Once upon a time in Cairo, Makram Khalil started a family business specialized in furniture manufacturing. A decade later, the new generation, Cherif and Rami Makram, dreamed of taking the business further and decided of expanding through the creation of a new brand, &CAIRO.

Inspired by the city they live in; the brothers wanted to dedicate their passion for furniture design to Cairo. &CAIRO is launching a new and young design approach with a fresh look within a context that appreciates and reflects the Cairene lifestyle.

As its name indicates, &CAIRO is fresh and crisp with inspiration from vintage and retro pieces that are significant to Cairo's culture and character. Understanding the rich background of the city, &CAIRO wants to make sure that its inspirations and, as a result, products capture the city's essence exclusively.

While the city may be thousands of years old, the Makram brothers are offering a new style; it's the "Makramish Style". With a fresh outlook on products, where substance triumphs over style, without forgetting the importance of creating products that are useful and permit the user to connect on an emotional level.

The brand mainly focuses on wood but also incorporates other materials that require a passion for craftsmanship. It presents a family business, managed by different generations that share the same passion for furniture making.

Endless Table by Leonard Bila, image courtesy Miral Ramzy

K-Tabe by Cherif Makram, image courtesy Miral Ramzy

L-Lounge by Karim Mekhtigian, image courtesy Miral Ramzy

Tea Tables by Cherif Makram, image courtesy Miral Ramzy

ZigZag Bookcase by Viable London, image courtesy Miral Ramzy

Utchat Stool by Rami Makram, image courtesy Ahmed Zaatar

The Residences at hu'u is pleased to announce the unveiling of 10 individual private villas located in one of the most desirable addresses in Seminyak, Bali, and available for ownership,  beginning today. Each of the 10 residences – one-bedroom lofts, dual-level two-bedrooms and a penthouse villa – enjoys a private pool with tranquil landscaped gardens and plushed-out interiors and exteriors that ensure pure relaxation with ease. The Residences at hu'u provide an attractive investment that balances high-style indulgence and leisure-home ownership in Bali – one of the world's top vacation destinations.

Two bedroom loft, render courtesy hu'u

Owners at The Residences at hu'u will have a unique access to the acclaimed services and amenities of this multi-concept, sprawling 4,300-square-meter resort designed to provide a getaway, fusing together choice luxury villa accommodation, epicurean journeys and vibrant beats, where guests from across the world come to mingle.

Philip Mimbimi, general manager of hu'u

Master plan, drawing courtesy hu'u

The 10 signature villas deliver human-oriented living spaces. Indisputably spacious living areas, an in-house private chef from The Restaurant at hu'u, expansive pools, exclusive access to events at The Club & Lounge at hu'u, and a private membership to the Canggu Club are part of this truly integrated paradigm. Exclusively tailored services are only the beginning, in these perfect island getaway property investment homes away from home.

Architectural plans by Putu Edy Semara create a platform that will accommodate any lifestyle or design sensibility. State-of-the-art appliances are integrated into each villa property. Light-filled spaces, private iron-wood sun decks, large balconies and lush landscapes only begin to tell the story.

Penthouse villa, render courtesy hu'u

Beautifully appointed, The Residences at hu'u are in utter harmony with the Bali lifestyle, mixing traditional indigenous elements like "tetaring" sky-lighted roofs with contemporary amenities, all juxtaposed against one of the world's most stunning tropical landscapes. Stylishly simple details proliferate in flawless interiors by Singaporean designer Alex Tan.

One bedroom loft, render courtesy hu'u

The Residences at hu'u are within a short walking distance to globally renowned restaurants, boutiques, nightlife and, of course, the beaches. Spend each day indulging in the best of what Bali offers. Sunbathe, swim or take a walk and feel the velvet of powdery sand between your toes. Spend a day shopping at top retail boutiques. Enjoy international flavors at the best restaurants. Or simply dance the night away at great nightclubs. All of this is just moments away from The Residences at hu'u.

+ About the hu'u Brand

hu'u, named after a magical atoll off the coast of Sumbawa, is a recognized name associated with quality, a highly successful restaurant and vibrant club & bar. hu'u is a brand that stands for progressiveness and the coveted Bali lifestyle, and continues to receive top acclaim: Wine Spectator's 2010 Award of Excellence, The Yak Magazine's 2010 Best Bar/Club Award, Wine & Dine Singapore's 2008 Top Restaurants, Singapore Tatler's 2007 Best New Restaurant & Best Service, to mention a few. hu'u celebrated its 9th Anniversary in 2010 continuing its long-standing legacy to provide guests with unforgettable experiences. And today, hu'u ventures to set the standard once again with The Residences at hu'u.

+ Please visit http://www.huuresidences.com/ for more information.

+ All images and drawings courtesy hu’u

Llandudno Beach in Cape Town, situated on the Atlantic seaboard of the Cape Peninsula, is surrounded by large granite boulders and overlooked by mountains.

Infinity Pavilion, image courtesy Margot Krasojevic

The infinity pavilion beach house balances on the cliffs overlooking the town of Llandudno in cape town, the design directly engages with its context. the main open plan accommodation area consists of a series of dramatic angular forms that cascade down the cliffs to the sea edge, emphasising the precipitous nature of the site, the cliff-face uses sand blasted structural steel sections suspending the main living area, the form reflects the changing contours of the landscape preserved uninterrupted beneath.

Infinity Pavilion, image courtesy Margot Krasojevic

Infinity Pavilion, image courtesy Margot Krasojevic

The open plan living area has privacy and ocean views, the swimming pool connects the interior and exterior spaces of the pavilion, as part of the main living area allows the pool into it, the key feature of the scheme is the dichroic glass pod structure, which has a reinforced steel mesh embedded within it, covering the living area allowing for spectacular views over the Atlantic Ocean.

A cantilevered walkway is projected from the cliff face allowing for a horizon skywalk,and infinite views.

Infinity Pavilion, image courtesy Margot Krasojevic

+ Project credits / data

Project: Infinity Pavilion
Design: Margot Krasojevic
Type: Residential – Single family residence
Location: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
Client: Mr. Migo Manz | HOLDEN MANZ WINE ESTATE Franschhoek Winery, Green Valley Road, Cape Town
Building status: ongoing building work
Site type: Rural
Building area: 350 m²

+ All images courtesy Margot Krasojevic

AOL launched a company-wide initiative to adapt to changes in online culture – which the company had been instrumental in creating in the first place. As part of this effort, AOL moved its West Coast headquarters to a new corporate space in Palo Alto and brought in Studio O+A to give the office a fresh design.

AOL Office, image courtesy Jasper Sanidad

AOL Office, image courtesy Jasper Sanidad

The existing space retained a distinctly 1980s corporate aesthetic: drop ceilings hanging over every office, high cubicles separating employees into tightly defined workstations, dark finishes, and oblique lines. O+A restored the space to a clean, white canvas – exposing the ceilings, stripping the walls to reveal the structure, and generally creating a spatial equivalent to the transparency that AOL was bringing to every aspect of its business.

AOL Office, image courtesy Jasper Sanidad

Key to this approach is the concept of "honest materiality" – the embrace of materials and processes that originate in the construction industry and that increasingly provide the finish motifs for modern workplace design. At AOL, for example, oriented strand board (OSB), typically used by contractors to separate spaces on construction sites, was sanded, shaped, and finished to serve as a contemporary accent throughout the complex. Exposed ceilings, concrete floors, expansive sightlines, and modern furniture all contribute to the industrial look. The result is a space that communicates what it is made of and how it was built.

AOL Office, image courtesy Jasper Sanidad

In keeping with this theme of transparency, O+A's floor plan emphasizes collaborative space – a change from segregated private offices to open workstations and the collegiality of shared environments. Two features of the AOL design highlight this concept. The first is a series of circular pods positioned throughout the main work areas as impromptu meeting rooms. Constructed of OSB and translucent fiberglass, these cozy silos provide a space for informal collaboration and spontaneous creativity. To encourage that spontaneity, the pods are open to all employees and cannot be reserved.

AOL Office, image courtesy Jasper Sanidad

An even more prominent feature is the large, bright, collaborative space AOL has dubbed the Town Hall. Part kitchen, part play space, part kick-back area, the Town Hall also functions as an all-hands common area (Ariana Huffington spoke there when AOL acquired the Huffington Post), modeled after late-night eateries in San Francisco's Mission District. The kitchen's bench-seating, ample light, and bursts of color against a white palette go well with the game and relaxation area. Centrally located to bring together staff from departments that might not otherwise interact, the Town Hall is designed to foster the kind of creative cross-pollination for which tech companies like AOL are renowned.

AOL Office, image courtesy Jasper Sanidad

And then there are graphics. AOL's new logo – the company's initials in a simple white font – can be placed effectively on any colorful background. Those playful backgrounds vary throughout the headquarters and include both abstract patterns and imagery drawn from nature and pop culture. All wall coverings in the space are custom designed.

The design embodies the elements of the new AOL – transparency, collaboration, creativity, and playfulness – to create a stimulating environment for the firm's staff.

AOL Office, image courtesy Jasper Sanidad

+ Project credits / data

Project: AOL Office
Location: 395 Pagemill Road, Palo Alto, California
Client: AOL
Phase 1:    January 2011
Phase 2:    April 2011
Gross square footage:
Floor:    73,024 sq. ft.
Building:  219,377 sq. ft.

Architect: Studio O+A
Project Team: Primo Orpilla, Albert Claxton, Alfred Socias, Perry Stephney, Elizabeth Boze, Denise Cherry, Alexander Ng
Contractor: NOVO Construction
Photographer: Jasper Sanidad

Key materials (type/brand)

CARPET
BENTLEY PRINCE STREET
CONSTANTINE CARPET
FLOR
SHAW CONTRACT GROUP

WALL TREATMENT
SHERWIN WILLIAMS
ICI PAINTS
MDC WALLCOVERINGS
BENJAMIN MOORE

RUBBER BASE
ALLSTATE

GLASS
JOEL BERMAN GLASS STUDIOS, LTD

FURNITURE
POD OFFICE

COUNTERTOP
DEVINCENZI ARCHITECTURAL PRODUCTS, INC
CAESARSTONE

TILE
DALTILE

LAMINATE
ABET LAMINATI

OTHER:
Oriented Strand Board, Reclaimed Douglas Fir, Corrugated Fiberglass

Software used: AutoCAD, Illustrator, 3D StudioMax

+ All images courtesy Jasper Sanidad