The penthouse residence by Metaphors is defined by a balance of extremes, where bold neo-classical elements are combined with the raw mass of brutalism. The architectural program rejects a singular aesthetic, instead opting for a material collision that pairs deep-veined, sculpted marbles with intricately detailed ceilings and embossed wall panels. This allows the residence to function as a versatile home, shifting between an expansive stage for high-society hosting and a series of intimate, quiet sanctuaries for family life.

Penthouse residence by Metaphors | all images courtesy of Metaphors

AESTHETICS, UTILITY, AND MINDFULNESS DRIVE METAPHORS’ Practice

Based in India, Metaphors was co-founded by Anand Bhagat and the late Amala Sheth, gaining early recognition for designing large-scale IT campuses and commercial spaces during the country’s technological boom. The firm’s expertise spans hospitality, residential, and institutional sectors, always prioritizing functional and contextually sensitive design. Bhagat, a certified naturalist and martial artist, steers the studio’s vision through his personal mantra, ‘AUM’ – Aesthetics, Utility, and Mindfulness. This philosophy ensures that every project reflects technical precision alongside a deep respect for the user’s experience and the environment.

bold neo-classical elements are combined with the raw mass of brutalism

PENTHOUSE RESIDENCE WITH CONTRASTING INFLUENCES

To animate the interiors, Metaphors utilizes a sequence of strategic ceiling cut-outs that allow natural light to penetrate the deep plan. These openings transform the atmosphere of the home throughout the day, casting shifting shadows across the heavy stone surfaces and textured wall treatments. The spatial organization follows this logic of contrast; while the brutalist influence introduces a sense of permanence and austerity, the neo-classical detailing provides a rhythmic ornamentation that softens the structural rigor.

By navigating this balance of extremes, the design ensures that movement through the home becomes a processional experience. The heavy, veined marbles ground the living volumes, while the light-filled voids overhead introduce a sense of verticality and openness. This layering of history and modernism results in a residence that serves as an experiential study in harmony and contrast.

light-filled voids introduce a sense of verticality and openness

light-filled voids introduce a sense of verticality and openness

each room is crafted for both shared family moments and cherished solitude

sculpted marbles in deep veined tones ground the space with opulence

the neo-classical detailing provides a rhythmic ornamentation that softens the structural rigor

the residence shifts between an expansive stage for high-society hosting and intimate sanctuaries for family life

the brutalist influence introduces a sense of permanence and austerity

project info: 

name: Penthouse Residence
design studio: Metaphors | @metaphorsdesignpune
lead architect: Anand Bhagat | @anandbhagat84
interior architect: Pauravi Mahajan- Pawar | @ar.pauravi
location: India

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House 720 Degrees by Fernanda Canales stands in a secluded valley three hours from Mexico City. The project approaches dwelling as a calibrated relationship within the landscape as the design takes form as a geometric and optical device which extends a 360-degree span into a doubled circuit.

From a central patio, the house establishes a continuous exchange between interior and exterior conditions. It works like a solar clock, tracking time through ever-shifting sunlight and shadow. The home frames distant mountains and a volcano during the day and turns its attention inward after sunset around a circular courtyard. This dual orientation gives the house multiple identities across a single day.

image © Rafael Gamo

a dwelling in three parts 

With her House 720 Degrees, architect Fernanda Canales brings together three distinct volumes that respond to the site’s pronounced topography. A main circular house anchors the composition, accompanied by a detached studio or guest room and a rectangular block organized around its own patio. This separation preserves existing vegetation and allows each volume to settle into the land with minimal disturbance.

Designed for two families, the complex supports shared use while maintaining autonomy. Spaces for guests sit slightly apart, connected by exterior paths that follow the slope. Movement between volumes becomes an outdoor experience which reinforces awareness of the weather and the earth.

image © Camila Cossio

inside the circular ‘house 720 degrees’

House 720 Degrees spans two levels, with living spaces on the ground and an open roof terrace above. The circular plan fits rectangular bedrooms, bathrooms, closets, and the kitchen, while curved walls remain free for circulation. These arcs extend outward as terraces toward the courtyard and as gardens along the exterior edge.

Large fold-away windows, privacy screens, and framed views allow breezy rooms to extend outward toward the scenic site. This way, interior spaces maintain direct contact with the environment, easily adjusting to the season and time of day.

image © Camila Cossio

Set within a valley marked by intense temperature swings and long rainy seasons, the house balances shelter with exposure. Thick walls act as membranes between forest and prairie, dry and wet periods, and spatial conditions that move from center to interior to open air. With this layered approach, the architect moderates climate while preserving a strong connection to the surrounding landscape.

Materials are sourced directly from the site. Local soil mixed with concrete gives the walls a finish that reflects the color and texture of the land. A low, single-level profile allows the building to settle into the earth. Lamps and furniture produced on-site draw on regional craft.

image © Rafael Gamo

House 720 Degrees operates off-grid, harvesting rainwater and generating electricity through solar panels. The same system heats water throughout the house, while hydronic radiant floors serve the bedrooms. Cross-ventilation reaches every room, with openings oriented toward multiple directions to support airflow and comfort.

Durability guided material choices, supporting straightforward and economical upkeep. Surfaces withstand weather without paint or applied cladding, allowing the structure to age alongside its surroundings. As seasons pass, subtle shifts in color and texture register time, reinforcing the house as an active participant in its environment rather than a fixed object.

image © Rafael Gamo

image © Rafael Gamo

image © Rafael Gamo

image © Camila Cossio

project info:

name: House 720 Degrees

architect: Fernanda Canales | @fernandacanales_arquitectura

location: La Reserva Peñitas, Valle de Bravo, Mexico

area: 1,115 square meters (12,000 square feet)

completion: 2024

photography: © Rafael Gamo | @rafaelgamo © Camila Cossio | @_camilacossio

architect of record: Fernanda Canales
team: Aarón Jassiel, Alberto García Valladares, Ángela Vizcarra
interior design: Camilla Pallares

structural engineer: Gerson Huerta – Grupo Sai
sanitary, electrical installations: Carlos Medina – Grupo MEB
carpentry: Óscar Nieto 
lighting: Lucas Salas
general contractor: Felipe Nieto

The post this off-grid house encircles ‘720 degrees’ to frame views of valle de bravo, mexico appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Casa Ailes is a residential project by Jaime Guzmán Creative Group, located in an exclusive gated community in Mexico City. Conceived as a refuge, its proposal stems from the idea of developing a blind facade as an expressive element, defined by six extruded concrete volumes that protrude and shape playful spaces from the void created within. Its design responds to the immediate context with a dual strategy: a hermetic facade facing the street that ensures privacy, and a controlled openness toward the garden and city views. As a result, the architectural composition is characterized by the contrast between solidity and lightness, both in the spatial distribution and in the application of materials. At the main entrance, a reflecting pool frames the access and mirrors the concrete volumetry, creating a visual effect that accentuates the geometry.

all images by Rafael Gamo

Central Patio and Vertical Circulation Organize interior layout

The design process of Jaime Guzmán Creative Group begins with a methodological analysis of the client’s activities and needs, allowing the development of creative and specific solutions for each project. In the case of Ailes, the clients requested open, interconnected social spaces, as well as a gathering area completely independent from the private zones, where their teenage daughters could meet freely. To address this need, a basement was designed to house a speakeasy with direct street access, allowing guests to enter independently without interfering with family dynamics. This level also includes a large parking area and service spaces, whose distribution responds to the structure of the upper floors. Upon entering the ground floor, one arrives at a vestibule covered by smoked-glass bridges that connect the upper levels and reinforce a sense of vertical spaciousness. The horizontal connection follows a similar principle, with a series of social spaces intertwined around a central patio that acts as the organizing axis of the house, ensuring a balanced distribution of natural light and cross-ventilation. In this patio, which is positioned half a level above the living room, a vertical concrete block houses an elevator, integrated into the design to guarantee that the parents, now in their fifties, can comfortably inhabit the home for years to come. A corridor connects the entrance to the garden through subtle level changes, articulating the ground floor with vertical circulations and distributing access to the office, family room, living area, and kitchen. Wide-opening glazing dissolves the boundaries between indoors and outdoors, constantly integrating the social areas with the open-air space. The living room relates both to the central patio and the main terrace, the latter open to the garden and sheltered from Mexico City’s climate by a large concrete cantilever.

On the upper level, this element houses the master bedroom and is resolved with concrete wall-beams, a structural solution that ensures stability and formal continuity. The landscaping is carefully integrated, with vegetation framing access points and terraces, providing natural shade, improving air quality, and generating a sense of respite within the city. Access to the second floor is through a solid block of stairs clad in marble on both floor and ceiling, leading to the glass bridges supported by a steel structure. At the northwest end, the younger daughter’s room takes advantage of the extruded volume of the main facade to integrate storage spaces, bookshelves, and resting areas, while at the southwest end, the master bedroom opens onto the garden, featuring a large walk-in closet and a bathroom that allows exterior views from a ceramic bathtub. This level also includes a laundry room for the management of linens and clothing, optimizing household operations. The third floor functions as an independent apartment within the house, providing the eldest daughter with the degree of autonomy her parents envisioned. It is accessed via a staircase that, as it rises, brings in natural light and frames the western cityscape. The eldest daughter’s room is located on the main facade, while on the opposite end is the main family room, with access to a terrace surrounded by vegetation that offers a panoramic view. This space incorporates a steel lattice with a folding screen system, designed to flexibly modulate privacy, light, and temperature. Its mechanism allows it to be fully opened or closed, adapting to the desired interior atmosphere. The materials used in the project emphasize the contrasts of the architectural concept through a sober and timeless palette that conveys balance, modernity, luxury, and comfort.

Casa Ailes is a private residence designed by Jaime Guzmán Creative Group in Mexico City

Jaime Guzmán’s Holistic Approach to Material and Comfort

Exposed concrete dominates Casa Ailes, providing a rough yet expressive texture with a uniform tone in both interiors and exteriors, one of the project’s main challenges. This cold material contrasts with the warmth of wood applied to floors and ceilings, creating a homely feel. Steel forms part of the structural system and is integrated into interior details, contributing solidity while also imparting a sense of lightness and precision in visible elements. The interior design, led by Mariana Rivera, complements the architecture with a precise selection of furniture and art. Pieces by Mexican and Italian designers were incorporated, achieving a coherent chromatic and material balance. A central piece stands out in the living room: a Japanese kimono intervened with gold paint on a lead canvas by artist Mayte Guzmán. Beyond its artistic value, this work reinforces the zen and wabi-sabi influence in the home’s aesthetic.

Jaime Guzmán Creative Group’s Casa Ailes integrates advanced systems of energy efficiency and sustainability. Hydronic heating ensures an optimal indoor climate without drying the environment, while a smart home system allows lighting and entertainment to be controlled from mobile devices, simplifying the management of comfort. The residence also includes a rainwater harvesting system for reuse in reflecting pools, irrigation, and car washing, along with solar panels that help reduce electricity consumption, moving the house closer to energy self-sufficiency. These systems improve the home’s energy performance and reflect both the clients’ and the studio’s commitment to sustainability and environmental respect. Casa Ailes is a testament to the holistic design approach of Jaime Guzmán Creative Group, resulting in a work that transcends its residential function. The quality of its spaces, the meticulous attention to material transitions, and its profound connection to the lifestyle of its inhabitants make this residence a carefully executed architectural work, one that reflects a design philosophy valuing harmony with the environment and the well-being of its users.

the street-facing facade is defined by six extruded concrete volumes forming a blind exterior

solid concrete elements shape interior voids and create varied spatial conditions

a hermetic street facade contrasts with controlled openness toward the garden

the house is organized around a central patio that distributes light and ventilation

social spaces unfold continuously around the interior courtyard

smoked-glass bridges connect upper levels and emphasize vertical openness

marble-clad stairs lead to steel-supported glass bridges on the upper floors

exposed concrete is used consistently across interior and exterior surfaces

wood accents soften the concrete-dominated material palette

bedrooms incorporate storage and seating within the extruded facade volumes

concrete, wood, and steel emphasize the brutalist character of the residence

project info:

name: Casa Ailes
architect: Jaime Guzmán Creative Group | @arq.jaimeguzman

location: Mexico City, Mexico

photographer: Rafael Gamo | @rafael_gamo

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

The post six extruded concrete volumes sculpt brutalist villa’s facade in mexico city appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Set in the countryside of Ostuni, Italy, Casa nell’agro di Ostuni by Tela Architettura reinterprets an unfinished rural dwelling into a calm and continuous architecture. When the owners discovered the site, they found an abandoned concrete shell, an unfinished house that had never been completed. Instead of demolishing it, they decided to preserve what was already there and used its geometry as the foundation for a new project rooted in restraint and permanence.

The intervention reconfigures the interior spaces while extending the existing volume with subtle precision and wrapping it in materials of the surrounding landscape. The project draws its identity from the dialogue between construction and terrain. Large glazed openings dissolve the threshold between inside and out, pulling the countryside into the domestic space. Natural lime plaster and sand-colored microcement form a continuous, tactile skin that defines every surface.

all images by Nicolo Panzeri

Abandoned shell is transformed through texture and light

These materials, shaped into essential geometries by Tela Architettura, generate a sequence of offset planes that become steps, benches, and built-in furniture. The staircase leading to the pool doubles as seating for the outdoor lounge, the fireplace emerges from the living room wall, and the master bed rises from the floor in seamless continuity. The Italian architecture studio defines space mostly through material, but light completes it. Soft northern light spreads evenly across the pale walls, while the eastern side glows with warmer tones in the morning. Iron window frames trace a thin brown line against the plaster, guiding the gaze toward the monumental trunks of olive trees. Within this quiet geometry, walnut doors and joinery introduce warmth and texture, forming a tactile vocabulary immediate to the eye and to the touch.

The living room centers on the fireplace, around which low horizontal planes extend to shape circulation and furniture. A walnut screen filters the entrance without interrupting light, defining spaces through density rather than separation. The continuity of the microcement floor is softened by natural fiber rugs that define areas for rest and gathering. Wood maintains a muted brown tone in dialogue with the iron details, reinforcing the atmosphere of measured intimacy.

at the edge of the site, an infinity pool finished in anthracite microcement extends toward the sea

indoor-outdoor living highlights mediterranean vegetation

The sleeping quarters contain three bedrooms, each with its own bathroom and large openings framing the Apulian landscape. The windows, meanwhile, act as measured cuts in the thick envelope to bring in light while preserving privacy and shade. To the east, a slender pergola and the natural canopy of the olive trees temper the summer heat, creating pockets of filtered light. Outside, the house settles into the topography through dry-stone walls built with local stone. These layered terraces guide the movement of the visitor, articulating access through ramps and steps. Mediterranean vegetation wraps the perimeter with shades of green and grey. At the edge of the site, an infinity pool finished in anthracite microcement extends toward the sea, turning the water into a still mirror that reflects the tones of the surrounding land.

outside, dry-stone walls built with local stone and layered terraces guide the movement of the visitor

the staircase leading to the pool doubles as seating for the outdoor lounge

white stone and microcement delineate the pool area, creating a relaxation zone amidst Mediterranean plants

large glazed openings dissolve the threshold between inside and out, pulling the countryside into the domestic space

natural lime plaster and sand-colored microcement form a continuous, tactile skin that defines every surface

the master bed rises from the floor in seamless continuity

large openings frame the Apulian landscape in the en-suite bathrooms

the project draws its identity from the dialogue between construction and terrain

the continuity of the microcement floor is softened by natural fiber rugs that define areas for rest and gathering

natural materials and light punctuate the open space

wooden furniture acts as a natural anchor in the otherwise monochrome interior context

project info:

name: Casa nell’agro di Ostuni
architect: Tela Architettura | @tela_architettura

location: Ostuni, Italy

photography: Nicolo Panzeri | @nicolopanzeri

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: claire brodka | designboom

The post tela architettura revives abandoned concrete shell into italian countryside refuge appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Casa da Rocha Quebrada by SO Arquitetos stands on the southern coast of São Miguel in the Azores, occupying the final open plot along a line of older houses facing the Atlantic. Set against lava rock and open water, the house addresses a landscape shaped by salt and wind, where buildings are designed to endure the coastal elements.

The project was conceived for the parents of one of the studio’s founders, a circumstance that allowed decisions to remain close to daily use and long-term inhabitation. The architects describe the house as essential, shaped by an approach that removes excess and keeps attention on matter, proportion, and function. In this context, the concrete building closes a coastal block while continuing the geological logic of the site, reading as an extension of the Rocha Quebrada itself.

image © Ivo Tavares Studio

Casa da Rocha Quebrada takes shape with durable concrete

From the street, Casa da Rocha Quebrada appears as a dense concrete volume which the team at SO Arquitetos articulates with deep recesses. Exposed concrete was chosen for its resistance to time and salt air, as well as for its directness. The material reads as raw and precise, carrying the marks of casting and weather without applied finish. Solids and voids establish a rhythm that limits visual access, with openings set back from the facade to create shade and protect from strong winds.

The architects describe the exterior as a mineral mass, a sequence of cavities carved into stone. This controlled opacity gives the building a reserved presence within the village fabric. It presents itself as quiet and closed to reinforce the concept of a structure shaped first by site conditions.

Casa da Rocha Quebrada occupies the final coastal plot along São Miguels southern edge

Interior atmosphere

SO Arquitetos curates the interiors of its Casa da Rocha Quebrada to contrast the raw concrete exterior. Crossing the threshold, visitors are met with timber flooring, walls, and built-in cabinetry which warm the spaces and soften the weight of the concrete shell. This contrast lends a steady balance between enclosure and comfort, so that this welcoming warmth and tactility become a central part of the experience.

The plan remains direct. Three bedrooms occupy one side of the volume, while the shared spaces flow together along the sea-facing edge. A central patio cuts through the house, drawing daylight and air deep into the interior. This open void supports natural ventilation and brings a quiet counterpoint to the outward-facing rooms.

the house is conceived as a solid concrete volume shaped by Atlantic exposure

Living with the sea

On the southern elevation, the house opens toward the Atlantic through a structural grid that frames views without exaggeration. The ocean remains present throughout daily movement, filtered by columns, slabs, and balustrades.

Light enters in bands which change with the hour and weather, while the sound of water remains constant.
Seen from the natural pools below, the volume reads as mute and steady, composed of concrete planes shaped by shadow and sun. Stone walls and planted terraces mediate between house and shore, allowing the building to sit with the terrain without dominating it. 

recessed openings protect the interior while limiting views from the street

exposed concrete was chosen for durability against salt and wind

interior wood surfaces temper the weight of the concrete structure

views of the ocean are framed and filtered by columns and slabs

living spaces align with the sea through a regular structural grid

project info:

name: Casa da Rocha Quebrada

architect: SO Arquitetos | @s.o_archi

location: Lagoa, São Miguel, Açores, Portugal

completion: 2024

area: 315 square meters

photography: © Ivo Tavares Studio | @ivotavaresstudio

landscape, interior design: SO Arquitetura & Design

builder: Tecnicouto, Lda
engineering: Teorema Contínuo – Unipessoal Lda

light design: TECNIQ

acoustic design + fluids, thermal engineering: Roberto Aguiar

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Developed by MASK Architects, the Dual-Axis Concave Mirror Living System proposes an architectural model in which buildings function as integrated energy, water, and environmental infrastructure. Rather than treating architecture and utilities as separate systems, the project positions the building itself as a responsive interface that produces resources while shaping inhabitable space. The design centers on a dual-axis concave parabolic mirror mounted at the crown of each module, which tracks the sun in real time to concentrate solar energy while simultaneously supporting shading, ventilation, and microclimate regulation for the spaces below.

Known as the Fiji Solar Crown, the system introduces a solar-integrated living architecture that incorporates a kinetic concave mirror into the primary structural and spatial framework. Developed in collaboration with TesserianTech, responsible for engineering and kinetic mirror technology, the project addresses Fiji’s challenges related to energy instability, reliance on imported diesel, freshwater scarcity, saltwater intrusion, and increasing climate pressures. The system is designed to operate independently from centralized grids, allowing architectural units to generate electricity and harvest water directly on site.

all images by MASK Architects

Solar Crown as Environmental Engine and Spatial Organizer

The architectural language draws from the traditional Fijian bure, reinterpreting its elevated structure, passive ventilation principles, and symbolic roof apex through contemporary materials and technology. The concave solar crown functions as an environmental engine, concentrating sunlight for electricity generation, redirecting heat to support passive cooling, powering nighttime illumination, and collecting rainwater that is stored within the structural core for potable and non-potable use.

Beneath the crown, the spatial organization unfolds vertically. The ground level forms a shaded, naturally ventilated living platform, while the main inhabitable floor integrates panoramic views with the service core. An upper observation level frames the sky and surrounding landscape, reinforcing the vertical relationship between living space and environmental systems.

The design team at MASK Architects considers the system as a family of three modular scales, each defined by its concave solar crown. The 3-meter-diameter module functions as a compact energy and water generator suited to rural infrastructure, agricultural use, and small off-grid shelters. The 5-meter module supports community-oriented programs such as outdoor classrooms, gathering spaces, and small tourism facilities. The 7-meter module is conceived as a fully inhabitable multi-level residence or accommodation unit, capable of operating on elevated or floating foundations in response to rising sea levels. These modules can function independently or be clustered to form larger communities, micro-grids, or territorial networks.

concave solar mirrors generate energy while enabling water harvesting and condensation

Energy, Water, and Material Performance Across Scales

Energy generation is a central performance parameter. Under Fiji’s solar conditions, the 3-meter mirror produces approximately 12 kWh per day, the 5-meter mirror around 30 kWh per day, and the 7-meter crown approximately 58 kWh per day. When deployed in clusters, groups of ten units can generate between 120 and 580 kWh per day, supporting off-grid residential areas, agricultural operations, educational facilities, and tourism infrastructure without reliance on diesel fuel. Rainwater collection integrated into the crown and core provides localized water independence for drinking, irrigation, and greywater systems.

Material selection reinforces both environmental and cultural considerations. The system employs laminated bamboo, locally sourced Fijian hardwoods, bamboo-fiber composites, and geopolymer concrete, combined with ground-based or floating foundations depending on site conditions. Mechanical systems, photovoltaic receivers, the dual-axis tracking mechanism, and the central energy transfer axis, an insulated structural column, are integrated directly into the architectural anatomy. At night, the underside of the mirror functions as an ambient lighting element powered entirely by the energy generated during the day.

As deployment increases, the Fiji Solar Crown transitions from a single architectural prototype into a scalable territorial system. Smaller units support individual households and farms, mid-scale modules reinforce community infrastructure, and larger crowns anchor high-performance micro-grids, floating settlements, and elevated villages. Across all scales, the system reduces dependence on fossil fuels, stabilizes water supply, moderates microclimates, and establishes a consistent architectural identity rooted in local spatial traditions. The project demonstrates an approach in which architecture operates as an active environmental system, integrating spatial design, structural performance, and resource production into a unified framework suited to climate-vulnerable regions.

stepped public pathways weave through the terrain across an energy-producing architectural ecosystem

MASK Architects conceives a dual-axis concave mirror-integrated settlement embedded within Fiji’s tropical forest

interior spaces frame the forest, water, and light as active components of daily life

the central communal structure integrates shared living, passive cooling, water collection, and daylight control

each living unit is positioned according to slope, vegetation density, and solar exposure, without altering the forest floor

materials include laminated bamboo, local hardwoods, and geopolymer concrete

solar mirror crowns adapt their orientation to the coastal horizon, responding to sun angles throughout the day

at night, the system turns into a soft nocturnal landscape, where stored solar energy powers subtle illumination

project info:

name: World’s First Dual-Axis Concave Mirror Living System Redefining Energy and Water Independence in Fiji

architect: MASK Architects | @maskarchitects

design team: Oznur Pinar Cer, Danilo Petta

location: Fiji

The post fiji living system proposal uses kinetic concave mirrors for energy and water autonomy appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

A new residential building has reached completion on Brooklyn‘s Bergen Street with a facade designed by Frida Escobedo and amenity interiors by Workstead. The seven story building in Boerum Hill brings Escobedo’s first residential condominium project in New York City into an area defined by rows of low brownstone.

Reflecting this context, the building’s massing follows the cadence of the block, stepping and compressing to keep sightlines open along the tree-lined street. While the architecture reads as clearly contemporary, its proportions and surface depth align closely with the surrounding fabric of the historic neighborhood — see designboom’s previous coverage here.

images © Zack DeZon

frida escobedo draws from brooklyn’s townhouses

The team at Taller Frida Escobedo shapes Bergen’s facade to draw from the geometry of bay window townhouses familiar to Brooklyn residents. Their projecting forms are translated into a pleated masonry surface. Custom brick units fold and stack into a lattice that filters light and air across the building envelope. Throughout the day, shadows shift across the surface, giving the elevation a slow visual tempo that responds to changing weather and sun angles.

Orientation plays a central role in the architectural strategy. East and west exposures allow daylight to move fully through the building, while a transparent glass volume at the center marks the entry sequence. This glazed core connects the two residential wings and establishes a visual corridor between Dean Street and Bergen Street and reinforces permeability at ground level.

Frida Escobedo designs the facade as a pleated masonry surface that filters light and air

interiors finished with warm, natural materials

As Bergen rises, its volume steps back, reducing its presence against the Brooklyn streetscape with the Manhattan skyline beyond. Terraces appear gradually, softening the transition between building and sky. At the top, a perforated crown frames rooftop spaces and breaks down the silhouette into smaller elements, allowing the building to settle comfortably among neighboring rooflines.

Inside, Workstead extends the architectural language through interiors that emphasize calm, light, and long term use. Materials lean toward natural finishes and tactile surfaces, creating spaces that feel steady and composed. The palette shifts gradually as one moves upward through the building, beginning with lighter tones at the lower floors and deepening into richer colors higher above the street.

This vertical progression adds subtle orientation for residents while maintaining continuity across shared spaces. Wood, stone, and textile surfaces absorb sound and light, and details are designed to weather gracefully.

a central glass volume links the east and west wings and defines the entry experience

amenity spaces by workstead

Amenities span 14,500 square feet across four levels, connected by a sculptural totem stair that encourages movement through the building. Wellness spaces include Pilates, yoga, boxing, and cardio studios, along with private fitness pods and a tea room operated by Kettl, dedicated to Japanese tea service. These rooms focus on proportion and light, supporting slower, quieter use.

Creative spaces expand the program beyond fitness. A ceramics studio developed with BKLYN Clay, a children’s playroom, and an arts studio in partnership with Arts Gowanus bring making and learning into the daily life of the building. Screening, music, and recording rooms add further layers to the interior landscape without competing for attention.

the building massing steps back to align with the scale of surrounding brownstones

upper levels and outdoor spaces

Upper level gathering spaces include a game room with wet bar, a club room, and a great room that opens to a terrace with a chef’s kitchen and dining areas. 

Outdoor amenities exceed 12,000 square feet and were developed with landscape designer Patrick Cullina alongside DXA. Dean Park and two rooftop parks introduce lawns, planting beds, grills, firepits, and sheltered seating that extend use across seasons. Planting softens the architecture and brings a garden scale into dialogue with the building’s masonry structure.

Workstead shaped the amenity interiors with durable materials and a calm tonal range

orientation allows daylight to move fully across residences from morning to evening

interior amenities extend across multiple levels and connect through a sculptural stair

creative and wellness spaces support daily routines and neighborhood engagement

project info:

name: Bergen | @bergenbrooklyn

architecture: Taller Frida Escobedo | @fridaescobedo

location: Boerum Hill, Brooklyn

developer: Avdoo & Partners | @avdoo_partners

interior design: Workstead | @workstead

landscape design, master planning: DXA Studio | @dxastudio

landscape design, horticulture: Partick Cullina | @pjctwo

architect-of-record: GF55 | @gf55architects

completion: 2026

photography: © Zack DeZon | @zackdezon

The post frida escobedo completes ‘bergen’ residences with pleated facade in brownstone brooklyn appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Vesp House is a multi-generational residence in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, designed by Story Architecture. With a total built area of 160 sqm, the project accommodates a family of several generations, including the homeowners, parents, grandmother, and a younger sibling. The house responds to both shared domestic life and individual retreat, organizing spaces vertically to balance privacy, circulation, and connection.

The project’s design concept originates from the upper-level bedroom, conceived as a personal retreat oriented toward the sky and surrounding rooftops. Located on the third floor, the room is defined by a large glazed opening that frames views outward while allowing daylight to penetrate deep into the interior. The window opening is proportioned to resemble a simple hut-like frame, reinforcing a direct visual relationship with the sky and an existing mango tree preserved on the site. A small balcony adjacent to the bedroom functions as a semi-outdoor space for rest and observation, positioned above the surrounding urban fabric.

all images by Quang Dâm

Vesp House’s Layered Domestic Program linked by Central Voids

The building is set back from the street to create a front yard that serves both as a planted buffer and a space for maintaining and displaying Vespa motorcycles. On the ground floor, the design team at by Story Architecture organizes the living room and kitchen as a continuous open-plan area. The kitchen incorporates a vertical void that extends upward, improving daylight penetration and ventilation while visually connecting multiple levels of the house.

The second floor accommodates the parents’ bedroom alongside the altar room. The altar space is designed with a full-height void extending to the roof, ensuring spatial separation from upper floors and meeting cultural requirements related to placement and hierarchy. This vertical opening also introduces daylight into the center of the house, reinforcing the ceremonial character of the space.

Bedrooms for the younger sister and the homeowner are located on the third floor. Above the kitchen and dining area, a double-height volume forms the primary shared living space of the house. This open vertical connection allows circulation corridors, bedroom windows, and balconies to overlook the central void, creating visual continuity between floors and strengthening spatial relationships among family members.

Architectural Expression Informed by Vespa Motorbike’s Curves

The exterior form and interior detailing are informed by the curved geometry of Vespa motorbikes, expressed through softened edges and flowing lines. A restrained material palette combines exposed cement surfaces with wood finishes, reinforcing continuity between structure and interior elements. Through its spatial sequencing, vertical openness, and material consistency, Vesp House integrates individual living spaces with collective domestic functions within a compact urban footprint.

project info:

name: Vesp House
architect: Story Architecture

location: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

area: 160 sqm

lead architects: Nguyễn Kava

design team: Trần lê Trung, Phạm Như Hà Giang

constructor: Bảo Lộc Construction

photographer: Quang Dâm

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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Tucked into a forested campground in Anji, Zhejiang, China, Cat House is a 30-square-meter standalone guest room by JumpingHouseLab. Shaped like a creature stretching toward distant water and mountains, the project transforms a compact accommodation into an experiential micro-architecture, complete with a slide integrated into its ‘tail’ and a raised body that both frames views and preserves privacy. Built as part of a broader effort to upgrade aging tents at the site, the small structure proposes a more durable and engaging way of inhabiting the outdoors. JumpingHouseLab approaches Cat House as something that shifts, bends, and adjusts in relation to its surroundings. 

Located in a bamboo-producing region, the architects opt to clad the structure in bamboo tiles. To keep costs low and minimize waste, they reused discarded tiles from a local factory. Initially, a batch of dark, carbonized bamboo suggested a monochrome ‘black cat’ aesthetic. But when supplies ran out, the team mixed in tiles of varying shades, resulting in a mottled, patchwork exterior. What could have been a compromise became a defining feature. The ‘spotted cat’ facade introduces visual texture and unpredictability, qualities that align with the playful intent of the project.

all images by Wang Tiantian, unless stated otherwise

a creature-like response to privacy and landscape

The client’s brief stemmed from a clear problem, as traditional tents offer privacy but often block outward views. JumpingHouseLab responds by lifting the structure slightly off the ground and orienting it toward the most scenic direction, eliminating the need for perimeter walls. In doing so, the Chinese architects began to see the form take on a life of its own.

This creature-like posture became the conceptual backbone of the project. The team describes it as akin to a cat subtly adjusting its body, shifting, stretching, and curling in response to what surrounds it. That metaphor is not applied superficially but embedded into the building’s massing, circulation, and section.

The interior is organized through level changes that mirror the sculpted form of the exterior. These shifts create three distinct zones that include an entry area, a central bedroom-living space, and a raised bathroom oriented toward the view. The entrance contains the most functional elements, including washing and toilet facilities, and connects directly to the slide, concealed behind a cabinet-like door. The middle zone becomes the most cocooned and intimate, while the highest point opens up into a playful bathroom where children can bathe while looking out at the landscape. These transitions are subtle, but they guide movement intuitively, turning a tiny footprint into a layered spatial sequence.

Cat House is a 30-square-meter standalone guest room by JumpingHouseLab

prefabrication as a narrative and strategy

The architects at JumpingHouseLab trace the concept back to a real memory of a white cat named Beibei, who, despite her temperament, could navigate cluttered surfaces without disturbing a single object. Her ability to adapt her posture continuously, soft, precise, and quiet, became a lesson in spatial intelligence. This idea of constant micro-adjustment is translated architecturally into Cat House. The building subtly shifts in height, orientation, and openness, allowing it to fit into the forest.

To make use of the nearby factory’s leftover materials efficiently, Cat House was split into three segments and prefabricated to 80 percent completion before being transported from Hangzhou to Anji. This logistical decision also shaped the narrative of the building itself, which the architects describe as a long journey, with the ‘cat’ eventually settling into its forest home. This off-site fabrication allowed the team to maintain precision while keeping costs manageable, highlighting how small-scale architecture often requires as much strategic thinking as large projects.

a more durable and engaging way of inhabiting the outdoors | image by Yuanqixiaoshuke

complete with a slide integrated into its ‘tail’ and a raised body that frames views

the team opts to clad the structure in reused discarded bamboo tiles

tiles of varying shades create a ‘spotted cat’ effect | image by Leo

the patchwork facade introduces visual texture and unpredictability | image by Leo

built as part of a broader effort to upgrade aging tents at the site

transforming a compact accommodation into an experiential micro-architecture | image by Leo

the interior is organized through level changes that mirror the sculpted form of the exterior | image by Leo

turning a tiny footprint into a layered spatial sequence | image by Leo

the building subtly shifts in height, orientation, and openness

Cat House was split into three segments and prefabricated to 80 percent completion | image by Leo

off-site fabrication allowed the team to maintain precision | image by Leo

project info:

name: Cat House

architect: JumpingHouseLab

location: Anji, Zhejiang, China

building area: 30 square meters

lead architects: Wang Tiantian, Luo Yanqin

associate designer: Huang Weiqian

soft furnishing design: Xiaohangkeng × JumpingHouseLab

client: We Flow · Xiaohangkeng Eco-Campsite

construction: Zhejiang Runzhu Technology Co., Ltd. / Hu Jing, Zhou Chungui

on-site coordination: Xiaohangkeng Campsite staff

photographer: Leo, Wang Tiantian, Yuanqixiaoshuke

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Designed as a sanctuary for a retired couple entering a slower, more reflective phase of life, the Nani House is a private residence in India conceived as an architecture of stillness and care. Completed by Creations & Urban Saints, the project responds to the clients’ desire for a home that prioritizes comfort, accessibility, and emotional continuity over spectacle. Rooted in the idea of slow living, the house unfolds as a series of fluid, light-filled spaces that blur boundaries between inside and outside, memory and daily routine, offering a calm yet generous setting for ageing with grace.

designed as a sanctuary for a retired couple, the Nani House is a private residence in India conceived as an architecture of stillness and care | all images courtesy of Creations & Urban Saints

Creations & Urban Saints balances comfort memory and nature 

Creations & Urban Saints is a multidisciplinary architecture and interior design practice based in Central India, known for its human-centred approach and refined material sensibility. The studio represents a convergence of legacy and innovation, bringing together decades of experience with contemporary research-driven practice. Working across residential, hospitality, cultural, and large-scale commercial projects, the firm has built a reputation for spaces that balance timeless elegance with functional clarity.

The practice is led by interior designer Shilpi Sonar, whose career spans more than 35 years and over 3,700 projects, alongside architect Satyadeep, founder of Urban Saints in 2018 after returning from London, and ergonomics specialist Arpita. Together, they combine expertise in spatial planning, material research, sustainability, and usability. This collaborative leadership informs the studio’s ethos, where design decisions emerge from an understanding of how spaces are lived in over time rather than how they perform visually in the moment

completed by Creations & Urban Saints, the project responds to the clients’ desire for a home that prioritizes comfort, accessibility, and emotional continuity

nani house is shaped around ageing rituals and everyday ease

At the Nani House, Creations & Urban Saints translated this philosophy into a home shaped by ease. The architects dissolved conventional hierarchies between rooms, creating seamless transitions between garden, living, and private zones. The project privileges texture over ornament, with stone, timber, and linen forming a restrained palette that allows materials to age gracefully and gather patina. Rather than commanding attention, the architecture invites presence, encouraging the occupants to inhabit the house slowly and intuitively.

The plan is deliberately fluid, allowing movement without barriers and supporting long-term comfort. Wide openings and large windows frame the surrounding garden as a living artwork, flooding interiors with diffused daylight and natural ventilation. Circulation is generous and step-free, ensuring accessibility without visual compromise, all while the garden extends into the house, softening thresholds and reinforcing a daily connection to nature as an active companion rather than a decorative backdrop.

at the Nani House, Creations & Urban Saints translated this philosophy into a home shaped by ease

Inside, warmth is built through nuance rather than novelty where neutral tones provide a calm canvas for personal artefacts, worn books, and collected objects that carry memory. Subtle details like hand-carved wood, the grain of timber, and the quiet sheen of brass reveal themselves gradually, mirroring the way stories unfold over years. Furniture is designed for ergonomic comfort and longevity, supporting the realities of ageing while maintaining a sense of understated elegance.

While the aesthetic language remains soft and timeless, practicality underpins every decision as the layered lighting reduces eye strain, textured flooring ensures grip, and thoughtfully proportioned seating and work surfaces support everyday rituals without effort. Spaces such as the kitchen, reading nook, and bedroom are conceived as places to linger, each encouraging unhurried use and reinforcing the house’s core intent: to make daily life easier and richer at once.

the project privileges texture over ornament

stone, timber, and linen form a restrained palette that allows materials to age gracefully and gather patina

rather than commanding attention, the architecture invites presence, encouraging the occupants to inhabit the house slowly and intuitively

the plan is deliberately fluid, allowing movement without barriers

furniture is designed for ergonomic comfort and longevity

supporting the realities of ageing while maintaining a sense of understated elegance

subtle details like hand-carved wood, the grain of timber, and the quiet sheen of brass reveal themselves gradually

the garden extends into the house, softening thresholds

neutral tones provide a calm canvas for personal artefacts, worn books, and collected objects

textured flooring ensures grip, and thoughtfully proportioned seating 

from left to right: Arpita Sood Sonar, Shilpi Burman Sonar, Satyadeep Sonar

spaces such as the kitchen, reading nook, and bedroom are conceived as places to linger

project info:

name: Nani House

company: Creations & Urban Saints | @creationsbyshilpisonar & @saints.urban

architecture: Satyadeep | @nothing.but.satya

design: Shilpi Sonar | @shilpisonar;  Arpita | @arpitasoodsonar

location: India

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