rhythmic terracotta screen filters light and privacy at vertentes arquitetura’s otus clinic in brazil

VERTENTES ARQUITETURA WRAPS PORTUGUESE CLINIC IN TERRACOTTA

In Brazil, Vertentes Arquitetura transforms a conventional urban building into an otolaryngology practice with a striking terracotta brise-soleil. Dubbed Otus Clinic, the project centers on the sculptural facade, which filters sunlight, ensures privacy, and establishes a bold new identity for the clinic within its dense city context. By combining medical precision with an architectural language rooted in warmth and texture, the renovation reimagines how healthcare spaces engage with both patients and the public realm.

all images courtesy of Vertentes Arquitetura

OTUS CLINIC PAIRS RHYTHMIC FACADE WITH CALMING INTERIORS

The facade’s earthy terracotta tones and rhythmic vertical fins lend the building a tactile quality rarely seen in clinical architecture. This layer mediates between interior and exterior, softening the harshness of the urban street while casting dynamic patterns of light and shadow throughout the day. More than a protective screen, it acts as a visual marker, signaling the clinic’s presence while maintaining a sense of discretion and calm.

Inside, the design by Vertentes Arquitetura continues this atmospheric approach. Natural materials, soft forms, and crafted details extend the facade’s sensibility into the reception and consultation spaces, creating an environment that feels sheltered and welcoming. By pairing this sensory interior with its sculptural exterior, the São Paulo-based studio elevates a modest renovation into an architectural gesture that reshapes how medical practices integrate into the urban fabric.

the project centers on the sculptural facade

the terracotta screen filters sunlight and ensures privacy

more than a protective screen, it acts as a visual marker

natural materials, soft forms, and crafted details complete the project

the interior environment feels sheltered and welcoming

the facade’s sensibility is extended into the reception and consultation spaces

sculptural details define the interior

the renovation reimagines how healthcare spaces engage with both patients and the public realm

project info:

name: Otus Clinic
architects: Vertentes Arquitetura | @vertentes.arquitetura
lead architect: Adriano Couto Souza
location: Brazil

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: myrto katsikopoulou | designboom

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gridded ceiling tops zooco estudio’s oak and travertine regma ice cream parlor

new interiors for a spanish ice cream parlor

Zooco Estudio designs a new Regma ice cream parlor on Calle Burgos in Santander offers a new spatial expression of the Cantabrian brand’s evolving identity. With this project, the Madrid- and Santander-based design firm presents a composed reinterpretation of the brand’s legacy through geometry, materiality, and color. The brand was founded in 1933 and remains a well-known presence in northern Spain.

Rather than relying on overt iconography, the interior translates Regma’s foundational values — natural ingredients and an approachable color sensibility — into a spatial language that feels embedded in the architecture itself. A single geometric figure, the rotated square, underpins the entire composition, anchoring visual continuity across timber ceilings, floors, and the street-facing facade.

images © David Zarzoso

zooco estudio’s Continuous Geometric Framework

From the street, the Zooco Estudio-designed Regma storefront presents a modest face. The timber-framed windows are set within two fluted columns to create a symmetrical front that respects its urban context. Just inside, a lattice ceiling structure constructed in oak defines the entire volume, casting soft-edged shadows that move with the light throughout the day.

This gridded ceiling becomes the main organizational tool. It stretches uninterrupted across the parlor, introducing a visual rhythm and providing the structure from which pendant lights and signage are suspended. The geometry mirrors itself at floor level, where travertine slabs are laid in a subtle herringbone pattern, adding texture without visual noise.

the new Regma ice cream parlour is located on Calle Burgos in Santander

Material Translations of Flavor and Craft

Zooco Estudio’s material palette leans heavily on travertine marble, which lines Regma’s counters, lower walls, and floors in creamy, softly veined tones. Oak appears throughout in seating, paneling, and the custom ceiling structure. The atmosphere remains consistently warm but never overstates its presence, each surface contributes to a unified and immersive environment.

Clay-based paint adds a muted finish to the upper walls, absorbing light and grounding the space in a natural tonality. Stainless steel stools and fixtures offer a slight contrast, referencing the tools of ice cream production while reinforcing the project’s connection to material honesty and craftsmanship.

Zooco Estudio unifies the project with a rotated square motif

a gridded oak ceiling creates spatial rhythm and visual continuity

travertine marble defines counters walls and herringbone flooring

oak wood is used across furniture, ceiling modules, and custom partitions

project info:

name: Regma Santander

architect: Zooco Estudio | @zoocoestudio

location: Burgos Street, Santander, Spain

client: Regma | @regma.es

completion: 2024

photography: © David Zarzoso | @david_zarzoso

design team: Miguel Crespo Picot, Javier Guzmán Benito, Sixto Martín Martínez, Estefanía Sánchez
construction: COBOMAN S.L.
lighting, furniture: Zooco Estudio
photography: © David Zarzoso | @david_zarzoso

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MDBA architects folds low-lying rural house into spanish vineyards

Casa EF takes shape in rural Spain

Casa EF responds directly to its agricultural surroundings in Valderrobres, Spain, where the olive trees and vineyards that define the landscape have inspired the spatial and material decisions of the project. The single-storey home designed by MDBA Architects is conceived in tune with the rhythm of the terrain, as a quiet intervention: low, linear, and grounded. The material palette enhances this connection as it remains natural and regionally sourced, bringing together lime plaster, untreated wood, and stone — all of which harmonize with the soft, muted tones and textures of the surroundings.

all images by Simone Marcolin

MDBA shapes the countryside home with local materials

For the team at MDBA Architects, a key challenge was to create a home that felt intimate despite the openness of the site. Casa EF then remains low to the ground and nestles into its topography, using native vegetation to frame views and provide shade. Its low-profile volume, along with large glazed openings and skylights, emphasizes the indoor-outdoor connection and invites natural light deep into the plan.

Within, the house is composed around a central axis that serves as both a circulation spine and a visual frame, organizing the floor plan into three distinct zones: a private bedroom wing to the west, a guest wing to the east, and a central shared core housing the kitchen and living spaces. Its linear organization fosters a sense of flow while balancing privacy and community. The structure is built using reinforced concrete with lightweight internal partitions, allowing for future flexibility as the needs of its residents shift. Passive design strategies are also implemented throughout to reduce energy consumption, including cross-ventilation, optimal solar orientation, and thermal mass.

Casa EF responds directly to its agricultural surroundings in Valderrobres, Spain

the single-storey home is conceived in tune with the rhythm of the terrain

designed by MDBA Architects

the house is composed around a central axis that serves as both a circulation spine and a visual frame

materials are natural and regionally sourced, such as lime plaster, untreated wood, and stone

the structure is built using reinforced concrete with lightweight internal partitions

the olive trees and vineyards of the landscape inspired the spatial and material decisions of the project

project info:

name: Casa EF
architect: MDBA Architects | @mdbarchitects

location: Valderrobres, Teruel, Spain

lead architect: Maria Díaz

project team: Iosune Martin, Sofia Simioni, Oana Birovescu, Daniela Pisingerová, Agata Komecka

photographer: Simone Marcolin | @simoneemarcolin

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: ravail khan | designboom

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glazed ceramic tiles adorn hybrid timber office building’s facade by team v in amsterdam

Mediavaert serves as DPG Media’s headquarters in Amsterdam

Mediavaert, designed by Team V Architecture, is one of Europe’s largest hybrid timber office buildings, serving as the headquarters for DPG Media in Amsterdam’s Overamstel district. The 46,000 sq m building accommodates editorial offices and recording studios for multiple Dutch newspapers, magazines, and radio stations. The project was developed in collaboration with real estate developer Being and engineering firm Arup and is located on a former parking lot adjacent to DPG Media’s printing facility.

The building uses a hybrid structural approach, applying timber where possible and steel or concrete where necessary. Over 7,000 cu m of cross-laminated timber (CLT), sourced from Austrian production forests, is used for beams, columns, and floors. Prefabricated components enabled efficient assembly, reducing waste and construction time. The facade incorporates 15,000 hand-glazed ceramic tiles produced locally by Royal Tichelaar. These tiles, along with the building’s rounded edges, introduce a textured and visually softer contrast to the industrial surroundings.

all images by Ossip van Duivenbode

team v architecture conceives hybrid timber office building

Mediavaert integrates energy-efficient systems, including CO₂-controlled ventilation with heat recovery, ground-source heating and cooling (WKO), solar panels, and water-saving fixtures. Interior spaces are designed to maximize natural daylight and visibility of greenery, supported by features such as skylights, an atrium, and open-plan layouts. A 430-meter elevated green walking path surrounds the building, accessible to all occupants.

The project by Team V Architecture Studio follows principles of circularity and ecological integration, combining architecture, interior design, and landscaping into a single framework. These strategies have contributed to the building achieving BREEAM Excellent certification, the 2024 National Timber Award, and recognition as ‘Office Building of the Year’ at the Architectenweb Awards. Mediavaert demonstrates the scalability of industrialized timber construction for large-scale urban developments while addressing environmental performance, workplace health, and adaptability.

Mediavaert serves as DPG Media’s headquarters in Amsterdam

the building spans 46,000 sq m of editorial and recording spaces

designed by Team V Architecture in collaboration with Being and Arup

facade features 15,000 hand-glazed ceramic tiles

greenery is visible throughout the interior spaces

timber forms the beams, columns, and floors of the building

prefabricated components reduced waste and sped up assembly

Mediavaert uses over 7,000 cu m of Austrian-sourced cross-laminated timber

skylights and an atrium maximize natural daylight indoors

the project was recognized as ‘Office Building of the Year’

project info:

name: Mediavaert DPG Media
architect: Team V Architecture | @team.v.architecture

location: Amsterdam, Netherlands

area: 46,000 sqm

client: DPG Media

collaborators: Being, Arup, DGMR, Delva, Martijn Sandberg (artwork)

contractor: BESIX NL

photographer: Ossip van Duivenbode | @ossipvanduivenbode

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

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embroidery-inspired pleated wall anchors adaptive reuse of tai-silk courtyard in china

CO-MILIEU and Deep Origin Lab revitalize tai-silk courtyard

CO-MILIEU and Deep Origin Lab breathe new life into a historic Jiangnan-style courtyard in Taizhou, China, transforming the Zhou Residence, a traditional compound with deep regional roots, into Tai-Silk Courtyard, a cultural and commercial venue centered on embroidery and craft. Located in the heart of Jiazhi Street District, the adaptive reuse project reimagines the domestic layout of a typical Taizhou vernacular dwelling into a flowing public axis that now connects the city’s waterfront with a contemporary gallery and cultural atrium. The intervention respects the original wooden frame and masonry structure while reprogramming it as a vibrant anchor for local fashion displays, exhibitions, and events. At its core, a new pleated glass-reinforced plastic wall, sculptural and translucent, stands in the atrium like a bolt of draped silk.

east wing framing the courtyard | all images by Hao Chen, unless stated otherwise

sculptural pleated wall anchors the atrium

The Zhou Residence, like many Jiangnan courtyard homes, was designed around a central quadrangle, enclosed by a three-bay main hall, flanking wing rooms, and a gatehouse. The architects’ teams at CO-MILIEU and Deep Origin Lab preserved this spatial rhythm but restructured the circulation to create a linear sequence – waterfront, courtyard, atrium, staircase, gallery – that invites the public inward. The spatial composition mirrors the threadwork of the embroidery on display, precise, layered, and expressive.

Throughout Tai-Silk Courtyard, subtle design strategies reveal themselves upon closer inspection. The southern (waterfront) facade remains largely untouched, with only its historic wooden gate refurbished and dual brass signs added. From the street, a glimpse through the open gate offers a view into the illuminated courtyard. On the eastern facade, glass doors replace select wooden ones to increase accessibility, while new display windows on the western elevation frame glimpses of embroidered garments from the interior shopfront.

a new pleated glass-reinforced plastic wall, sculptural and translucent, stands in the atrium like a bolt of draped silk

exterior becomes an extension of the exhibition space

Tai-Silk Courtyard, once bounded by wooden doors and corridor columns, is now partially enclosed in glass, turning the once-exterior space into an extension of the exhibition area. The original stone paving was replaced with warm beige terrazzo, stitched together with salvaged stones to maintain continuity. The central bay of the former residence has been carved into a double-height ceremonial hall, consistent with local traditions, anchored by custom lighting that mimics floating threads or folded fabric.

The second-floor gallery, accessed via a slim wooden staircase, hosts a sequence of rooms divided by translucent linen-textured partitions. Here, visitors are immersed in the work of master embroiderer Lin Xia, presented under precision lighting that casts shadows as if they were part of the embroidery itself.

Much of the Tai-Silk Courtyard’s success lies in its devotion to craftsmanship, not just in what is displayed, but in how the space is built. Inspired by traditional embroidery techniques like pulling, perforating, inlaying, and wrapping, the design process became one of architectural needlework: customizing free-form garment racks, layering translucent wall materials, and improvising with site-found demolition debris. These decisions reflect a commitment to what the team calls ‘craft-as-construction’.

west wing entry space

collaborative design exhibition zone (second floor gallery)

east wing gallery (second floor)

second floor view of atrium enclosed by timber grilles

interior view of the opening wall | image by Luo Hao

interior view | image by Luo Hao

layered display system textured wire-glass against historic masonry | image by Lu Yao

project info:

name: Tai-Silk Courtyard
architect: CO-MILIEU | @co_milieu, Deep Origin Lab

location: Jiazhi Street, Jiaojiang District, Taizhou City, Zhejiang Province, China

floor area: 1,154 square meters

CO-MILIEU design team: Dai Qiaoqi, Tang Yini

Deep Origin Lab design team: Qinrong Liu, Yao Lu, Xu Chaocai

historical architecture consultants: Cai Xuanhao, Li Kairan

opening ceremony planners: Zhang Yilin, Xu Luni

construction: Shanghai Supai Decoration Engineering Co., Ltd.

lighting consultant: Cheng Rong

client: Zhejiang Tai Silk Garments Co., Ltd.

photographers: Hao Chen | @chenhao.etsam, Yao Lu, Tai-Silk, Luo Hao

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: thomai tsimpou | designboom

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alterstudio’s falcon ledge residence climbs a steep ravine outside austin, texas

falcon ledge: A Tower in the Trees

The Falcon Ledge Residence by Alterstudio Architecture rises from a steep ravine in Austin, Texas, just beyond the edge of a typical suburban neighborhood. Built for a newly married couple planning to start a family, the house responds to a complex topography with a design that is efficient and spatially generous.

Designed as a vertical residence that climbs up from the wooded terrain, the project takes advantage of a site long dismissed as undevelopable. A narrow access point from the street opens into a constructed platform that first served as a staging ground for construction before becoming the home’s garage and bridge entry. From this raised threshold, the house extends into a compact, upright volume that places living spaces on the upper level and private areas below, aligning domestic life with views and natural light.

images © Casey Dunn

Living Above the Canopy in austin

The 3,813-square-foot Falcon Ledge House is immersed in dense foliage and oriented by Alterstudio Architecture to embrace its setting. While adjacent to conventional suburban housing, the residence is shielded by the topography and vegetation, offering its occupants a continuous relationship with the outdoors. The clients move through daily routines without the need for drawn curtains, as the home’s height and orientation provide privacy through elevation and placement rather than enclosure.

The architects approached the Falcon Ledge project with a focus on minimizing site disturbance. The structure rises with the terrain rather than imposing upon it, threading the house into the landscape through calibrated interventions. This sequencing dictated much of the project’s form and rhythm: each phase of construction was planned around the constraints of a tight site with limited access, resulting in a form that is as much shaped by necessity as it is by intention.

the Falcon Ledge Residence is located in a steep ravine on the edge of suburban Austin

alterstudio prioritizes environmental performance

The exterior of the Falcon Ledge Residence is wrapped in vertical steel panels that Alterstudio employs to resist weathering and change tonally with time and light. These are punctuated by deep, strategic recesses that frame specific views while shading openings. The envelope is restrained but deliberate, revealing itself through precise alignments, narrow apertures, and transitions in material texture. Light enters from multiple orientations, shifting the atmosphere throughout the day and contributing to passive cooling through cross-ventilation.

Environmental performance is addressed through a combination of passive and active strategies. Glazing placement considers both heat gain and daylight, and operable windows promote natural airflow. The compact footprint and tight envelope enhance thermal performance, while indoor air is filtered and managed to provide consistent comfort. The building is oriented to maximize solar efficiency, and its recessed openings help to moderate interior temperatures without compromising access to light or views.

the home adapts to a challenging site, long considered unbuildable

While the final outcome appears tailored to its site, much of the Falcon Ledge Residence is built using conventional construction methods. Traditional wood framing and trusses form the structure, keeping costs within the median range for the region. Alterstudio reserved custom detailing for areas where spatial impact or environmental exposure called for greater attention. In these moments, the house steps away from the ordinary, revealing the careful calibration of materials and edges that elevate its character.

The project stands as an example of how design ambition can coexist with constraint. By adapting to difficult conditions and making the most of standard building techniques, Alterstudio produced a residence that quietly asserts its presence in the landscape. The Falcon Ledge Residence provides a model for building in overlooked places, showing how thoughtful design and intelligent sequencing can uncover new ways to live closely with nature.

the house is wrapped in vertical steel panels that weather naturally

living spaces are located along the upper levels, with bedrooms below

interior spaces are passively cooled through cross-ventilation

project info:

name: Falcon Ledge Residence

architect: Alterstudio Architecture | @alterstudio

location: Austin, Texas

photography: © Casey Dunn | @caseycdunn

design team (Alterstudio): Kevin Alter, Ernesto Cragnolino, Tim Whitehill, Haifa Hammami (director of interiors), Matt Slusarek (project architect), Elizabeth Sydnor (project architect)
contractor: Matt Sitra Custom Homes
landscape: Aleman Design Build
structural engineer: MJ Structures
mechanical engineer: Positive Energy
geotechnical engineer: Capital Geotechnical Services PLLC

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heimat architects shapes curved, elevated structure for USTC learning center in china

USTC Learning Center Bridges Campus and Urban Space

The Learning Center at the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) by Heimat Architects occupies a constrained corner site defined by campus walls, urban roads, and an existing tunnel underpass. Positioned directly above three box culvert segments, the structure rests on the tunnel’s soldier piles to avoid interference with waterproof joints. The elevated configuration maintains ground-level circulation, creates open public space, and introduces a flexible, light-filled environment for learning and community use.

Located at the eastern edge of USTC’s Central Campus, the site is bordered by a commercial building to the south, a residential block to the north, and a major urban arterial road with an elevated expressway to the east. Beneath the plot, a tunnel underpass connects the East and Central Campuses, fragmenting the area’s surface use. Since the tunnel’s completion in 2013, the plot remained fenced off until this project redefined its role. The design removes the perimeter fence and repositions the campus boundary, transforming the corner into a public-facing gateway that connects the campus to the city. The new circulation pattern provides a pedestrian link between the eastern road and the central campus axis. Landscaped areas create a pocket park accessible to students and nearby residents.

the USTC Learning Center occupies a constrained corner site | all images by Schranimage unless stated otherwise

Heimat Architects Creates Flexible, Light-Filled Learning Hub

The USTC Learning Center building’s curved footprint responds to the irregular site, generating active edge conditions. By elevating the structure, the ground plane remains open, functioning as a continuous pedestrian route and an informal gathering area. Landscaped surroundings and a pavilion-like form promote permeability between urban and campus spaces.

To safeguard the existing tunnel infrastructure, the design team at Heimat Architects employed the tunnel’s soldier piles as foundation supports, reducing earthwork and avoiding disturbance to the waterproof joints. Compact service spaces and capsule study rooms occupy the ground level, while the primary indoor program is located on the second floor. This upper level is supported by four large steel I-beams spanning over 18 meters, with slender columns maintaining spatial openness. Two vertical light wells supply daylight and natural ventilation while serving as smoke exhaust routes. The continuous second-floor glass facade, without operable windows, mitigates external noise from surrounding traffic and buildings. The second floor contains a flexible learning space with panoramic views of campus greenery and the surrounding cityscape. At night, interior illumination makes the structure a visible marker along the campus axis.

campus walls, urban roads, and a tunnel define the plot

the building is positioned above three box culvert segments

soldier piles support the structure without disturbing waterproof joints

open public space is created beneath the structure

the Learning Center offers a flexible, light-filled environment | image by Weiwei

elevating the structure keeps the ground plane open for pedestrians | image by Weiwei

landscaped areas form a pocket park accessible to all | image by Weiwei

project info:

name: Learning Center, Central Campus of University of Science and Technology of China
architect: Heimat Architects

lead architects: Zhang Dong Guang, Liu Wenjuan

location: Central Campus of the University of Science and Technology of China, Shushan District, Hefei, Anhui Province, China

area: 1100 sqm

photographers: Schranimage, Weiwei

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MEDEZA shapes brutalist desert canyon entrance as sundial in los cabos, mexico

MEDEZA designs canyon entrance in los cabos, mexico

In the arid landscapes of Los Cabos in Baja California Sur, Mexico, a private family club finds its striking arrival point in Canyon Entrance, a pavilion that is both a threshold and a statement. Conceived as a radial composition, this desertic structure is the work of MEDEZA (Francisco Parra) and CDQ (Centro Diseño Querencia), with collaborators Mauricio Rios, Gerardo Aguero & Vanessa Ramirez. The design orchestrates a sensory journey, compressing space to heighten anticipation before releasing visitors into the openness of a sculpted desert garden. The architecture, drawing from brutalist desert aesthetics, breathes with the environment through its voids, pigments, and the dramatic interplay of light and shadow.

image by Cesar Belio CBSTD (main image also)

desert architecture oriented as sundial

The pavilion’s form is anchored by two monumental, pigmented concrete walls. These points hold a 17-meter radial and sloped concrete slab, from which 41 ribbed beams radiate outward. This composition evokes the spokes of a silent sundial, creating a balanced structure that is both grounded and ethereal. The deliberate balance of mass and openness is a hallmark of the design, celebrating the raw honesty of materials and allowing architecture to exist in a direct dialogue with the sun.

image by Cesar Belio CBSTD

Canyon Entrance is a meticulously crafted desert landmark. The project is the result of a precise collaboration between Francisco Parra, chief architect of MEDEZA, and the Querencia Design Center, who oversaw both the design and its flawless execution. This synergy allowed for a design that is not only visually compelling but also deeply integrated into its environment, marking a new standard for a brutalist desert architecture that is both timeless and responsive to its unique context.

image by Cesar Belio CBSTD

image by Cesar Belio CBSTD

project info:

name: Canyon Entrance
designers: MEDEZA (Francisco Parra) and CDQ (Centro Diseño Querencia)

project collaborators: Mauricio Rios, Gerardo Aguero, and Vanessa Ramirez

location: Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, Mexico

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.

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ignacio urquiza and ana paula de alba set sand-toned monolithic restaurant on mexico’s coast

Rubra Restaurant merges Coast Landscape with Concrete Design

Rubra is a restaurant on Mexico’s Pacific coast designed by Ana Paula de Alba and Ignacio Urquiza for chef Daniela Soto-Innes. The project integrates architecture, landscape, and gastronomy through a spatial composition defined by material uniformity and precise planning. Constructed entirely from sand-toned concrete, the monolithic structure establishes continuity with its natural surroundings.

Located on the Punta Mita peninsula at the edge of Banderas Bay, the site is approached along a path bordered by dense vegetation, accessible on foot, by bicycle, or by golf cart. The route leads to a blind facade, concealing the interior spaces from immediate view. Entry is through a low tunnel, 2.1 meters in height and 6 meters in length, which opens onto a main terrace with views of the Sierra Madre Occidental and the bay. The project is photographed by Rafael Gamo.

all images by Rafael Gamo, courtesy of Ignacio Urquiza and Ana Paula de Alba

Concrete Volumes and Light Shape Rubra’s Adaptive Dining Space

The program, arranged by the collaborative team of Ignacio Urquiza and Ana Paula de Alba, is organized within a series of concrete volumes of varying heights and dimensions, housing the open kitchen, wine cellar, and bar. Integrated flowerbeds double as seating areas. The layout orients openings toward the surrounding landscape while maintaining visual privacy from built structures. Cross ventilation is facilitated by strategically positioned apertures, and a large column-free space, measuring 10 by 15 meters, that sits beneath a roof supported by a pergola grid and wooden lattices, allowing diffuse daylight to filter through.

Enclosure is adaptable: a sliding glass facade enables the main dining area to be sealed for climate control while retaining a visual connection to the exterior. The stained and textured concrete, developed in collaboration with Pablo Kobayashi, references the color and texture of sand. Rounded corners soften the geometry, drawing from architectural traditions of Mexico’s Pacific coast.

sand-toned concrete volumes define Rubra’s architectural language

Native Planting Connects Rubra’s Interior to Its Coastal Setting

The furniture, co-designed by Ana Paula de Alba and the studio, is made from wood in tones that harmonize with the concrete and surrounding vegetation. Interior landscaping by Thalia Davidoff incorporates endemic plant species, creating continuity between the built space and the Nayarit jungle. Custom elements extend to tableware, lighting, and service accessories, produced by collaborators including Claire Lippman (CHerie), Nouvel Glass, Mauviel, and Carlos Matos. Through the consistent use of a single material, a restrained palette, and integration with the local landscape, Rubra creates a setting where spatial qualities and natural elements frame the dining experience.

the restaurant integrates architecture, landscape, and gastronomy

concrete volumes house the open kitchen, wine cellar, and bar

stained and textured concrete references the color of sand

cross ventilation is achieved through strategic apertures

a column-free roof spans a 10-by-15-meter dining space

wooden lattices filter daylight through a pergola grid

wooden furniture complements the concrete’s tonal palette

custom-designed accessories complete the interior scheme

a restrained palette and single material unify the design

project info:

name: Rubra

architects: Ignacio Urquiza Architecture | @ignaciourquiza.mx, Ana Paula de Alba | @apda.mx

lead architects: Ignacio Urquiza y Ana Paula de Alba

design team: Michela Lostia di Santa Sofia, Aida Hurtado, Salvador Hurtado

landscape designer: Thalia Divadoff

concrete specialist: Pablo Kobayashi

interior designer: Ana Paula de Alba

furniture: Ana Paula de Alba, Ignacio Urquiza, Rituales Contemporáneos

lightning designer: ILWT, Miguel Ángel Vega

photographer: Rafael Gamo | @rafael_gamo

model photographer: Ignacio Urquiza y Ana Paula de Alba

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hungarian winery ‘sauska tokaj’ sculpted by BORD with monumental lens-shaped design

An Historic Wine Landscape in hungary

Located within the UNESCO-protected Tokaj-Hegyalja wine region of Hungary, the Sauska Tokaj Winery by BORD Architectural Studio integrates contemporary design with a storied winemaking landscape. Its elevated, lens-like forms appear to float above the vineyards, establishing a strong visual presence while preserving a connection to the surrounding terrain. Beyond its sculptural presence, the winery reinforces Tokaj’s reputation as both a cultural and viticultural destination.

The region’s volcanic soils have supported viticulture for centuries. Villages developed along the valleys, and winemaking took place in cellars cut deep into rhyolite tuff. Since the early 2000s, renewed investment and tourism have brought a fresh wave of innovation. Today, architecture plays a role in this revival, with new facilities enhancing the visitor experience alongside wine production.

images © Hufton + Crow

bord’s concept of the ‘untouched-untouchable’

The commission for the Sauska Tokaj Winery called for a modern facility centered on the production of dry white and sparkling wines, while also serving as a destination for hospitality and gastronomy. Positioned on the southern slopes of Padi Hill, the site offers sweeping views of significant settlements in the region, requiring a design that would engage with the landscape without overwhelming it.

BORD’s design reflects founding architect Péter Bordás’s philosophy of creating structures that feel both present and physically detached from their surroundings. His concept of the ‘untouched-untouchable’ informed the architectural massing — a floating form that engages the eye without disturbing the terrain.

Sauska Tokaj Winery rises above the vineyards in Hungary’s UNESCO-listed Tokaj region

the Compositional Form of Sauska Tokaj

The visible portion of the winery consists of two intersecting, lens-shaped volumes, each 36 meters wide. Elevated above the ground and supported by slender steel columns, these house the visitor-facing functions: a restaurant, bar, and panoramic terrace. The functional spaces for fermentation and storage are located underground, where stable conditions are naturally maintained. The circular fermentation halls position stainless steel tanks concentrically around a central wooden barrel area, creating a clear spatial order.

The illusion of levitation is accentuated by the building’s overhangs and the way sunlight shifts across its underside. This floating character turns the structure into a landmark while allowing the surrounding vineyards to remain the primary visual focus.

the winery’s lens-shaped forms appear to float over the slopes of Padi Hill

Visitors arrive via a path integrated into the slope, ensuring the architectural form is encountered in full view upon approach. The entrance is understated, leading into a compact lobby that opens to a skylit corridor and the main visitor spaces. Inside, curved ceilings frame the landscape beyond, narrowing toward the view and guiding attention outward. Stepping onto the terrace, guests are met with expansive views of Tokaj’s vineyards and hills.

Interiors, designed by Tihany Design, draw directly from the textures and tones of the wine region. Natural wood, local limestone, and steel details create a warm, tactile palette. This material approach anchors the contemporary architecture in the agricultural and geological context of Tokaj, while offering a refined backdrop for dining and tasting experiences.

BORD Architectural Studio designs the building to integrate with the volcanic landscape

Operational areas, including pressing, bottling, and labeling, are arranged in a linear sequence connected to the fermentation spaces. A service tunnel along the building’s axis facilitates movement of grapes and finished wine, while housing the necessary mechanical systems. The cellar’s cool, metallic surfaces contrast with the hospitality areas above, underscoring the dual identity of the building as both an industrial and cultural facility.

visitor spaces are elevated while wine production takes place underground

curved ceilings frame panoramic views toward the historic wine settlements

project info:

name: Sauska Tokaj Winery

architect: BORD Architectural Studio | @bordstudio

location: 3908, Rátka, Padi-hegy, Hungary
gross floor area: 5,830 square meters
completion: 2024

photography: © Hufton + Crow | @huftonandcrow

client: Sauska and Partner
head architect: Péter Bordás
coordinating architect: Csilla Kracker
architect team: Robert György Benke, Fruzsina Damásdi, Róbert Gulyás, Ágota Melinda Keresztesi-Angi, András Kéki, Balázs Móser, Györgyi Püspöki, Tamás Tolvaj, Kata Zih
interior design: Tihany Design, Alessia Genova, Principal and Adam D. Tihany, Founder
mechanical engineering: BORD HVAC Engineering, Zoltán Hollókövi
structural design: Hydrastat Engineering, Zsigmond Dezső
landscape design: Gardenworks, András Kuhn
contractor: Barry B. Britton

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