The Shelves

Inspiring content for creative processes. The Shelves does not claim any intellectual property on the shown content. The purpose is just to share creative data for interested people.

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Schemata Architects

Komae-yu

2023

"Binding this new design are custom-made original green tiles from Tajimi to create an affinity with the greenery. At certain points, the studio engraved a Mount Fuji pattern on the wall, alluding to that historic symbol of hope. ‘Recalling my favorite experiences of vaguely gazing at the patchwork of tiles in old public bathhouses in Kyoto and other cities and gradually feeling a sense of incongruity and the ‘aha’ moment when I recognized the patterns of the different tiles, I wanted to do something similar. We made the custom tiles in 47x47mm, 97x97mm, and 47x97mm square sizes and arranged them in ways to alternate as subtly as possible,’ says lead architect Jo Nagasaka."

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SLAS Architekci

Activity Zone

2015

"Activity Zone is designed as a concrete platform perforated throughout to create different flora-filled shapes to accompany the site’s existing trees, which were all preserved for this public park. Programs include a students leisure zone, children’s play devices, a fitness area, and individually designed street furniture. ‘The platform connects the diverse program, intensifies the use of the place and becomes itself an element of play,’ writes the Awards platform."

"Being part of a post-military, wooded, and neglected neighborhood area, Activity Zone brings back life to Chorzów by attracting frequent visits, gradually transforming an abandoned place into a safe park."

"Enhancing the sensory experience, the platform is enriched with a palette of colors, textures, and scents, creating a vivid garden amid the neglected area."

date: 2015 client: Uniwesytet Ślaski Chorzów status: Ongoing typology: Activity area - public space location: Chorzów area: 2480m2 authors:

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Formafantasma discuss their Cambio exhibition

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Formafantasma for Dzek

ExCincere

2019

"The collection aims to demonstrate the "full potential" of volcanic ash, which is described by Formafantasma as "naturally-occurring, self-generating, and abundant".

"The designers spent nearly two years examining the exact balance of porcelain tile, ash glaze, firing temperature and method to prevent the pieces cracking or exploding during the firing process."

Formafantasma and Dzek create collection of volcanic-ash-glazed tiles

Amsterdam-based duo Formafantasma and architectural materials brand Dzek collected volcanic ash from Mount Etna in Italy to glaze this "tota

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Sarah Birkett & Adam Humphrey

Sussurro

(Photos by Edvinas Bruzas)

2022

SUSSURRO Mozambique's Design-led Boutique Hotel

Sussurro Mozambique is a design led boutique hotel situated on the tropical beach of a secluded saltwater lagoon in Southern Mozambique.

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Sarah Birkett & Adam Humphrey

Ssussurro

(Photos by Edvinas Bruzas)

2022

"Realized exclusively by African designers, builders and growers, Sussurro celebrates craft, ingenuity and creation across Mozambique, East Africa and the continent at large. Every element of its considered guest experience exemplifies the potential of privileging locality, time, and genuine human connection." IGNANT

"I feel passionately about not perpetuating this kind of colonial idea of traveling in Africa. While we’re in the domain of “luxury” travel, it’s about being more aware. That’s our main aim with Sussurro—having more of a consciousness about what you’re providing and where you’re based. It’s less about “more is more.” Sarah Birkett

"We looked at Zimbabwe at first, thinking, “There are far too many of these destinations that people are going to without getting a real sense of place.” Too many camps are still filled with colonial relics like butler trays and old maps of the continent peppered with pre-independence name sakes. It hasn’t really been thought through, or maybe it has been thought through but if so, it’s still in this arrogant, colonial mindset that you’re not going to consider the fact that the items you’ve chosen—because there’s always a choice—for your guests are speaking from a time that no longer exists; isn’t at all influenced by the local culture or allowed even the consideration of a local lens." Sarah Birkett

“We started building alongside the community. We depended on the community, and the community depended on us. We got to know everyone.” Sarah Birkett

"For each room, we worked with different artisan groups for different parts, like the shutters, doors and roof canopies woven from palm fronds, which provide a natural ventilation system and coolness to the thatch." Sarah Birkett

"I worked with Maxwell Sande, a third-generation Shona sculptor in Zimbabwe, on our wash basins across the residence and in our bungalows—each is a one-off. Shona sculpture is amazing. It’s an age-old craft practiced generally by men who have passed down this art in the purest form. It’s generally not the most lucrative career in rural regions, it’s about living for the art, and about connection to place through their local stone." Sarah Birkett

In Celebration of African Craft, Sussurro Brings A New Consciousness to Travel - IGNANT

Frothy waves lazily lap powder-white sand. Overhead, palm fronds filter a soft breeze. The curved sail of traditional dhow boat carves a str

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Jamie McGregor Smith

Sacred Modernity

2024

Sacred Modernity - The Holy Embrace of Modernist Architecture — jamie mcgregor smith

'Sacred Modernity' is a photographic project documenting the unorthodox sacred architecture built in mid-century Europe. The book represent

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Jamie McGregor Smith

Sacred Mordernity

2024

"Then, the global pandemic hit, my photographic work came to a standstill and I was left in limbo in my new home. Miraculously, I discovered that church doors remained amongst the only ones left open. Whilst civilisation held its breath, I silently navigated these unorthodox spaces and attempted to understand how and who had realised them. Whether you believe in a God or not, they remain awe-inspiring."

"Following the end of the Second World War, the Catholic Church undertook the Second Vatican Council, a once in a century reformation aimed at modernising and reimagining faiths current and future context in a new world reshaped by global conflict. A new generation of bishops collaborated with a new school of young architects and created ground breaking pieces of contemporary architectural sculpture that still remain amongst the most unique buildings within our public sphere.

Half a century later, their futuristic unfamiliar forms suggest at an obscure religion, and perhaps predict societies current shift away from organised religion towards an individual spirituality. Boldly designed, outrageous and provocative for their time, the aesthetic of this period still ignites great debate between modernists and traditionalists, whilst being revisited and reimagined by contemporary designers and scholars."

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Studio SFSO

Pebble Tray

2022

"Numerous companies desire to make their newly released products stand out more than previous ones in terms of visuals to draw more attention from consumers. This leads to adding unnecessary decorations and shapes during design, thereby causing visual discomfort. In the end, this also becomes the reason for throwing away things easily as users get jaded with such overly stimulating design as time passes by. 

 Design Studio SFSO designed “Hidden Objects” by refraining from making visually conspicuous daily items and pondering over how they can be naturally hidden and blended in with the surrounding environment. Through simplifying forms to the max by removing inessential adornment as much as possible or using the way of fully replicating the figures of nearby objects, “Hidden Objects” can be concealed in the surroundings when they are not being used. These present the possibility of using things longer by providing less visual stimulation with their product design."

pebble tray — SFSO

Pebble tray 2022 This tray has the ideal size for putting things that are easy to lose, including keys or accessories. When...

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Class Archi

Affordance House

2020

"The house's design, reminiscent of a wave, is a thoughtful response to the limitations of a narrow plot. This choice is not just visually distinctive but also practical, optimizing the available space. The selective placement of windows on the house's façade strikes a practical balance between light infusion and seclusion.

Inside, the house adheres to a minimalist ethos. White walls and sparse furnishings define the interior, creating an uncluttered, breathable space. This simplicity extends to the dual-functionality of the house: part living area, part leather-working studio. The design effectively merges these two aspects without compromising on the clarity and purpose of each space.

The Affordance House in Fukuzu City invites a reconsideration of how space is used in urban architecture. Its design, while unassuming, raises questions about the relationship between form, function, and environment in modern living spaces."

affordance house | class archi

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Xavier Esclusa Trias

Poster Collection/Retro Brands/Videotape

2020

Poster Collection Retro Brands Videotape

...

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Xavier Esclusa Trias

Poster Collection/Retro Brands/Videotape

2020

"Spanish graphic designer Xavier Esclusa Trias has created a striking poster collection featuring a range of well known retro brands and videotapes.

Educated as a Graphic Designer, Photographer, Community Manager, and Multimedia Artist, Xavier Esclusa Trias has worked in different advertising agencies and branding studios. Today he works as a freelance art director for both personal and commissioned projects."

Poster Collection Retro Brands Videotape

...

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John Wardle Architects

Key Residence

2024

"The corner window arrangement is a direct reference to a composition of the window seat in the living room of the Fisher House in Pennsylvania by Louis Kahn," explained the architect.

"My arrangement of five windowpanes, ventilation panel and a window seat is abstracted from the original as I’ve arranged them around my view out across Melbourne."

Architect John Wardle has renovated his own house in Australia

The founder of John Wardle Architects has remodelled his Melbourne home of 25 years, using Victorian ash and handmade glazed tiles from Japa

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Hermès

The Topography of Material (Milan Design Week 2024)

2024

"Hermès Home artistic directors Charlotte Macaux Perelman and Alexis Fabry created a patterned surface made up of over twenty different organic materials."

"The materials forming the traditional flooring patterns come from ancient Italian traditions and were sourced from across the country to reflect the ancestral knowledge of specialised local crafts. They include reclaimed wood from Lombardy, cracked earth, Porphyry from Trentino, terracotta arranged in half-moon shaped patterns, green ware (22,000 pieces of it), limestone from Puglia paired with pebbled Carrara Marble."

"Following Milan design week, the installation will be dismantled with the materials sent back to the local suppliers to be reused and recycled."

Patterned stone floor showcases Hermès' "connection with the earth"

Hermès has designed an installation that combines reclaimed bricks, marble and terracotta to draw attention to its artisan roots at Milan de

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Norm Architects

Heatherhill Beach House

2023

Heatherhill Beach House | Norm Architects

Nestled amidst scenic hills, facing the beach and Kattegat, Heatherhill Beach House is a harmonious blend of Danish architectural traditions

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Norm Architects

Heatherhill Beach House

2023

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“The barn-structure profile contrast sharply with the soft hills and undulated landscape surrounding the house, while the cedar cladding gives the house a natural skin that, over time, will patinate to a beautiful silvery color, that blends in with the color of the site – resulting in an architecture that both blends in and stands out at the same time.”

“ The use of lye-treated Douglas Fir planks from Dinesen throughout the interior, from flooring to walls and ceiling, not only brings warmth to the space but also continues the promise of the house blending seamlessly with the environment. It’s a tactile experience that leaves you feeling grounded and connected to the world outside. “

“ Achieving simple yet sensuous spaces require a sincere devotion to craftsmanship and an ambition to work with high-quality materials and detailing. It’s more challenging to be selective than it is to be excessive, and it takes a great deal of skill to craft spaces and furniture that work well while hiding everything except the essentials.”

Heatherhill Beach House | Norm Architects

Nestled amidst scenic hills, facing the beach and Kattegat, Heatherhill Beach House is a harmonious blend of Danish architectural traditions

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Benoît Van Innis

Studio

2015