Category: Architecture

In the east end of Toronto, a new architectural project seamlessly blends innovative design with the natural contours of its landscape. The four-bedroom, single-family Neville Park residence, conceived by the Canadian studio Reigo & Bauer, is set within a unique gully that features steep slopes on both the front and rear of the property. The architects have transformed this challenging site into a striking and cohesive structure that stands out while harmonizing with its surroundings.

The home’s tall, vertical structure is a deliberate nod to the towering trees that line the hillside, creating a visual dialogue between the built environment and the natural landscape. The exterior is clad in gray, diamond-shaped tiles that wrap the entire building, including the garage and roof, creating a unified and sculptural volume. To maximize light and privacy, the design features strategic setbacks and angular cuts in the façade, particularly on the south side. This allows for additional windows and an entryway that is both practical and visually distinct.

The use of geometric forms continues on the roof, where triangular facets connect the offset pitch peaks, adding a dynamic element to the structure. Narrow, staggered windows punctuate both the front and back of the home, allowing ample natural light to flood the interior while maintaining a sense of privacy. The dining room, positioned at the front, features windows that extend above the ceiling line, further emphasizing the verticality of the design. In the rear, the living room’s ceiling curves upward, following the line of the elongated windows and drawing the eye toward the wooded hill behind the house.

Inside, the layout is both functional and fluid, with a central block on the entry level housing essential amenities like a powder room, pantry, and storage. This core element helps to organize the surrounding spaces, which flow effortlessly from one area to the next without the need for doors. The kitchen, situated between the dining and living rooms, is outfitted with minimalist white cabinetry, offering a clean and understated aesthetic.

A muted green wall, positioned between the kitchen and staircases, features playful pill-shaped cutouts that allow light and sightlines to connect the upper and lower levels. This wall continues to the upper floor, where it becomes a solid bannister for the skylit corridor that links the bedrooms. The primary suite is located at the rear, offering a serene retreat with views of the natural surroundings. Another bedroom is found in the basement, tucked behind the garage, providing extra privacy and space.

The home’s interior palette is predominantly neutral, with light oak floors and white walls serving as a backdrop for the homeowners’ personal touches. However, moments of color are introduced through select vertical surfaces, such as a pale dusty pink wall in the living room and a terracotta-hued bathroom in the primary suite. Spherical light fixtures, used both inside and out, create a cohesive design language that ties the entire project together.

For more information on Reigo & Bauer, visit reigoandbauer.com.

Photography by Doublespace Photography, courtesy of v2com.

Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.

Ron Radziner was aware of architecture early on, but one particular Frank Lloyd Wright building in his home state of California piqued his interest. The Hollyhock House was Wright’s first Los Angeles commission, completed in 1921 for his client, heiress Aline Barnsdall. Barnsdall eventually donated the house and surrounding land, which is still a public site today. “I remember being fascinated by the house on the hill when I would visit the park with my family when I was a child,” says Radziner.

Barnsdall’s request for a residence that was essentially half house and half garden is a concept that resonates with Radziner, who envisions seamless spaces. As design partner of the design-build practice Marmol Radziner, he develops solutions that provide a unique architectural identity by forging strong connections between interior and exterior. The firm’s holistic approach includes not only an emphasis on the indoors, but also construction, landscapes, furniture, and other facets.

Radziner fosters relationships with groups and individuals dedicated to improving the community – people are just as important as projects. The architect speaks at universities and conferences, sharing his perspective with students and professionals alike. He also serves on the boards of organizations like the Mojave Desert Land Trust and Facing History and Ourselves.

Even with an ever-full schedule, Radziner still makes time to decompress. After his work is done he likes to stop at the gym for an intense workout. The exercise helps him reduce stress and feel emotionally fresh for the rest of the day.

While the architect looks forward to going to the studio and interacting with clients, if he decided to make a career change it would most likely be for a role in the film world. “I would be happy to attempt to become a cinematographer,” Radziner notes. “So often as I am designing a building, I am experiencing the spaces in my mind, reminiscent to feeling as if I am walking through a film.”

Today, Radziner joins us for Friday Five!

Photo: Trevor Patt

1. Brion Tomb

The private sanctuary near Treviso, Italy, was designed for the Brion family by Italian architect Carlo Scarpa. I had the opportunity to visit a few years after it was completed. Scarpa’s reverential use of concrete, metal, wood, stone, and water in the architecture, accompanied by a moving landscape, create an incredibly memorable experience.

Photo: Trip Davis for Gjelina

2. Earth Food

I love the astringent taste of walnuts, the bitterness of greens like radicchio, arugula, collard, and dandelion, and the spicy, warm taste of ginger. When I traveled to Patagonia a couple of years ago, I was able to begin my mornings with a highly caffeinated traditional Mate, which tasted of grass and soil – in the most delicious possible way.

Photo: Aurelien Guichard

3. The Brian Jonestown Massacre

Anton Newcombe is the spirited genius of this still-enduring psychedelic rock band that I have adored since the ‘90s. I have seen them perform live a number of times, first in 1996 at the Troubadour in West Hollywood. Often, there are three or four guitarists playing at the same time, creating a lush and expansive sound that feels three-dimensional. To get an ideal taste of their music, listen to my favorite song, “Anemone.”

Photo: Ron Radziner

4. Traveling With Family

My wife Robin and I have gone on many wonderful adventures with our children since they were young. Traveling this world together focuses us and brings us together in the shared exploration of the unexpected. In addition, doing so gives us the opportunity to meet people with completely different life experiences to our own, and to learn the truths of our world otherwise left unseen.

Photo: Film still courtesy of Turner Classic Movie

5. The Films of Michelangelo Antonioni

Antonioni’s films are all about visual storytelling, employing dialogue sparingly and instead using silence to convey meaning. The cinematography is innovative, and his imagery is always captivating. My personal favorite of his films is “Blow Up,” which emphasizes the fashion, music, and spirit of 1960s’ London. The lack of dialogue invites the viewer to interpret the film with explicit subjectivity – similar to how we all experience architecture and space in our own ways.

Work by Ron Radziner:

Photo: Roger Davies

Mandeville Canyon Architecture, Construction, Landscape + Interiors Los Angeles, California A predominantly steel structure built from the ground up, the long rectangular forms of this 7,000-square-foot two-story house expertly thread through the existing sycamores. The building reflects the careful and precise execution of the brick and metal that drove the design. The house follows the gradual slope of the land, so that at its southern end the home floats three feet over the canyon floor.

Photo: Roger Davies

Ross Architecture + Landscape Ross, California This 6,500-square-foot one-story vacation home overlooks a golf course with the San Jacinto mountain range beyond. The house has a light-colored material palette—limestone floors, bleached teak ceilings – and ample access to outdoor living areas.

Photo: Joe Fletcher

Lilac Drive Architecture, Construction, Landscape + Interiors Montecito, California This vacation home has three bedrooms and three bathrooms, with the second story devoted to the master suite. The surrounding oak trees and an existing pathway of a protected creek running through the property helped us determine the design, distinguished by intersecting roof planes, deep overhangs, and large picture windows. Built on a series of terraces, the two-story wood-framed house is clad in a variety of natural materials including Santa Barbara sandstone extracted from the site, reclaimed wood, and smooth-troweled, dark finished cement plaster.

Photo: Matthew Milman

Ward Architecture, Construction + Landscape Los Angeles, California Located in Rustic Canyon, Los Angeles, the 4,000-square-foot Ward Residence captures views of the canyon and the surrounding hills. We integrated the structure within the hillside to take advantage of the steeply sloped lot, engaging both the dramatic vertical height as well as the surrounding landscape. The home is arranged into three separate volumes for public, private, and work areas. We designed the landscape to maximize the available, level outdoor space while providing a textural backdrop to the lap pool and courtyard.

Photo: Joe Fletcher

Moab Architecture + Construction Moab, Utah We designed this two-bedroom, two-bath home – on a hundred acres of rugged Utah desert – with an open plan running along a rock ledge, floor-to-ceiling windows, and expansive decks take advantage breathtaking views. We constructed this home at our former prefab factory. The basic steel module assembly is made up of a floor frame, a roof frame, and columns. We shipped the home to the site complete with pre-installed windows, doors, cabinets, solar panels, appliances, and other interior and exterior finishes, ready for installation. The 2,500-square-foot interior and 1,725-square-foot outdoor deck is made up of five modules and seven modules, respectively, with three for the garage.

Anna Zappia is a New York City-based writer and editor with a passion for textiles, and she can often be found at a fashion exhibit or shopping for more books. Anna writes the Friday Five column, as well as commercial content.

Cover Architecture, a Los Angeles-based firm, has introduced a fresh take on accessory dwelling units (ADUs) with their recent project, the Moongate ADU. Situated in a quiet neighborhood of Altadena, the 620-square-foot residence features an eye-catching sculptural facade and a creative blend of geometric forms, making it stand out as a modern addition to a 1960s ranch-style property.

The ADU was designed by Mike Wang, principal architect at Cover Architecture, for his mother, Pei, and her partner, Dan – both former professors. The dwelling is intended to offer them a comfortable space to enjoy their retirement while staying close to Wang’s family in the main house. Unlike traditional layouts where an ADU might be tucked away behind the main house, the Moongate ADU is prominently positioned at the front of the lot. This unconventional placement creates a striking contrast with the original single-story home, which is located at the back of the property, near a ravine that overlooks Hahamongna Watershed Park.

The architectural choices for the ADU emphasize a dynamic interplay between old and new, ordinary and extraordinary. The design incorporates a sloped partition wall with a large circular opening that creates both a sense of mystery and a sense of openness. This wall, along with a raised foundation that requires stairs and a deck, forms an inviting outdoor space perfect for relaxation and reading. The ADU’s roof features eaves that curve in harmony with the circular motif, allowing natural light to flow into the living spaces.

The integration of different forms and voids across the facade is primarily influenced by functional needs. The pathway leading from the ADU to an adjacent storage structure forms a central courtyard, creating a shared outdoor space that connects all three structures on the property – the ADU, the storage unit, and the main house. This layout is thoughtfully designed to foster intergenerational living, allowing both privacy and communal spaces for different family members to enjoy.

Inside, the Moongate ADU continues the theme of playful geometry and simplicity. The interior design features a mix of light and natural materials, with details such as rounded knobs on Baltic birch plywood cabinetry lending a soft, tactile feel. The kitchen counter is made of Pietra Artica Marble, while the bathroom vanity is topped with onyx marble, adding a refined touch to the overall aesthetic. The layout remains relatively straightforward, with a well-defined living area, kitchen, bathroom, sleeping space, and a small office nook for continued work – making it a comfortable and functional living environment.

For more information on Cover Architecture, head to coverarch.com.

Photography by Leonid Furmansky.

Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.

Located in a 1970s building in São Paulo’s Jardins neighborhood, Brazilian firm RUA 141 Arquitetura transformed the JB Apartment that both honors its initial renovation from 2012 and introduces new elements to create a cohesive, modern aesthetic. The renovation project, led by architect Mona Singal, sought to preserve the original architectural language while introducing fresh, vibrant elements. The social areas of the apartment retained the distinctive burned cement flooring, with additional lighting carefully positioned to accentuate the ribbed concrete slabs. A bright yellow sliding door and a painting by artist Gabriela Costa inject a playful dash of color into the entryway, adding a dynamic contrast to the neutral backdrop.

To soften the space’s brutalist feel, a selection of Brazilian-designed furniture and decor was chosen. Pieces like the Bank Table by Jader Almeida, made from polished Nero Marquina marble, and the Jabuticaba Lamp by Ana Neute add a refined touch to the interior. The custom-built bookshelf, crafted from marine plywood, was extended to embrace the living and dining areas, maintaining a sense of continuity throughout the home. In addition to the yellow door at the entrance, a red door opens to reveal passage to the private areas of the apartment, while blue doors in the dining room front a set of built-in cabinets, all rounding out the trio of primary hues.

Several new design elements were introduced to enhance the apartment’s functionality and aesthetic. For example, a glass door was installed to seamlessly connect the terrace with the social area, providing a fluid transition between indoor and outdoor spaces. Metal benches with thin profiles and integrated planters filled with tropical vegetation contrast against the raw concrete surfaces, bringing a natural vibrancy to the setting.

Throughout the apartment, Brazilian design plays a central role, infusing the space with character, comfort, and a sense of lightness. Mona Singal’s vision for the project reflects a deep appreciation for local craftsmanship and design, resulting in a home that is both stylish and inviting, rooted in its cultural context.

The renovation also paid careful attention to the private areas. The existing wooden flooring in the bedrooms was replaced with new Tauari wood in a herringbone pattern, offering a contemporary reinterpretation of classic design. In the primary suite, materials like caramel leather and freijó wood nightstands provide warmth, while unique lighting fixtures and curated artwork introduce personality and charm.

The apartment’s bathrooms showcase a range of artisanal materials. In the powder room, all surfaces are enveloped in ceramic tiles that offer a warm, textured feel, while in the primary bathroom, granilite surfaces are paired with black fixtures and natural wood details to create a refined, sophisticated look. Meanwhile, the children’s bathroom features mint green and white hydraulic tiles that lend a playful, yet modern touch..

For more information on RUA 141 Arquitetura’s projects, head to rua141.com.

Photography by Cacá Bratke.

Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.

Ester Bruzkus has been interested in design for as long as she can remember. When the young aesthete was 12 years old she began collecting Vogue magazine because she wanted to know what was happening in the world of fashion.

She eventually explored other creative realms, and her ninth grade art teacher’s guidance was instrumental. Trips to museums and galleries supplemented her coursework, and the instructor encouraged Bruzkus to participate in programs for talented students. When Bruzkus was 16 she had already decided to become an architect, because she wanted to make more than just objects or paintings – she was determined to create a more beautiful world.

Based in Berlin, Bruzkus founded her eponymous firm, Ester Bruzkus Architekten, in 2002, and partner (in business and life) Peter Greenberg joined her in 2016. The duo focuses on work at different scales, from residences to hotels, often decorated with furniture designed by the team. There were so many requests for those pieces that Bruzkus opened STUDIO COUCOU, an online shop with a curated selection of bespoke furnishings and favorite finds.

All of these endeavors are part of a holistic approach that she discovered before she headed to university. As a German cultural representative at Disney World in Florida, Bruzkus learned about backstage operations, and more importantly, how to enhance the guest experience. It was a role that informs her work today as a designer tasked with shaping spaces. “It turns out that what I know about hospitality projects influences how we plan other projects,” says Bruzkus. “Now we make homes and offices which have some of the special feeling of the greatest hotels you’ve ever been to.”

Bruzkus and Greenberg collect images that resonate, especially when they travel. Greenberg even keeps an open source library on Instagram featuring the architecture the couple sees and talks about. For Bruzkus, who takes pictures of everything from text passages to street signs, photography is one of the most effective means of communication. “I photograph everything I see, and my photo library is my record,” she adds. “Most of the time it takes me just a few minutes to find the perfect image to describe my ideas.

Today, Ester Bruzkus joins us for Friday Five!

A Bigger Splash (1967) by David Hockney, Tate Photo: Courtesy of Tate © David Hockney

1. A David Hockney Pool

Jumping into the cool, still water is the best way for me to clear my mind, like in David Hockney’s “A Bigger Splash” (1967). The picture also inspired me for the work I did on the restaurant L.A. Poke Berlin that recalled the lightness of California.

Photo: Ester Bruzkus

I loved how the light was captured in the silver material used for Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s “L’ Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped.” It was an amazing transformation of an iconic monument. I went several times during different weather conditions, and every time I was surprised and touched by the changing appearance of the fabric.

BARCELONA PAVILION INSTALLATION

For the 1929 Pavilion, Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich created a design that emphasized the nature and effects of the materials they used. By using reflective and transparent materials, they made a space where one can simultaneously see oneself in the reflection, see what is behind, and see what is ahead through the glass.

Peter and I had the opportunity to create an installation there, replacing the original opaque black carpet with a plane of thin reflective plexiglass panels on the floor. We also inserted three additional boxes – two with mirrored surfaces and one, a thin colored outline. We temporarily transformed the Pavilion to reinforce the reading of these doubled surfaces and the perception of expanded spaces, a kind of kaleidoscope or hall of mirrors.

Photo: Ester Bruzkus

By Le Corbusier, this is one of the most magical and beautiful buildings I have visited. With its open facade there is a wonderful breeze flowing through the space. The contrast of the velvety looking concrete with the lush growing plants is unexpected and very unique. The experience of being inside the building is breathtaking.

Photo: Ester Bruzkus

This is a picture I took inside the “Infinity Mirror Room-Phalli’s Field” at the Yayoi Kusama exhibition at the Gropius Bau in Berlin. I love the opulence, the repetition, and when colors happen to match perfectly. Like here in the picture, my shoes and my dress create a perfect moment of patterns and colors.

Work by Ester Bruzkus:

REMI Restaurant Berlin Ester Bruzkus Architekten approached the design of the new Berlin-Mitte restaurant REMI for chefs Lode van Zuylen and Stijn Remi by using architectural materials that are high in quality, carefully sourced and crafted, with rigorous attention to detail. This is the very approach to ingredients that the chefs bring to crafting a meal, so the success of the project results from a synergy between the architects and the chefs. The design is intended to emphasize simplicity and quality – and to enhance a dining experience that is authentic, straightforward and fun.

Photo: Jens Bösenberg

Ester’s & Peter’s Apartment Berlin The move from one apartment to another in the same building provided the ideal opportunity for Ester Bruzkus to revisit the identical design problem with fresh ideas (please click on “ester’s apartment” to see what she did there) . The new design – Ester’s Apartment 2.0 – is an expression of both restraint and opulence through its efficient planning, its playful use of color, its exceptional lighting, its custom-designed furniture, and its carefully detailed material volumes. The apartment feels bright and spacious like an airy open loft because its space extends from east facade to the west and sunlight enters from sunrise to sunset. It is intricately planned to offer a rich variety of spaces – and to make the most of hidden storage despite its small actual size – just 80 square meters inside.

Photo: NOSHE

PSD Bank Berlin-Brandenburg eG Community Space & Offices, Berlin A Bank as a Community Living Room. Located inside a historic Post Office in Berlin- Friedenau, the design transforms the bank into a generous and welcoming neighborhood center. In addition to traditional banking services like ATMs, consulting rooms, and help desks, there are also unexpected spaces for a bank: a café, a colorful community living room, an interior garden, exhibition spaces, and public meeting rooms. While most banks are closing their brick and mortar locations, the PSD Bank has opened as a neighborhood center to welcome everyone in the community.

Photo: PION Studio

Beefclub “Fire+Salt” Restaurantin Wolfsburg Beef Club “Fire + Salt” is a radical refresh of an existing eatery in Autostadt, the automotive theme park at the headquarters of Volkswagen Group in Wolfsburg. At the center of the space is the theatrical preparation of food on a grill – and an open brick fireplace is positioned where everyone can see it, recalling an archaic fire at the center of a shared dining experience. Building materials emphasize the fire and salt of the menu – the grill is made from fired bricks; wood dining tables have been treated with salt to introduce unique colors, patterns, and textures.

Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.