Exhibition: 'Woodily Made in Hong Kong - Mak's Hand Rules'

Blog #5 – Human-Centered Stillness Why Quiet Spaces Matter in a Loud World by Mehdi Hajiamouassar Excerpt: Stillness is not emptiness. It’s presence. In a world overwhelmed by speed, stillness-centered architecture brings us back to ourselves. Content: In today’s culture of overstimulation — of scrolling, speeding, and stacking schedules — we often forget what it feels like to pause. Architecture has followed suit. Spaces shout with colors, clash with shapes, and compete for attention. But I believe the future of architecture is not louder. It’s quieter. It listens. It breathes. It centers the human experience. Stillness is Spatial, Not Static Stillness doesn’t mean lifelessness. It’s not about freezing movement — it’s about designing space in a way that invites reflection, slowness, and presence. In a truly still space: • The light is soft, not aggressive. • The layout invites flow, not confusion. • Materials calm the senses instead of overwhelming them. • Proportions are held with dignity, not drama. These spaces don’t demand attention — they offer rest. Why the Human Comes First I always ask: How does this space feel when it’s empty? And: How does it feel when someone enters it? A quiet space isn’t about silence alone — it’s about creating room for the inner dialogue. For the client, the resident, the guest — to reconnect with their own body and rhythm. We prioritize: • Natural light that flows gently. • Spatial rhythm that allows the mind to settle. • Neutral palettes rooted in local culture. • Acoustic comfort for peace of mind. Minimalism becomes meaningful when it serves the human — not the trend. Cultural and Historical Roots In Iranian architecture, stillness is spiritual. The chahar bagh garden isn't just an aesthetic diagram — it’s a spatial embodiment of calm. The domed spaces of Isfahan, the reflective geometry of Safavid tilework, the windcatchers of Yazd — they all slow us down. They let the mind settle into the body. Similarly, Scandinavian architecture has carried forward this same reverence for the quiet — from the works of Alvar Aalto to contemporary Nordic design. Not minimalism as trend — but as atmosphere. Stillness is Not Luxury — It’s Necessity People today crave spaces that don’t perform, but support. Design that isn’t decorative, but restorative. As architects, we have the power — and responsibility — to give people more than style. We can offer sanctuary. ________________________________________ Closing Thought: Human-centered stillness isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence. In the end, it’s not what a space says — it’s what it allows you to feel. The goal is not to impress. It’s to hold space for the human within.

From European Craft. For Iconic Spaces Across Europe’s most distinguished cities, you’ll find decorative tree grates seamlessly integrated into plazas, boulevards, and pedestrian corridors. These elements do more than protect urban greenery—they act as refined layers of identity, artistry, and functionality. They elevate public and private realms, transforming streetscapes into living galleries of craftsmanship. At Art Stahl, we carry this tradition forward while creating something distinctly new for today’s high-end developments. Unlike off-the-shelf solutions, our custom metalwork tree grates are tailored to the identity and narrative of each property. We design and engineer them not as accessories, but as signature elements that define the character of a space. Why It Matters for Developers and Designers For developers, urban designers, and landscape firms, differentiation is key. Properties must offer an experience beyond architecture—a sense of place that resonates with users and elevates daily interactions. By integrating art into functional infrastructure, Art Stahl enables spaces that embody refinement, exclusivity, and cultural identity. Tailored to the Project’s DNA – Every piece is designed in harmony with the property’s architecture, landscape, and intended user profile. Crafted with Sustainable Durability – Built from premium metals with advanced finishing, ensuring long-lasting performance even in high-traffic, outdoor environments. Enhanced Security & Safety Features – Engineered details for user protection and urban resilience while maintaining elegance. Global Inspirations, Local Craftsmanship – Drawing from European traditions yet reinterpreted with Philippine artisanal skill, producing one-of-a-kind solutions unavailable anywhere else in the world. Art Integrated Into Every Step Art Stahl’s work is more than design—it’s place branding through functional art. Decorative tree grates and other bespoke elements enrich the landscape by blending aesthetic sophistication with practicality, appealing to both luxury property developers and art-enthusiast communities. By weaving artistry into everyday urban infrastructure, we create spaces that are not only livable but memorable—where every detail reflects intentionality, elegance, and exclusivity. Shaping Tomorrow’s Urban Experience As cities and developments in Asia seek to stand alongside the world’s most iconic destinations, the integration of art and craftsmanship in the urban fabric becomes a mark of vision and leadership. With Art Stahl, your project gains a signature element of distinction—rooted in European inspiration, but forged into a contemporary identity that is uniquely yours.  #LuxuryLiving #LandscapeArchitecture #CityStyle #WalkableLuxury #PublicArt #BespokeDesign #DesignInspiration #LuxuryDevelopments #UrbanAesthetics #CityStyle #MasterPlanning #TreeGrate #UrbanScape #Developers

✨ Sustainable design at Paris Design Week 2025 ✨ During this year’s edition, I explored how designers and architects are rethinking materials, reuse, and low-carbon approaches. Here are my favorite selections : 🧱 FabBRICK® – This Parisian studio gives a second life to textiles, recycling nearly 15 tons each year into cladding and furniture. Their collection is a poetic manifesto on the possibilities of matter. 🪑 Studio 5.5 presented at the Archives nationales de France's gardens "L’hémicycle citoyen", a monumental installation created with Leboncoin.fr, where every chair is inscribed with words reflecting freedom and democracy. A strong statement on design as a tool for awareness and change. 🌳 FIBOIS FRANCE prepared an exhibition dedicated to the French wood sector at the Bibliothèque Historique de la Ville de Paris, showcasing innovative furniture prototypes by BOIS DE FRANCE such as: • 🔊 The Focal Seat - an immersive wooden cocoon creating natural acoustic intimacy for conversation. •🚲 Horizon - a modular bike trailer made from FSC wood and recycled materials, assembled without glue, delivered as a customizable kit. I also found some remarkable furniture: • 🍽️ La Table des Français – a modular, family-designed dining table in local wood. • 🪑 La Chaise qui Marche – an inventive chair supporting autonomy for elderly and mobility-impaired people. • 🔥 T35 – a stool crafted from climate-marked wood, with a charred finish inspired by forest fires. 👉 What struck me most is how design is no longer just about aesthetics—it’s about resourcefulness, inclusivity, and resilience in the face of climate challenges. 📅 Paris Design Week runs until September 13, 2025 — free and open to all. 🔎 For more information : https://lnkd.in/e8mqs4Ti 💚 Follow @unbuiltmatters on instagram to learn more : https://lnkd.in/eSeJXfkE #ParisDesignWeek #SustainableDesign #EcoDesign #LowCarbon #Innovation #SustainableArchitecture

What does it really mean when we call a space “timeless”? It’s one of those phrases that floats easily into design briefs: timeless palette, timeless finishes, timeless architecture. That said, the word itself feels slippery. Nothing in life is truly timeless… we aren’t, and neither are fashions, styles, or cultural references. So when we say a building or interior is timeless, are we describing the space itself, or simply our current perspective of what deserves permanence? Is the Sistine Chapel or the Taj Mahal timeless? Perhaps. They’ve endured for centuries. But their endurance also comes from context: power, craft, belief, and cultural resonance. In another sense, what we call “timeless design” today might be an Aman, or a heritage restoration like the Waldorf Astoria in New York, where a decade-long effort revived historic detail with contemporary relevance. Closer to home, Geoffrey Bawa’s work stands as a masterclass. His architecture still feels fresh decades later, not because it ignores time, but because it listens to climate, landscape, and life. His former Colombo residence, now a guest house, remains deeply relevant because it was designed with restraint, natural ventilation, and a seamless indoor-outdoor balance. Maybe timelessness isn’t a fixed quality at all, but something that keeps renewing its relevance. It’s not about playing it safe or choosing something bland so it won’t offend future taste. That’s not timeless, that’s fearful. Instead, spaces that feel timeless are the ones rooted in intention. They listen to culture, climate, craft, and human behaviour. They don’t scream for attention but remain with you quietly long after you’ve left. A space becomes timeless when it grows with its time, when it can change meaning as society changes, yet still feel whole. It’s less about a style and more about a sensibility, restraint, authenticity, and the ability to earn its place slowly. Yes, hotels will still need refurbishment every 7–10 years. Fabrics wear, technology evolves, expectations change, but the soul of a place doesn’t have to. When the foundations are thoughtful, refreshes are just evolution, not reinvention. Timelessness isn’t about resisting change. It’s about building in a way that welcomes it and still lingers in memory long after you leave. So maybe the real question is: timeless for whom, and in what moment? I’d love to hear your thoughts. When you step into a space and it feels “timeless,” what are you actually experiencing?

Furniture doesn’t always have to be built. Sometimes it can be grown🍄 Aifunghi has just proved that with their work with mycelium, the root system of mushrooms, showing how natural materials can be used in new ways. In June this year, Aifunghi launched their new design brand, where our seaweed-based foam is part of the mix. For some time we’ve been testing how our foam can work alongside mycelium, contributing to a piece of furniture made entirely without plastic. For us, this marks a step towards showing that the future of furniture can move beyond fossil-based materials and be shaped by solutions that are both beautiful and responsible. Photo credit: Aifunghi / Robin Noordam

Facades are no longer just protective shells—they’re storytellers of identity, creativity, and sustainability. Terraco’s Harmonious Inspiration collection redefines this with 25 signature facade finishes, blending timeless aesthetics with high-performance functionality. Drawn from research across 12 global markets (from UAE to Sweden), the collection aligns with key trends: green architecture that harmonizes with nature, organic forms like curvature and fluted textures, and innovative material mixes—think brick-inspired patterns and micro-cement minimalism. Its four color themes—Minimal Elegant, Terra, Blossom, and Strata—adapt seamlessly to both futuristic skylines (Dubai) and classical charm (Stockholm). For architects and designers aiming to merge vision with durability, this is more than a product—it’s a partner in building legacies. #ArchitecturalDesign #SustainableFacades #TerracoInspiration #FacadeFinishes #GreenArchitecture #GlobalDesignTrends #HighPerformanceMaterials #BuildingInnovation

Retail Store Design / Flagship Architecture & Interior Design #retaildesign #retailstore #flagshipstore #interior #interiordesign #urbanarchitecture #modernarchitecture #ai #aishorts #aidesign This flagship retail store design series embraces a modern, sophisticated, and versatile architectural language characterized by clean, curved lines and a futuristic aesthetic. The design is executed across three levels and features three primary visual variations: white stone, black stone, and a mixed black-and-white stone scheme. Situated in the urban contexts of New York and Paris, each iteration balances local architectural influences with an iconic, contemporary brand identity. Architectural Language and Form The building employs smooth rounded edges and fluid curves in its architectural lines, softening the modernist style to evoke a welcoming yet futuristic presence. These rounded edges appear on façades, window frames, display shelves, and circulation elements such as staircases, creating a seamless flow throughout the store. The volumetric composition allows natural light to flow deeply into the interior, accented by sleek curved glass elements that contrast with robust stone surfaces, underscoring innovation and elegance. Materiality and Visual Variations White Stone Design: Predominantly using pristine white quartzite or marble veneer, this variation conveys purity, brightness, and spatial expansiveness. It creates a serene luxury experience with subtle textural contrasts and natural stone veining. The white stone serves as a neutral yet striking backdrop for merchandise, enhancing visibility and focus. Black Stone Design: Utilizing black lava stone or Nero Marquina marble, this scheme exudes boldness and drama. The deep black matte and polished surfaces highlight the refined textures of natural stone while communicating strength and exclusivity. Illuminated accents with brass or warm metal fixtures create a striking contrast and add warmth. Mixed Stone Design: This approach artfully combines white and black stone panels in geometric or flowing patterns, generating a dynamic rhythm and spatial hierarchy. The interior balances light and shadow play, with material transitions echoing the interplay of modern urban life and timeless craftsmanship. Contextual Influence: New York & Paris In New York, the design nods to the city’s modernist architectural icons with minimalistic black and white façades enhanced by metal frames inspired by Mies van der Rohe’s style. In Paris, the building respects the historic urban fabric with rounded edges and smooth surfaces contrasting against the classic Haussmannian stone buildings, bridging tradition with innovation. This flagship design concept offers a versatile template to embody luxury, modernity, and visual storytelling through materiality and form, adaptable to the vibrant environments of New York and Paris flagship retail landscapes.

At Studio KKD, our longstanding mission is to create environments that are nourishing and sustainable. Every design is approached through a human-centric lens, with the intention of benefiting both the environment and those who inhabit the space. We also champion brands whose social ethos brings positive change to society, such as Zuleya by FBMI, which highlights exquisite craft and empowers thousands of women in Afghanistan. To uphold these ideals, we adhere to distinct design principles: Source Locally & Sustainably Prioritising sustainable materials is foundational; it influences every project, from floors crafted with eco-conscious materials to curtains from ocean waste. Sustainability, however, extends beyond material selection. Transporting products long distances increases toxic emissions and the carbon footprint. By choosing local resources, we reduce these impacts and celebrate regional character, forging deeper community connections. For instance, our UK projects such as Aranyani and Flex by Grosvenor showcase domestic stones, British fabrics, and bespoke fittings by local craftsmen. Spaces that nurture wellbeing A holistic approach to design demands care for the user's health. We meticulously select non-toxic materials, especially for expansive surfaces, ensuring finishes are safe. Furthermore, the mental well-being of occupants is integral. In spaces including Kef Holdings’ head office and Flex by Grosvenor workspaces, we carefully planned varied environments and visual experiences to accommodate and enrich individual preferences throughout the day. Sensory Discovery We believe that good design engages every sense. Spaces are curated to nourish body, mind, and spirit, harnessing influences like light, scent, and sound to evoke desired emotional and energetic responses. The selection of palettes and finishes plays a crucial role in inspiring emotional reactions - materials and colours are chosen with deliberate care to awaken and uplift. Future-Proof & Repurpose Enduring spaces require flexibility to evolve and respond to changing needs, preventing unnecessary full retrofits. We champion the use of quality materials and craftsmanship for lasting longevity. Assessing each space for its potential to be repurposed is equally important: retaining and revitalising existing features—such as giving a new hue to a beautiful floor in Aranyani, transforming reclaimed parquet into boardroom tables for Flex by Grosvenor, or elevating a tiled wall as a design statement—brings history into the present. We are honoured by our longstanding collaborations with Historic Royal Palaces, entrusted to work sensitively within historic buildings. Our designs thoughtfully blend with existing structures, created to be sympathetic while avoiding any harm to the historic fabric. Notably, the White Tower Shop and Crown Jewel Exit Shop are conceived for longevity, blending subtle innovation with deep respect for heritage.

Valencia has quietly become one of the most important cities in global design. In a great new piece by ARCHITECT Magazine's Editor-in-Chief Paul Makovsky, we get a closer look at why Spanish furniture and lighting are gaining the attention they deserve and how Valencia has emerged as a creative epicenter for craftsmanship, innovation, and sustainability. From new approaches to material use to a deeper commitment to environmental responsibility, what's happening in Spain is highly relevant for anyone tracking global design trends. Valencia, in particular, is making a strong case as a hub for bold ideas and refined execution. A must-read for anyone interested in where design is headed next. Read the article here: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eTuH2kUZ #Architecture #SpanishDesign #PaulMakovsky #Valencia #FurnitureDesign #LightingDesign #DesignLeadership #ARCHITECTMagazine Feria Hábitat València Textilhogar | HOME TEXTILES PREMIUM Interiors From Spain Kettal EXPORMIM estiluz Ondarreta VONDOM Capdell Joquer ACTIU GANDIA BLASCO GROUP .annudBOVER Barcelona Faro Barcelona Kriskadecor Sancal Arkoslight POINT | Outdoor Design Furniture Calma Outdoor Sellex Punt mobles Olé Lighting INCLASS DESIGNWORKS S.L. MISSANA Lladró, S.A. Santa & Cole

Byzantine Architecture: Ancient Elements, Modern Inspirations 💡 When we think of architectural innovation, our minds often jump to steel, glass, and concrete. Yet some of the most timeless design solutions come from centuries ago—specifically from the Byzantine era (4th–15th century CE). Its architecture wasn’t just about grand domes and mosaics; it was about crafting spaces that stirred the soul and shaped human experience. So, what can we learn from Byzantine design today? Let’s remove sometime in understanding elements! 1. The Dome: A Dialogue Between Heaven & Earth In Byzantine architecture, domes weren’t just structural feats—they were spiritual symbols, creating a sense of infinity. Think of Hagia Sophia’s floating dome, where light dissolved the boundary between structure and sky. 🔹 Modern Inspiration: Skylit atriums, civic domes, and circular glass canopies can recreate that ethereal experience, reminding us that architecture is as much about emotion as engineering. ⸻ 2. Mosaics: Storytelling Through Surfaces Byzantine walls shimmered with mosaics—intricate pieces narrating faith, power, and culture. These weren’t decoration; they were visual storytelling mediums. 🔹 Modern Inspiration: Digital mosaics, pixelated facades, and material collages bring storytelling into contemporary public spaces, turning blank walls into cultural canvases. ⸻ 3. Light as a Building Material For Byzantines, light wasn’t incidental—it was deliberate. Windows in domes and semi-domes guided rays to create a shifting spiritual aura inside. 🔹 Modern Inspiration: Sustainable design strategies—clerestories, light wells, perforated screens—echo this principle, harnessing natural light to reduce energy use while uplifting moods. ⸻ 4. Geometry & Harmony Byzantine plans often relied on centralized geometry—perfect circles, squares, and cross-in-square plans—embodying balance and unity. 🔹 Modern Inspiration: Urban plazas, co-working hubs, and meditation pavilions can adopt such geometries to foster community, inclusivity, and calm in chaotic cities. ⸻ 5. Ornament as Identity From capitals with intricate carvings to patterned floors, ornamentation in Byzantine design was a cultural identity, not frivolous excess. 🔹 Modern Inspiration: Contemporary facades, parametric patterns, and crafted details can revive ornament as a medium of storytelling—rather than stripping buildings into soulless glass boxes. ⸻ Why It Matters Today 💡🧠 Byzantine architecture teaches us that design is not just structure— It is experience, identity, and aspiration. In a time where cities often risk becoming generic, drawing from Byzantine elements can help us create spaces that feel timeless, human, and rooted in culture. #byzantinearchitecture #dome #pendantive #squinch #ancientarchitecture #web #bay