Southdowns Estate is situated within agricultural pastures that reflect the area’s legacy of dairy farming. The client requested a design with a contemporary interpretation that is still grounded in this heritage. House van Der Post reflects the heritage of the area in a contemporary context and encourages dialogue with its natural setting. The house is designed to be seen as three barnlike structures; one is separate, housing a garage and flat, the others are linked by a spine with skylights. A simple design philosophy results in architecture that enhances a sense of place. In contrast to off-shutter concrete, traditional vernacular elements are recalled through the use of red face brick and stone cladding excavated on site. Smooth plaster, aluminium and steel balance these robust materials. The garden is characterised by gentle terraces that complement the contemporary identity of the house and promote the integration of interior and exterior. Photographs by: Malan Kotze Photography

A transformation inspired by the owner’s love of modern architecture, art and color (and the adjacent sand, rock, water, and the northwest landscape), the Indianola House sought to bring the soul of a home to a colorless muted box. The original house was a drab 1990’s-era box with no personality or presence sited on a beautiful secluded bay, facing water and island views, northwest of the City of Seattle. The existing mono-colored stucco-clad exterior and pyramidal glass-block openings had led the neighborhood to dub the structure, unflatteringly, “The Miami Vice House”. Rhodes Architecture’s Residential Architects careful use of natural light, rich, collaged finishes and ability to open the house to gardens, beach, and outdoor gathering was critical to the design. The house soon became “The Gallery”. The original home’s grey stucco exterior made the house seem both large and featureless; the introduction of no-maintenance exterior materials that collage and complement each other was a goal of the homeowner and the Seattle Architects who teamed up for this residential design. The bloated scale of the house cried out for the establishment and definition of the parts of the structure, a breaking down of the home’s form and its apparent bland size. Living, sleeping, and bathing areas that started as staid spaces were in need of opening to the natural environment with additions of large doors, folding glass walls and useable balconies were crucial to each space having a dialogue with the outdoors. The owner’s extensive art collection was highlighted and became the focus of interior places, well-lit naturally and through a new lighting system. Energy use and sustainable systems were a key component of the design which used high-efficacy lighting, better cladding on a rain-screen system, high-efficiency doors and windows, new insulation and weather barriers, and which added a photovoltaic-generated electrical system. The contemporary design sought to integrate all of these systems, materials, and finishes into a seamless whole that lent interest and drama to a residence which was previously lusterless. How radically this house was transformed is evident in the exteriors, gardens and the natural spaces the house now opens to, as well as the gallery-like interiors. This home is a stunning testament to what is possible “before-and-after” when remade by Rhodes Architecture + Light. The clients are an older couple with long professional and political careers, a love of art and a clear desire to connect with the Northwest environment and enliven their daily lives with spaces full of color and natural light. Rhodes Architecture + Light was hired in 2019 to add new exteriors and interiors, natural light, larger openings to beach and bay, seismic and foundation upgrades to the home, and to infuse life into the house through the re-use of existing space and varied materials, color, textures, and lighting. The only actual change to the exterior “shell” of the house was the introduction of a low “gull-wing” roof with wood soffits above the central atrium space, to add drama and bring natural light into the entry gallery space. Interior spaces, including bedrooms and bathrooms, were re-planned and opened to each other, to greater natural light, to roof decks, and to the incredible views and sea-side environment. The Builder, Fairbank Construction Company of Bainbridge Island, Washington, met the challenge of the design, first completely deconstructing the finishes inside and out, then precisely interlocking new claddings, windows and doors, cabinetry, finishes and a new gull-wing central roof in a beautiful transformation. The construction was total, thorough, and very detailed, resulting a house that, far from seeming a “remodeling”, is far more present and fitting to the owner’s lives and the natural environment than the house we started with.

Borrowing from the image of the platform tent, two seasonal, guest cottages share a linear cedar deck and are grouped in dialogue marking a clearing in the forest. Conceived as a summer retreat for guests of a nearby residence, each cottage is houses distinct yet supporting functions. At the end of the main deck axis sits the larger of the two structures, accommodating a small kitchen, bath, living area and sleeping loft. The smaller structure contains a screened porch on the lower level and a children’s bunkhouse on the upper level. Sharply pitched gabled forms are devoid of ornament and local white cedar will weather over time to a silver gray without the need for paint or stain. The main level of each building is punctuated by large sliding doors which open and effectively link the interior spaces to the decks and forest immediately adjacent. The opening and closing of these small follies and their large apertures reference their seasonal use and protect the interiors during the winter months. A whitewashed interior celebrates the simple stick frame construction and is sheathed in locally milled spruce boarding boards whose imperfections enhance the informal nature of the gathering spaces. Industrial light fixtures, simple hardware and humble materials create a relaxed environment where sitting on the deck and gathering with friends take center stage.

Design culture is the key to our success. This is what pushes us to create new collections that give spaces a new dimension. We create a dialogue between the environment and form. This is what it’s about, creating atmospheres where we can take hold of life and live it, enjoy it.

Set on 88th Street in Manhattan's Upper East Side, this four-bedroom residence was created by merging two separate condominium units into a single, cohesive luxury home. The result is a sprawling, artful space defined by confidence, color, and a deeply personal design vocabulary. The project represents a full-service interior design engagement: spatial planning, material selection, furniture sourcing, artwork curation, and complete project coordination. Nearly every element was specified and placed by Mazen Designs, with furnishings sourced largely through Roche Bobois. The home unfolds from a striking cross-shaped hallway anchored by a custom T-shaped rug that guides movement through the space. To one side, the primary bedroom suite. To the other, a flexible home office that doubles as a guest suite, and a tranquil secondary bedroom. Straight ahead, a streamlined kitchen opens to a formal dining area and beyond that, a dedicated media and Mah Jong room designed for relaxed gathering. The palette balances jewel tones with crisp whites and greys. Bold in intention but disciplined in execution. A Maya Romanoff wall covering and curated artwork complete the layering of texture, light, and silhouette throughout. The clients arrived hesitant toward color. Through open dialogue and a shared trust in design as storytelling, they left with a home that reflects genuine courage and clarity. Photography by Vincent Dale of Vincent Dale Designs.

Set on 88th Street in Manhattan's Upper East Side, this four-bedroom residence was created by merging two separate condominium units into a single, cohesive luxury home. The result is a sprawling, artful space defined by confidence, color, and a deeply personal design vocabulary. The project represents a full-service interior design engagement: spatial planning, material selection, furniture sourcing, artwork curation, and complete project coordination. Nearly every element was specified and placed by Mazen Designs, with furnishings sourced largely through Roche Bobois. The home unfolds from a striking cross-shaped hallway anchored by a custom T-shaped rug that guides movement through the space. To one side, the primary bedroom suite. To the other, a flexible home office that doubles as a guest suite, and a tranquil secondary bedroom. Straight ahead, a streamlined kitchen opens to a formal dining area and beyond that, a dedicated media and Mah Jong room designed for relaxed gathering. The palette balances jewel tones with crisp whites and greys. Bold in intention but disciplined in execution. A Maya Romanoff wall covering and curated artwork complete the layering of texture, light, and silhouette throughout. The clients arrived hesitant toward color. Through open dialogue and a shared trust in design as storytelling, they left with a home that reflects genuine courage and clarity. Photography by Vincent Dale of Vincent Dale Designs.

Dialogue Design
Home bar - contemporary home bar idea in Toronto

A new, ground-up attached house facing Cooper Park in Williamsburg Brooklyn. The site is in a row of small 1950s two-story, split-level brick townhouses, some of which have been modified and enlarged over the years and one of which was replaced by this building. The exterior is intentionally subdued, reminiscent of the brick warehouse architecture that occupies much of the neighborhood. In contrast, the interior is bright, dynamic and highly-innovative. In a nod to the original house, nC2 opted to explore the idea of a new, urban version of the split-level home. The house is organized around a stair oriented laterally at its center, which becomes a focal point for the free-flowing spaces that surround it. All of the main spaces of the house - entry hall, kitchen/dining area, living room, mezzanine and a tv room on the top floor - are open to each other and to the main stair. The split-level configuration serves to differentiate these spaces while maintaining the open quality of the house. A four-story high mural by the artist Jerry Inscoe occupies one entire side of the building and creates a dialog with the architecture. Like the building itself, it can only be truly appreciated by moving through the spaces.

Dialogue Design
Example of a transitional hallway design in Toronto

Sited on the existing footprint of a 1950 ranch house, this sustainably-designed suburban home offers vast yet modest living spaces that extend into its landscape creating a new modernist aesthetic. In this semi-rural atmosphere the sunlight is brought into the spaces through its hidden light wells, sliding glass panels, and large glass inlets. The ten foot high by twenty four foot sliding panel of glass provides a flowing connection between interior and exterior. Spaces within are edited with it’s carefully placed walls, colors, and light creating senses of openness allowing all the senses to engaged in this modern dialogue of contrasts. www.bernardandre.com

GESTO: A collection designed by AL Studio and manufactured by Antoniolupi. Gesto is the essence of the basin in an antoniolupi style, a revised form, a perfect element when proposed wall hanging or integrated with cabinets tank to the various sizes. A monolithic element made of Ceramilux. A simple gesture of washing your hands that defines a reassuring image, a pure and rigorous volume that becomes meaningful, a dialogue between straight lines and harmoniously rounded corners that determines the feeling of a hollowed block, sanded, molded with water. Absolute pure, perfect continuity, of the thin edge which widens on the back, maximum capacity due to a large basin in all versions.

Our Poetic Period Sanctuary Project, was a philanthropic endeavour which saw us transforming a bedroom in the historically significant United Arts Club. The Club tucked within one of Dublin’s most historically creative quarters required a careful approach to preserving the distinct atmosphere of one of the bedrooms of this Georgian relic. We set about reimagining the space with respectful flair engaging in a careful dialogue between the building’s historical character and a more contemporary design language, our signature style, Polished Eclecticism.

Unabashedly simple and uncluttered, the minimalist interior invites the dramatic alpine views into the home’s visual dialogue. Integrated design features—built-in cabinets and seating as well as a floor-to-ceiling headboard inset into the master bedroom wall—create a seamless merger of architecture and interior design. Designed by Ward+Blake Architects in Jackson, Wyoming. Photo Credit: Douglas Kahn

Set within a wooded landscape, the Millwick Pool House and Guest House expand upon the original courtyard residence with a series of carefully scaled accessory structures. A new pool and pavilion extend daily life outdoors, strengthening the dialogue between architecture and trees. Nearby, the guest house introduces a pop-up dormer and clerestory windows that bring generous light into a compact footprint, creating a lofted retreat that feels both intimate and expansive. Together, the additions deepen the home’s connection to its forested setting while reinforcing the clarity and sculptural character of the original design.

Set among the open grasslands of northern Boulder County, Vermillion Studio was designed to celebrate creativity, craftsmanship, and Colorado’s breathtaking landscape. From its vantage point, the studio captures panoramic views of Longs Peak and Boulder’s Flatirons — a daily reminder of the land that shapes both life and design in this region. Commissioned in 2019, the project reflects F9 Productions’ belief that architecture should not only serve function, but also stir emotion. The result is a place where art and environment coexist — open, grounded, and alive with light. The Vision The client came to F9 with a clear purpose: create a workspace that feels as inspiring as the art produced within it. They wanted a building that honors the land — not one that competes with it. Our team responded with a design that blurs the boundary between indoors and out. Expansive glass facades bring the mountains inside. The softly arched steel roof follows the rhythm of the rolling hills. And the entire structure rests gently within the terrain, becoming part of the landscape rather than imposing upon it. Design and Craft The form of the building reflects the strength and subtlety of the creative process itself — solid, simple, and expressive. Walls and floors made from Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) provide exceptional energy efficiency and durability, while steel arched beams add structure and grace. Select windows are fitted with perforated panels that filter sunlight, reduce heat gain, and cast delicate shadows that change with the time of day — turning natural light into living art. Inside the Studio Step inside, and the building opens up to a world of focus and inspiration. The main level houses large studio spaces, flexible galleries, and a welcoming kitchenette — all designed to support the rhythm of making. Above, a lofted mezzanine offers quiet offices and a glass-framed conference room overlooking the plains and peaks beyond. From every angle, the view reminds occupants why they build, paint, or sculpt: to create something timeless and true. Built for Sustainability Every system and material decision reflects long-term thinking. Ground-source air-to-water heat pumps and radiant in-floor heating keep the space comfortable in every season. The use of ICF and steel ensures resilience with minimal energy loss. Together, these strategies make Vermillion Studio both efficient and enduring — a structure as sustainable as it is inspiring. The Result Vermillion Studio is more than a workspace; it’s a living dialogue between design and nature. It’s where creativity meets clarity, and where the beauty of Colorado becomes part of everyday life. Rooted in the land and open to the sky, it stands as a quiet statement of what F9 Productions believes architecture should be — functional, sustainable, and profoundly human.

A new, ground-up attached house facing Cooper Park in Williamsburg Brooklyn. The site is in a row of small 1950s two-story, split-level brick townhouses, some of which have been modified and enlarged over the years and one of which was replaced by this building. The exterior is intentionally subdued, reminiscent of the brick warehouse architecture that occupies much of the neighborhood. In contrast, the interior is bright, dynamic and highly-innovative. In a nod to the original house, nC2 opted to explore the idea of a new, urban version of the split-level home. The house is organized around a stair oriented laterally at its center, which becomes a focal point for the free-flowing spaces that surround it. All of the main spaces of the house - entry hall, kitchen/dining area, living room, mezzanine and a tv room on the top floor - are open to each other and to the main stair. The split-level configuration serves to differentiate these spaces while maintaining the open quality of the house. A four-story high mural by the artist Jerry Inscoe occupies one entire side of the building and creates a dialog with the architecture. Like the building itself, it can only be truly appreciated by moving through the spaces.

GESTO: A collection designed by AL Studio and manufactured by Antoniolupi. Gesto is the essence of the basin in an antoniolupi style, a revised form, a perfect element when proposed wall hanging or integrated with cabinets tank to the various sizes. A monolithic element made of Ceramilux. A simple gesture of washing your hands that defines a reassuring image, a pure and rigorous volume that becomes meaningful, a dialogue between straight lines and harmoniously rounded corners that determines the feeling of a hollowed block, sanded, molded with water. Absolute pure, perfect continuity, of the thin edge which widens on the back, maximum capacity due to a large basin in all versions.

Inside, the home's interior boasts an expansive, airy feel with cloud-like pendant lights softening the industrial grey concrete, creating a play of textures and form. The large windows bathe the space in natural light, enhancing the open-plan design and the dialogue between the sleek furniture and rustic wooden flooring. The simplicity of the decor underscores a serene and contemplative living environment

FOUR SEASONS RESIDENCE The interiors by EAG Studio at the Four Seasons Residences blend refined luxury with warmth and personality, creating spaces that feel elevated yet effortlessly lived-in. Rich colors, layered textures, and expressive art bring energy and character, balanced by warm woods and tactile finishes that ground the home in comfort. Nature is woven throughout the design through sculptural greenery, organic forms, and abundant natural light, creating a seamless dialogue between indoors and the surrounding city. Thoughtful material pairings and inviting furniture arrangements foster a sense of ease, resulting in an atmosphere that feels optimistic, welcoming, and quietly sophisticated.