The “Front and back” Apartment was a singular brief from a young Parisian advertising executive also avid collector of comic strips. He wished to live in a fresh environment, both serene and sparkling despite the fact that his existing space was dilapidated, its geometry confusing, compartmentalized and contorted. The original apartment consisted of 6 rooms squeezed into 60 sq. meters, the entry space alone was 5 sq. meters and had 7 different doors! The new design offers a continuous wide open space which expands, becomes more complex or dense depending on orientations and uses.
These variances are defined by the variable geometries and the usable thickness of the casework and walls. A study on sculpting these depths allowed to create a variety of cavities, niches and alcoves. The sculpted shapes vary in size and colours to adapt to multiple functions in different locations. They can harbour either the vast collection of comic strips or a bar, a bathroom, a closet, and so on. The front side of each shape always maintains its negative volume on the back. Behind the scenes can unveiled new uses taking place like cupboards, a desk, video, shelves, etc. In this manner, the apartment is continuously renewed and cross-views can become through-views. This project is the work of h2o architectes, an office of creative architectural design also specializing in the restoration of ancient monuments. – Photos credits : Julien Attard
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For those who’d like to visit London but don’t to be tied up with a hotel, the solution is simple. The Corsica Street Apartment, is a 1,400 sq ft recently refurbished apartment located in the Highbury area in the London Borough of Islington. Three bedrooms, modern furniture and warm colors are all part of an incredible interior that was designed by the Paxton Locher Architects, and is up for rent for £1,000 per week. Not a bargain but a beautiful home in a pretty good location in London. Would you?
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What I’m going to present today is a project by one of our readers ( Max Tay : Uberdesignhouse , an interior designer based in Singapore ). I’ve found his website in the comments section in this post where I was overhelmed by the number of comments ( 218 until now – WOW ) …Thank you all ! Now Max will tell us a few words about how he transformed a “Horror House” into a very beautiful place, so let’s begin …
The homeowner sought out my services after coming across one of my previous work featured in a local design magazine. It was something of a challenge for me because the apartment was in a deplorable state when I 1st viewed it! The 30-year-old apartment had been rented out to various tenants over the last decade and very sadly, the abuse was showing. Now let’s see some before and after pictures with the living room.
Paying homage to the age of the apartment and the homeowner’s love for bright funkily coloured objects sourced from various flea markets around the regent, we set out to put together an interior that’s greatly influenced by the Austin Powers movies!
With a tight budget, we focused most of the built-in carpentry work in the kitchen and bedroom wardrobe area. Not surprisingly, bright funky colours takes center stage throughout the apartment. To give the living area an interesting focus, I painted ribbon strips of brown, orange and yellow that draws the eyes across the pristine white background. Painting the strips in glossy enamel paint allows them to further pop out from the matt emulsion paint on the walls! To complete the look, I designed a free-formed ceiling cut-out in bright orange and a good polish returned the marble flooring to its glory days!
Built-in carpentry installed over a decade ago has not stood the test of time. Existing floor and walls tiles in the bathrooms and kitchen were cracked and broken in numerous areas. Leakages and spalling concrete ceiling in the bathrooms was simply horrible! However, amongst all these nightmares, the homeowners and I agreed that the one redeeming element of the apartment was the fabulous marble flooring in the Living Area. Not surprisingly, the marble flooring was the only thing we kept during the demolition works! Now let’s see some before and after pictures with the kitchen area.
A decidedly darker and more sophisticated style was opted for the bedroom to allow for a more restful atmosphere. To give it a sense of connection to the rest of the apartment, I continued the use of wall colours in strips here. Wallpaper in a matching colour serves as a focus for the bed-head area. I designed and commissioned a dual-purpose writing desk that allows a flat-screen TV to be hung facing the sleeping area. A small crystal chandelier in the wardrobe area completes the look. Now let’s see some before and after pictures with the bedroom area.
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A few months ago we presented “A Chapel that was Converted Into a Modern Apartment by Zecc” , the chapel was part of a large housing complex of the Friars of Utrecht, which at its height, around the mid-20th century, housed 217 residents. Today I would like to present another challenge that an interior design agency had. They ( the Apartment ) completely converted a 7,000 square-foot YMCA gym into a beautiful 5 bedroom apartment building, and I can say that every details of the apartment is stunning, from the vibrant colors to the detailed wallpaper and carpets. The place was in disrepair from years of abandonment ( as you can see in the picture below ) and needed some love.
Before
In converting the oldest YMCA gym, all of the colors were completely revamped, and a lot of restoration occurred, but the building still contains some of the original features. The original girders are still in place, although restored and painted to match the contemporary style. Green rugs and pink furniture are mixed with the unpainted concrete floors. The rooms are a mix of vibrant chairs, covering a wooden floor painted with court lines. The whole building is a perfect collaboration of the original gym, mixed with a new contemporary feel. Now take a look at the final result …amazing !
After
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