Just outside Gandhinagar, India, the Alloa Hills Weekend House folds gently into the land, allowing the terrain to dictate its rhythm. Studio Sangath approached the residential project with quiet attentiveness, designing a retreat that prioritizes stillness and intimacy with the surrounding topography. Tucked into a bend in the Sabarmati River’s landscape, the house offers its residents a reprieve from the acceleration of city life, but also extends its welcome to artists, writers, and filmmakers seeking time away to create.

At the core of the brick and terracotta residence is a courtyard that both divides and anchors the interior spaces. The inner garden draws the horizon inward, reframing nature as a constant companion rather than a distant view. This spatial arrangement extends outward into a stepped terrace that spills into the surrounding terrain, intended to host everything from quiet evenings under the sky to informal performances. Studio Sangath’s design orients the home to receive the landscape with open arms, dissolving barriers between shelter and scenery.

images © Vinay Panjwani

a house shaped by Recycled Earth

Designing its Alloa Hills Weekend House, the architects at Studio Sangath choose materials with consideration for the natural context. Beginning with compressed bricks composed of recycled brick kiln waste, the team brings a tactility to the structure and grounds the project in its environment. This thoughtful approach lends a sense of stewardship to the project, as the walls themselves seem to speak to the layers of earth they emerged from. The result is a home whose material story resonates with the cycles of renewal around it.

Along its longitudinal axis, the home is bordered by wide verandahs that mediate between enclosure and exposure. These shaded galleries soften the edges of the building, giving the living spaces breathing room to interact with sun, wind, and rain without confrontation. When the doors are left open, the home becomes a quiet pavilion, with air and light moving unimpeded through its rooms. Morning enters with a softness, while the evening light brushes the courtyard from within, establishing a rhythm of illumination that changes by the hour.

Studio Sangath sites its Alloa Hills Weekend House near Gandhinagar, India

A Language of Terracotta in alloa hills

Material continuity defines the sensory experience of Studio Sangath’s Alloa Hills Weekend House. Terracotta finds its way into nearly every surface, from the pigmented concrete walls to the red-toned brick floors and sun-warmed pavers. This shared language of texture and tone allows the architecture to unfold slowly and cohesively, offering a lingering, tactile warmth. In the Alloa Hills, the architects craft a home that moves with the day, is generous with its thresholds, and is fluent in the language of the land.

the open terrace extends the interior outward and creates space for stargazing or small gatherings

a central courtyard brings the surrounding landscape into the heart of the home

the home welcomes not only its owners but also artists and creatives seeking quiet inspiration

recycled compressed bricks reduce the building’s environmental impact and ground it in its setting

deep verandahs offer protection from the sun while promoting natural ventilation and shade

when the doors are open, the home becomes a breezy pavilion connected to the outdoors

project info:

name: Alloa Hills Weekend House

architect: Studio Sangath | @studio_sangath

location: Alloa Hills, Gandhinagar, India

principal architects: Khushnu Panthaki Hoof, Sönke Hoof
built area: 600 square meters

photography: © Vinay Panjwani | @panjwani.vinay

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District 27 is a reuse project by INS Studio that transforms a former medical laboratory into a multifunctional community space and local coffee shop in Makassar, Indonesia. The intervention retained the building’s original structure, adapting it to suit its new function through a series of spatial and material strategies. Externally, the building was refinished in a cement coating tinted terracotta. This choice reflects the dominant tones of the surrounding context while creating a distinct visual identity within the streetscape.

all images by Akasa Rana

district 27 coffee shop’s reconfigured Floor Plan Enhances Flow

The design team at INS Studio began the planning process by assessing the existing partitions within the compact floor plan. Spatial limitations informed the reconfiguration of the interior. The seating area was divided into two zones using frosted glass blocks to create visual separation and support a sense of privacy without reducing light transmission. The central coffee bar serves as the organizational core of the layout, positioned for direct access to both the kitchen and service zones. An underutilized corner of the floor plan was adapted into a reflective feature wall using a full-height mirror, creating a visual extension of the interior and offering an identifiable element near the access to the restrooms.

District 27 is a reuse project designed by INS Studio

the coffee shop occupies a former medical laboratory in Makassar, Indonesia

frosted glass blocks divide the seating area into two zones

the glass partitions offer privacy while maintaining light flow

terracotta-tinted cement defines the building’s exterior finish

the color palette reflects local architectural tones

bar placement ensures efficient access to kitchen and service zones

a ‘dead corner’ was converted into a reflective wall

the mirror area creates a small spatial moment near the restrooms

project info:

name: District 27

architects: INS Studio | @ins.studio

area: 216 sqm

location: Makassar, Indonesia

lead architect: Wisnu Wardhana | @wsnuwrdhana

manufacturers: Dekson, Ikea, Jaya Board, Mortar Utama, Philips, TOTO INDONESIA, Taco, mulia glass

drafting: Andi Syadzwina Shaumi Syahrir
3D modeling: Irwansyah Usman Marua

photographer: Akasa Rana

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

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Brian Peters Studio has created two custom artworks for the main lobbies of Amazon’s HQ2 at Metropolitan Park in Arlington, Virginia. Text[ure] Screen functions as a graphic feature, corporate branding, and a security wall at the primary office entrance, shaped from over 600 3D printed blocks. Ahead, wrapping the front of the reception desk, is a composition of intricately assembled ceramic blocks. The two appear as a display of graphic pixels, the wall glazed in two shades of teal while the desk embraces the raw materiality of terracotta.

all images courtesy of Brian Peters Studio

ceramic & terracotta blocks arranged in pixel-like compositions

Brian Peters Studio’s works sit at the intersection of architecture, art, and fabrication, exploring patterns, textures, and forms. On the design and implementation of the reception desk facade, the Pittsburgh-based artist worked in extensive collaboration with ZGF Architects, from design to implementation. Creating a subtle gradient across the long span of its front surface, over 150 ceramic blocks with varying aperture openings were used.

Brian Peters Studio creates two custom artworks for the main lobbies of Amazon’s HQ2 at Metropolitan Park

glazed in two shades of teal

the screen is composed of over 600 3D printed ceramic blocks, using four different block types with varying apertures

the blocks were imagined as graphic pixels

wrapping the front of the reception desk is a composition of 3D printed ceramic blocks.

composed of over 150 3D printed ceramic blocks

designed in collaboration with ZGF Architects

the works sit at the intersection of architecture, art, and fabrication

project info:

name: Text[ure] Screen
designer: Brian Peters Studio

collaborator: ZGF Architects

location: Arlington, Virginia

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: ravail khan | designboom

The post brian peters’ 3D printed ceramic blocks wrap around screen wall at amazon hq2 in virginia appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

The Red Fort by Onebulb Architecture is a dwelling in Ambasamudram, India, modelled after the monument of the same name. Conceived by the principles of Laurie Baker, the historic fort sits amid tight urban constraints in Delhi, exuding a profound connection to its surroundings. Despite its spatial confinement, its design integrates elements of natural light, ventilation, and sustainable materials, fostering an organic ambiance. Likewise, the Tamil Nadu-based architects have positioned the house on a compact plot in a residential neighborhood, its interiors embracing light that seeps in through geometric openings to illuminate its brick, stone, and terracotta elevations, vibrant surfaces, and rustic furnishings.

all images courtesy of Onebulb Architecture

onebulb architecture draws on the principles of laurie baker

The entrance is a luminous space where natural light dances across the terracotta-clad roof topping the parking area, the tiles playing a crucial role in regulating the temperature during extreme climatic conditions. Stepping into the living room with a warm palette and natural materials, a semi-circular archway draws the eye upward to the sturdy filler slab ceiling, a hallmark of Laurie Baker’s economically sensitive yet visually striking design. Onebulb Architecture has completed the walls with exposed brick and stone, adding a grounding sense of authenticity both along the streetfront and inside the house.

Moving towards the central space, the Red Fort house opens up to a double-height courtyard flooding with light and vibrant reflections. Beneath a pitched roof adorned with terracotta tiles, sunlight filters through the glass, casting intricate patterns on the walls, while repurposed color bottles and a weathered bullock cart wheel add a rustic charm. The architects ensure that the transition from the cozy living room to the bright courtyard enhances the visual connectivity inside the house, with the central courtyard further ensuring ease of movement between the kitchen and bedroom. It enhances functionality and encourages interaction between the family members, creating openness. A staircase within the courtyard leads to the upper floor, which features two more bedrooms and an open terrace that offers panoramic views and a sense of openness. Onebulb Architecture employs large windows and open spaces to provide every room with ample sunlight and fresh air, enhancing the living experience.

Onebulb Architecture completes The Red Fort

the dwelling is modelled after the historic monument of the same name

architects have positioned the house on a compact plot in a residential neighborhood in Ambasamudram

the parking area is concealed from the streetfront

the entrance is a luminous space where natural light dances across the terracotta-clad roof

the design concept draws on the principles of Laurie Baker

stepping into the living room with a warm palette and natural materials

a semi-circular archway draws the eye upward to the sturdy filler slab ceiling

brick and stone define the space

a staircase within the courtyard leads to the upper floor, which features two bedrooms and an open terrace

rustic furnishings add a grounding character

a double-height courtyard flooded with light

a pitched roof adorned with terracotta tiles, sunlight filters through the glass

large windows and open spaces to provide every room with ample sunlight and fresh air

the organic design integrates natural light, ventilation, and sustainable materials

project info:

name: The Red Fort

location: Ambasamudram, Tamil Nadu, India

architect: Onebulb Architecture | @onebulb.kolam_architecture

design team: Ar. P. Balavenkatesh, Ar. Hemkumar

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: ravail khan | designboom

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Brenac & Gonzalez & Associés presents Village des Athlètes, a residential resort in the heart of Greater Paris, designed to support the dynamics of major international sporting events, such as the upcoming Paris Olympics 2024. This project, which uses terracotta, emphasizes the integration of innovative construction techniques and sustainable design, showcasing modern metropolitan domesticity and quality of life. Village des Athlètes is conceived to transition smoothly from temporary athlete housing to long-term residential use. The design focuses on legacy, ensuring that the new district remains a vibrant place for families within Greater Paris. The adaptable cells allow for rapid and cost-effective conversion from event-specific accommodations to permanent residences.

The project encompasses three key buildings: plot 1 at the corner of quai de Seine and rue Agnès Varda, plot 5 along mail Finot, and plot 8 along rue Agnès Varda. Plot 1, formed by the linear assembly of two plots, presents a distinctive silhouette resembling the prow of a moored ship. This unique design includes wide white gangways and a vast belvedere terrace, offering panoramic views of the riverside landscape. Plots 5 and 8 are designed to complement each other within the Quincunx, a grid that organizes the block. These buildings frame a central forest, featuring elongated trees with light foliage, providing a serene space for residents to stroll and relax, sheltered from the urban hustle.

image by © Stefan Tuchila | full header image courtesy of Drone Press/ SOLIDEO

sustainable transition from athlete housing to urban residences

Brenac & Gonzalez & Associés’ architecture is characterized by its sobriety and rigor, avoiding ostentation in favor of thoughtful design narratives. The buildings feature alternating glazed and matte terracotta tiles, creating large-scale motifs reminiscent of tartan weave or traditional brick ornamentation. This patterning adds a dynamic visual element that changes with the time of day and light conditions. The design includes subtle ornamental elements such as curved railings, windows, and blinds, creating a dialogue with the adjacent Cité du Cinéma. The designers’ narrative inspiration enriches the architectural language and connects the project to its cultural context.

Several technical solutions have been developed to meet stringent environmental standards. The project employs mixed wood-concrete construction and terracotta cladding on prefabricated wood-frame facades, ensuring both durability and sustainability. Village des Athlètes combines residential comfort with urban quality, exemplifying 21st-century manifesto architecture. The design prioritizes the interaction between people and their environment, creating spaces that enhance everyday life while respecting the ecological and cultural fabric of the city.

Village des Athlètes, residential resort in Greater Paris, supports major sporting events | image by © Stefan Tuchila

the project integrates innovative construction techniques and sustainable design | image by © Sergio Grazia

Brenac & Gonzalez & Associés designs three key buildings: plot 1, plot 5, and plot 8 | image by © Sergio Grazia

the design transitions from temporary athlete housing to long-term residential use | image by © Stefan Tuchila

adaptable cells allow for rapid and cost-effective conversion to permanent residences | image by © Sergio Grazia

modern metropolitan domesticity and quality of life are showcased in Village des Athlètes | image by © Stefan Tuchila

the design features curved railings, windows, and blinds, connecting to Cité du Cinéma | image by © Sergio Grazia

mixed wood-concrete construction and terracotta cladding ensure durability | image by © Sergio Grazia

alternating glazed and matte terracotta tiles create dynamic motifs on the buildings | image by © Stefan Tuchila

project info:

name: Village des Athlètes
architects: Brenac & Gonzalez & Associés | @brenacgonzalezassocies

associate architects: Emmanuel Person, Jean-Pierre Lévêque

project manager: Franck Denize

project owner: ICADE

coordinator for the athletes’ village: UAPS

structure and facades: EGIS

fluids: BERIM HQE OASIIS

worksite: SPIE BATIGNOLLES

complex infrastructures: EDEIS

landscape: TN PLUS

graphic design: Brenac & Gonzalez & Associés

plot 1 surface area: 6090 sqm

plot 5 surface area: 1890 sqm

plot 8 surface area: 2800 sqm

location: Rue Agnès Varda, Saint-Ouen, Paris, France

photography: Sergio Grazia | @sergio.grazia – Stefan Tuchila | @stefan.tuchila

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

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Bobotis+Bobotis Architects have unveiled Casa Gaia, a villa located on the coastline above Fokos Bay on the Greek island of Mykonos. The design of the villa draws inspiration from the natural landscape, harmonizing with the island’s distinct topography. Perched on the cliff’s edge, the villa features a seamless blend of linear structures and organic forms. The villa’s design revolves around a 270-degree terracotta-tiled terrace that offers expansive views of the Aegean Sea. Natural light, open-plan living, and earthy tones are key elements that define each room, enhancing the connection to the surrounding environment. Casa Gaia is structured across three levels, each serving distinct functions while maintaining an integrated aesthetic.

The top floor houses the master bedroom, a swimming pool, an outdoor bar, and a fire pit. The mid-level includes two bedrooms, a kitchen, a living room, an outdoor kitchen, and a yoga space. The lower level features additional bedrooms opening onto a communal rectangular lap pool and outdoor showers. This level also includes a cinema room, a bar, and accommodation for support staff. The facade of the villa employs local stone and smooth lime-based coatings, chosen for their natural qualities and durability against the Mediterranean climate. Corten-clad door frames mark the entrances, their rust-colored tones echoing the surrounding landscape. The emphasis on open and airy design is evident throughout the villa, with an extensive outdoor terrace connecting seamlessly to the internal living spaces.

local stone and lime-based coatings on the facade ensure natural durability | all images by Yiorgos Kordakis

a mix of linear structures and organic forms compose Casa Gaia

A large rectangular table, dining chairs, and a low daybed are placed under a wooden pergola with a straw-thatched roof on the terrace. Inside, arch entrances between rooms create a fluid transition, while custom-made wooden wardrobes, beams, and engraved slat details in the bedrooms add a textural warmth that complements the stone walls and floors. Linen fabrics, hand-woven rugs, and ceramics further enhance the Mediterranean aesthetic. The living room continues the theme with a bespoke wooden table at its center, set against terracotta-tiled flooring. Celosia panels at the villa’s entrance bring warmth to the night, allowing light to filter through the open terracotta brick design.

The master bedroom, at the heart of Casa Gaia, features a free-standing shower made from green marble sourced from the neighboring island of Tinos. The room’s vaulted ceiling and large windows offering sea views enhance the feeling of openness. The bed, positioned to face these windows, completes the serene atmosphere of the master suite. Casa Gaia by Bobotis+Bobotis Architects exemplifies a harmonious blend of luxury and nature, offering a tranquil sanctuary with panoramic views and thoughtful design elements that resonate with the Mykonos landscape.

Casa Gaia by Bobotis+Bobotis Architects is perched above Fokos Bay in Mykonos

natural light, open-plan living, and earthy tones define each room

the design seamlessly blends linear structures and organic forms on the cliff’s edge

a wooden pergola with a straw-thatched roof houses a dining area and daybed

extensive outdoor terrace connects seamlessly to internal living spaces

the terrace’s lap pool offers a sweeping 180-degree view of the sea and the beach

the villa design is inspired by the natural landscape and topography of Mykonos

three levels of integrated aesthetic serve distinct functions within the villa

the living room extends to the outdoor living area, creating a perfect indoor-outdoor flow

the master suite features a unique ‘floating marble gondola’ wet area

project info:

name: Casa Gaia
architect: Bobotis+Bobotis Architects | @bobotisarchitects

location: Mykonos, Greece

photography: Yiorgos Kordakis

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

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The MSAP Architecture & Design School, designed by The Purple Ink Studio, spans 1,45,000 square feet and is situated on a contoured 3.9-acre site in Manipal, Karnataka. The campus is designed with terracotta and can accommodate 1200 students across the fields of Architecture, Design, and Fashion, seamlessly integrating with the vibrant academic atmosphere of Manipal Academy of Higher Education.

The design approach focuses on creating interwoven and fluid spaces, respecting the natural topography with a significant slope of 18 meters towards the southeast. The building layout follows a 10×10 meter grid, stepping down the contours to provide unobstructed valley views. The campus is organized into four distinct blocks centered around a central open space, which serves as an informal stepped forum for faculty-student interaction and provides a visual connection between all blocks.

The orientation of the blocks considers wind direction, enhancing natural ventilation. The central court features monochromatic granite flooring, derived from local stone, with patterns inspired by the shadows cast by the buildings. Meandering staircases connect terraces at various levels, offering panoramic views and fostering dynamic interactions.

MSAP Architecture & Design School by The Purple Ink Studio stands in Manipal | all images by Suryan // Dang

open terraces clad in terracotta offer expansive valley views

Design studios on the topmost level extend into an open-to-sky stepped court/terrace, creating interactive outdoor pockets. These terraces, clad in terracotta, serve as informal areas for contemplation and offer expansive valley views. The corridors are designed with exaggerated widths and punctured volumes to promote interaction at multiple levels and display student work, encouraging collaboration. An array of carefully placed apertures connects the interior with the outdoors encouraging interdisciplinary exchange.

The entrance to the campus is conceived as a fluidic form and spatial continuum, serving both as a characteristic gateway and a set of undulating steps leading to the auditorium and administrative spaces. Purple Ink Studio‘s design draws from the Udupi Shri Krishna Matha, reflecting local cultural and architectural elements. The complex structure combines RCC and ferrocement to achieve its twisted form, revealing entry points with flowing brick waves that define the campus’s identity.

The material palette prioritizes durability and maintenance, with exposed concrete ceilings speckled with colors derived from the regional cultural landscape. The design philosophy emphasizes discovery, experimentation, and the integration of built forms with nature, creating an environment that fosters innovation and dialogue.

the design focuses on creating interwoven, fluid spaces, respecting the site’s natural 18-meter slope

the fluidic entrance form shapes undulating steps leading to the auditorium and administrative spaces

the complex twisted structure reveals entry points with flowing brick waves

the terraces, clad in terracotta, serve as interactive pockets and offer expansive valley views

the central open space serves as an informal stepped forum, visually connecting all blocks

the building layout follows a 10×10 meter grid, stepping down the contours to provide unobstructed views

the material palette prioritizes durability, with exposed concrete ceilings

meandering staircases connect terraces at various levels, offering views and fostering dynamic interactions

carefully placed apertures connect the interior with the outdoors, encouraging interdisciplinary exchange

project info:

name: MSAP Architecture & Design School

architect: The Purple Ink Studio | @the_purple_ink_studio

location: Manipal, Karnataka, India

photography: Suryan // Dang | @suryananddang

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

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The Stoic Wall Residence in Kadirur, Kerala, departs from traditional design principles. Built by LIJO RENY architects for a hot, humid climate with heavy monsoon rains, the dwelling with terracotta blocks hosts courtyards, landscaped areas, and biophilic design elements that connect the house to its surroundings, imbuing its occupants with a holistic sense of wellbeing. The extensive footprint, exceeding 680 sqm, carefully accommodates the site’s irregular contours, existing trees of varying sizes, a subtle northeastern slope, and accessibility from two main roads (east and south). This intricate interplay of natural and physical elements, along with considerations like solar path and seasonal wind patterns, eventually informed the precise positioning of the house. The architects strategically located the primary section on the north side, following an east-west axis to minimize solar heat gain and maximize privacy.

all images © Turtle Arts Photography

four zones aligning with the natural topography

The Stoic Wall Residence features four zones over three levels, with three on the ground floor. The team at LIJO RENY architects aligns these zones with the plot’s natural topography, minimizing extensive excavation and earth filling. The first zone houses the formal living area with its accompanying foyer and outdoor seating, distinct from the main structure and separated by an open-to-sky landscaped courtyard and an open paved central space. Though physically separated, the car porch is considered part of the first zone. This block links to the second zone via an internal ramp from the foyer that facilitates access to the changing site levels and an alternate direct entry step from the car porch. Reaching the second zone, an open family living and dining area extends to the outdoor landscape, while an indoor courtyard enhances cross ventilation and circulation. For privacy, the architects discreetly tuck away the kitchen and its related areas, connecting to the dining court on one side and the central entry court on the other, facilitating easy access to the car porch and front yard.

The Stoic Wall Residence

The third zone consists of three bedrooms, a pooja/prayer area, and an adjacent courtyard, all accessible via a private corridor. To cater to those with difficulty navigating different levels, one of the bedrooms conveniently occupies the same level as the family area. Each of them is entered through a foyer that doubles as a dressing area and connects to an internal open-to-sky courtyard. These bedrooms and their attached toilets open into this courtyard, allowing residents to enjoy the southwesterly winds and monsoon rains. Meanwhile, a staircase at the main block’s entry provides access to the upper floor with an entertainment room that doubles as a family space and a master bedroom, which extends into a semi-open lounge area and incorporates a dressing area and toilet. The first floor, exposed to the elements, reveals a protective screen of thin fluted terracotta blocks that are slid onto a vertical metal tube framework. This screen envelops the entire first floor, shielding it from the intense sun and rain while offering a private passage accessible from every room.

a protective screen of thin fluted terracotta blocks

a robust form made of laterite, terracotta, and teak wood

The Stoic Wall Residence’s architectural form holds significance and interest throughout the exterior, primarily offering hints about what is unfolding inside. Unlike the architects’ previous project, which features flowing and expressive exterior walls, the structure is encased in exposed laterite walls for a robust and substantial feel. These walls project outwards at points, creating sheltered areas within the landscape that offer privacy and seclusion for the residents. 

exposed laterite walls for a robust and substantial feel.

Overall, The Stoic Wall Residence reflects expansive living, where areas flow into landscaped courtyards, some open to the sky, creating a sense of weightlessness by connecting the home to the surrounding nature. Inside, the design is simple and elegant. Furnishings are understated, and the homeowner’s brother’s photography adds a personal touch. Materials like laterite, terracotta, and teak wood create a warm and inviting atmosphere inside and out. Even the landscaping reflects the local character, with native plants integrated alongside existing trees. The overall effect is a modern yet distinctly regional home. The architects achieve this by using a contemporary design language while carefully selecting materials and elements that echo the traditions of northern Kerala.

the dwelling hosts courtyards, landscaped areas, and biophilic design elements

the third zone consists of three bedrooms, a pooja/prayer area, and an adjacent courtyard

the first zone houses the formal living area with its accompanying foyer

furnishings are understated, and the homeowner’s brother’s photography adds a personal touch

bedroom area

indoor and outdoor weaving at The Stoic Wall Residence

project info:

name: The Stoic Wall Residence
location: Kadirur, Kannur, Kerala, India
architecture and interiors: LIJO RENY architects | @liji.reny.architects

principal architects: Ar. RenyLijo and Ar. Lijo Jos
client: Mr. Sreekumar Raghavan and Family

project team: Dhanayan KS, Ar. Mohamed Shamel, Ar Alfred Francis, Ar Bibin Jacob and Dinesh D

site: 1,880sqm
built area: 680 sqm 
completion: 2023

— consultants and collaborators — 

landscape: Plain Spaces and LIJO.RENY.architects

structural design: Er Rosemy George – Keystone Engineers

civil: Manojkumar Velickath, Ratheeshan K

photographer: Turtle Arts Photography

supervisor: Sanosh A K
electrical and plumbing: Vinod Kumar
soft furnishing: Essential Trade links, IKEA, Home Centre
wall art: Nandakumar Raghavan
steel fabrication: Rajesh K – Stairtech Thalassery
flooring: Shamjith Kadirur-SK Flooring Group
painting: VK Satheeshan
door, wardrobes, kitchen & carpentry: 1000 kitchens & interiors
landscape: Unique Garden Decor
pavement & driveway: Malabar Stones
glass supplier & installation: Royal Glassfab
sliding door & windows: b Life-LiXiL TOSTEM
interior lighting: Enlite Energy Solutions
exterior lighting: Power ‘n’ Shower

— products — 

furniture & artefacts: Cedar Home Store, DTALE, IKEA, Home RUs Dubai, Sleepwell, Sarita Handa
flooring& kitchen: Nexion, Flamed Granite, Kalinga Stone
bathroom tiles: Nexion
paving: Granite Cobble Stone
sanitaryware/fittings: Jaquar, Roca, TOTO, Grohe
switches/ electrical fittings: Legrand, Atomberg
lights: Nichia LED Strip lights, K lite bollards, Luker Garden Lights
paint: Jotun, Asian Paints, MRF, Galtex
curtains: Hunter Douglas
kitchen appliances: KAAF, Elica, Teka, Hettich
door accessories: Ace Hardware, IKEA
planters: Wudapple

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Fortune Farm is the most ambitious retail design by MuseLAB to date. Completed as the India-based studio’s first-ever jewelry store in Ahmedabad, the project alludes to a martian landscape, where peachy terracotta surfaces fold and warp around diamond pieces displayed in an island layout. ‘The idea was to create an experience of otherworldliness through a series of sensuous, textural, undulating surfaces that house the army of the ring bearers within biodome-like cloches,’ shares the design team. 

all images © Ishi Sitwala, courtesy MuseLAB

muselab combines terracotta, mirrors, and bubbly forms

Further highlighting the martian-like aesthetic is the suspended ‘blob’ at the storefront of Fortune Farm, housing diamonds in its belly. Moving inside, clients and brides-to-be discover a series of strategically placed mirrors crafted with organic outlines at varied heights. These reflective surfaces expand the interiors’ voluptuous design by MuseLAB (see more here), all while providing visual feedback for clients trying on jewelry. At the center of the retail store is a ‘discovery’ island, creating an obligatory route for visitors; the indents on the island become mandatory pitstops for observing and conversing. 

Fortune Farm jewerly store in Ahmedabad

a lunar-like charcoal landscape as a central display

Adorning the island top is a lunar-like charcoal landscape created by Shailesh Rajput Studio. This installation combines whimsical displays of ring bearers covered in glass domes, which the salesperson gently lifts while a potential buyer takes in the diamond cuts. Almost theatrical, the act of lifting offers an engaging and refreshing experience for customers at the Fortune Farm store. The team at MuseLAB executed the project in Ahmedabad in a little under two months. 

using voluptuous terracotta surfaces to create a martian-like landscape

a blob-like display at the storefront

a central island display that creates a mandatory route and pitstops

MuseLAB hangs a series of mirrors with organic contours

lunar charcoal installation with ring bearer displays and glass domes

the mirror amplify the surreal design at Fortune Farm

MuseLAB took less than two months to execute the project

project info:

name: Fortune Farm Store

location: Ahmedabad, India

interior architect: Muse LAB | @muse.lab

lunar landscape installation: Shailesh Rajput Studio | @shaileshrajputstudio

lighting designer: Vishal Kapadia

photographer: Ishi Sitwala | @ishifishy

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At the inaugural Design Doha Biennial in Qatar, an enclosure of eleven fluted terracotta columns nods to both forms of classical antiquity and the essence of modern materiality. Titled Eleven, the imposing installation by Jordanian architect Sahel Alhiyari embodies the energies of these ancient influences through its expressive materiality, compositional elements, and monolithic proportions. Infusing new meaning to this elemental material widely associated with historic construction and earthen crafts, sculptures, and pottery, Eleven sparks reconsiderations of perceptions of historically familiar practices with contemporary production methods.

Alhiyari’s exploration of terracotta further showcases its expressive potential in today’s design landscape while addressing concerns about sustainability, craftsmanship, technology, and construction. ‘It’s a completely sustainable material, highly weather-resistant, and has a lot of potential in terms of creating structural elements,’ he shares with designboom.

exhibition view | all images by Edmund Sumner, courtesy of Qatar Museums

sahel alhiyari embraces the malleability of terracotta

Eleven is unveiled as part of the biennial’s headline exhibition, Arab Design Now, curated by Rana Beiruti and on view at M7 in Msheireb, Doha’s bustling creative district. Running from February through to August 2024, the exhibition presents a multidisciplinary survey of design by local and regional creators, together exploring themes such as cultural expression, architectural and material innovation, contemporary crafts, and environmental sensibility.

For Sahel Alhiyari, Eleven is an ode to the historic built landscapes of Egypt and Jordan, between which he has spent most of his life. Most notably, the architect embraces terracotta’s versatility, durability, and raw textures as an integral part of the installation’s narrative. Deviating from the classical connotations of the material and its treatment, often using methods of slip-casting for columns, Alhiyari crafts the columns through a process of extrusion, replacing the traditional method of cutting and carving with molding and forming by hand. ‘The beauty of the material itself is that it is malleable and it has its own kind of logic in terms of the forms. It comes out of the mold leading its own impact, and it’s like the spirit of the material is really what determines the final form of the piece,’ he notes.

Sahel Alhiyari presents Eleven at Design Doha Biennial’s Arab Design Now exhibition

Each of the columns are then shaped from seven vertically-stacked terracotta segments, their surfaces adorned with eighteen sinuous protrusions, or fins, providing both structural stability and lending a three-dimensional depth to their monolithic bodies. These intricate details emerge from the inherent properties of the clay and the extrusion process, the surfaces embracing imperfections, raw textures, and distinct finishes. Moreover, the columns are designed to incorporate reinforcement, paving the way for their eventual use as structural members in a landscape of more eco-conscious construction.

an enclosure of fluted terracotta columns

the installation nods to both forms of classical antiquity and the essence of modern materiality

the columns are crafted through a process of extrusion utilizing a mold

the materiality addresses concerns about sustainability, craftsmanship, technology, and construction

the columns can incorporate reinforcement, paving the way for their eventual use as structural members

project info:

name: Eleven

designer: Sahel Alhiyari

exhibition: Arab Design Now at Design Doha Biennial

The post sahel alhiyari’s fluted terracotta columns at design doha are an ode to classical antiquity appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.