Soaring Ceilings & Wrapped Windows

Floor-to-ceiling windows are a design element that maximizes natural light and offers expansive views, making a space feel larger and more connected to its surroundings. This architectural feature is particularly impactful when a home boasts a spectacular vista, whether it's a sprawling forest, a serene beach, or a vibrant city skyline. The glass panels often extend both vertically and horizontally, creating an almost alfresco living experience. Beyond the visual appeal, these windows bring abundant light into interiors throughout the day. A kitchen, for instance, can be bathed in bright, cheerful morning light, while a living room can be imbued with a warm glow as the sun sets. To further enhance the aesthetic impact of floor-to-ceiling windows, design considerations can include painting the window sashes and mullions in a dark hue. This choice creates a striking contrast against the outdoor scenery, making the vista pop even more. However, the inherent beauty of the view itself often negates the need for elaborate additional adornments. The article showcases 25 diverse examples from the Architectural Digest archives, illustrating how floor-to-ceiling windows are integrated into various residential settings. These examples highlight a range of interior design styles and geographical locations, demonstrating the versatility of this architectural element. In a Connecticut house by Carrier and Co., cube chairs by Desiron are positioned to face the living area's floor-to-ceiling windows, inviting inhabitants to engage with the exterior. Kara Ross and Stephen Ross's New York apartment, designed by Ingrao Inc., features city views through curtained windows, complemented by vintage French mahogany floor lamps and a papier-mâché sculpture. A San Francisco residence, furnished by Ken Fulk, boasts a 27-foot-tall window in the great room, offering sweeping cityscapes. The master bedroom of a New York Hudson River Valley retreat, designed by architect Joel Sanders, includes a Poliform platform bed and a CB2 Peekaboo table by the windows, paired with a vintage Frank Gehry Wiggle chair. An art-collecting couple's home in Amagansett, New York, by Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects, features a sun-drenched open living area framed by Duratherm doors and windows, with custom-made sofas upholstered in Rubelli fabric and a Stark rug. In Laguna Beach, California, a home by Ehrlich Architects integrates a window wall in the master bedroom that slides open to blend indoor and outdoor spaces, with beds by Roche Bobois. Designer John Barman's Miami Beach apartment utilizes a retractable, floor-to-ceiling door to provide immediate ocean views from every room, showcasing Thonet chairs and vintage accessories. A Los Angeles house decorated by Dan Fink features a Poul Kjærholm leather-top stool and a Vladimir Kagan sofa within a great room that connects to the outside through large windows. A Manhattan apartment by Tony Ingrao and Randy Kemper incorporates a Jeff Koons sculpture and vintage Fritz Henningsen chairs at a window wall. Architect Antoine Predock designed a New Mexico home with a master bedroom offering mountain views, where coyotes have been observed walking outside the windows. Jamie Drake’s New York City living room combines a custom cocktail table and sectional sofa with a Pedro Friedeberg Hand chair and gold-leafed floor lamps, all benefiting from ample natural light. A home by Lake|Flato Architects near Austin, Texas, provides broad views of downtown through expansive windows, accented by a large-scale artwork by Vik Muniz. The Florida living room of Judy Blume and George Cooper, renovated by Thomas E. Pope and Malcolm James Kutner, is bordered by a garden rich with palms and orchids, visible through its windows. Adam Levine’s Hollywood Hills living room, designed by Mark Haddaway, is a carefully curated space of vintage pieces, illuminated by natural light. Lee F. Mindel of Shelton, Mindel & Assoc. designed a New York City apartment living area with stools and wicker lounge chairs by Poul Kjærholm, arranged on a custom-made V’Soske carpet. In Nashville, Tennessee, a family room by McAlpine Booth & Ferrier Interiors features a Sutherland lounge chair and a Flexform sectional sofa, with Donghia fabric curtains. A Commune-designed house in Los Angeles incorporates reclaimed-oak paneling in its double-height living room, benefiting from large windows. Jonathan Adler and Simon Doonan’s Shelter Island, New York, home features custom-made ceramic tiles in a sunken living area that is brightened by natural light. A New York City pied-à-terre by Jennifer Post Design Inc. includes a vintage Stilnovo light fixture and a Minotti sofa in a living room filled with light. The kitchen of a New York City residence by ODA-Architecture features red-lacquer cabinetry and stainless-steel counters, with light streaming in through large windows. Gilles Mendel’s Manhattan apartment living room showcases an Earl Reiback artwork between nearly floor-to-ceiling windows, offering unobstructed northern city views. A Manhattan apartment’s master bath, designed by Cooper, Robertson & Partners and De la Torre Design Studio, is clad in Jerusalem Gold stone and features custom-made mirrored cabinets. A Sagaponack, New York, home by Christoff:Finio Architecture has a dining area with a Geoff Kuzara mobile and vintage Walter Gropius chairs, situated to take advantage of natural light. Lastly, a Shelter Island, New York, master bedroom by Michael Haverland Architect and Philip Galanes is lined with Carolyn Ray wallpaper and benefits from significant window space, and a New York City living room by Len Morgan features a George III sofa and antique Irish armchairs, illuminated by the natural light from the windows. #FloorToCeilingWindows #HomeDesign #InteriorDesign #NaturalLight #ArchitecturalFeatures #LuxuryHomes #ModernLiving #ResidentialArchitecture #StunningViews

For decades, architects and government officials have recognized the importance of energy-efficient buildings, especially since the 1970s energy crisis. Buildings, including their construction, materials, and associated infrastructure, contribute up to 40 percent of global carbon emissions, making energy efficiency a critical concern. This understanding is foundational in North American architecture schools and has been emphasized by European institutions for even longer. The "Passive House Design" approach, pioneered by German architects, considers a building's entire interconnected system, focusing on its integration with the site, climate, and social support. This philosophy extends beyond residential structures to all building types. A more recent evolution, the "Net Zero Design" approach, also led by German designers, takes this further by requiring buildings to be highly efficient, use minimal energy, and replace all the energy they consume, potentially even contributing excess energy back to the local power grid. Europe, with its advanced energy design and construction history, has developed numerous innovative building cladding systems that contribute to energy efficiency. These systems often incorporate specialty fabrics in intelligent ways, such as vertical shade systems, retractable awnings, and entire building wraps. Industry experts, including Steve Fredrickson from Serge Ferrari North America, note that Europe is significantly ahead of North America in this area due to a lack of air conditioning standardization in European homes and retail, creating a greater need for heat barrier solutions. Additionally, European building codes are more adaptable to new energy-reducing products and developments. In contrast, existing North American building codes and the time required for their amendment make widespread adoption of fabric shade systems more challenging. Architect Samuel Armijos observes that while European markets showcase many examples of vertical fabric systems, such projects are scarce in the U.S. This lack of visible examples hinders broader acceptance and design incorporation. Architect Nicholas Goldsmith, however, notes a growing recognition among North American designers that exterior shading, particularly in specific regional climates, offers advantages over other cladding systems, such as being lightweight, efficient, and cost-effective. Mike Squizzato of Stobag North America Corp. highlights that Europeans prioritize shade for cooling due to higher electricity costs, whereas North Americans typically rely on air conditioning. He believes that as electricity costs rise and climate concerns grow, North American markets will rapidly adopt shading solutions, with awnings and vertical shading providing natural air-conditioned environments and potentially saving over 50 percent on electricity bills. Paul Snustead, director of facades at Structurflex, acknowledges Europe's lead but points to Structurflex's efforts to advance fabric facade architecture in the U.S. Tensile facades, also known as textile, fabric, or flexible facades, offer an innovative, long-lasting, and cost-effective alternative to traditional metal mesh screens, often costing about 50 percent less. These systems act as a 'second skin' for buildings, providing screening and shading, which can contribute to reduced energy consumption and LEED certification. Despite the clear benefits, the adoption of fabric-based shading systems in North America faces challenges. Traditional cladding materials remain strong competitors. Armijos notes a decline in leads for shade jobs, with parking garages being the primary market, but even there, fabric competes with pre-fabricated concrete and metal mesh systems. He suggests a major global event might be needed to spur a push toward textile facades. Andrew Trowbridge of Ronstan International observes a shift away from stainless steel cables in fabric structures towards greening systems and perforated aluminum panels for shade and facade coverage. Conversely, Fredrickson sees growth in both static and retractable vertical shading options across North America. Snustead describes an exponential expansion in the fabric facade architecture market, particularly for tensile fabric meshes, membranes, and foils, initially driven by parking garage screening requirements. Structurflex has seen an 800 percent increase in facade projects annually, with fabric facades becoming a significant part of their operations. Squizzato predicts that as temperatures rise, North Americans will increasingly seek cost-effective cooling solutions beyond air conditioning, leading to buildings with more colorful awnings and widespread vertical shading, eventually mirroring European practices within 15 years. For companies looking to enter or expand in this market, experts emphasize the need for knowledge, education, and accessibility of information. The ideal company size varies by region and market, but success hinges on having the right products and expertise. Fredrickson warns against using cheap, unproven products, which can harm the market's reputation. Snustead highlights the versatility of tensile facades, which can span large distances with less structural support and use materials that are often 100% recyclable with long lifespans. Squizzato points out that many existing businesses, from awning companies to landscape architects, can leverage sun shade protection to expand their services, provided they have appropriate insurance, training, and competent staff. The overall outlook for vertical fabric shading remains positive, with continued growth anticipated, especially as architects and contractors become more familiar with the medium's innovation and economic advantages. #BuildingFacades #VerticalShading #EnergyEfficiency #FabricArchitecture #SustainableDesign #ArchitecturalTextiles #NetZeroDesign #ClimateControl #ConstructionInnovation

The article presents a curated collection of 25 grand foyers, all characterized by their high ceilings, designed to inspire elegance and drama in an entryway. Each example showcases a distinct style, ranging from classic to contemporary, and highlights various design elements that contribute to a luxurious and inviting first impression. The featured foyers incorporate diverse architectural and decorative details such as striking chandeliers, elegant staircases, and beautiful flooring. They demonstrate how different materials, color palettes, and stylistic choices can transform a functional space into a captivating area. Several examples illustrate the concept of captivating luxury, featuring oversized chandeliers as central focal points within spacious entryways. High contrast designs are explored through elements like bright white spiral staircases against dark navy walls, creating visual interest and dynamism. The inclusion of historic homes, such as one in San Francisco's Pacific Heights Neighborhood, demonstrates the integration of wood paneling and traditional chandeliers to maintain historic charm while achieving grandeur. Light and bright foyers are presented with white walls and crystal chandeliers complemented by dark wood accents and soft carpeting, emphasizing an airy and welcoming atmosphere. Glamorous entryways are detailed with custom railings, plaster walls, and marble flooring, designed to leave guests captivated upon arrival. The fusion of classic and contemporary styles is shown through black and white tiled floors in modern spaces. Modern luxury is further exemplified by shining white floors, waterfall chandeliers, and grand pianos, creating a lavish environment. The article also includes examples that integrate a splash of color, such as dark woods paired with bright blue accents in a stylish penthouse foyer. Designs focusing on striking beauty highlight crystal empire chandeliers as focal points, adding sophistication to grand foyers. Bright neutral palettes are demonstrated through light wood paneled ceilings and brown and beige flooring tiles, creating a stylish and subdued elegance. Grand elegance is achieved with gold accents, unique furniture pieces like Lalique cactus tables, and imperial staircases. Modern earth tones are showcased in foyers featuring custom staircases and large steel windows, providing a natural yet contemporary feel. Crisp white aesthetics are featured with custom designed handrails and all-white interiors, emphasizing cleanliness and sophistication. Bright and spacious entryways are illustrated by airy foyers in estates, designed to maximize light and openness. Gorgeous grays are presented in entryway hallways with tall, modern, and sophisticated gray walls. Farmhouse-style interiors with double-height foyers and wood-beamed ceilings offer a rustic yet grand appeal. Modern style foyers incorporate statement wallcoverings, intriguing lighting displays, and floating wooden staircases. Traditional beauty is conveyed through columns and barrel-vaulted ceilings, lending a classic touch to the space. Contemporary charm is captured in designs featuring modern aesthetics in picturesque locations like Aspen, Colorado. Chic and captivating foyers draw attention with black and white gallery walls and eye-catching chandeliers. The article also touches upon midcentury retreats with floor-to-ceiling windows, red hot interiors with bold carpeting, neutral gray schemes, and spaces that mix and match materials and finishes for elevated design, concluding with traditional palace designs featuring intricate murals, gold accents, and classic columns. #FoyerDesign #HighCeilings #LuxuryInteriors #HomeDecor #EntrywayIdeas #InteriorDesign #ArchitecturalDetails #StaircaseDesign #ChandelierLighting

This article details the transformation of a four-bedroom California bungalow on Sydney's Lower North Shore, owned by designer Jennie Cadman of Periwinkle Interiors. The renovation was undertaken to accommodate her growing family, which includes her husband and four children, aged between two and 12. Despite having completed a renovation on their previous home nearby, it proved insufficient for their needs, prompting the family to acquire this bungalow in 2018. The property was appealing due to its 'great bones,' featuring high ceilings, spacious bedrooms, a predominantly single-level layout, and a generous backyard. Previous owners had also effectively utilized the attic space, converting it into an additional bedroom and a family room. However, the bungalow presented challenges, particularly its dark and inefficient floor plan in the 1990s addition. This section included a bedroom and laundry overlooking the garden, a space Jennie felt was better suited for a living area. A significant issue was the lack of kitchen bench space, compelling Jennie to prepare meals on the stovetop. To address these functional shortcomings and improve the home's flow, the family engaged architect Adam Hampton of Hampton Architecture in 2019. Their primary goals were to design a new extension with a living area that maximized garden views, reconfigure the misplaced bedroom, and incorporate an ensuite for their eldest child, who needed a private bathroom. Today, the renovated home features an open-plan kitchen, dining, and living area that occupies almost the entire left side of the house. A distinct sitting room is situated between this open-plan space and the entry, while the main bedroom suite and family bathroom are located to the right of the entry. The children’s bedrooms now overlook the backyard, and the pitched roof of the upper level houses a study and a family room. The kitchen, designed as the central hub, connects seamlessly to the new living room and the backyard. A notable architectural feature of the extension is its pitched roofline, which mirrors the original front facade and achieves an impressive height of approximately 4 meters, enhanced by skylights, to create an expansive and airy feel. Innovative design choices include a 1.4x1.1-meter cool room in place of a traditional fridge, providing an efficient way to store groceries. Jennie also specifically requested that all storage be below bench height, accommodating her stature. In the dining area, French doors were added, opening onto a deck overlooking the front garden and pool, with a sheltered sitting area beneath. Windows in the children’s bedrooms were enlarged, and the attic family room gained a balcony to further integrate indoor and outdoor spaces. The main bedroom was reconfigured to enlarge both the ensuite and walk-in wardrobe. The interior design, largely overseen by Jennie, showcases a bold navy blue palette, particularly prominent in the sitting room through artworks and soft furnishings. This is contrasted with vibrant pops of red and orange, seen in a Knoll ‘Womb’ chair and a patchwork kilim in the dining area. Jennie intentionally created a contrast between formal and informal spaces, with the casual living room being bright and airy, and the sitting room designed to be darker and more intimate. Texture plays a crucial role, with materials such as a linen modular sofa, linen curtains, timber floors, tongue-and-groove joinery, a concrete plinth, and a marble coffee table in the family room. The main bathroom features smooth marble, while the kitchen employs dolomite for benchtops and splashbacks, complemented by walnut veneer and brass finishes. Jennie identifies the sitting room as her favorite space, appreciating its cozy and enveloping atmosphere. #CaliforniaBungalow #HomeRenovation #InteriorDesign #FamilyHome #ArchitecturalExtension #OpenPlanLiving #NavyInteriors #CathedralCeilings #KitchenDesign #OutdoorLiving

This article explores the aesthetic and functional benefits of cathedral ceilings, showcasing 12 distinct examples from various residential projects around the world. Cathedral ceilings are highlighted for their ability to create a profound sense of space and provide abundant natural light, often emphasizing the beauty of exposed wood. The featured designs range from reclaimed farmhouses and refreshed residences to modern country retreats and ski chalets, each demonstrating how this architectural feature integrates with diverse interior styles and settings. The first example is a 19th-century Dutch farmhouse redesigned by Kiki & Joost, where a dilapidated structure was transformed into an open, flowing residence centered around a living area with a cathedral ceiling. The designers reconstructed much of the interior themselves, creating a new home within an old shell. Next, a Paris residence originally designed by Kenzo Takada was refreshed by Kengo Kuma, who introduced a stunning wood cathedral ceiling to a minimal space, allowing the exterior views to dominate. NBBJ's Rysia Suchecka reinvented a centuries-old French farmhouse, converting a dilapidated barn into a modern salon with a cathedral ceiling that draws the eye upward towards a grand fireplace. A California country retreat by Pfau Long Architecture features a main house with a gable-ended, two-story barn-like structure and a cathedral ceiling. The design prioritizes clarity through a simple materials palette of wood, dark gray metal, and concrete, deferring to the architecture and views with clean lines and muted hues. Jennifer Post Design's Palm Beach residence showcases a white lacquered cathedral ceiling that contributes to a serene, beachy aesthetic, characterized by a minimalist approach with nuanced textures and a striking backdrop for art. In Nova Scotia, MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects designed a trio of gabled structures with cathedral ceilings, echoing local vernacular while incorporating modern Corten cladding and minimalist detailing. Walker Warner Architects and Philpotts Interiors perfected a Kona Coast compound in Hawaii, where a pitched wooden cathedral ceiling balances vibrant furnishings and complements the ultramodern yet traditional design, inspired by traditional Hawaiian villages. Architect Mathias Klotz created a pair of cottages on a remote island in Chile, utilizing exposed rough-hewn wooden frameworks and whitewashed cathedral ceiling boards to blend with the pristine natural setting and provide a timeless design. Humbert & Poyet designed a Swiss ski chalet with public spaces on the top floor to maximize mountain views, paneled almost entirely in rustic reclaimed barnwood, including the cathedral ceilings, which add a touch of luxury to the rustic environment. BarlisWedlick Architects designed a secret pool house discreetly tucked into a hillside in New York, featuring deceptively tall interiors with a wood cathedral ceiling and a tree-trunk colonnade that supports the nature-inspired concept. Jan Henrik Jansen designed an unconventional round house in Denmark, strategically curved to face a green meadow and incorporating exposed wood beams in its cathedral ceilings, offering a welcome mix of textures. Finally, Peter Bohlin's design for Tusen Takk, a family compound on lakeside dunes in Michigan, includes a staircase next to a double-height cathedral ceiling library, combining clear-finish maple treads with dyed-red risers. These examples collectively illustrate the versatility and visual impact of cathedral ceilings in various architectural and interior design contexts. #CathedralCeilings #InteriorDesign #ArchitecturalFeatures #HomeRenovation #LuxuryHomes #ResidentialDesign #WoodCeilings #ModernArchitecture #FarmhouseDesign

This lookbook highlights ten residential living rooms that incorporate floor-to-ceiling glazing and window walls to establish a strong connection with their natural surroundings. The primary benefits of this architectural approach include making living spaces appear larger and brighter, while also maximizing outward views. This visual strategy is known to enhance the well-being of occupants by fostering a closer relationship with the outdoors. The featured homes showcase diverse applications of this design principle. The Watchman Cabin in the USA, designed by Imbue Design, utilizes a window wall to provide expansive views of the Utah desert. Its interior maintains a restrained grey palette to emphasize the natural colors of the landscape. Olson Kundig's Bilgola Beach House in Australia features floor-to-ceiling glazing and sliding doors that open to Sydney's Bilgola Beach, complemented by retractable louvres for weather protection. Nedd, a house in the Scottish Highlands by Mary Arnold-Forster Architects, frames the undulating landscape with two strategically placed floor-to-ceiling windows, avoiding a continuous glass wall to preserve a sense of enclosure. MW Works' Whidbey Island Farm in the USA animates its minimalist living spaces with woodland views through large windows, with the home's three volumes positioned to offer unique perspectives of the surrounding environment. Calders House in Spain, designed by Narch, features sliding glazed panels that blur the line between the lounge and an adjacent park, creating an interior experience akin to an outdoor garden. Aidlin Darling Design's High Desert Retreat in California uses floor-to-ceiling windows to celebrate its elevated desert location, with some sections opening to a swimming pool that runs almost the entire length of the house. Sommarhus H in Sweden, by Johan Sundberg, integrates giant glass panes into its larch-clad exterior, providing views of the Baltic Sea and an open connection to a decked area. CF Møller Architects' Villa Aa in Norway features a window wall as its main facade, connecting the living room to a concrete terrace that mirrors the interior flooring, further dissolving indoor-outdoor boundaries. UGO's Terrace With a House by the Lake in Poland incorporates large lounge windows that contrast with the corrugated metal exterior, with interior materials selected to harmonize with the adjoining terrace and woodland. Lastly, Norm Architects' Pavilion House in the UK, a holiday home in rural Suffolk, boasts almost entirely glazed walls in its living room, emphasizing the surrounding countryside as its most significant feature. Each example demonstrates how large-scale glazing serves not only an aesthetic purpose but also a functional one, enhancing natural light, spatial perception, and occupant connection to nature. The article concludes by referencing previous lookbooks on statement skylights, welcoming terraces, and living rooms with sculptural furniture, indicating that this content is part of a series offering visual inspiration from the Dezeen archive for home design and interior decoration enthusiasts. #LivingRoomDesign #FloorToCeilingWindows #Glazing #WindowWalls #IndoorOutdoorLiving #ResidentialArchitecture #HomeInteriors #ArchitecturalDesign #NaturalLight

Casa MRGT, a four-story loft apartment designed by lamatilde, is situated within an industrial building in Turin, Italy's Barriera di Milano district. The apartment spans 3,767 square feet of interior space and boasts an additional 2,691-square-foot rooftop terrace. Created for a Canadian-born car designer, the loft harmonizes an urban and minimalist aesthetic with the industrial character of its surroundings, reflecting lamatilde's distinctive design approach. The design emphasizes an open-plan layout, utilizing geometric volumes and strategic voids to define distinct areas. A notable characteristic is the interplay of dark metal finishes against expansive light surfaces, which enhances the natural light and shadow play throughout the space. Stacked metallic volumes serve as enclosed sections, including a burnished carbon steel sheet metal room dedicated to a home theater on the lower level, and a guest room paneled in micro-perforated sheet metal above. The ground floor of Casa MRGT functions as a garage, serving as a display space for the owner's classic car collection. This area features vibrant yellow accents and exposed structural elements, creating an eclectic backdrop. A private freight elevator and a steel staircase connect the garage to the upper levels of the home, transitioning from raw industrial materials to more refined domestic finishes as one ascends. The second floor hosts an open-concept living area, which includes a custom-designed kitchen island by lamatilde. The living space is furnished with Charles couches by B&B Italia and vintage Wassily Chair armchairs by Knoll, blending modern and classic design elements. The dining area is appointed with a large Tavolo 25 table by Desalto, complemented by Calligaris chairs and illuminated by an Algorithm chandelier from Vibia. Behind the kitchen, two bedrooms, each with an en-suite bathroom, provide comfortable living quarters. The third floor is dedicated to the primary bedroom suite, organized around a central walk-in closet. This open-plan bedroom incorporates a walk-in shower and a freestanding black bathtub, positioned centrally within the space. The design of this floor leans towards a contemporary minimalist aesthetic, enhanced by iconic furniture pieces such as the LC4 chaise lounge by Cassina. A wooden slat structure allows for adjustable light and privacy, offering views of the open living space below when open. The fourth floor features a rooftop terrace, offering panoramic city views. This outdoor area is equipped with a pergola, an outdoor kitchen, various seating arrangements, a sauna, and a swimming pool, all surrounded by lush greenery and small fruit trees, creating a comprehensive urban retreat. #LoftDesign #IndustrialInterior #UrbanElegance #OpenPlanLiving #ModernArchitecture #RooftopTerrace #TurinItaly #LamatildeDesign #HomeTheater

The Newburgh Light House, an apartment building in Victoria, Australia, designed by Splinter Society, offers a highly sustainable housing solution on a challenging, almost unbuildable site adjacent to a historic train station. The project accommodates up to 21 residents across 10 levels, with each residence occupying a full level. The architects faced significant design complexities due to the site's lack of street access, a north facade directly bordering VicTrack land, and stringent fire, building methodology, acoustic, equitable light, and stability requirements. The architectural response to these constraints involved a 'mini-tower' typology, utilizing glass blocks as a primary material to fulfill both fire safety and lighting needs. Conceptually, the building's translucent facades, coupled with reflective interior finishes, create a lantern-like effect for the public realm while fostering an ethereal atmosphere within the residences. The design emphasizes modularity and a clean, simple aesthetic, often observed in dense urban environments, to address construction challenges. Prefabricated elements were incorporated into the north and south facades, which feature glass block panels and operable recessed glazing. This design maximizes natural light and views. The decision to use full translucency on these facades, combined with a minimal core, was critical for future-proofing access to light, particularly in scenarios where adjacent private land to the north might be developed. The ground level is constructed from concrete, chosen for its ability to withstand a potential train derailment, and includes integrated seating to activate a small coffee shop fronting the entry and a pedestrian railway link. Bluestone cobbles extend from the adjacent lane through to the pedestrian walkway, creating a complementary patterned surface and enhancing ground-floor permeability despite the compact plot. Client brief aimed to attract the 'leafy suburb down sizer' market, seeking safe, convenient accommodation with an 'inner city' feel. This led to a programmatic arrangement of full-level apartments with direct lift access and private car allotments. To broaden its appeal, especially given its proximity to the train station, the design incorporated separated bedrooms and bathrooms, the potential for a third separable room, and dedicated storage/bike space, catering to students or individuals sharing. This layout was not only functional but also instrumental in achieving required light levels, considering potential future development, and ensures excellent cross-ventilation. The interior material palette reinforces the architectural grid through timber paneling, natural stone, and ceramic tiles. The glass blocks provide a distinctive internal finish, creating dynamic light effects throughout the day. Textured glass doors and internal walls contribute to the permeability of light across the floor plate. The building includes a bespoke penthouse on the upper level and one two-level residence, offering unique living spaces despite the building's overall modular efficiency. The project demonstrates a balance between performance, scale, and site constraints, achieved through close collaboration among the design, consulting, and construction teams. By day, Newburgh Light House offers adaptable homes with abundant natural light; by night, it transforms into a beacon, illuminating the Auburn village and its historic train station. #AustralianArchitecture #ApartmentDesign #GlassBlockArchitecture #SustainableHousing #UrbanDevelopment #ModularConstruction #ModernApartments #ArchitecturalInnovation

Kimberly Awad, a tech professional in New York City, meticulously sought out a unique living space after 12 years in the city, transitioning from a modern high-rise to a Brooklyn loft with character. Her search on StreetEasy utilized keywords such as 'loft,' 'exposed beams,' 'exposed brick,' 'industrial,' and 'high ceilings,' leading her to the perfect unit which she secured on the same day as her initial viewing. This studio apartment, spanning 900 to 1,000 square feet, is situated across the East River in Brooklyn. The defining features of Kimberly's loft are its impressive 15-foot ceilings and expansive walls, which she envisions as a canvas for a growing art collection. To complement this gallery-like aesthetic, she has opted for a minimalist approach, keeping the walls white and selecting low, neutral-toned furniture. A significant design element in her home is a 12-foot Audrey Ficus tree, a striking plant that often leads guests to question its authenticity. Her furniture choices include a secondhand white linen Restoration Hardware Cloud sofa and a white linen Soft Frame Designs bed, both chosen for their quality materials and harmonious visual flow. While the loft largely met Kimberly's criteria, the kitchen initially presented a design challenge with its orange subway tiles. Rather than replacing them, she embraced the existing color scheme by painting the kitchen walls in a similar shade, Farrow & Ball's Dutch Orange, with plans to add a third coat. The kitchen features a substantial 6-foot-wide solid wood slab table from Burke Decor, which serves dual purposes as a workspace for her two to three days a week of remote work and as a gathering spot for weekend hosting. She prioritizes a well-stocked bar and an updated Spotify playlist for entertaining. Kimberly's home reflects her personality, which she describes as akin to a Libra: embodying romantic details, an aesthetically pleasing environment, and serving as a social hub for friends and laughter. She maintains a strict 'shoes off, no bad vibes, speak nicely to Audrey (the tree)' policy within her home. Despite being a single-room studio, Kimberly perceives the space as well-distributed, with the bed feeling sufficiently separate from the kitchen and entry areas. The loft also boasts ample storage, which Kimberly humorously refers to as her home's 'dirty secret.' Future plans include upgrading the bathroom. The inspiration for starting her art collection came from the previous tenant, an artist whose work was displayed throughout the loft, from whom Kimberly even purchased a piece. #BrooklynLoft #HighCeilings #IndustrialDesign #InteriorDecor #HomeStyling #ArtCollection #KitchenRenovation #SpaceUtilization #NewYorkLiving

This blog post highlights a 4,000-square-foot, cedar-clad home in Rumson, New Jersey, designed by Narofsky Architecture, which seamlessly integrates with its natural surroundings through extensive use of windows and doors. From the street, the home appears to be a single story, but closer inspection reveals a second ground level and a prominent glass-encased stair tower. The full geometric and angular composition, coupled with expansive glass, becomes evident from the rear. The homeowner, Kerry Ancheta, sought a modern yet organically harmonized dwelling. Narofsky Architecture achieved this by strategically placing the main living spaces on the lower level, fostering a strong connection to the outdoors. The design team incorporated solutions from Kolbe Windows & Doors' VistaLuxe® Collection to enhance this indoor-outdoor flow. The ground level, featuring an open floor plan encompassing the kitchen, living, and dining rooms, along with a guest bedroom, is enveloped by nature through floor-to-ceiling windows and doors. Stuart Narofsky, FAIA and principal architect, noted that the VistaLuxe Collection allowed for maximum heights and widths, accommodating doors along the entire length of the kitchen and family rooms. A unique aspect of the home is the absence of a traditional bedroom wing. Instead, sleeping quarters are arranged in separate areas, connected by the home’s open layout. A catwalk extends across the center of the home, linking the master bedroom to additional rooms on the opposite end. A cantilevered cube on the top level houses a second guest bedroom, projecting over the backyard. All these spaces are unified by a glass-enclosed floating pine staircase, which serves as a light-filled passageway. The stair tower, which travels vertically above a Zen garden, allows residents to look down into this tranquil space. The selection of windows and doors prioritized maximizing sight lines and complementing the home’s modern aesthetic. The VistaLuxe Collection's clean, minimalist design offers narrow sight lines and slim corner posts, creating a nearly frameless view from the interior. The collaboration between architects and Kolbe resulted in a wide selection of windows and doors with low-maintenance extruded aluminum exteriors and warm wood interiors, ideal for modern floor plans and large expanses of glass. For instance, a corner window unit in the living room provides an unobstructed view of the swimming pool, further blending the interior with the exterior. #ModernArchitecture #WindowDesign #IndoorOutdoorLiving #ArchitecturalDesign #SustainableDesign #HomeIntegration #GlassWalls #NewJerseyHomes #NarofskyArchitecture

Designers are increasingly focusing on the often-overlooked 'fifth wall' – the ceiling – to introduce unique design elements and elevate interior spaces. The ceiling, traditionally painted white, is now being transformed with wallpapers, fabrics, murals, and even architectural treatments to add character, depth, and visual interest to rooms. This trend is showcased through various examples from interior design professionals. Kim Hoegger, a Dallas designer, utilized her own textile and wallcovering collection in the Hillside Designer Show House in Greensboro, N.C., extending Thybony paper from the walls up and around the ceiling. This creates a cohesive look, complemented by large-scale Buffalo check on pillows and a smaller scale on draperies, with the pattern continuing into an adjacent bathroom for continuity. Australian designer Greg Natale brought a glamorous feel to a space by applying a gold herringbone pattern to the ceiling. This striking ceiling treatment is balanced by a modern abstract rug by Kelly Wearstler. The room's color scheme is further enhanced by hot pink upholstery on Tom Dixon wingback chairs, which echo the colors in the Damien Hirst art on the wall and other artworks, a design featured on the cover of Design + Decoration magazine. In a San Francisco show house study/den, designer Susan Chastain drew inspiration from an ombre drapery fabric to establish the room's color palette. A subtle hint of apricot was incorporated into the ceiling, complementing the wall painting by Willem Racke, which references 1960s geometric art, and a boldly patterned rug on the floor. Another example features a bathroom where a modern suspended vanity is set against gray and white striped stone. The ceiling becomes a focal point with a vibrant floral pattern on a dark background by Stephan Blachowski, providing a dramatic contrast and visual pop. A powder room in the San Francisco Decorator Showcase was brightened by a whimsical montage of lips from artist George Venson for Voutsa, extending from the walls onto the ceiling, creating an immersive and playful atmosphere. For a nursery designed by Dina Bandman for the San Francisco Decorator Showcase, a lattice-covered ceiling creates a garden-like backdrop. This is paired with a custom hand-painted and sequin-embellished paper with a lemon motif from de Gournay. Tailored arched window treatments were also hand-painted in the same pattern, with branches ascending towards the latticed ceiling. Denise McGaha addressed the challenge of creating intimacy in a spacious bedroom with tall ceilings by papering the walls with a gray Phillip Jeffries grass cloth featuring silvery threads. The vaulted ceiling was then clad in a Phillip Jeffries paper with geometric silver and gold squares, adding a warm glow and an intimate ambiance. The room also features a Le Grande stone mantel from McGaha's new collection for Materials Marketing. In a room for the Savannah Southern Style Now show house, Denise McGaha covered the ceiling with lush green lily pads. The green theme continued on the walls, and was accented with peach draperies in a 'Beta' pattern from her new collection for Design Legacy, which evokes the swirling tail of a Betta fish. Jamie Drake opted for a soft shade of boysenberry mousse for a ceiling, pulling out pink tones from the rug and fabrics, contrasting with a hand-blocked wallpaper in light spring green. Alexa Hampton's 'Olympia Folly' show house space featured custom swagged paper by de Gournay on the walls, with a ceiling mural by Chuck Fischer. The trompe l'oeil swag on the walls seamlessly blends into real swag draperies made from Cowtan and Tout fabric. Mark D. Sikes created a cocooning effect in a small vestibule at the Kips Bay Show House by 'tenting' the ceiling and walls with Schumacher's Ojai Stripe in Prussian blue, trimmed with French grosgrain ribbon from Samuel and Sons. Barbara Ostrom incorporated a modern surprise into a traditional room at Kips Bay by commissioning a decorative ceiling mural by Andrew Tedesco, inspired by Frank Stella's work. This integrated tones from the art and walls in a contemporary way, with peach, high-gloss painted walls brightening a formerly dark room. Finally, Jamie Drake and Caleb Anderson wrapped both walls and ceiling beams in a textured fabric with a sheen from Lelievre, distributed by Scalamandre and hand-beaded by Ankasa. The ceiling itself was covered with Holland and Sherry wallpaper featuring a subtle gold-flecked pattern, demonstrating a layered approach to ceiling design. #CeilingDesign #InteriorDecoration #HomeStyle #DesignerShowcase #Wallpaper #TextileDesign #RoomTransformation #LuxuryInteriors #InnovativeCeilings

This article highlights a distinctive apartment located at 535 Dean Street in Prospect Heights, currently listed for just over $1 million. The residence, situated within the building known as Newswalk—a former Daily News printing plant converted into condominiums—offers a unique blend of historical context and contemporary design. It features a large, open living space characterized by impressive 12-foot-tall ceilings and expansive, wall-dominating windows, catering to those who appreciate a flexible loft-style layout. The current owners have invested significantly in customizing the apartment, collaborating with a local Brooklyn designer to introduce bespoke interior elements. These enhancements include a one-of-a-kind design that employs angles to create a dynamic and visually interesting space. Notable additions are custom built-ins and a dedicated desk area integrated along a living room wall, optimizing both aesthetics and functionality. Creative use of space is evident throughout the apartment. A walk-in coat closet is ingeniously tucked within the foyer, providing practical storage without encroaching on the main living areas. A striking floating loft mezzanine, crafted with custom-wrought ironwork sourced from Brooklyn, serves as an additional sleeping area. This innovative structure frees up the space below for a more intimate living room configuration. The apartment comprises two bedrooms. The master bedroom is strategically positioned near the entrance, ensuring privacy and featuring its own built-in closets for ample storage. The second bedroom offers exceptional flexibility through the use of moving walls, inspired by traditional Japanese screens. This design choice allows residents to reconfigure the space as needed, adapting the open loft layout to various functional requirements. Beyond the individual unit, the Newswalk building provides a comprehensive suite of amenities for its residents. These include a 24-hour doorman, a well-equipped fitness center, a communal laundry room, and a common roof deck, offering convenience and opportunities for leisure and socialization. The building's history as a printing plant contributes to its unique character, setting it apart within the Prospect Heights neighborhood. #ProspectHeights #BrooklynRealEstate #LoftApartment #NewswalkCondo #InteriorDesign #CustomBuiltIns #FlexibleLiving #NYCRealEstate #CondoAmenities

Double-height ceilings introduce a significant stylistic element into interior design, creating expansive and dramatic spaces. This architectural feature presents numerous possibilities for decoration, accommodating large-scale elements like grand chandeliers and bold surface treatments. The article showcases 19 distinct examples from the archives of Architectural Digest, illustrating how various designers have leveraged the generous verticality of these rooms across different settings. Each example highlights unique design choices and inspirations, ranging from sophisticated urban residences to rustic estates and modernist layouts. One featured space is a New York pied-à-terre, where interior designer Jean-Louis Deniot collaborated with SPAN Architecture. The double-height living room features a Deniot-designed daybed, vintage pieces such as a FontanaArte side table, an Ado Chale cocktail table, and an Edward Wormley sofa. Art by Mauro Perucchetti, 1950s table lamps, and a custom silk rug complete the elegant ensemble. Another illustration is a Tennessee house renovated by DA|AD and decorated by McAlpine Booth & Ferrier Interiors, where a floral light sculpture by U-Ram Choe is a focal point in the double-height living room, complemented by Great Plains fabric curtains, a Chista cocktail table, and vintage Tommi Parzinger and William Haines Designs seating. A Los Angeles home, renovated by Commune, exhibits a double-height living room with reclaimed-oak paneling for a rustic feel, contrasted by dark custom-blended Benjamin Moore paint on beams and trim. Notable furnishings include a custom floor lamp by Downtown, a cocktail table by Alma Allen for Commune, a Vladimir Kagan Contour chaise, and an overscale floor lamp by Bottega Veneta. The residence of decorator Laura Santos in New York features a curvilinear Vladimir Kagan sofa, a vintage cocktail table, a 1940s French floor lamp, and a Dune bench, all set against walls painted in Benjamin Moore white. John Mellencamp's South Carolina house, designed by Monique Gibson, includes a double-height living hall inspired by a church nave. This space is furnished with a custom dining table adorned with a whale-rib sculpture and various wing and armchairs from Lucca Antiques. In a Long Island home redesigned by Thierry Despont, a barrel-vaulted great room boasts a custom Jeff Zimmerman light fixture, an ottoman clad in cowhide, and Guglielmo Ulrich wood-frame armchairs. Architect Benedikt Bolza's Umbrian estate features a double-height master bath with custom-designed mirrors, heated copper towel racks, and travertine-top washstands. A Toronto home by Katherine Newman and Peter Cebulak presents a double-height library with mahogany- and satinwood-inlaid paneling. India Mahdavi's renovation of a Connecticut estate includes a double-height formal dining area with Hans J. Wegner chairs and a custom table by Mahdavi. A Los Cabos, Mexico, home designed by Olson Kundig Architects and Terry Hunziker incorporates an overhead alder trellis in its double-height living room, which opens to the beach. An entrance hall in a Los Angeles home, renovated by Oscar Shamamian and Michael S. Smith, blends American and English furniture with contemporary art. A Russian country retreat by Gabhan O’Keeffe features a drawing room with a double sofa and Charles Edwards floor lamps. In a Manhattan duplex by ODA-Architecture, a Luceplan USA light fixture illuminates a double-height living room with Poltrona Frau sofas and a marble cocktail table. Frédéric Fekkai and Shirin von Wulffen's villa near Aix-en-Provence includes a double-height solarium with a Marie Christophe chandelier and antique furniture. Darren Star's Hollywood home, renovated by Mark Rios and Waldo Fernandez, has a double-height family room centered around a bronze-clad fireplace. A Manhattan apartment by David Mann features a splendidly austere double-height entrance hall with an Hervé Van der Straeten pendant light and gray onyx floors. An Aspen getaway by William Sofield showcases a double-height living room with custom-made sofas and a blackened-steel cocktail table. Francis D’Haene transformed a barn-inspired home in Remsenburg, New York, into a minimalist haven with a double-height living area. Finally, a Manhattan penthouse by Delphine Krakoff and Mark Ferguson features a double-height tower room with George Smith sofas and a vintage Tobia Scarpa cocktail table. These examples collectively demonstrate the versatility and aesthetic impact of double-height ceilings in creating dramatic and functional interior spaces. #DoubleHeightCeilings #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #LuxuryHomes #ArchitecturalElements #LivingRooms #DesignInspiration #HighCeilings #RoomDrama

This article explores ten unique homes that showcase the architectural technique of cantilevering, a design element popularized by Frank Lloyd Wright. Cantilevered structures create living spaces that appear to defy gravity, extending outwards and often dramatically over challenging terrains. The Bolton Residence, designed by \_naturehumaine, is a vacation home in an Eastern Quebec forest. Its geometric silhouette reinterprets classic gable roof barns with a contemporary twist. The architects utilized a narrower first-floor envelope and a wider, cantilevered upper level to manage a tight budget and steep terrain, minimizing excavation while creating a sculptural appearance. A centralized, multi-purpose fireplace acts as storage, a TV stand, and a staircase guardrail. The Balancing Barn, by MVRDV and Mole Architects, is a stainless steel-clad structure in Suffolk that projects 18 meters out and five meters off the ground, showcasing an extreme example of cantilevering. Midden Studio, a zinc-clad artist's studio by Studio Weave on the Scottish coast, floats over a stream. The design incorporates a "light soffit" to maximize views, and its cantilever increases internal volume without expanding the ground footprint. The studio, built with prefabricated materials to overcome remote site challenges, features a custom embossed standing seam zinc system. Altaïr House, by Bourgeois/Lechasseur Architects, features an upper level that juts out over the lower level, allowing the living room to integrate with surrounding trees and offer water views. This design enhances the connection between the interior living space and the natural environment. The Norwegian Sea Cabins, designed by Snorre Stinessen, are rentable glass cabins on Manshausen Island, Norway, that offer an immersive experience with nature. One cabin cantilevers from a natural ledge, providing a comfortable shelter that exposes visitors to the elements. These cabins feature two layers of larch wood construction with custom glazing, and strategically placed large glass expanses frame planned views. Aleph House, by Siegman Associates in Asheville, North Carolina, incorporates a modest cantilever from its second floor, inspired by the Hebrew alphabet's first letter. The lower level, with studios and guest rooms, blends into the natural contours, and a retractable door connects a woodworking studio to an outdoor workspace. The cantilevered second floor houses the communal living space. Crane Blvd, by Anonymous Architects, features two side-by-side residences on tiny, precipitous lots in Los Angeles. The architects stacked two stories on concrete pile foundations and used bay windows to extend the living space. The homes, while having identical floor plans, are offset and vary subtly in size and height to ensure privacy. Cantilever House, a prefab home by Anderson Anderson Architecture in the Washington wilderness, uses a steel frame on a concrete foundation bolted to a rock. This allowed the entire structure to cantilever, orienting the house towards waterfalls. The house provides a robust retreat from harsh weather, offering ample opportunities for outdoor activities. The Berkshire House, designed by Framework Architecture, is a cantilevered cabin on a rock outcropping with a 20-foot drop, creating a treehouse effect. Its south face is almost entirely glass, with a roof canopy to manage solar gain. The exterior uses knotted pine planks to manage costs. Finally, Sandpath, an Oxford home by Adrian James Architects, uses a modest cantilever over a concrete wall to create a striking entrance. The house, built with structural insulated panels and an integrated steel frame, features a bedroom and family bathroom on the upper level that extend into the cantilevered façade. This design element adds lightness and drama to the home’s approach. #CantileveredHomes #ArchitecturalDesign #ModernArchitecture #HomeTours #StructuralInnovation #ResidentialDesign #UniqueHomes #BuildingTechniques

This article highlights a remarkable prefab residence located in Bend, Oregon, designed by Bohlin Cywinski Jackson and built by CS Construction. The home, spanning 2,800 square feet, is situated on a forested plateau of ponderosa pine, along the edge of a lava escarpment. Its design aims to harmoniously blend with the dual nature of its setting, offering both intimate forest immersion and sweeping views of the Cascade Mountains. The owners envisioned a modest home that could capture these contrasting elements effectively. The architectural approach emphasizes simplicity in program, clarity in siting and design, and the use of elementary materials and construction methods, resulting in a home that is both visually dramatic and inherently comfortable. A distinctive feature is a bridge clad in green fiber cement panels, which serves as the entry point between the garage and the main living areas. Upon entering, residents are greeted by a bold yellow wall that immediately frames a verdant view, introducing the impressive mountain peaks in the distance. Inside, natural light is thoughtfully integrated to illuminate key areas, such as a long counter workspace, enhancing both functionality and aesthetic appeal. The structural design incorporates a series of open-web trusses combined with dimensional wood framing. This construction method allows for broad overhangs, providing shade and architectural interest, while also creating ample space for insulation. Plywood is used for the finished ceiling, contributing to the interior's clean and modern aesthetic. An aluminum window system, attached to laminated wood columns, forms a prominent wall of glass. This expansive window wall is strategically oriented to maximize the breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape, establishing a strong connection between the interior and the outdoors. To the right of this view-oriented space, and running parallel to it, are the main living areas and bedrooms. These private spaces are edged by a walkway that extends to a private deck, further integrating the home with its natural environment and offering additional outdoor living space. The overall design demonstrates a thoughtful balance between human-made structure and natural beauty, ensuring that the residence complements its stunning Oregon setting while providing a functional and aesthetically pleasing living experience. The project showcases how prefab construction can achieve sophisticated architectural results that are deeply connected to their environment. #OregonPrefab #ModernArchitecture #BohlinCywinskiJackson #BendOregon #PrefabHomes #ArchitecturalDesign #GlassWalls #ForestLiving #MountainViews