Occupying the top floor of a building in the heart of Ocean Village, a mixed-use marina in Southampton, UK, Peer 1 Hosting has fresh new offices. Designed by Space and Solutions, this modern office space of 5,370 square feet is colorful, somewhat quirky and ultimately imaginative.
Peer 1 is a company which takes pride in its talented staff and wanted the workspaces to reflect that. To me, this is what makes a company successful–and keeps them that way. I admire the whimsical details (who couldn’t use a perky work environment?), neon colors, industrial materials like exposed metal ductwork and light-injected spaces, not to mention uncontrived workstations. The mentality here is: have laptop, will travel. Brilliant! To me, these offices offer an engaging environment where employees can roam, work and recreate freely–and on-demand.
Posted by Suzanne at 4 June, 2013
The complete remodel of this contemporary late-80s home in suburban Minnesota is eye-opening. Completed by owner and interior designer, Suzanne Kickhaefer of KICK Interiors in collaboration with ALTUS Architecture + Design and builders Streeter & Associates, this dream home is spacious and caters to casual family living.
The former kitchen was dated and dark with a center island that seemingly blocked movement and took up valuable work space. The redesign features stunning stainless and white marble against a backdrop of stark white cabinetry. Rich oak floors offset the bright accents, creating a gleaming space.
Posted by Suzanne at 4 June, 2013
A sign of the times, the banking industry is slowly but surely shedding its stodgy, mundane image. These financial institutions are ushering in fresh, unexpected, ultra-modern spaces welcoming an array of both retail and business banking customers.
One such place is the Raiffeisen Bank’s flagship location in Zurich, a precise definition of minimalism. Designed by NAU Architecture and Design in cooperation with DGJ, also of Zurich, these spaces are works in white, including perforating ceilings and walls depicting digital portraits of distinguished locals. Plentiful glazing houses banker’s offices, client areas, as well as conference rooms. One space receives hanging mirrored globe pendants. (Quite a far cry from the hulking crystal chandeliers of banks long gone!) High-tech touch-screen stations throughout allow for optimal, casual interface between banker and client.
Posted by Suzanne at 3 June, 2013
With offices in the United States, Germany and Brazil, Aeria Games has recently moved into a new space in Berlin. Completed by local architectural firm Lindemann Projeknet, the massive renovated warehouse space is now home to this edgy, online gaming company.
Contrary to many other fast-paced technology organizations, these interiors don’t boast playground slides, comic-strip themed rooms, bubble machines or faux grass floors as motivators for the young, energetic staff. Instead a return to a retro, no-frills workplace takes place here. That said, however, these spaces are anything but boring. Instead, they possess a unique urban vibe which is quite appealing and motivational at the same time.
Posted by Suzanne at 3 June, 2013
Ahh, the wine country, such a naturally stunning landscape with all things good–food, wine and architecture. One such dwelling is St. Helena Retreat, a modern dream home by Butler Armsden Architects of San Francisco, California.
Designed for a retired couple seeking privacy, this house is also situated within walking distance from the quaint downtown brimming with top-notch restaurants, galleries and shops. The garage and studio sit at the front, with a pebbled path leading past the glimmering pool to the main two-story structure, which is nestled at the rear of the L-shaped lot.
Posted by Suzanne at 3 June, 2013
It’s always impressive how an architect can retain historical beauty while modernizing spaces to create, what seems like, an an entirely new structure. That is precisely what AM Architecture did with Hawthorne House. Situated in a Melbourne neighborhood of traditional Victorian homes, this modern dream residence now embraces both ideologies while catering to a contemporary lifestyle.
The rooms at the front, including a converted home office, were updated yet left to their authentic character. The rear of the home is where the dramatic transformation takes place. The entryway segues seamlessly from one era into the next, instilling a sense of surprise when the main living areas are reached.
An original brick home, the architects gutted the back portion in order to open the space, unveiling an airy vibe to the formerly contrived spaces. A shared living room, dining room and kitchen now occupies this space. The gardens, grill and swimming pool reside on the other side of the large sliding glass doors and can be immediately viewed via an extended hallway from the foyer. This boundariless zone between the greenery and interiors induces a spatiality never before present in this historic house.
Warming hues of timber, white and grey generate a soothing vibe. An entire ceiling of blackbutt timber is cozy to the main living area which is furnished with a contemporary sectional sofa in a neutral tone. Opposite the seating is a entire wood wall which features a linear fireplace, hovering shelf and vertical slats as a partition between the room and staircase.
To the left is the stand-out kitchen, where I believe the minimalist design makes maximum impact. An ingenious concept, sliding wooden doors conceal a pristine pantry storing appliances, wine refrigerator and shelving for dishes and glassware. A hulking Calacatta marble slab tops the center island which melds into the elongated, rectangular wood dining table. Bathroom basins are also dressed with this sleek marble .
Dining options are also offered outside at the bench table underneath the poolside pergola which is wrapped in growing with grape vines, as is the remarkable balcony addition. This trussed structure is decidedly modern yet seems to embody similar fundamentals of design which the Victorian-era was also rooted in. Bedrooms are privy to this new area, once again, allowing the outside to enliven the inside spaces. A plush lawn and glazed “fence” contribute to the fresh look of the renewed backyard.
Hawthorne House holds on to its heritage while becoming a spacious dream home conducive to modern living.
Posted by Suzanne at 31 May, 2013
