Category: Architecture

Felix Kilbertus was enthralled with cars before he could even speak, easily recognizing many brands and models while struggling to name them. The Citroën DS was particularly magical to the young enthusiast because its unusual shape reminded him of a shark. Every time he watched one on the road it seemed almost alive, with the hydraulic suspension lifting it as if waking and stretching its legs before a long journey.

It’s hardly surprising then that Kilbertus enjoyed a 20-year career in automotive design before shifting to other arenas, yet he’s still inspired by vehicles of every make. “To this day I am fascinated by how cars move in space and how light reflects on their shiny bodies,” he says. “There are millions of big, kinetic sculptures out in the open all around us – a vast collective work of functional art.”

As the chief creative officer at Pininfarina, Kilbertus supervises all of the teams located in Italy, China, and the United States. These groups work on a range of projects, from architecture to experience design. More than an executive, he serves as a creative guide, grateful for the mentors and colleagues along the way that have shaped his thinking.

As part of daily business in the design world, Kilbertus is interested in photography, which he keeps discovering new facets of. When he takes pictures he acts as an editor, spotting a motif and then framing it. He marvels at the high-quality images that any person can produce with the click of a smartphone button.

The COO stays grounded by tending to his eclectic collection of greenery. Watching the vegetation grow and change is his way of connecting with nature, even indoors. “Plants are beautiful, both as biological living things as well as mathematical structures,” Kilbertus adds. “Helping them flourish – fertilizing, trimming, and watering – has a meditative side that allows me to step back and leave the dynamics of a busy work environment.”

Today, Felix Kilbertus joins us for Friday Five!

Photo: 2001: A Space Odyssey

1. 2001: A Space Odyssey

I’m a big fan of cinema, particularly deeply researched and creative movies, as they allow viewers to step into imagined and meticulously designed worlds. If I had to pick one director who mastered that art to the highest level I would choose Stanley Kubrick. He managed to create a series of masterpieces, and from a contemporary design point of view, 2001: A Space Odyssey stands above all.

The technology and its usage were so well thought through, designed, and visualized that it still feels slightly futuristic today. Certain elements have simply turned out to be spot-on predictions, such as astronauts eating dinner while watching the latest video news on devices that look astonishingly like Apple products. Interestingly, the representation of HAL 9000 is an eerily prescient study of AI, maybe even more relevant today than when the film was first released in 1968 – the year before the moon landing.

Photo: Roberto Conte

2. Villa Gontero

This is a wonderful place that I have been privileged to visit many times. Located near Turin, this unique building has deep connections to Italian Modernism and Brutalism, and is a space that inspires me with its unusual propositions and setting. It was bought a few years ago by good friends of mine, and I was lucky to witness how they brought it back to life and re-imagined it for today.

Photo: San Remo Experience

This extraordinary collection of plants is located on the Italian Riviera, very close to the border between France and Italy. This region has a very particular microclimate that allows for the cultivation of unusually diverse specimens.

Its geographical beauty as well as the taste and significant investment by 19th-century industrialist Sir Thomas Hanbury remain striking to this day, and are worth visiting year-round. In winter and early spring the plants surprise me the most, with warm light and briny sea air enhancing the experience. The smells, shapes, and busy humming of insects pollinating add to the charm of this remarkable place.

The Journey, performance in the Mediterranean Sea, May, 20-23, 2021, as part of the
Kunstenfestivaldesarts, Brussels by Rossella Biscotti Photo: Alexandra Pace

4. Modern Art Museums and Installations

Contemporary art has a special place in my heart. I feel that this is a way to explore the big questions of humanity. Artists somehow manage to ask important questions first, long before we as a society have answers for them. Beyond the more famous global institutions that have rightly become beacons and attractions, other museums and installations like Castello di Rivoli, Roden Crater, and Benesse Art Site Naoshima particularly inspire me.

Photo: Delfino Sisto Legnani

5. Exceptional Events in Italy

Milan Design Week and the Venice Biennale are the top events I try to visit every year, simply to stay up to date and be inspired by the best of contemporary creativity. I’m very lucky that both events are easily reached by high speed train links from Turin.

Works by Felix Kilbertus:

Midsummer by Morgan Motors and Pininfarina is a limited edition barchetta that celebrates its classic European design and modern coachbuilding. Limited to just 50 pieces, Midsummer features a six-cylinder turbocharged engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Midsummer showcases a blend of traditional craftsmanship and cutting-edge engineering, particularly visible in its hand-formed aluminum body panels that took over 250 hours to produce. The design of Midsummer epitomizes the timeless elegance and innovative spirits of both design houses. Photo: Morgan Motor

Pininfarina joined forces with Vidde to create an innovative snowmobile, designed to reduce its carbon and environmental footprint to record-breakingly low levels. The creation of Vidde snowmobiles came out of the mission to create a highly attractive and sustainable alternative to traditional snowmobiles. The strategic partnership, which involved the Research Institutes of Sweden, aims to create an attractive, purposeful, and long-lasting electric snowmobile that dramatically reduces harmful environmental impacts. Photo: Vidde

The Rolls Royce Spectre is the world’s first ultra-luxury electric super couple that marks the brand’s bold transition to an all-electric future. Spectre highlights the brand’s dedication to legendary luxury, comfort and performance, enhanced by its unique architecture and engineering. The model is the fourth in its series to be built on the Architecture of Luxury platform and features an all-electric drivetrain and innovative technology through the bespoke Decentralised Intelligence system. Spectre’s design was inspired by haute couture and modern sculpture, including monumental elements such as Starlight Doors and a unique illuminated fascia. No two Spectre are exactly alike, but all share a deep appreciation for fine materials and craftsmanship as an all-electric offering. Photo: Rolls Royce

Rolls Royce reimagined their iconic Spirit of Ecstasy figurine that will sit on the bonnet of the all-electric motor car, Spectre. After over 100 years, the figurine has been remodeled with a lower, more dynamic stance that is more closely aligned with the drawings created by Charles Sykes, the original illustrator and sculptor in the early 20th century. Photo: Rolls Royce

The BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé represents the exclusive interpretation of a luxurious BMW Coupé as seen through the eyes of Pininfarina. BMW and Pininfarina worked closely together to create a new automotive persona that emulates passion and luxury into one bespoke design. The contemporary take on classical values combines BMW’s hallmark luxury and dynamics with Pininfarina’s distinctive Italian design to create a four-seater luxury coupé. Photo: BMW

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.

In the heart of London’s King’s Cross district, the Rufford Mews Apartment is the result of a creative collaboration between partners Mike McMahon and Jewlsy Mathews, of Mike McMahon Studio. Embracing a philosophy of “don’t move, improve,” the duo has turned their own 90-square-meter (approximately 969 square feet) home into a personal design lab, where they experiment with materials and innovative building techniques to meet the evolving needs of their family.

One of the most distinctive aspects of Rufford Mews is the hands-on approach taken by McMahon and Mathews. Every piece of furniture, from dining chairs to storage solutions, was meticulously designed and crafted by the pair for their home. This not only showcases their exceptional craftsmanship but also ensures that every element within the home is functional, aesthetically pleasing, and personalized to their lifestyle.

Birch plywood dominates the interior design, creating a warm, cohesive look throughout the apartment. The dining area, with its cantilevered chairs and bespoke table featuring an integrated fruit bowl, invites gatherings while adding an organic touch to the space. Eight Unfurl Ply dining chairs comprise 26 individual components that are strategically pieced together showcasing the strength of plywood.

Sustainability is at the core of the project. Materials that might have been discarded from nearby construction sites found new life in Rufford Mews. The kitchen, for example, features concrete countertops made from recycled sandblasted Douglas Fir boards, originally sourced from a rooftop garden. The use of FSC-certified timber throughout further demonstrates the commitment to eco-friendly design, as does the focus on durable, long-lasting furniture – a counterpoint to the disposable, flat-pack pieces prevalent in today’s market.

The living room’s centerpiece – a 40mm thick Dinesen Douglas Fir sofa – floats atop concrete pilotti cast in recycled rainwater pipes. Complementing the sofa is a coffee table with wavy cork legs, both of which emphasize McMahon’s ability to blend form and function into artistic, sculptural pieces.

Another custom piece that appears to float is the bed in the main bedroom. The stacked plywood frame cascades inward to a small base that will alleviate stubbed toes in the middle of the night, while eliminating a heavy visual presence that most beds create.

The child’s bedroom is a whimsical retreat, where McMahon’s playful side comes through. Shutters on the bed create a secretive hideaway, sparking the imagination and offering a cozy, private space for games and adventures. Meanwhile, geometric patterns scattered across walls and surfaces add a lively energy to the apartment, reflecting the couple’s fascination with shapes and structures.

Outside, the balconies have been reimagined into lush “junglette” escapes. A thoughtful blend of exotic plants and native species creates a tranquil retreat from urban life. The tree ferns, with their sculptural presence, and climbing vines that weave through the balcony railings, elevate the space into a living extension of the apartment. These green sanctuaries offer moments of calm and connection with nature amid the bustling cityscape.

For more information on Mike McMahon Studio’s architecture, interiors, and furniture projects, visit mikemcmahonstudio.com.

Photography by Peter Molloy.

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.

Centered around a homeowner’s beloved garden in the Melbourne suburb of Brunswick East, the Gardener’s House by Splinter Society blends old-world charm with contemporary design. The project integrates the new addition with an original period structure, which has been given a fresh, modern update with a bold tonal red exterior. The front facade retains the house’s historic character, with its Italianate features and original masonry, yet the color choice serves as a bridge between the past and the present. The architecture is seamlessly integrated into the natural surroundings, creating an immersive experience that celebrates both the home’s heritage and the client’s deep connection to the landscape. By preserving the original structure and incorporating it into the new design, the architects have created a dialogue between different eras, making sustainability a key aspect of the renovation.

One highlight of the Gardener’s House is the way the architecture interacts with the garden. The extension of the house is not just an addition but a continuation of the landscape. The former concrete veranda, now peeled back, opens up to a modern living space that is bathed in natural light, thanks to the strategic positioning of the new volume. This space is surrounded by pockets of greenery, including the client’s collection of exotic orchids, which thrive in the microclimates created by the design. The result is a living environment that is deeply connected to the outdoors, with light and shadow playing across the interiors throughout the day.

In a bold departure from traditional layouts, the new extension faces the neighboring property, allowing sunlight to flood the space despite the limited orientation of the block. This clever positioning, combined with large glazed windows, ensures that the interior is enveloped by views of the garden, making nature an integral part of the home’s design. The red continues from the front into the backyard with the adjacent property’s red brick wall becoming a backdrop, peeking through the greenery that scales the wall.

The new addition is deliberately understated, with its rectilinear form clad in raw cement sheets that complement the masonry of the original building. Wood elements are incorporated to support climbing plants, which will gradually obscure the architecture as they grow, further embedding the house within its lush surroundings. The design is minimalistic yet thoughtful, with every detail carefully considered to enhance the connection between the built environment and the garden.

A pergola extends over a floating deck, designed to encourage rapid vertical plant growth, providing shade and a tranquil spot to enjoy the dappled sunlight. Inside, a dark color palette in the new living spaces evokes the feeling of being under the garden canopy, creating a cozy, intimate atmosphere that contrasts with the brightness of the outdoor spaces. The interior design is eclectic, featuring a mix of salvaged pieces from the old house and items collected during the client’s travels, each piece adding to the curation of the home.

The dark moody kitchen is kept light and airy with windows flanking both sides of the space. A wood countertop and dining table provide a warm contrast to the minimalist space.

For more information on Splinter Society, head to splintersociety.com.

Photography by Sharyn Cairns.

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.

BOIFFILS Architectures has unveiled its transformative redesign of Terminal 2 at Singapore’s Changi Airport, encapsulating the ‘Garden City’ ethos within a biophilic framework that aims to revolutionize airport design. Spanning 120,000 square meters over three levels, the five-year project redefines the terminal into a serene, nature-infused space. The renovation prioritizes passenger comfort and aesthetic pleasure, something typically missing from most airports today.

Founded in 1984 by Jacqueline and Henri Boiffils, BOIFFILS Architectures has long been synonymous with innovative design in the retail and hospitality sectors. Now led by their son Basile Boiffils, the firm has leveraged its extensive experience and artistic vision to create a new gateway to Singapore that marries the modern traveler’s needs with elements inspired by nature.

The family-run agency, now celebrating 40 years, has expanded its footprint across Asia under Basile’s leadership. Their foray into airport design at Changi Terminal 2 marks a significant evolution in their portfolio, which is filled with high-profile projects in Thailand, Malaysia, China, and India. This background provided a unique foundation for the complex task of transforming an existing terminal into an immersive, biophilic environment. BOIFFILS Architectures’ approach caught the eye of Changi Airport administrators by placing the traveler experience above mere logistical efficiency. The original terminal, built in the 1990s and renovated in 2003, prioritized function over form. In contrast, the new design integrates a series of sensory experiences aimed at reducing travel-related stress. Visual, auditory, and interactive elements punctuate the space, providing passengers with moments of calm and delight.

A highlight of the redesign is the “Wonderfall” – a 14-meter-high digital waterfall that serves as a visual centerpiece in the Departure Hall. This installation, created in collaboration with multimedia studio Moment Factory, combines digital art with natural elements, providing a mesmerizing focal point for travelers. A second part of the collaboration with Moment Factory, the terminal includes a south garden with an LED ceiling that replicates real-time weather conditions, enhancing the sense of connection with the outdoors. Also, every 30 minutes the skylight mimics a rainstorm with the acrylic floor below giving the illusion that visitors are walking on the fallen water. Paired with the indoor garden are tropical sounds local to Singapore from a catalog of 100 recordings to create a truly immersive experience.

The terminal’s three levels include Arrival and Departure halls and a mezzanine featuring food and beverage options. BOIFFILS Architectures’ design diverges from conventional airport aesthetics by incorporating lush vegetation, water features, and natural materials, creating an indoor landscape that blurs the lines between architecture and nature. The atmosphere aims to evoke emotions and stimulate the senses, transforming the airport into a place of comfort and relaxation, instead of stress and anxiety that travel usually brings.

The terminal now features vegetated columns, vibrant carpeting, and a check-in experience akin to a luxury hotel, complete with personalized service and an open, panoramic layout. In lieu of the traditionally linear check-in counters, an open floor plan allows for automated kiosks and baggage drop belts to be grouped into more convenient islands. “Travel in the 21^st century is filled with stressful moments – from check-in, to security lines, and immigration – and we wanted to provide extensive transparency to enable views of the steps ahead as a way of reducing anxiety derived from the unknown and unfamiliarity with the airport,” explains Basile Boiffils.

The project has achieved the prestigious Platinum rating under Singapore’s Green Mark Certification Scheme, reflecting its commitment to environmental sustainability. The use of artisanal materials and engagement with craftsmen from small firms further underscores the human-centric approach of BOIFFILS Architectures. The terminal features custom-designed elements from across the globe, including Spanish flooring, Italian lighting, French stucco, and Czech chandeliers, all contributing to a unique and cohesive design language. “The client was very pleased to have these elements custom-designed exclusively for their project,” says Jacqueline Boiffils. “They particularly appreciated the tours of the artisan workshops we arranged for them, and this process became a very important aspect of strengthening our relationships.”

Despite the challenges posed by a two-year closure during the COVID-19 pandemic, the project was completed ahead of schedule, officially opening in phases throughout 2022 and culminating in a grand unveiling on November 1, 2023. The collaborative effort between BOIFFILS Architectures and the Changi Airport Group has resulted in a terminal that not only sets a new benchmark for airport design but also creates a tranquil and engaging environment for travelers.

Photography by Fabian Ong for Changi Airport Group, 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.