Design: So-An Architecture

| 2 Commentaries

Isabelle Stanislas and Leiko Oshima are the design duo behind Paris-based architecture firm So-An Architecture. Their work, which can be found beyond the borders of France, is mostly modern with a few quirky twists. The firm creates dramatic dramatic spaces which are filled with rich products and neutral colours. So-An has completed incredible projects in architecture, interior design, retail spaces and events and have worked with companies including Cartier, Zadig and Voltaire and Novotel. Let’s have a look, shall we?

white loft

Rue du Mail

Rue le Notre

Rue le Notre

Place des États-Unis

Place des États-Unis

I love the marble-clad bathroom in the last space. Black matte fixtures are so in vogue!

Which of the above spaces are you most attracted to?

Photos courtesy of So-An Architecture.

Many thanks to Alessandro V. for sending this my way.

Architecture: London, Ontario

| Leave a Reply

Okay – it’s time to take a break from all these beauty–related posts I’ve been writing. Let’s get back to design and architecture! I’m taking you to London, Ontario today…

When I first moved from Toronto to London four years ago, I have to admit that I really didn’t like it. It’s not that I’m one of those “Toronto is the center of the universe” people but I didn’t really get a great vibe from the city and I found it really hard to meet people. Fast forward 4 years and I now find myself really enjoying my time here. I love that I live in the downtown core – close to independent shops and cafés, and there certainly are a lot of interesting things to see.

The architecture of the houses in my neighbourhood continue to surprise me. The houses that have obviously been well-taken care of have amazing details. Even the not so well-loved houses have great architectural details and I like to imagine who has lived in them and what stories each house might have to share.

Like I said in my last post about London architecture, many of the original houses in the city are made of yellow or red brick. I think they look equally striking in black and white.

houses in London, Ontario

Photos by me using my iPhone and the Camera+ app.

The Friday Five: London Architecture

| 4 Commentaries

The arrival of the sunny warm weather in the last few weeks has meant that I have been spending a lot more time outside. On my walks around the neighbourhood I have begun to really notice the amazing architectural features of the buildings around me. I have started to bring along my camera and I have been snapping away. With all the traveling I have done these last couple of months, it feels really good to shine the spotlight on some local gems for a change.

architectural details in London, Ontario

Photos by Jordana.

Architecture: Squish Studio

| Leave a Reply

With a name like Squish Studio how can I help but be intrigued? This is what the Squish Studio looks like on the inside:

And here is its wicked exterior:

Designed by Saunders Architecture in collaboration with the Shorefast Foundation and the Fogo Island Arts Corporation, this white gem is not only supporting the Fogo Island arts community, but it is also bringing plenty of attention to this tiny part of Newfoundland (area: 110 square miles; population: 2700).

Notes: Images via Tevami. Thanks to CC for sending this my way.

The Friday Five: Boston Architecture

| 2 Commentaries

As Johanne pointed out earlier this week, I’ve recently gone on a bit of a tour of cities. My week of travel included a visit to Boston and, as always, I was on the lookout for white. While many of the buildings in this friendly city are constructed of red-brick, I did spot several beautiful white structures as I went about my explorations. Here are five white structures that caught my eye.

building with rounded corner on Huntington Ave.

mostly straight with a bit of curve, The Midtown Hotel on Huntington Ave.

This was the only white building I saw on the Harvard campus. Are there others?

Two Center Plaza – more curves here – on Cambridge St.

pretty doorway on Park St.

As you can see, Boston did not let me down. And red as an accent colour – I can probably approve that!

Photos by Jordana.

1 … 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 … 14