a negative reputation, becoming synonymous with anti-social behavior and even urban dystopia in popular culture. This negative perception was so deeply entrenched that some deck-access schemes were demolished shortly after their completion, and influential figures, such as former RIBA president Lancelot Keay, disparaged it as "housing for dirty people." Insurers, mortgage lenders, and urban planners continue to approach deck-access homes with caution, often advising against their implementation. Despite this historical prejudice, the article highlights that many of the UK's finest modernist housing examples, including Park Hill and Dawson Heights, utilize deck access. Hundreds of thousands of residents continue to live in such schemes, using elevated walkways daily without incident and often enjoying the arrangement. The author notes that the narrative surrounding deck-access housing often lacks nuance, particularly after high-profile structural failures in prefab designs during the 1980s and Alice Coleman's influential 1985 report, "Utopia on Trial," which linked these designs to social unrest. After a 30-year decline, the typology is making a comeback, with leading architectural firms like Haworth Tompkins, Apparata, and RCKa championing its revival. This renewed interest is explored in "The Deck Access Housing Design Guide," co-authored by Rory Olcayto and Andrew Beharrell, with a foreword by Owen Hatherley. The book chronicles the evolution of this housing type, presents contemporary British and European case studies, and offers practical design guidance. Surprisingly, the resurgence was catalyzed by former London Mayor Boris Johnson's 2009 draft of the London Housing Design Guide. This guide advocated for dual-aspect homes and identified deck access as a viable method to achieve this, emphasizing the importance of an appropriate vernacular. Most of the architects involved in this revival, including Stirling Prize-winners and finalists, were too young to have practiced during the "peak deck" era of the 1960s and 70s. These architects, influenced by the public-spirited modernism of their predecessors, embraced the mayor's challenge, developing a style known as the New London Vernacular (NLV). NLV is characterized as an anti-iconic housing style that emerged in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. It was conceived as a de-risked strategy for developers, being easier to cost, design, build, and sell, and more effective at providing accurate land values than the icon-driven regeneration projects of previous decades. While the London Housing Design Guide did not explicitly mandate brick, it heavily stressed "context," which in London often translates to brick. The guide also called for "tenure-blind" housing with inviting entrances and spacious balconies, as defined in a 2012 report by David Birkbeck and Julian Hart for Urban Design London. Unlike its post-war implementation, which focused on separating pedestrians and cars, contemporary deck-access housing aims to provide high-density dual-aspect homes with individual front doors. While British examples might appear more conservative than their continental counterparts, a closer examination reveals a diverse range of approaches. Examples include Henley Halebrown's playful designs, Matthew Lloyd Architects' blending of new homes with historic estates, and Haworth Tompkins' brick facades for the Silchester Estate. Other notable projects include Murray Grove, Apparata's A House for Artists, and various retrofits of existing structures like Park Hill and former barracks. The article concludes by asserting that the return of deck-access housing, offering dual-aspect homes with cross-ventilation, ample daylight, and enhanced identity through individual front doors, is a positive development, especially given its ability to achieve approximately 300 homes per hectare. While currently favored by urban affordable housing providers, growing planning requirements for dual-aspect flats and advancements in factory-built housing suggest a broader adoption of this typology in the future. #DeckAccessHousing #SocialHousing #UrbanPlanning #ArchitecturalRevival #NewLondonVernacular #ModernistArchitecture #HousingDesign #UKArchitecture #ArchitecturalOpinion

The "Architects' Alphabet" series, specifically Part 19, focuses on the soffit, a crucial design element in building construction. This series delves into various architectural features present in Lancaster, drawing from Gregory J. Scott’s book, “Urban Legend, The Life & Legacy of C. Emlen Urban,” which chronicles the work of Lancaster’s prominent architect. The accompanying photographs, credited to Matthew Tennison, visually support the discussion of these architectural details. A soffit serves both a primary protective function and a secondary aesthetic purpose. Its main role is to safeguard a building's interior from adverse weather conditions, as well as intrusions by insects, rodents, and other small animals. Etymologically, the term 'soffit' originates from Italian and French, dating back to 1592, and translates to "to fasten underneath," accurately reflecting its position and role in a structure. It is important to distinguish between a soffit and a fascia: the soffit runs parallel to the ground, shielding roof rafters from below, while the fascia runs perpendicular, covering the face of the roof rafters. Architect C. Emlen Urban is highlighted for his creative approach to decorating soffits on buildings in Lancaster. His designs often incorporated classical Greek and Roman decorative motifs, ingeniously adapted using 19th and 20th-century construction methods and materials. The article provides several examples of Urban's work to illustrate his innovative use of soffits. One such example is the 1904 Parish House of St. James Episcopal Church on Duke Street. This building features an elaborate pressed-metal soffit adorned with mutules, rosettes, and intricate egg-and-dart and dentil decorations, showcasing a high level of ornamental detail. Another significant example is the 1905 home built for John Malone. The soffit on this residence, while more understated than that of the St. James Parish House, is equally impressive. It incorporates block modillions, flat panels, and fretwork, creating a sophisticated appearance when viewed from street level. The W.W. Griest Building, designed by Urban and constructed in 1924, also features a noteworthy soffit with decorative modillions and running egg-and-dart molding. The article clarifies several architectural terms related to soffits. A modillion is defined as a large horizontal bracket or block attached to the soffit, which can be either plain or elaborately scrolled. Fretwork is described as a flat decorative treatment characterized by interlocking open squares, creating a maze-like or labyrinthine pattern. The distinction between a cornice and a soffit is also explained: a soffit is a component of a larger architectural element known as a cornice. A cornice encompasses the entire composition that forms the cap or crown of a classical flat-roof building, including the soffit, crown molding, bed molding, modillions, and fascia. Gregory J. Scott, a local architect with 50 years of national experience in innovation and design and a member of the American Institute of Architects’ College of Fellows, contributes this column. His expertise underscores the significance of these architectural details in both historical and contemporary building design. #ArchitectsAlphabet #Soffit #ArchitecturalDesign #CEmlenUrban #LancasterArchitecture #ClassicalDesign #BuildingProtection #DecorativeElements #HistoricalArchitecture