London-based architecture and design firm Sybarite has recently created the Archetto bench for Pitti Uomo Buyer’s Club in Firenze, Italy.

Archetto, image courtesy Sybarite

+ Project description by Sybarite

Archetto - Sketch, drawing courtesy Sybarite

The brief was for a communal seating area which would make the best use of a small space in a unique and aesthetically pleasing way. The response is a sculptural form whose fluid ‘bow’ shape not only maximises seating capacity, but also gathers people together, encouraging conversation and sociability. The back of the structure sweeps up from seating height to form a screen, allowing a degree of privacy without creating a barrier. Avoiding abrupt edges which might make it feel closed off, the seat wraps around itself, inviting newcomers to sit down and join the conversation.

Archetto is constructed of foam which is CNC milled from a CAD-CAM file to ensure precision cutting, then finished in white flowcoat, a GRP lacquer similar to that used in yacht building. It’s light weight and constructed in five pieces, making it easy to fabricate and transport. Multiple power points set into the stainless steel skirting ensure connectivity and make it perfect in a showroom setting. The design would easily transfer to bars, restaurants or residential projects as well as breakout spaces or meeting rooms in offices. Optional PVC-upholstered cushioning maintains a sleek look while enhancing comfort in a lounging situation.

Archetto - 3D view, drawing courtesy Sybarite

Archetto, image courtesy Sybarite

+ Project credits / data

Project: Archetto
Client: Pitti Uomo Buyer’s Club (Firenze, Italy)
Architect: Sybarite (London, UK) | http://www.syb.co.uk/
Manufacturer: Marzorati Ronchetti (Cantù, Italy) | http://www.marzoratironchetti.it/
Completed: January 2011
Photographer: Federico Ambrosi

+ All images and drawings courtesy Sybarite

1713 Wood House, image courtesy Ranquist Development

American architectural firm Miller Hull Partnership has designed the 1713 Wood House located in Chicago, Illinois, USA.

The dramatic Southern elevation is centered on a three story curtain wall with a perforated steel screen for privacy. On the main living level, a skylight runs the length of the home on the North elevation, maximizing the passage of natural light, despite the building on the lot directly adjacent.

1713 Wood House, image courtesy Ranquist Development

1713 Wood House, image courtesy Ranquist Development

The interior and exterior spaces seamlessly engage each other from a wide spanning bridge connecting the main living area to the garage roof deck, making efficient use of this Chicago city lot.

1713 Wood House, image courtesy Ranquist Development

The main living level is centered around the kitchen, an elevated area that functions as the command center for the home. The living room comfortably sits on one side of the kitchen, while the dining room sits on the opposite side. Dividing the dining room from a home office at the front of the house, are three 12 foot tall steel doors hung on sliding tracks from the ceiling. The doors are inlaid with glass portholes of varied sizes and fondly referred to by the home owners as Swiss cheese doors. They easily slide away into a pocket allowing them to completely open the office to the rest of the living area.

The lower level contains a two story rear foyer with a 18 foot tall wall of casework thats height stretches into the living room, creating shelving to display objects and art above and storage for coats, gloves, hats and boots below. The lower level also contains a playroom, two guest suites and a home theater. The upper level features the familys 3 bedroom suites and a small study. The stairs leading up to the roof deck are encased in glass and open to a private roof top garden with dazzling city views.

1713 Wood House, image courtesy Ranquist Development

+ Project credits / data

Project: 1713 Wood House
Size: 5200 sqft
Lot size: 33′ x 125′
Location: Chicago, Illinois, USA
Design architect: Miller Hull Partnership | http://www.millerhull.com
Interior designers: Jennifer Lissner and Kara Mann
Developer and General Contractor: Ranquist Development | http://www.ranquistdevelopment.com/
Photographer: Becky Midden, Marty Peters
Cladding: Rheinzink standing seam panels and horizontal cedar rain-screen cladding

+ About Ranquist Development

For over 35 years, Ranquist Development has acquired a reputation as a developer and builder of Chicagoland residential communities with outstanding quality and unparalleled appeal. Every development reflects many months, and sometimes years, of careful design and planning to create a unique living experience for the homeowners. With emphasis on “going beyond the ordinary”, success is reflected in the imaginative site

+ All images and drawings courtesy Miller Hull Partnership | Photo by Becky Midden, Marty Peters

Christopher William Adach has recently created the modular shelves system – ‘LEGO me’. It is based on simple cubic module that allow to create the desirable shapes.

+ Design statement by Christopher William Adach

My idea was to create something universal in shape, material and stylistic affection, which could be assembly on a site, with individual approach, fitting to the space and personal needs.

'LEGO me' shelves are based on simple cubic module, made from three layers in which external and internal layers are transparent, white acrylic, and interlayer is 10mm zebrawood or any exotic hardwood, with significant pattern, contrasted with purity and clarity of acrylic material. Modules are produced in several different variants to allow create desirable shapes.

Modules are joined together by double 'Mortise and Tenon' joints for horizontal connections and 'Dowel' joints for vertical connections. Each joint is rigid, pressed to the final position but could be demountable any time to reshape your furniture.

Horny, smooth, elegant legs are made from the same wood what interlayer of the module gives the furniture, sophisticated appearance.

+ Technical data

Project: ‘LEGO me’ – modular shelves system
Designer: Christopher William Adach | http://www.christopheradach.com/
External cubic dimensions: 350mm / 350mm / 350mm
Internal cubic dimensions: 250mm / 250mm / 350mm
Details:
One side of the cubic is divers with depth of the particular layers.
External layer of acrylic is 350mm depth, with internal rounded edge, wood interlayer is 340mm depth and internal acrylic layer is 340mm also with rounded edges.

'LEGO me' - modular shelves system, image courtesy Christopher William Adach

'LEGO me' - modular shelves system, image courtesy Christopher William Adach

'LEGO me' - modular shelves system, image courtesy Christopher William Adach

'LEGO me' - modular shelves system, image courtesy Christopher William Adach