There are some exiting trends in modern interior architecture that we’ve suspected for awhile and today’s 6 finds offer confirmation.
The Staircase becomes a statement of Architectural Innovation and Architect’s Imagination
It’s not just a stair to go up and down anymore – the staircase designs are now permanent residents on the innovation playground. The type of materials used, the type of structure, the design of the rails and risers … all of that is getting re-evaluated, re-imagined and re-conceptualized. And this process results in some beautiful and unexpected architectural creations. But if this wasn’t enough, staircase is now becoming a decorative object vs. just structural, and can even serve as an art display. Besides the two aforementioned trends, both examples bellow showcase another trend – creative landing design.
In Belgium, the staircase design above is a part of the house renovation by architects Edouard Brunet and Francois Martens, photographed by Dennis De Smet.
What a creative landing platform design – it also serves as storage and seating. Source
In India, the Courtyard House by Abin Design Studio features an unusual idea – having human figurines as parts of the rail design. Source.
And look at the landing steps – just like in the previous example, they are also separated from the staircase, and are formed from solid stone. Source.
The Entire Wall as Chalkboard is now a Popular Feature in the Kitchen
The chalkboard wall trend has really gone wild lately – the entire kitchen wall is now a chalkboard in some modern homes. Not just a part of the wall with a small message or a menu list hand-written in chalk but a wide-open area available for creative musings. What used to be reserved for kids rooms only now can be found in the kitchen, which the next two examples perfectly represent.
In Singapore, the modern House at Neil Road by ONG&ONG features one kitchen wall designed as a chalkboard.
Even the doors are part of the board. Source.
In Poland, the kitchen in the D79 House (above) by mode:lina architekci has one wall devoted to chalk. Photographed by Marcin Ratajczak. Source.
Not just an empty wall, it’s being partially occupied by shelves.
The Fireplace as Room Divider and Space Definer
We’ve all seen fireplaces being used as room dividers before but this latest trend makes a fireplace much more involved in the design of the surrounding space. So much indeed that we’ve had to come with a new term – Fireplace Island. It sounds so appropriate.
This means that a fireplace becomes a central architectural feature of the interior space. It’s not just dividing it, it’s defining it – the rest is designed around it.
In Germany, the aptly named Alpenchic House by Bau-Fritz (above) features an open concept floor plan designed around the fireplace island that has triple-duty as a built-in storage organizer, a room divider and a heat provider. It’s a very cool modern house overall.
Don’t you just love this cozy room finished in warm color wood. The fireplace island splits the space between dining area and living area. Source.
In Canada, Chalet Lac Gate is a design by Boom Town. The fireplace, beautifully clad in natural stone, defines the color scheme for the interior while also serving as a space divider. Photos by Angus McRitchie.
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