Discover Top Posts Tagged with #timberinarchitecture

A workspace in Tokyo by Symbolplus reinterprets traditional materials

Symbolplus, a design studio located in Tokyo, completely reshaped its office inside a 23-year-old wooden structure. The renovation not only promotes the use of natural materials and craftsmanship but also endows the workspace with an aura of quietness and permanence.

Project Overview

The original timber framework was preserved to the greatest extent possible while synthetic finishes were replaced with earth-based plaster and layered Japanese paper (washi), for instance. The design kept the building’s structural and material memory visible while introducing a new layout suitable for contemporary work.

Design Logic

The architects chose to pursue what they termed quiet integration. The new structure did not erase the old but read it, used it, and let it become a part of the new environment. Meeting areas are divided and opened by movable screens made of layered washi paper. A large communal desk is placed in the main room and facilitates team interaction within the historic timber shell.

Table: Key Features FeatureDescriptionArchitectural RoleOriginal Timber SkeletonRetained structural frameAnchors the design in history and placeEarth Plaster SurfacesWalls finished with red clay from IshikawaCreates material warmth and textureWashi Paper ScreensLayered sliding screens and ceiling elementsOffers flexibility and visual calmAdaptable LayoutMeeting work and lounge zones interlinkedSupports modern hybrid work culture

Material and Craft

The surface treatments were intentionally designed to refer to Japanese tradition. Local craft is directly connected to earth-based plaster, and the layered washi paper renders a familiar texture to a new application. These material choices support the concept that architecture can be born of place and time, not only of style.

Context and Significance

The renovation demonstrates how office design can give priority to the aspects of sustainability, material integrity, and local craftsmanship instead of temporary trends. This project provides a model for architects and designers on how to reuse and reinterpret existing buildings, considering their material history and spatial potential.

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

The Tokyo workspace by Symbolplus not only preserves the traditional essence but also redefines it in a modern way. The architects, by retaining the timber structure and using earth plaster and washi paper as the main materials, created a space that is both rooted and modern. The project proves that design can be calming through the honesty and restraint of materials. Rather than dominating the old, Symbolplus lets history live in a practical modern office. It is a meditation on how little craftsmanship can reshape, in a fast-moving city, our understanding of workplace architecture.

Conclusion

The Symbolplus office in Tokyo encodes the slow and patient way of dealing with the architecture of the workplace. It reinforces the notion that design might highlight meticulous layering, truthful materials, and skilled work. The project in this way challenges the conventional thinking about an office, and it is no longer a mere workplace but a time, a place, and a method reflecting space.

The photography is by Keishin Horikoshi.

Explore the Latest Architecture Exhibitions & Conferences

ArchUp offers daily updates on top global architectural exhibitions, design conferences, and professional art and design forums. Follow key architecture competitions, check official results, and stay informed through the latest architectural news worldwide. ArchUp is your encyclopedic hub for discovering events and design-driven opportunities across the globe.

https://archup.net/fluid-workspaces-is-the-era-of-prescriptive-office-design-over/ https://archup.net/major-urban-transformations-around-the-grand-mosque-redefine-the-landscape-of-makkah/ Brought to you by the ArchUp Editorial Team

Inspiration starts here. Dive deeper into architecture, interior design, research, cities, design, and cutting-edge projects on ArchUp.

Dive into the world of architecture – from bold concepts to global competitions – curated with ArchUp. #ArchUp #architecture

#designstudio #TimberinArchitecture #Tokyo #woodarchitecture

ArtPlay Pavilion at Dulwich Picture Gallery: Carmody Groarke’s Playful Timber Addition

In south London, architecture studio Carmody Groarke has introduced the ArtPlay Pavilion to the gardens of the John Soane-designed Dulwich Picture Gallery. This new addition marks the most significant redevelopment of the gallery in over 20 years, creating a low-carbon, family-friendly space designed to encourage younger generations to connect with art in an engaging environment. The project balances architectural innovation with sensitivity to context, expanding the reach of the world’s first purpose-built public art gallery.

Introduction

The ArtPlay Pavilion represents a fusion of history and contemporary design, carefully positioned within the landscaped grounds of the Dulwich Picture Gallery. The pavilion is more than just a building: it is a dedicated space for children that creates playful interactions with its setting while respecting the architectural heritage of Sir John Soane’s masterpiece. Designed as part of a long-term effort to modernize and enrich the gallery’s offerings, the pavilion captures the dual goal of sustainability and inclusivity. It uses locally sourced timber, incorporates natural ventilation, and reduces the overall carbon footprint of the estate. At the same time, the building strengthens community ties by providing children and adults with new spaces to engage, pause, and play, making it both an architectural and cultural milestone.

Design and Materials

The pavilion is rotated at a 45-degree angle to the historic Soane gallery, ensuring that it both complements and contrasts its environment. Timber cladding, playful circular windows, and oversized canopies reference the materials and colors of the original gallery, while creating a new identity of their own. Douglas fir gives the structure a light yet textured surface, enhancing its connection to the surrounding trees. The cruciform interior layout is inspired by Soane’s spatial innovations and organizes the pavilion into interlinked play spaces illuminated by skylights, reminiscent of the gallery’s pioneering roof lighting system.

Architectural Features

The pavilion is divided into four color-themed zones, each linked to artworks from the main gallery. Features include a large slide, a Venetian bridge, and swings informed by Nicolas Poussin’s paintings of clouds. Beyond play, the pavilion accommodates functional areas such as toilets, an energy center, and a redesigned entrance to improve circulation across the grounds. Outside, landscape artist Kim Wilkie introduced sculpted mounds and a sculpture garden, integrating art and play seamlessly into the site.

FeatureDetailsMaterialDouglas fir timber, vertical slats, skylight roofLayoutCruciform plan with central play spaceZonesFour color-themed areas inspired by gallery paintingsEnergyNatural ventilation, photovoltaics, ground-source heat pump

Architectural Analysis

The pavilion reflects Carmody Groarke’s design logic: blending modern sustainable construction with deep contextual respect. The use of local timber aligns with low-carbon strategies while visually resonating with the red brickwork of the Soane gallery. Circular openings establish playful transparency, encouraging children to engage with both the interior and the surrounding gardens. The cruciform layout fosters exploration, offering playful nooks at a child’s scale while remaining flexible for multiple uses. The building’s architectural value lies in its successful interpretation of a historic setting without falling into mimicry, instead establishing a new spatial typology for art-focused play.

Project Importance

The ArtPlay Pavilion provides architects and designers with a valuable lesson in balancing heritage and innovation. It demonstrates how sustainable materials can serve both environmental and cultural functions while remaining accessible and playful. The project introduces a typology where play, education, and art converge, emphasizing the importance of child-centered design in cultural institutions. For today’s architecture, it reinforces the urgency of low-carbon design strategies and inclusive public engagement, offering a future-oriented model of architectural practice.

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

The ArtPlay Pavilion integrates history and play with a light architectural hand, using Douglas fir cladding, cruciform planning, and skylights that reference Soane’s gallery while creating a new sensory world. Its playful circular windows and color-themed zones draw children into a spatial narrative that blends learning with imagination. Yet, one critical point emerges: does embedding child-focused play within historic grounds risk overshadowing the original gallery’s contemplative experience? While this tension is worth reflection, the pavilion succeeds in framing heritage as an active, inclusive environment. Its sustainable materials and careful spatial composition mark a meaningful evolution in architectural practice.

Conclusion

The ArtPlay Pavilion at Dulwich Picture Gallery redefines how architecture can engage children and families within historic cultural landscapes. By introducing playful forms, sustainable materials, and inclusive spaces, the project achieves both continuity and innovation. It deepens the legacy of Sir John Soane’s gallery while opening pathways for future generations to connect with art in new ways. Beyond its immediate purpose as a children’s play pavilion, the project exemplifies how architecture can evolve to meet modern sustainability goals, foster inclusivity, and reinterpret heritage sites for contemporary audiences. This dual achievement of honoring tradition while imagining the future is what makes the pavilion an architectural milestone with lasting impact.

Explore the Latest Architecture Exhibitions & Conferences

https://archup.net/modern-architectural-design-in-covent-apartment/ https://archup.net/zinc-roof/ Brought to you by the ArchUp Editorial Team

Inspiration starts here. Dive deeper into Architecture, Interior Design, Research, Cities, Design, and cutting-edge Projects on ArchUp.

Dive into the world of architecture – from bold concepts to global competitions – curated with ArchUp. #ArchUp #architecture Read the full article

#Low-Carbon #sustainablematerials #TimberinArchitecture

HE.D Group designs Love by the Moon boutique in Kyiv with hand-painted fabrics and custom timber joinery

Ukrainian architecture and interiors studio HE.D Group has transformed a former pair of grocery stores into Love by the Moon, a womenswear boutique in Kyiv defined by hand-painted fabrics, custom timber joinery, and a sense of openness enhanced by tall ceilings and large windows. The design concept emphasized lightness, transparency, tactility, and individuality, creating a boutique interior where materials and artisanal craftsmanship play a central role in shaping the spatial and sensory experience.

From Grocery Stores to Boutique

The site once housed two small, partitioned grocery stores. Despite its crowded interior, the space was distinguished by high ceilings and large front windows, which inspired the idea of maximizing openness. The former unsightly vestibule was removed and replaced with bold red French doors edged with glossy bobbles, inviting passersby inside.

Interior Layout

Love by the Moon now consists of a singular, open-plan boutique with creamy white walls and chevron flooring. At the center, a fluted timber service desk sits proudly, supported by four chunky legs. Behind it, a heavy brown curtain conceals the brand’s office at the rear. A seating area adjacent to the desk features plush brown velvet armchairs, a pair of oval coffee tables, and a whimsical wavy-stemmed floor lamp. Above, three large pleated lanterns softly illuminate the space, highlighting HE.D Group’s focus on creating intimacy through texture and detail.

Use of Fabric and Craft

Much of the boutique’s furniture and surfaces incorporate hand-painted floral fabrics, commissioned specifically for the project. These appear across the cushions, divider screens, and folding doors of the changing rooms. The fabrics help establish a unique and personal visual identity that blends art and fashion.

Design ElementMaterial / CraftEffectService DeskFluted timber, crafted by local artisansAnchors the space, tactile centerpieceHand-painted FabricsCustom textiles with floral motifsUnique visual identity, artistic resonanceChanging RoomsPaper flower lights, bobbin mirrorsPlayful, intimate fitting environmentRed French DoorsGlossy bobble-edged detailingInviting, striking street presence

Changing Rooms and Details

Inside the changing cubicles, flower-like paper lights and timber bobbin mirrors add charm and warmth. Wooden bobbin detailing continues throughout, including in the boutique’s bathroom. Nearly all timber elements were fabricated by local artisans, ensuring exact matches of tone and texture.

Craftsmanship and Atmosphere

By emphasizing tactility and emotional resonance, HE.D Group created a space where textiles and woodwork define both character and comfort. Every element — from the lanterns to the painted fabrics — contributes to a sense of refinement and individuality. The boutique is not merely a retail environment but a sensory experience, where artisanal craft and bespoke design echo the values of the brand.

Architectural Analysis

The transformation of two grocery stores into a boutique underscores the potential of adaptive reuse. The project balances historical spatial features (high ceilings, street-facing windows) with new elements such as bespoke joinery and fabric design. The result is a carefully orchestrated environment that is simultaneously open, warm, and distinctive. While ornamental, the design remains accessible and rooted in local artisanal traditions.

Significance

Love by the Moon represents a model of craft-based retail design, where handwork and individuality replace generic interiors. By collaborating with local artisans, HE.D Group showcased the power of place-based design in creating commercial environments with cultural and emotional depth.

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

This boutique illustrates how fashion and architecture intersect when materiality is given center stage. The use of hand-painted fabrics and custom timber joinery elevates the project from a shop fit-out into a crafted experience. For ArchUp, it stands as a reminder of the value of artisanal detail in shaping contemporary retail.

Conclusion

Love by the Moon by HE.D Group transforms an ordinary Kyiv storefront into a boutique defined by artistry, tactility, and openness. With its playful fabrics, bespoke carpentry, and welcoming layout, the project demonstrates how design can embody both brand identity and local culture. It is a case study in adaptive reuse, artisanal craft, and experiential retail, offering lessons for architects and designers worldwide.

Explore the Latest Architecture Exhibitions & Conferences ArchUp offers daily updates on top global architectural exhibitions, design conferences, and professional art and design forums. Follow key architecture competitions, check official results, and stay informed through the latest architectural news worldwide. ArchUp is your encyclopedic hub for discovering events and design-driven opportunities across the globe. https://archup.net/the-use-of-natural-fabrics-that-are-easy-to-install-and-maintain-in-interior-finishes/ https://archup.net/the-ned-washington-dc-heritage-meets-luxe-social-club/ Brought to you by the ArchUp Editorial Team Inspiration starts here. Dive deeper into Architecture, Interior Design, Research, Cities, Design, and cutting-edge Projects on ArchUp. Dive into the world of architecture – from bold concepts to global competitions – curated with ArchUp. #ArchUp #architecture Read the full article

#adaptivereuse #Boutiquedesign #TimberinArchitecture