In a former 16th-century church in Vicenza, two stories come together: that of Italian Renaissance sacred architecture and that of marble, the ancient material by excellence, reinterpreted here in a contemporary key. In this dialogue between eras, Lithos Design presents Quinte, a double-sided partition wall that transforms marble into a design tool: not just a surface, but a rhythmic and modular element that defines and enhances spaces. An idea designed for interior architects looking for solutions that are both functional and decorative, capable of shaping interiors with precision, elegance, and personality.
At the heart of design lies the intersection of technique and creativity—a space where ideas take shape and environments are reimagined. In a world prevalent with mass-produced objects, the focus is shifting toward something more deliberate, where every decision opens up new possibilities and allows design to break free from the conventional. Think of the LC1 armchair by Le Corbusier or Mies van der Rohe's Barcelona chair—not simply furniture, but outcomes that illustrate a studio-driven freedom where ideas, materials, and finishes are allowed to converse, not conform. These pieces don't just fill a room; they reimagine it. This spirit of innovation now extends to every detail, from kitchen to bathroom fittings, where the range of choices—materials, form, and function—becomes an opportunity to craft something truly unique.
https://www.archdaily.com/1029100/swan-taps-checkered-seashell-fixtures-and-the-new-frontier-of-bespoke-designEnrique Tovar
The Villa Cavrois stands as a powerful testament to early modernist architecture and the vision of architect Robert Mallet-Stevens. Built between 1929 and 1932 in Croix, France, this landmark residence was commissioned by Paul Cavrois, a prominent textile industrialist, to embody modern values and house his growing family. Mallet-Stevens' design merges Modernist ideals with a luxurious, functional aesthetic that breaks sharply from traditional styles, creating a space defined by clean lines, balanced proportions, and innovative materials.
More than just a family home, Villa Cavrois was designed as an architectural manifesto, presenting bold new ideas in residential design that would inspire generations. Its meticulously crafted layout, advanced technological features, and harmonious connection to the surrounding landscape positioned it as a symbol of modern living.
Pietra Tiburtina - Campidoglio. Image Courtesy of Casalgrande Padana
Travertine —known as lapis tiburtinus by the ancient Romans— has endured for centuries as one of the most iconic materials in Italian design heritage. This limestone has left a lasting mark on architectural history, from the monuments of the Roman Empire to contemporary works like the Church of 2000 and the Ara Pacis Museum. Over time, its aesthetic has evolved alongside art and design, adapting to technical advancements while preserving its essence and relevance in modern architecture.
https://www.archdaily.com/1022299/carving-pietra-tiburtina-a-contemporary-approach-to-classic-travertineEnrique Tovar
Italy's influence on contemporary design has been profound and captivating, with Italian architecture consistently bridging cultural heritage and innovation, from advancements in construction techniques to the evolution of the neoclassical style. A prime example of this integration is the Italian villa typology, which reached its zenith during the Renaissance with groundbreaking innovations. Villa Almerico —designed by Andrea Palladio and inspired by Alberti's treatise De re aedificatoria— exemplifies this evolution. Renowned for its centralized and symmetrical plan, its construction marked a turning point with classical proportions and the incorporation of courtyards and gardens as extensions of the living space, highlighting a remarkable contextual relationship.
Although Palladio's influence was so profound that his style defined much of European and American architecture in subsequent centuries, the concept of the Italian villa has endured and evolved. Its ability to combine functionality, aesthetics, and respect for the environment has allowed its fundamental principles to remain in force, now merging with new currents of contemporary design. A clear example is Villa Apua, a project by PAN Architetti inspired by the Versilian concept of buen ritiro. The house's meticulous design addresses the needs of its inhabitants while fostering an intimate, thoughtful connection with the landscape and the memory of Forte dei Marmi, a town nestled between the Mediterranean coast and the Apuan Alps. This harmony is further enhanced by the great flexibility of the antoniolupi collections, whose rich finishes and materials seamlessly integrate the living space with its furnishings and the surrounding environment.
https://www.archdaily.com/1021313/where-italian-style-meets-wellness-and-serenity-the-case-of-villa-apuaEnrique Tovar
Translucency, at its essence, is an optical property that enables the total or partial passage of light through materials, without providing a clear view of the objects behind them. Despite its apparent simplicity, this property has fascinating applications in the architectural field, generating attractive and powerful proposals that play with light without obstructing views.
Traditionally, glass sheets have been the symbolic material associated with transparency, commonly used in the fabrication of doors and windows. However, technological advances in production and the exploration of innovative materials have significantly expanded the opportunities to take advantage of this property in both interior and exterior applications. These advances challenge preconceived limitations and encourage creativity in the development of novel architectural proposals.
https://www.archdaily.com/1013517/seeing-through-layers-translucent-materials-in-architectureEnrique Tovar
Aiming to balance the calm and uniformity of minimalism with the tactile appeal of raw, textured materials, ceramics emerge as a versatile medium to bridge the gap between sterile spaces and those that might become overwhelming. Whether incorporating large formats or small mosaics, or embracing organic or geometric aesthetics, the diverse range of ceramic options enables the infusion of character into spaces while maintaining a sense of order and cohesion. But it is not a simple task. In the pursuit of this harmonious blend, we explore specific types of ceramic cladding that have been effectively applied in architectural projects, enriching the visual language of minimalism while grading its complexity with precision.
Designed by Powerhouse Company, the BaanTower has started construction in the remodeled Baan Quarter neighborhood of Rotterdam. The residential tower strives to promote a sustainable architecture based on the well-being of its residents. Upon completion, the high-rise will house 427 apartments available for rent. Seven years after the original draft, the project has recently received its building permit, and is expected to be completed by 2026.
After over two decades in the making, the Perelman Performing Arts Center opened to the public on September 19, 2023. The luminous cube-shaped building was designed by the architecture firm REX, led by Joshua Ramus, to become one of New York City’s cultural keystones and the final piece in the 2023 Master Plan for the rebuilding of the 16-acre World Trade Center site. The inaugural season will feature commissions, world premieres, co-productions, and collaborative work across theater, dance, music, opera, film, and more. While only eight stories high, the venue stands out due to its monolithic façade composed of translucent veined Portuguese marble.
In the competitive world of restaurants – particularly at a time when influencers are gaining more and more control over the sphere of fine dining –, creating a memorable meal experience is crucial for attracting and retaining customers. While factors like food quality and service certainly play pivotal roles in making diners return to their eatery of choice, the impact that restaurant interiors can have on an establishment's longevity should not be overlooked. Among the various elements contributing to a memorable ambiance, color takes center stage. We delve into the significance of striking the right tone in restaurant design through 20 projects from our ArchDaily database.
Polish History Museum . Image Courtesy of WXCA Architects
In the capital city of Poland, WXCA won a competition to design one of the largest museums completed in Europe today. The museum is now under construction at the Warsaw Citadel. The development is a combination of the Polish History Museum and the Polish Army Museum. Located on the site of a former fortification, the complex will become a culture hub rooted in remembrance.
Mies Van der Rohe and Lilly Reich’s German Pavilion for the 1929 Barcelona International Exhibition is known as the most written-about modern building. But no matter how many times the pavilion is redrawn for analysis, there are always new angles from which to interpret it. Identifying its capacity to redefine the German image, while genuinely introducing new strategies that continue present in contemporary architecture projects are two key elements of the architects’ intentions behind their design strategy.
'We have to get away from the coldness of functionalism. It is a mistake to believe that to understand the problem of modern architecture it is enough to recognize a necessity for rational solutions. Beauty in architecture, which is a necessity and finality for our time as for past periods, cannot be attained unless we can see beyond simple utility when we build.' – Mies Van der Rohe
When thinking of marble, we often associate the material with ancient Greek sculptures, Classical architecture, or the Italian Renaissance. Monumental landmarks such as the St. Peter’s Basilica or the Taj Mahal, have positioned marble as an elite and timeless material that stands the test of time. And in today's conversations about the future of construction materials, amid sustainability, feasibility, and affordability, the natural stone remains high-caliber. In this interior focus, we’re taking a look at marble between the past, present, and future.
A rock like marble is usually light in color when formed through a process involving the heat and pressure of limestone. Carrara marble, for example, became famous for having good workability for sculptures, but also for its extremely uniform appearance. Under skillful hands, rough stone could become works of art such as Michelangelo's Pietá or David, among many others. But if during the rock formation process there are impurities such as clay minerals and iron oxides, the resulting stone may acquire bluish, gray, pink and black hues. Something that would make its use in a sculpture unfeasible can be seen as the real beauty of the piece, and how the passage of time was printed on it. Likewise, it is very difficult to predict exactly how zinc or copper will oxidize over time, and its patina effect takes on beautiful greenish, reddish or grayish tones, depending on the conditions to which they were exposed.
Admiring the unpredictability of materials and observing the beauty of the unexpected can bring surprising results to architectural projects. Through constant research, Apavisa has been able to develop modular ceramic pieces that combine strength and versatility, reproducing in detail the materials that our environment gives us. The strength of stone and metal with their oxidative processes, the roughness and timelessness of cement or the beauty of marble with its different veins, shades and patterns.
Michelangelo's sculptures. The ancient Greek temples. Castle interiors and palaces. The iconic Barcelona Pavilion of Mies van der Rohe. When we approach the history of architecture and sculpture, it is inevitable that we speak of marble. Originating from a chemical reaction in limestone when exposed to high pressures and temperatures for thousands of years, this notable material is a metamorphic rock generally found in regions where volcanic activity has occurred. Its extraction, by itself, is already a spectacle.
One of the most practical and functional spaces of any residential project is the kitchen. Its artificial surfaces – be it countertops, kitchen benches, or coverings – contain most of the space's equipment. Thus, it’s essential to build kitchens with the most resistant and hygienic materials. Aside from these requirements, it's also important to pay attention to aesthetics and profitability, while adapting the space to the dynamics of each family.
