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oversized reed roofs reinterpret the ukrainian mazanka in YOD group’s guesthouses
the 50-square-meter guesthouses replace the opaque whitewashed walls of the archetype with full-height glazing. The post oversized reed roofs reinterpret the ukrainian mazanka in YOD group’s guesthouses appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.
A roof that carries memory tops guesthouses by YOD Group In a private estate in central Ukraine, Under the Reed Roof Guesthouses by YOD Group rework the image of the Ukrainian hata-mazanka through a restrained yet radical architectural move. The 50-square-meter guesthouses replace the opaque whitewashed walls of the archetype with full-height glazing, amplifying the thatched roof into a dominant, sculptural presence. Traditional Ukrainian rural houses evolved through necessity and care, with thick plastered walls, periodic maintenance, and thatched roofs that required regular renewal. YOD Group distills this logic into a single architectural gesture. The oversized reed roof becomes both shelter and symbol, its exaggerated scale forming a silhouette that reads somewhere between a tall ceremonial hat and a mushroom rising from the landscape. ‘Our philosophy of terroir design goes beyond working with local materials or familiar forms – it is about uncovering the essence of a place and decoding its cultural meanings,’ explains Volodymyr Nepiyvoda of YOD Group. Rather than presenting the mazanka as an image to be preserved, Under the Reed Roof treats it as a system of care, renewal, and an intimate relationship with climate and land. <img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1176228 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/oversized-reed-roofs-ukrainian-mazanka-yod-group-guesthouses-designboom-01.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="545" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/oversized-reed-roofs-ukrainian-mazanka-yod-group-guesthouses-designboom-01.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/oversized-reed-roofs-ukrainian-mazanka-yod-group-guesthouses-designboom-01-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> all images by Mykhailo Lukashuk Transparency as a contemporary translation Where the historical mazanka pursued light through whiteness and order, the guesthouses pursue it through transparency. Fully glazed facades make the roof appear to hover above the terrain, particularly during daylight hours. The Kyiv-based team at YOD Group reframes the traditional house as a porous structure that remains in constant dialogue with its surroundings. Inside, the layout is organized around a central concrete core that contains the bathroom. This fixed mass anchors the space, while the bedroom and living area unfold on either side. A minimalist fireplace sits in the living room, quietly referencing the Ukrainian stove without nostalgia. The absence of a television reinforces the project’s intention to slow perception. Attention is redirected toward the fire, the landscape, and the shifting light filtered through glass. <img decoding="async" class="wp-image-1176239 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/oversized-reed-roofs-ukrainian-mazanka-yod-group-guesthouses-designboom-12.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="545" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/oversized-reed-roofs-ukrainian-mazanka-yod-group-guesthouses-designboom-12.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/oversized-reed-roofs-ukrainian-mazanka-yod-group-guesthouses-designboom-12-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> Under the Reed Roof Guesthouses by YOD Group rework the image of the Ukrainian hata-mazanka Living with the landscape Under the Reed Roof The sensory experience extends to the floor, where a continuous stone-carpet surface runs both inside and outside. The material choice minimizes thresholds and encourages barefoot movement, reinforcing the sense of immersion in nature. When openness needs to be moderated, dense yet visually light curtains can be drawn via an automated control panel beside the bed, allowing occupants to fine-tune privacy without breaking the calm atmosphere. The interiors follow a language of eco-minimalism, featuring natural tones, textured surfaces, and carefully selected objects by Ukrainian brands. The underside of the roof dome is clad in wooden tiles, referencing traditional wooden shingles historically used across Ukrainian architecture. Rising to ten meters at its apex, the dome introduces verticality into the compact footprint. Heating, cooling, and ventilation are fully integrated, with linear slots and concealed exhausts maintaining uninterrupted wall surfaces and visual clarity. <img decoding="async" class="wp-image-1176230 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/oversized-reed-roofs-ukrainian-mazanka-yod-group-guesthouses-designboom-03.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="1227" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/oversized-reed-roofs-ukrainian-mazanka-yod-group-guesthouses-designboom-03.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/oversized-reed-roofs-ukrainian-mazanka-yod-group-guesthouses-designboom-03-667x1000.jpg 667w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/oversized-reed-roofs-ukrainian-mazanka-yod-group-guesthouses-designboom-03-768x1152.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> the architects replace the opaque whitewashed walls of the archetype with full-height glazing <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1176231 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/oversized-reed-roofs-ukrainian-mazanka-yod-group-guesthouses-designboom-04.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="1227" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/oversized-reed-roofs-ukrainian-mazanka-yod-group-guesthouses-designboom-04.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/oversized-reed-roofs-ukrainian-mazanka-yod-group-guesthouses-designboom-04-667x1000.jpg 667w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/oversized-reed-roofs-ukrainian-mazanka-yod-group-guesthouses-designboom-04-768x1152.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> amplifying the thatched roof into a dominant, sculptural presence <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1176229 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/oversized-reed-roofs-ukrainian-mazanka-yod-group-guesthouses-designboom-02.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="1227" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/oversized-reed-roofs-ukrainian-mazanka-yod-group-guesthouses-designboom-02.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/oversized-reed-roofs-ukrainian-mazanka-yod-group-guesthouses-designboom-02-667x1000.jpg 667w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/oversized-reed-roofs-ukrainian-mazanka-yod-group-guesthouses-designboom-02-768x1152.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> the oversized reed roof becomes both shelter and symbol <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1176233 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/oversized-reed-roofs-ukrainian-mazanka-yod-group-guesthouses-designboom-06.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="545" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/oversized-reed-roofs-ukrainian-mazanka-yod-group-guesthouses-designboom-06.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/oversized-reed-roofs-ukrainian-mazanka-yod-group-guesthouses-designboom-06-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> a silhouette that reads somewhere between a tall ceremonial hat and a mushroom rising from the landscape <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1176232 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/oversized-reed-roofs-ukrainian-mazanka-yod-group-guesthouses-designboom-05.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="545" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/oversized-reed-roofs-ukrainian-mazanka-yod-group-guesthouses-designboom-05.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/oversized-reed-roofs-ukrainian-mazanka-yod-group-guesthouses-designboom-05-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> where the historical mazanka pursued light through whiteness, the guesthouses pursue it through transparency fully glazed facades make the roof appear to hover above the terrain <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1176234 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/oversized-reed-roofs-ukrainian-mazanka-yod-group-guesthouses-designboom-07.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="545" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/oversized-reed-roofs-ukrainian-mazanka-yod-group-guesthouses-designboom-07.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/oversized-reed-roofs-ukrainian-mazanka-yod-group-guesthouses-designboom-07-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> YOD Group reframes the traditional house as a porous structure <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1176235 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/oversized-reed-roofs-ukrainian-mazanka-yod-group-guesthouses-designboom-08.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="1227" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/oversized-reed-roofs-ukrainian-mazanka-yod-group-guesthouses-designboom-08.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/oversized-reed-roofs-ukrainian-mazanka-yod-group-guesthouses-designboom-08-667x1000.jpg 667w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/oversized-reed-roofs-ukrainian-mazanka-yod-group-guesthouses-designboom-08-768x1152.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> the layout is organized around a central concrete core that contains the bathroom a minimalist fireplace sits in the living room <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1176238 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/oversized-reed-roofs-ukrainian-mazanka-yod-group-guesthouses-designboom-11.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="545" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/oversized-reed-roofs-ukrainian-mazanka-yod-group-guesthouses-designboom-11.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/oversized-reed-roofs-ukrainian-mazanka-yod-group-guesthouses-designboom-11-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> the absence of a television reinforces the project’s intention to slow perception <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1176236 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/oversized-reed-roofs-ukrainian-mazanka-yod-group-guesthouses-designboom-09.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="1227" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/oversized-reed-roofs-ukrainian-mazanka-yod-group-guesthouses-designboom-09.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/oversized-reed-roofs-ukrainian-mazanka-yod-group-guesthouses-designboom-09-667x1000.jpg 667w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/oversized-reed-roofs-ukrainian-mazanka-yod-group-guesthouses-designboom-09-768x1152.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> the underside of the roof dome is clad in wooden tiles <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1176237 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/oversized-reed-roofs-ukrainian-mazanka-yod-group-guesthouses-designboom-10.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="1227" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/oversized-reed-roofs-ukrainian-mazanka-yod-group-guesthouses-designboom-10.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/oversized-reed-roofs-ukrainian-mazanka-yod-group-guesthouses-designboom-10-667x1000.jpg 667w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/oversized-reed-roofs-ukrainian-mazanka-yod-group-guesthouses-designboom-10-768x1152.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> Under the Reed Roof treats the mazanka as a system of values in constant dialogue with its surroundings project info: name: Under the Reed Roof Guesthouses architect: YOD Group | @yod.group location: Ukraine area: 50 square meters team: Volodymyr Nepyivoda, Dmytro Bonesco, Natalia Tymochesko, Yana Rogozhinska furniture: Noom | @noomhome photographer: Mykhailo Lukashuk | @misha_lukashuk The post oversized reed roofs reinterpret the ukrainian mazanka in YOD group’s guesthouses appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.
wood and porcelain interplay across curved interiors in florida renovation
renovation and restoration architecture and design
through careful coordination of spatial structure, built-in elements, and material choices, the project presents a cohesive interior environment. The post wood and porcelain interplay across curved interiors in florida renovation appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.
Sandra Britt Interiors revamps residence in Fort Lauderdale A contemporary residence in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has undergone an interior renovation led by Sandra Britt Interiors, with an emphasis on architectural planning, material consistency, and sustainable specification. The project focuses on key public areas of the home, using spatial organization and built-in elements to establish a cohesive interior framework rather than relying on decorative intervention. Completed in 2025, the renovation includes the foyer and staircase, living and dining spaces, integrated millwork, and a dedicated wine and liquor display. The design approach prioritizes circulation, proportion, and clarity of form, allowing architectural elements to structure the interior experience. By concentrating on these core spaces, the project establishes continuity across the home while limiting the scope of intervention. The architectural planning of the renovation was developed through close collaboration between Senior Interior Designer Sabina Kunitsyna and Principal Brittnie Giles of Sandra Britt Interiors. A background in architectural training informed the spatial strategy, with attention given to how materials, built-ins, and transitions between spaces contribute to an overall sense of cohesion. Rather than treating each room independently, the renovation was developed as a connected interior system. built-in bench beneath a custom wall light installation, integrated into the stair | all images courtesy of Sandra Britt Interiors Material Restraint and Architectural clarity define the interiors Material selection plays a central role in both visual consistency and environmental consideration. Engineered wood flooring by Egger was specified throughout the interior to provide durability and uniformity while offering a more resource-efficient alternative to traditional hardwood. In select areas, large-format sustainable porcelain slabs replace natural stone, reducing material extraction while maintaining surface continuity and visual depth. Custom millwork elements are integrated throughout the project. A concealed liquor display, hidden behind a fluted wood sliding panel, operates as a flexible architectural feature. When opened, illuminated shelving and metal detailing are revealed; when closed, the element aligns with the surrounding wall plane. Curved ceiling surfaces with integrated lighting introduce variation within the rectilinear layout, supporting visual continuity while softening spatial transitions. Furniture and lighting selections were made to reinforce the architectural framework. Seating pieces, including the Flock chair by Noom, complement the spatial geometry without dominating the interiors. Lighting elements such as the Moni Triple pendant by Articolo contribute ambient illumination while maintaining a restrained visual presence. Overall, the renovation by Sandra Britt Interiors Studio demonstrates an approach to contemporary residential interiors grounded in architectural planning, controlled material palettes, and long-term usability. Through careful coordination of spatial structure, built-in elements, and material choices, the project presents a cohesive interior environment shaped by clarity and continuity rather than excess. foyer view highlighting vertical wood paneling and layered materials sculptural staircase with a minimalist bronze metal handrail anchoring the entry sequence Kaws sculpture sitting on a floating travertine base and integrated into the bronze metal niche living room and dining area nook with curved ceiling planes and concealed lighting defining the spatial flow entry console framed by fluted wood panels and a mirror, establishing material continuity built-in media wall with fluted wood paneling and hidden storage cabinets shelving niche with curved wood details and thin metal shelves custom built-in media wall with hidden storage cabinets behind wood and limewash paneled doors dining nook anchored by a monolithic table and Moni Triple pendant by Articolo custom wine and liquor display combining backlit shelving and sustainable porcelain slabs liquor display storage cabinet with the fluted wood sliding door that hides the other side project info: name: Fort Lauderdale Residence Renovation designer: Sandra Britt Interiors | @sandrabrittinteriors senior interior designer: Sabina Kunitsyna principal: Brittnie Giles location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here. edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom The post wood and porcelain interplay across curved interiors in florida renovation appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.
reflective metal facade wraps another side funeral home’s elevated volume in san francisco
spaces of mourning and ritual are integrated into a broader community program. The post reflective metal facade wraps another side funeral home’s elevated volume in san francisco appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.
Another Side rethinks death as a shared civic experience Another Side Community Center is a civic architecture proposal by Hanqin Tang located in San Francisco’s Mission District, an area characterized by high density, cultural diversity, and a strong local identity. The project examines how architectural space can accommodate both everyday civic activity and ceremonial functions within a single, integrated framework. It proposes a reinterpretation of the funeral home by embedding spaces of mourning, memory, and ritual within a broader community-oriented program. Conceived in response to the limited availability of inclusive civic spaces in dense urban environments, the project brings together educational, cultural, and ceremonial uses. The program includes classrooms, workshops, exhibition galleries, ceremonial spaces, and publicly accessible outdoor terraces. Rather than separating these functions into distinct buildings, the design organizes them within a unified architectural system that allows different forms of use to coexist while maintaining varying degrees of privacy and openness. The architectural strategy is informed by the site’s sloped topography and surrounding urban fabric. The ground level is designed as an occupiable public landscape that extends existing pedestrian routes and open spaces into the site. This landscaped plane functions as a primary civic zone, supporting circulation, informal gathering, and daily public activity. Above this level, a lifted rectangular volume contains the enclosed programmatic spaces, establishing a clear spatial hierarchy while maintaining permeability and accessibility at street level. By elevating the main building mass, the project preserves ground space for public use and reinforces the relationship between architecture and the surrounding neighborhood. the community center is integrated into a landscaped public park | all images courtesy of Hanqin Tang Spaces of mourning and ritual are integrated into urban fabric Environmental performance is addressed through a series of passive design strategies. Natural daylight is introduced through a combination of top lighting, side lighting, and a continuous skylight system, allowing light to penetrate deep into the interior. Courtyards and vertical light wells improve daylight distribution and visual connectivity between program areas. Cross-ventilation corridors and operable facade elements enable natural airflow, reducing reliance on mechanical systems and supporting indoor comfort. The structural system consists of a steel frame that supports the elevated volume and allows for long spans and flexible interior layouts. At the base, recycled brick infill is used to anchor the building visually and materially within its urban context. The upper envelope is composed of translucent polycarbonate panels and perforated steel screens. This layered facade moderates light, supports ventilation, and filters views, contributing to both environmental performance and architectural identity. Through its spatial organization, structural logic, and environmental strategies, Another Side Community Center, conceived by designer Hanqin Tang, presents a model for integrating public, cultural, and ceremonial programs within a single civic structure. The project demonstrates how architectural design can respond to complex urban conditions while supporting diverse forms of collective use and social interaction. perforated metal facade wraps the elevated volume, filtering light while hovering above the public ground by raising the primary program above the ground, the project reserves the lower level as a porous public zone the corridor frames a slow, deliberate procession, marking the transition from public to ceremonial space the elevated volume creates a shaded civic ground connecting indoor programs with the neighborhood in the ceremonial hall, filtered daylight and warm timber surfaces create a calm, contemplative atmosphere a circular opening in the interior courtyard introduces light and frames views toward the suspended structure the exhibition gallery is designed as a flexible space for rotating displays and public events project info: name: Another Side Community Center architect: Hanqin Tang location: San Francisco, California, US designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here. edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom The post reflective metal facade wraps another side funeral home’s elevated volume in san francisco appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.
zaha hadid architects to design series of cultural buildings along canal in hangzhou, china
the scheme transforms former industrial land along the zhedong canal into a continuous landscape of parks, gardens, and civic spaces. The post zaha hadid architects to design series of cultural buildings along canal in hangzhou, china appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.
zha to design key cultural buildings in Hangzhou, china Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) is selected to design key cultural buildings within the Qiantang Bay Cultural District, a major canal-side regeneration project in Hangzhou, China. Anchored by the Qiantang Bay Central Water Axis in Xiaoshan district, the scheme transforms former industrial land along the Zhedong Canal into a continuous landscape of parks, gardens, and civic spaces. Conceived as a green corridor threading through the city, the Central Water Axis reorganizes the canal basin into a sequence of landscaped terraces and waterfront promenades. New bridges and pedestrian paths stitch together both sides of the canal, reconnecting surrounding neighborhoods to the water while establishing a network of plazas and performance spaces designed for everyday use as well as large gatherings. Cultural and educational buildings line this axis, each oriented toward the public realm and shaped by views, circulation patterns, and seasonal solar exposure. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1176248 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/zaha-hadid-architects-zha-series-cultural-buildings-canal-hangzhou-china-designboom-01.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="525" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/zaha-hadid-architects-zha-series-cultural-buildings-canal-hangzhou-china-designboom-01.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/zaha-hadid-architects-zha-series-cultural-buildings-canal-hangzhou-china-designboom-01-768x493.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> library at Qiantang Bay Cultural District | all renders by Atchain, unless stated otherwise the library as civic anchor of the regeneration project Within this setting, ZHA’s library proposal becomes both an architectural and symbolic anchor. Its structure is organized around a series of inhabitable columns that function simultaneously as load-bearing elements and spatial containers. The team conceived these columns as assembled ‘stones of knowledge,’ housing book collections, archives, reading rooms, and community spaces, while allowing the structural logic of the building to directly express its civic role. Materially, the library draws from Hangzhou’s regional history, referencing the area’s 5,000-year tradition of jade craftsmanship. Precision-crafted masonry tiles echo the tonal depth of jade, while folded glass elements are embedded within the facade to diffuse daylight deep into the interior. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1176251 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/zaha-hadid-architects-zha-series-cultural-buildings-canal-hangzhou-china-designboom-04.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="729" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/zaha-hadid-architects-zha-series-cultural-buildings-canal-hangzhou-china-designboom-04.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/zaha-hadid-architects-zha-series-cultural-buildings-canal-hangzhou-china-designboom-04-768x684.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> youth centrer at Qiantang Bay Cultural District | render by Proloog youth, exchange, and climate-driven urban infrastructure Complementing the library, the International Youth Centre extends the cultural focus of the district toward exchange and collaboration. Defined by its waterfront position, the geometric composition of the building responds to the canal’s edge and continues inward through a carved interior of interconnected auditoriums, studios, and flexible spaces for seminars, exhibitions, conferences, and performances. Canal-facing terraces expand this program outdoors, supporting informal gatherings and public events along the water. Across the wider development, environmental performance is integrated at both architectural and landscape scales. Energy-efficient systems and on-site power generation are combined with strategies shaped by local ecology and climate. The Central Water Axis landscape forms part of Hangzhou’s established sponge-city infrastructure, using permeable surfaces, planted swales, and water-retention features to manage stormwater and reduce flood risk. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1176252 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/zaha-hadid-architects-zha-series-cultural-buildings-canal-hangzhou-china-designboom-05.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="737" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/zaha-hadid-architects-zha-series-cultural-buildings-canal-hangzhou-china-designboom-05.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/zaha-hadid-architects-zha-series-cultural-buildings-canal-hangzhou-china-designboom-05-768x692.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> youth centrer at Qiantang Bay Cultural District | render by Proloog <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1176253 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/zaha-hadid-architects-zha-series-cultural-buildings-canal-hangzhou-china-designboom-06.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="713" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/zaha-hadid-architects-zha-series-cultural-buildings-canal-hangzhou-china-designboom-06.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/zaha-hadid-architects-zha-series-cultural-buildings-canal-hangzhou-china-designboom-06-768x669.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> library at Qiantang Bay Cultural District | render by Proloog the scheme transforms former industrial land into a landscape of parks, gardens, and civic spaces <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1176249 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/zaha-hadid-architects-zha-series-cultural-buildings-canal-hangzhou-china-designboom-02.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="615" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/zaha-hadid-architects-zha-series-cultural-buildings-canal-hangzhou-china-designboom-02.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/zaha-hadid-architects-zha-series-cultural-buildings-canal-hangzhou-china-designboom-02-768x577.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> the library columns are conceived as assembled ‘stones of knowledge’ | render by Proloog <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1176250 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/zaha-hadid-architects-zha-series-cultural-buildings-canal-hangzhou-china-designboom-03.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="773" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/zaha-hadid-architects-zha-series-cultural-buildings-canal-hangzhou-china-designboom-03.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/zaha-hadid-architects-zha-series-cultural-buildings-canal-hangzhou-china-designboom-03-768x726.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> referencing the area’s 5,000-year tradition of jade craftsmanship project info: name: Qiantang Bay Cultural District architect: Zaha Hadid Architects | @zahahadidarchitects location: Hangzhou, China principal: Patrik Schumacher competition project directors: Lei Zheng, Simon Yu competition associate: Jinqi Huang competition project architect: Yenfen Huang competition project leads: Yenfen Huang, Charles Harris, Sonia Magdziarz competition team: Joshua Anderson, Nils Fischer, Charles Harris, Jinqi Huang, Yenfen Huang, Yvonne Huang, Ruzena Maskova, Sonia Magdziarz, Svenja Siever, Yaobin Wang, Ke Yang, Simon Yu, Lei Zheng The post zaha hadid architects to design series of cultural buildings along canal in hangzhou, china appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.
portable humanoid robot uses antenna eyebrows and light animations to express emotions
already built to operate for its ‘creator edition,’ the device can move either indoor or outdoor without needing any restricted zones. The post portable humanoid robot uses antenna eyebrows and light animations to express emotions appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.
Meet sprout, a portable humanoid robot with antenna eyebrows Sprout by Fauna Robotics is a portable humanoid companion and robot that uses its antenna eyebrows and light animations to express emotions. Already built to operate for its ‘Creator Edition,’ the device can move either indoors or outdoors without needing any restricted zones. Just like the other humanoid companions, it can walk, kneel, crawl, and sit. It can also wave, dance, and jump, as well as grip and place objects in different places. The portable humanoid robot is flexible for developers too because they can carry out manipulation tasks on the device using the built-in mapping and localization support. It means that Sprout can be used to collect real-world data and advance AI research across locomotion, manipulation, and interactive behavior. The device also includes microphones for voice input and supports spoken commands for tasks and navigation. It talks to people using its antenna-looking eyebrows that move up and down as well as its LED facial displays with different light animations and body posture. In this way, the device doesn’t have the typical sterile-looking robot features but is, instead, a playful one that’s right for homes and for being a companion. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1176217 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/portable-humanoid-robot-antenna-eyebrows-light-animations-fauna-robotics-designboom-01.jpg" alt="portable humanoid robot sprout" width="818" height="544" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/portable-humanoid-robot-antenna-eyebrows-light-animations-fauna-robotics-designboom-01.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/portable-humanoid-robot-antenna-eyebrows-light-animations-fauna-robotics-designboom-01-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> all images courtesy of Fauna Robotics device that can move through indoor and outdoor spaces Sprout’s design looks different from the typical industrial models of its kind. Instead of tall, rigid, and heavy machines optimized for factories, the portable humanoid robot is compact, lightweight, and built to operate at human scale. The robot stands 1.07 meters tall and weighs 22.7 kilograms, and its proportions allow it to sit on a chair, stand beside a desk, or move through indoor spaces. The Fauna Robotics team calls it the ‘deployment gap,’ which is the difficulty of placing a robot from a factory to a home, given its already assigned purpose. With Sprout, the device is flexible enough to swing between industries and go home when it’s done for the day. The portable humanoid robot uses a soft exterior and minimizes exposed pinch points to reduce the risk of injury when it interacts closely with people. Its software even limits the force it exerts so that it doesn’t grip too hard and break objects, and its time-of-flight sensors continuously monitor its surroundings for obstacles and nearby people so it can avoid hurdles. The robot’s battery provides between three and three and a half hours of runtime and can be swapped to extend operation. Different LED light animations surround the face so it can tell people ‘how it feels,’ and when Sprout is joyful, to name one, the antenna eyebrows move. So far, Fauna Robotics says that the device is already available to ship as a Creator Edition, aimed at developers, researchers, and institutions. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1176218 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/portable-humanoid-robot-antenna-eyebrows-light-animations-fauna-robotics-designboom-02.jpg" alt="portable humanoid robot sprout" width="818" height="545" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/portable-humanoid-robot-antenna-eyebrows-light-animations-fauna-robotics-designboom-02.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/portable-humanoid-robot-antenna-eyebrows-light-animations-fauna-robotics-designboom-02-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> Sprout by Fauna Robotics is a portable humanoid robot that uses its antenna eyebrows to express emotions <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1176219 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/portable-humanoid-robot-antenna-eyebrows-light-animations-fauna-robotics-designboom-03.jpg" alt="portable humanoid robot sprout" width="818" height="460" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/portable-humanoid-robot-antenna-eyebrows-light-animations-fauna-robotics-designboom-03.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/portable-humanoid-robot-antenna-eyebrows-light-animations-fauna-robotics-designboom-03-768x432.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> the device can move either indoor or outdoor without needing any restricted zones <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1176220 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/portable-humanoid-robot-antenna-eyebrows-light-animations-fauna-robotics-designboom-04.jpg" alt="portable humanoid robot sprout" width="818" height="460" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/portable-humanoid-robot-antenna-eyebrows-light-animations-fauna-robotics-designboom-04.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/portable-humanoid-robot-antenna-eyebrows-light-animations-fauna-robotics-designboom-04-768x432.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> it can walk, kneel, crawl, and sit, and the device can also wave, dance, and jump <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1176221 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/portable-humanoid-robot-antenna-eyebrows-light-animations-fauna-robotics-designboom-05.jpg" alt="view of the antenna eyebrows and facial displays" width="818" height="544" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/portable-humanoid-robot-antenna-eyebrows-light-animations-fauna-robotics-designboom-05.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/portable-humanoid-robot-antenna-eyebrows-light-animations-fauna-robotics-designboom-05-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> view of the antenna eyebrows and facial displays <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1176222 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/portable-humanoid-robot-antenna-eyebrows-light-animations-fauna-robotics-designboom-06.jpg" alt="the device also includes microphones for voice input and supports spoken commands" width="818" height="1023" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/portable-humanoid-robot-antenna-eyebrows-light-animations-fauna-robotics-designboom-06.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/portable-humanoid-robot-antenna-eyebrows-light-animations-fauna-robotics-designboom-06-800x1000.jpg 800w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/portable-humanoid-robot-antenna-eyebrows-light-animations-fauna-robotics-designboom-06-768x960.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> the device also includes microphones for voice input and supports spoken commands there’s already a Creator Edition available to ship project info: name: Sprout design: Fauna Robotics | @faunarobotics The post portable humanoid robot uses antenna eyebrows and light animations to express emotions appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.
from gaming production to live worlds, spark 2026 signals a new chapter for ISE in barcelona
spark 2026 arrives as ISE's newest platform dedicated to the creative industries, taking place from 3–6 february 2026 at fira de barcelona gran via. The post from gaming production to live worlds, spark 2026 signals a new chapter for ISE in barcelona appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.
Spark 2026 at Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) Spark 2026 arrives as Integrated Systems Europe’s newest platform dedicated to the creative industries, taking place from 3–6 February 2026 at Fira de Barcelona Gran Via. Launched by Integrated Systems Events, Spark is conceived as a focused showcase where technology, creativity, and content production intersect, bringing together sectors such as gaming, broadcast, design, live events, and media. Powered by Samsung, the showcase leads a strong roster including Mo-Sys, 3Cat, and Lab of Tomorrow, while a high-profile speaker programme featuring figures from Netflix, music, and creator-led businesses positions Spark as a forward-looking hub for the next generation of storytellers and technologists. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1174841 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/ISE-integrated-systems-europe-barcelona-spark-2026-designboom-06.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="545" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/ISE-integrated-systems-europe-barcelona-spark-2026-designboom-06.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/ISE-integrated-systems-europe-barcelona-spark-2026-designboom-06-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> Integrated Systems Events has unveiled the partners and curated content programme for Spark | all images courtesy of ISE how spark 2026 responds to creative production Integrated Systems Europe, widely known as ISE, is the world’s leading annual exhibition for the audiovisual and systems integration industries. Founded as a joint venture by AVIXA and CEDIA, two global trade associations with deep roots in professional AV and integrated technologies, ISE was established to create a central meeting point for innovation, education, and industry exchange. Since its beginnings, the show has grown into a global benchmark, reflecting the rapid evolution of how technology shapes communication, spaces, and experiences. Held in Barcelona at the Fira de Barcelona Gran Via, ISE has found a home that mirrors its international outlook and cultural breadth. The event now spans four days each February, combining a vast exhibition floor with conferences, summits, and keynotes. This setting provides the backdrop for Spark 2026, which emerges not as a standalone event but as an embedded experience within ISE, designed to respond to the increasing overlap between audiovisual systems and creative production. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1174837 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/ISE-integrated-systems-europe-barcelona-spark-2026-designboom-02.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="545" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/ISE-integrated-systems-europe-barcelona-spark-2026-designboom-02.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/ISE-integrated-systems-europe-barcelona-spark-2026-designboom-02-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> ISE 2026 is taking place 3–6 February at Fira de Barcelona Gran Via from samsung to the lab of tomorrow Spark 2026 is positioned as a response to a clear industry shift: creative disciplines are no longer siloed. By uniting gaming, broadcast, immersive media, design, and live experiences under one umbrella, Spark aims to reflect how content is now conceived and delivered. Rather than focusing solely on tools, it emphasises collaboration, workflows, and real-time demonstrations, offering visitors an environment where creative intent and technical execution meet on equal terms. At the core of Spark’s identity is its partner-driven approach. Samsung leads as headline sponsor, showcasing its IVC Series Virtual Production Indoor LED technology, while strategic partners Mo-Sys, 3Cat, and Lab of Tomorrow contribute installations and live experiences. Together with supporting partners from events, music, and esports, these collaborations illustrate how global brands, broadcasters, and creative studios are actively shaping the future of digital storytelling through shared platforms and technologies. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1174839 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/ISE-integrated-systems-europe-barcelona-spark-2026-designboom-04.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="545" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/ISE-integrated-systems-europe-barcelona-spark-2026-designboom-04.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/ISE-integrated-systems-europe-barcelona-spark-2026-designboom-04-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> Spark addresses the industry’s need for an event that unites the creative sectors bringing together gaming, broadcast, design, live events, and media inside one immersive experience The Spark show floor is defined by immersive installations rather than static displays. From virtual production stages that simplify broadcast-quality workflows to interactive storytelling environments rooted in regional culture, the emphasis is on experiencing technology in action. Projects such as 3Cat’s gesture-controlled audiovisual cube and Lab of Tomorrow’s Floating Sky demonstrate how sound, image, light, and spatial design converge to create emotionally engaging, scalable experiences for audiences. A central pillar of Spark 2026 is its content programme, featuring daily keynotes and sessions led by internationally recognised voices. Speakers from Netflix, the music industry, creative studios, and innovation labs address themes ranging from global storytelling and creator-led enterprises to virtual production and media ecosystems. This programme reinforces Spark’s role not only as a showcase, but also as a forum for critical reflection on where creative technology is heading next. Beyond individual technologies or brands, Spark highlights the importance of creative ecosystems. Contributions from organisations such as the Catalonia AV Cluster underline how regional networks, policy, talent, and infrastructure combine to support sustainable innovation. In this context, Spark functions as a connector, linking local initiatives with global audiences and positioning ISE as a catalyst for long-term industry development. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1174843 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/ISE-integrated-systems-europe-barcelona-spark-2026-designboom-08.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="545" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/ISE-integrated-systems-europe-barcelona-spark-2026-designboom-08.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/ISE-integrated-systems-europe-barcelona-spark-2026-designboom-08-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> at the heart of Spark’s programme is a series of immersive installations and live experiences <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1174842 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/ISE-integrated-systems-europe-barcelona-spark-2026-designboom-07.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="545" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/ISE-integrated-systems-europe-barcelona-spark-2026-designboom-07.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/ISE-integrated-systems-europe-barcelona-spark-2026-designboom-07-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> Spark’s content programme will offer a daily lineup of unmissable keynotes, sessions, and deep dives Spark is more than an exhibition; it’s a hub where creativity and technology converge project info: name: Integrated Systems Europe – ISE 2026 | @ise_show showcase: Spark 2026 location: Fira Barcelona Gran Via, Barcelona dates: February 3–6, 2026 registration: https://www.iseurope.org/welcome/registration The post from gaming production to live worlds, spark 2026 signals a new chapter for ISE in barcelona appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.
metal leverpresso orbit espresso machine lets you hand-pull your own coffee
the compact coffee machine by hugh inc. translates espresso extraction into a portable format, adaptable to both domestic and outdoor use. The post metal leverpresso orbit espresso machine lets you hand-pull your own coffee appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.
Leverpresso Orbit manual lever espresso machine by HUGH Inc. Leverpresso Orbit is a compact, manual lever espresso machine designed and manufactured by Kim Hyunsoo of HUGH Inc. The project investigates how mechanical clarity, portability, and material durability can be integrated into a small-scale espresso device without relying on electronic systems. The machine operates through a fully manual lever mechanism powered entirely by human input. By eliminating electronics and automated controls, the design allows direct regulation of pressure and flow during extraction. This mechanical approach positions espresso preparation as a tactile process, in which brewing variables are adjusted through physical interaction rather than presets. A key design decision is the use of a full-size 54.8 mm portafilter basket, a dimension commonly found in professional espresso machines. This specification supports consistent extraction, enables a broader range of brewing parameters, and maintains compatibility with standard espresso accessories. The choice distinguishes the device from many portable espresso machines that use reduced basket sizes. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1176214 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/leverpresso-orbit-compact-metal-lever-espresso-machine-hugh-inc-designboom-818-2.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="545" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/leverpresso-orbit-compact-metal-lever-espresso-machine-hugh-inc-designboom-818-2.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/leverpresso-orbit-compact-metal-lever-espresso-machine-hugh-inc-designboom-818-2-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> all images courtesy of HUGH Inc. Leverpresso Orbit machine is suitable for travel and outdoor use Leverpresso Orbit, developed by Kim Hyunsoo of HUGH Inc., is constructed primarily from metal components, emphasizing structural stability, thermal performance, and durability. The material strategy reflects an emphasis on longevity and repeated use rather than disposability. The compact form factor is the result of careful dimensional refinement, balancing mechanical strength with portability. The device requires no electrical power and operates solely with hot water, ground coffee, and manual force. This independence allows espresso extraction in environments where electricity is unavailable or intentionally excluded, including travel, outdoor settings, and minimal living contexts. Rather than functioning as a substitute for conventional espresso machines, Leverpresso Orbit presents an alternative approach focused on manual operation, compact construction, and mechanical transparency, while maintaining the technical standards associated with espresso preparation. Leverpresso Orbit is a compact manual lever espresso machine by HUGH Inc. the device is suitable for travel and outdoor use the machine operates using only hot water and ground coffee espresso pressure and flow are regulated entirely by hand a fully manual lever mechanism drives the extraction process the body is constructed primarily from metal components the compact form balances mechanical strength with portability Leverpresso Orbit offers an alternative to conventional espresso machines project info: name: Leverpresso Orbit designer: HUGH Inc. | @hugh.official designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here. edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom The post metal leverpresso orbit espresso machine lets you hand-pull your own coffee appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.
living canopy of native plants tops aranyani’s upcycled lantana pavilion in india
the spiral structure is built from upcycled lantana camara, an invasive shrub introduced to india through colonial trade routes in the eighteenth century. The post living canopy of native plants tops aranyani’s upcycled lantana pavilion in india appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.
aranyani unveils its first architectural pavilion in india In the gardens of Sunder Nursery in New Delhi, Aranyani presents Sacred Nature, the inaugural edition of the Aranyani Pavilion, on view from February 4th to 20th, 2026. Conceived as an annual architectural commission, the pavilion, designed in collaboration with T__M.space, marks the first time the conservation and creative initiative translates its ecological research into a built, walkable structure. ‘The Aranyani Pavilion explores sacred growth through geometry and material. It emerges from a dialogue between digital design and physical craft, allowing the architecture to grow from its context rather than be imposed on it,’ the architects tell designboom. ‘The spatial trajectory is intentionally slow, encouraging reflection and a quiet awareness of material, landscape, and movement.’ The spiral structure is built from upcycled Lantana camara, an invasive shrub introduced to India through colonial trade routes in the eighteenth century. Now covering more than 13 million hectares and threatening large areas of forest, lantana is recast here as a structural lattice, fabricated by Ekarth Studio. Above it, a living canopy of more than forty native plant species, including edible, medicinal, and culturally significant varieties, forms a functioning microhabitat. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1176167 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/living-canopy-native-plants-aranyani-upcycled-lantana-pavilion-india-t-m-space-designboom-06.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="516" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/living-canopy-native-plants-aranyani-upcycled-lantana-pavilion-india-t-m-space-designboom-06.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/living-canopy-native-plants-aranyani-upcycled-lantana-pavilion-india-t-m-space-designboom-06-768x484.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> all images by Lokesh Dang, courtesy of Aranyani ‘sacred nature’ by t__m.space guides visitors along a spiral path Set within the historic landscape of Sunder Nursery, the pavilion by T__M.space takes the form of a spiral walkthrough installation. Its spatial logic draws from India’s sacred groves, community-protected forest sanctuaries that functioned as early biodiversity reserves long before modern conservation law. As visitors follow a continuous, inward-moving path, the architecture modulates light, shadow, texture, and sound, echoing the layered rhythms of a living forest. The journey culminates in a central shrine anchored by a stone monolith, recalling the ritual cores of sacred groves where stone markers traditionally signify a symbolic meeting of earth and sky. Founded by conservation scientist and creative director Tara Lal, ecological restoration and creative arts initiative Aranyani has worked across diverse ecosystems, from the Himalayas to the Aravallis, through its field arm, Aranyani Earth. The pavilion extends this practice into the urban realm, using architectural form to make ecological processes legible and experiential. ‘Aranyani is named after the forest goddess, who appears in the Rigveda. That we have forgotten Aranyani, and can name more products than forests or trees or springs, says a lot about the times we’re living in,’ Tara Lal shares with designboom. ‘The restoration work we do at Aranyani, this pavilion, and the ten-day programme that will follow, is a small way of calling her back.’ <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1176166 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/living-canopy-native-plants-aranyani-upcycled-lantana-pavilion-india-t-m-space-designboom-05.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="546" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/living-canopy-native-plants-aranyani-upcycled-lantana-pavilion-india-t-m-space-designboom-05.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/living-canopy-native-plants-aranyani-upcycled-lantana-pavilion-india-t-m-space-designboom-05-768x513.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> Aranyani presents Sacred Nature in the gardens of Sunder Nursery in New Delhi building with lantana as a technical and ecological act Beyond its symbolic charge, the pavilion is also a demanding technical exercise. Spanning nearly 600 square meters of ground, with a footprint of 200 square meters and an inner space of approximately 100 square meters, the structure required thousands of lantana branches to be sourced, sorted, and assembled. Its bamboo framework provides tensile strength and structural clarity, while the lantana lattice acts as a porous skin, allowing air, light, and sound to pass through. Lantana, typically cleared or burned, is neither disguised nor aestheticized. Its presence is deliberate, structural, and unresolved. By placing invasive material in direct dialogue with indigenous planting above, the pavilion stages restoration as a layered, ongoing process rather than a finished solution. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1176163 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/living-canopy-native-plants-aranyani-upcycled-lantana-pavilion-india-t-m-space-designboom-02.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="546" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/living-canopy-native-plants-aranyani-upcycled-lantana-pavilion-india-t-m-space-designboom-02.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/living-canopy-native-plants-aranyani-upcycled-lantana-pavilion-india-t-m-space-designboom-02-768x513.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> Aranyani Pavilion is on view from February 4th to 20th, 2026 a pavilion with an afterlife Sacred Nature, named after the forest goddess of the Rigveda, one of India’s oldest sacred texts, also operates as a platform for discussion and exchange. A public program of talks, workshops, performances, and guided tours extends the ecological and decolonial themes of the pavilion, bringing together voices from environmental activism, architecture, business, and the arts. Speakers include environmental activist Vandana Shiva and historian Sathnam Sanghera, alongside practitioners working at the intersection of ecology, design, and cultural production. After its presentation in New Delhi, the Aranyani Pavilion will be permanently installed at the Rajkumari Ratnavati Girls’ School in Jaisalmer, an award-winning example of climate-responsive architecture by Diana Kellogg Architects. There, it will function as a living classroom for students and researchers. Its edible and medicinal plants will be transferred to community-led environmental projects in Delhi, including the Basti Gardens of Hope in Nizamuddin and Swechha’s urban forest initiatives, extending the material life of the pavilion into local landscapes and communities.‘This installation is inspired by sacred groves I travelled to, and I hope it invokes in you what those groves invoked in me: wonder,’ Tara Lal tells us. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1176162 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/living-canopy-native-plants-aranyani-upcycled-lantana-pavilion-india-t-m-space-designboom-01.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="869" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/living-canopy-native-plants-aranyani-upcycled-lantana-pavilion-india-t-m-space-designboom-01.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/living-canopy-native-plants-aranyani-upcycled-lantana-pavilion-india-t-m-space-designboom-01-768x816.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> a living canopy of more than forty native plant species forms a functioning microhabitat <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1176164 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/living-canopy-native-plants-aranyani-upcycled-lantana-pavilion-india-t-m-space-designboom-03.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="546" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/living-canopy-native-plants-aranyani-upcycled-lantana-pavilion-india-t-m-space-designboom-03.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/living-canopy-native-plants-aranyani-upcycled-lantana-pavilion-india-t-m-space-designboom-03-768x513.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> the spiral structure is built from upcycled Lantana camara designed in collaboration with T__M.space <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1176165 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/living-canopy-native-plants-aranyani-upcycled-lantana-pavilion-india-t-m-space-designboom-04.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="1226" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/living-canopy-native-plants-aranyani-upcycled-lantana-pavilion-india-t-m-space-designboom-04.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/living-canopy-native-plants-aranyani-upcycled-lantana-pavilion-india-t-m-space-designboom-04-667x1000.jpg 667w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/living-canopy-native-plants-aranyani-upcycled-lantana-pavilion-india-t-m-space-designboom-04-768x1151.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> its spatial logic draws from India’s sacred groves <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1176168 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/living-canopy-native-plants-aranyani-upcycled-lantana-pavilion-india-t-m-space-designboom-07.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="776" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/living-canopy-native-plants-aranyani-upcycled-lantana-pavilion-india-t-m-space-designboom-07.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/living-canopy-native-plants-aranyani-upcycled-lantana-pavilion-india-t-m-space-designboom-07-768x729.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> the architecture modulates light, shadow, texture, and sound <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1176172 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/living-canopy-native-plants-aranyani-upcycled-lantana-pavilion-india-t-m-space-designboom-11.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="546" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/living-canopy-native-plants-aranyani-upcycled-lantana-pavilion-india-t-m-space-designboom-11.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/living-canopy-native-plants-aranyani-upcycled-lantana-pavilion-india-t-m-space-designboom-11-768x513.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> echoing the layered rhythms of a living forest a central shrine anchored by a stone monolith <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1176170 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/living-canopy-native-plants-aranyani-upcycled-lantana-pavilion-india-t-m-space-designboom-09.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="546" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/living-canopy-native-plants-aranyani-upcycled-lantana-pavilion-india-t-m-space-designboom-09.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/living-canopy-native-plants-aranyani-upcycled-lantana-pavilion-india-t-m-space-designboom-09-768x513.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> recalling the ritual cores of sacred groves <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1176171 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/living-canopy-native-plants-aranyani-upcycled-lantana-pavilion-india-t-m-space-designboom-10.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="1226" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/living-canopy-native-plants-aranyani-upcycled-lantana-pavilion-india-t-m-space-designboom-10.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/living-canopy-native-plants-aranyani-upcycled-lantana-pavilion-india-t-m-space-designboom-10-667x1000.jpg 667w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/living-canopy-native-plants-aranyani-upcycled-lantana-pavilion-india-t-m-space-designboom-10-768x1151.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> beyond its symbolic charge, the pavilion is also a demanding technical exercise <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1176169 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/living-canopy-native-plants-aranyani-upcycled-lantana-pavilion-india-t-m-space-designboom-08.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="1226" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/living-canopy-native-plants-aranyani-upcycled-lantana-pavilion-india-t-m-space-designboom-08.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/living-canopy-native-plants-aranyani-upcycled-lantana-pavilion-india-t-m-space-designboom-08-667x1000.jpg 667w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/living-canopy-native-plants-aranyani-upcycled-lantana-pavilion-india-t-m-space-designboom-08-768x1151.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> the structure required thousands of lantana branches to be sourced, sorted, and assembled the Aranyani Pavilion will be permanently installed at the Rajkumari Ratnavati Girls’ School in Jaisalmer project info: name: Aranyani Pavilion 2026: Sacred Nature architect: T__M.space | @t__m.space location: Sunder Nursery, New Delhi, India dates: February 4th – 20th, 2026 lead architects: Tanil Raif and Mario Serrano Puche client / initiative: Aranyani | @aranyanilife founder: Tara Lal fabrication: The Works natural material construction: Ekarth Studio sound design: Gaurav Raina and Komorebi photographer: Lokesh Dang | @lokesh.dang The post living canopy of native plants tops aranyani’s upcycled lantana pavilion in india appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.
shape of a breaking wave frozen in mid-air inspires sculpted perla residence in marbella
the idea translates into a sculptural exterior formed from fiber concrete, where flowing curves and soft transitions suggest motion captured in stillness. The post shape of a breaking wave frozen in mid-air inspires sculpted perla residence in marbella appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.
perla residence in spain echoes breaking wave shape Perla house is a sculptural residence in in Marbella, Spain, where fiber concrete, light, and curvature shape a calm yet expressive living environment. The architectural concept by Stipfold draws inspiration from a single frozen moment of a breaking wave. This idea translates into a sculptural exterior formed from fiber concrete, where flowing curves and soft transitions suggest motion captured in stillness. The white exterior surface enhances the perception of lightness and reflects the coastal context, while natural stone elements anchor the building to the terrain, creating a balance between expressiveness and stability. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1176190 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/shape-breaking-wave-frozen-mid-air-sculpted-perla-residence-marbella-06.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="491" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/shape-breaking-wave-frozen-mid-air-sculpted-perla-residence-marbella-06.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/shape-breaking-wave-frozen-mid-air-sculpted-perla-residence-marbella-06-768x461.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> the white exterior reflects the coastal context | all images courtesy of Stipfold Stipfold use custom elements to reinforce formal language The architects approached the transformation as a conceptual and formal refinement rather than a complete redesign, focusing on sculpting form, surface, and spatial continuity. Inside, the project continues the dialogue between movement and calm through material continuity and parametric geometry. Beige fiber concrete walls are shaped with subtle flowing lines that echo the exterior form, allowing the architecture itself to become the primary spatial element. A restrained palette of white, sand tones, and pale wood is used throughout the interior, reducing visual noise and allowing natural light to define the atmosphere of each space. Custom-designed elements play a key role in reinforcing the architectural language. The kitchen island, built-in furniture, wall niches, and bathroom elements are conceived as monolithic components that follow the same wave-inspired geometry. Ceiling curves and integrated lighting further emphasize spatial continuity, guiding movement through the interior without relying on conventional partitions. the sculptural exterior is shaped as a frozen wave, overlooking the hillside of Marbella natural stone elements anchor the building to the terrain, creating a balance between expressiveness and stability <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1176191 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/shape-breaking-wave-frozen-mid-air-sculpted-perla-residence-marbella-05.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="1023" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/shape-breaking-wave-frozen-mid-air-sculpted-perla-residence-marbella-05.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/shape-breaking-wave-frozen-mid-air-sculpted-perla-residence-marbella-05-800x1000.jpg 800w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/shape-breaking-wave-frozen-mid-air-sculpted-perla-residence-marbella-05-768x960.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> curved terraces and a compact pool extend the living spaces toward the surrounding landscape perched on the hillside of marbella, perla reinterprets the movement of the sea through architecture living spaces flow seamlessly through curved walls and a restrained neutral palette parametric wall textures in fiber concrete translate the movement of the exterior into the interior circulation spaces are treated as sculptural elements, connecting rooms through curvature and light the dining area is defined by a continuous curved ceiling and integrated lighting a custom kitchen island echoes the wave geometry through a soft, monolithic form the bedroom continues the fluid architectural language with integrated lighting and soft forms built-in furniture and wall niches reinforce the project’s sculptural interior language custom bathroom details combine fiber concrete surfaces with transparent basins the architectural form derived from the frozen motion of a breaking wave form studies exploring wave-inspired geometries through iterative physical models project info: name: PERLA architects: Stipfold | @stipfold location: Marbella, Spain designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here. edited by: claire brodka | designboom The post shape of a breaking wave frozen in mid-air inspires sculpted perla residence in marbella appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.
stacked earthen red volumes shape tectonic rhythm of residential tower in athens
georges batzios architects uses repetition as a primary organizing principle for the 14-story housing proposal. The post stacked earthen red volumes shape tectonic rhythm of residential tower in athens appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.
Red Hills: a residential proposal by Georges Batzios Architects Red Hills is a proposal by Georges Batzios Architects for a 14-story residential building with a ground floor and two basement levels, located in Attica, Greece. The project is conceived as a compact vertical housing structure defined by clarity of form, material presence, and spatial continuity within an increasingly dense residential context. The building is composed of stacked and slightly offset volumes in earthy red tones, generating a sense of tectonic layering across the elevation. This volumetric strategy introduces rhythm and variation while maintaining a coherent architectural order. Repetition is used as an organizing principle, allowing individual residential units to remain legible within the overall massing while contributing to a unified whole. all images courtesy of Georges Batzios Architects Repetition supports cohesion across the red hills building mass The conceptual framework of the project draws on the notion of ‘earth’ (χώμα/γη) as a grounding element, understood here in architectural rather than symbolic terms. This reference informs the project’s emphasis on stability, permanence, and material expression. These qualities are translated into the building’s structural logic and volumetric composition, positioning the project as a counterpoint to more image-driven residential developments within the surrounding masterplan. Rather than relying on formal spectacle, the proposal focuses on fundamental residential qualities such as spatial comfort, continuity, and a sense of enclosure. These considerations guide decisions related to scale, proportion, and repetition, aiming to support long-term habitation rather than short-term visual impact. Within a competitive real estate environment, Red Hills seeks to differentiate itself through architectural restraint and attention to essential living conditions. By prioritizing structural clarity and spatial grounding, the project by the Athens-based practice Georges Batzios Architects frames housing as a durable and inhabitable environment shaped by basic architectural principles rather than overt formal gestures. Red Hills is a residential proposal by Georges Batzios Architects in Attica, Greece the project comprises a 14-story housing building with a ground floor and two basement levels the massing is defined by stacked and slightly offset volumes a compact vertical form responds to a dense residential context tectonic layering is expressed across the building’s elevation individual residential units remain legible within the overall form the project emphasizes clarity of form and material presence subtle shifts in volume introduce rhythm and variation spatial comfort is prioritized as a core residential quality repetition supports cohesion across the building mass project info: name: Red Hills architect: Georges Batzios Architects | @georgesbatziosarchitects structural engineer: Helliniki Meletitiki S.A. MEP: JEPA location: Athens, Greece designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here. edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom The post stacked earthen red volumes shape tectonic rhythm of residential tower in athens appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.