studio arthur casas wraps ribbed concrete tower with vertical gardens in são paulo

studio arthur casas grows garden-wrapped tower in são paulo

Located on a corner lot in the Moema neighborhood of São Paulo, Ibaté by Studio Arthur Casas unfolds as a monolith of exposed concrete softened by vertical landscaping and human-centric design. With just one spacious unit per floor, the 21,000 square-meter residential building offers privacy and openness in equal measure, integrating cross-ventilation, solar orientation, and generous terraces.

Studio Arthur Casas chooses to leave the concrete frame of the tower fully exposed. The facades are made of ribbed, warm-toned concrete that isn’t clad or painted, allowing the raw material to speak for itself. Built into the grid are vertical planters, which soften the strong, sculptural presence but also help regulate temperature and connect the building more closely with its tropical surroundings.

all images by Fran Parente

ibaré opens up to the street with public-facing design

Each 450-square-meter apartment in Ibaté spans an entire floor and is accessed via dual elevator cores. The São Paulo- and New York-based architects at Studio Arthur Casas clearly divide public, private, and service areas while maintaining fluid transitions between them. Perimeter terraces wrap around each unit, acting as outdoor extensions of the living spaces. Their design is subtly modulated with staggered planters that shift floor by floor, breaking visual monotony, with large glass openings and brass-finished aluminum guardrails completing the envelope.

The interface between the building and the street departs from São Paulo’s typical urban defensiveness. At ground level, Ibaté resists heavy gates or walls, offering instead a glazed enclosure that works as a threshold to the city. This open, landscaped plaza connects with the sidewalk and includes furniture, a steel sculpture by Túlio Pinto, and communal areas such as the pool and elevator lobby.

a monolith of exposed concrete softened by vertical landscaping

wood, glass, and metal finishes complete the interiors

Studio Arthur Casas balances Ibaté’s raw concrete with the warmth of wood, glass, and brushed metal finishes. Technical components are concealed behind wooden panels that maintain visual clarity, while curated furniture by Brazilian designers, including Jorge Zalszupin, Guilherme Wentz, and Arthur Casas himself, brings heritage and contemporaneity into conversation.

Sustainability is integrated into the building from the start with solar panels heating the pool, a graywater system allowing for water reuse, and EV charging points built in. Cross-ventilation and dense greenery help reduce the need for air conditioning, improving energy efficiency while keeping the spaces comfortable.

the 21,000 square-meter residential building offers privacy and openness in equal measure

integrating cross-ventilation, solar orientation, and generous terraces

the facades are made of ribbed, warm-toned concrete

the raw material speaks for itself

each 450-square-meter apartment in Ibaté spans an entire floor

Studio Arthur Casas clearly divides public, private, and service areas

raw concrete balances with the warmth of wood, glass, and brushed metal finishes

vertical planters are built into the grid

project info:

name: Ibaté

architect: Studio Arthur Casas | @studio.arthurcasas

location: Moema, São Paulo, Brazil

built area: 21,082.02 square meters

land area: 2,162 sqm

co-arch: Gabriel Ranieri

landscaping: Arterra

developer: Cáucaso

project management – architecture: Cadu Vilela

project management – interiors: Mariana Santoro

project management – decoration: Fabiola Andrade

decoration coordinator: Paulina Tabet

acoustics: Harmoni

structure: Roberto Leme

concrete: Gabriel Regino

foundations: MG&A

frames (windows/glazing): Crescêncio

partitions/walls: Paula Vianna

waterproofing: Proasp

lighting design: Ilumination

visual communication: Nitsche

carpentry: Inovart

window frames & guardrails: Luxalum

lighting fixtures: Elight, Lumini, LD Arti, Luxsim

furniture & objects: +55design, By Kamy, Studio Objeto, Lattoog, Boobam, Vallvé, Srta Galante, Wentz, L’oeil, Pair Store, Herança Cultural, Etel, Micasa, Jorge Zalszupin

visual communication: F Teo Design

collaborators: Adriano Bergemann, Marcelo Beretta, Luciano Sessa, Rodrigo Carvalho, Beto Cabariti, Reginaldo Machado, Yuri Chamon, Beatriz Costa, Renan Prandini, Vinicius Bazan, Alessandra Mattar, Giuliana Maia, Luisa Mader, Raul Valadão, Marcelo Melo, Marcela Du Plessis, Rafael Palombo, Camilla Dall’Oca, Paulina Tabet, Marcella França, Virginia Fornari, Leonardo Navarro, Amanda Tamburus, Conrado Almeida, Natalia Lorenzoni

photographer: Fran Parente | @franparente

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demountable pavilion by heimat architects offers fleeting coastal refuge at china’s sand city

‘UNDER THE SAME EAVES’ ANCHORS SOCIAL ENCOUNTERS by the sea

Heimat Architects (previously Atelier Heimat) unveils Under the Same Eaves, a demountable timber pavilion designed for the 2025 Aranya Theatre Festival in Qinhuangdao, China. Completed in just 14 days — 7 days for design and 7 for construction — the project serves as the festival’s main baijiu tasting station and a key node in Migratory Birds 300, a 300-hour continuous art experiment on the beach. Both intimate and open, the pavilion becomes a social anchor amid a landscape of ephemeral installations, celebrating fleeting encounters through architecture built to vanish.

bird’s eye view of the site | all images © Lv Xiaobin, unless stated otherwise

HEIMAT ARCHITECTS CREATES TIMBER COURTYARD OF SHARED MOMENTS

Situated in the Sand City zone of the festival, Under the Same Eaves by Heimat Architects forms a quiet courtyard composed of three tasting corridors and a compact bar unit. Each corridor is made of modular timber platforms arranged under repeating eaves that suggest both rhythm and rest. Through this design, the architecture team encourages spontaneous social interaction, offering visitors a variety of ways to sit, recline, or simply linger — all under a canopy that frames the sea breeze and passing conversations.

More than just a tasting station, the pavilion acts as a spatial ritual for enjoying baijiu, China’s traditional spirit. The architecture invites visitors to move slowly: entering low eaves, stooping gently, then emerging into a central space of light and laughter. Its sculpted sections offer moments of openness for mingling and pockets of seclusion for reflection.

Under the Same Eaves: a demountable timber pavilion for the 2025 Aranya Theatre Festival

MODULAR DESIGN ENABLES ZERO-WASTE CONSTRUCTION

Simplicity and sustainability guided every decision. The entire structure uses just two sizes of locally sourced timber in a modular ‘sandwich truss’ system. These repeating units offered both structural strength and rapid assembly. The pavilion’s hipped roof shelters a service bar and storage space, while waterproof polyester fabric wraps the timber eaves, providing light shelter and visual softness against the coastal backdrop.

Part of the Migratory Birds 300 series, Heimat Architects’ pavilion is built with impermanence in mind. Like the performance art it accompanies, the structure is made to be disassembled, reused, and ultimately disappear — a poetic parallel to the transient nature of festival encounters. As the designers return ‘like migratory birds’ each year, the act of building becomes both a rehearsal and a ritual: a meditation on time, place, and the emotional weight of temporary space.

the pavilion forms a quiet courtyard composed of three corridors

each corridor is made of modular timber platforms

the entire structure uses just two sizes of locally sourced timber

waterproof polyester fabric wraps the timber eaves | image © Bai Rubing

the design offers pockets of seclusion for reflection

the pavilion is both intimate and open | image © Liu Guowei

Under the Same Eaves becomes a social anchor amid a landscape of ephemeral installations | image © Bai Rubing

project info:

name: Under the Same Eaves
architects: Heimat Architects
design team: Zhang Dong Guang, Liu Wenjuan, Ma Tianyang, Zhang Wenjing
site support: Sun Zhiwei
construction team: Yan Chuanwei, Yan Xuli, et al. Curators: Liu Chang, Zhu Sha

location: Qinhuangdao, China 
client: GUOJIAO 1573, Aranya Theatre Festival

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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TIM arquitectos combines concrete and corten steel for casa guayubira in buenos aires

Casa Guayubira integrates architecture with landscape

Casa Guayubira by TIM Arquitectos aims to experiment with the boundary between public and private space in Canning, Buenos Aires. With a closed-off front and a central space that acts as the heart of the home, this project seeks to break with certain conventional standards characteristic of Argentine suburban homes, creating a small urban oasis. One of the premises was to integrate exterior elements into the architecture, generating a symbiosis between the two. The C-shaped design emerges from the strategic location of the pool and chill-out area on one side of the lot, enveloping and creating an intimate and protected environment. The ‘box above a box’ concept is evident, with a lower strip forming the social area and the upper strip designated for the private area and supported by two strips in the opposite direction. The ground floor, comprised of the kitchen, living room, dining room, and pool room, features large openings that allow visual continuity between the interior and exterior. It also features a gallery that connects directly to the heart of the house.

all images by Alejandro Peral

TIM Arquitectos achieves aesthetic and functional balance

The entire ground floor is closely linked to the pool and chill-out area. Meanwhile, the upper floor, used as a relaxation area, cantilevers over the main entrance, creating a semi-covered vehicle parking area. The upper level features two bedrooms, the master suite, a foyer, and a laundry room. The combination of concrete and Corten steel achieves an aesthetic and functional balance. The concrete hides what is best kept out of sight, and the movable sunshades allow for flexibility and communication with the surroundings. One of the distinctive elements of Casa Guayubira is the use of semi-permeable Corten steel sunshades that filter natural light into the rooms, providing privacy both inside and around the pool area. These sunshades not only protect from outside views, they offer an interplay of light and shadow that enriches the sensory experience of the space and ultimately protects the home from the westerly heat that is so oppressive in the southern hemisphere. Casa Guayubira is a reflection of TIM Arquitectos Studio’s design approach.

Casa Guayubira redefines privacy with a closed front and open core

concrete and Corten steel combine for function and form

exterior elements are integrated into the architectural flow

concrete walls conceal, while openings reveal and connect

every element reflects TIM Arquitectos’ material-conscious design

large openings blur the boundary between inside and out

the C-shaped layout embraces the pool and chill-out area

project info:

name: Casa Guayubira

architect: TIM Arquitectos | @tim.arquitectos

lead architects: Martin Aracama, Felipe Aracama
location: Canning, Buenos Aires, Argentina

area: 400 sqm

photographer: Alejandro Peral | @alejandroperalphotography

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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casa moro’s green concrete mantle follows natural slope of forested terrain in buenos aires

Casa Moro integrates into existing natural void shaped by trees

Casa Moro, designed by Taller Arquitectura Mar del Plata (TAM), is a residential project conceived in direct response to the ecological and topographic conditions of its forested site in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The design approach prioritizes the integration of built form within an existing natural void shaped by trees and terrain, rather than imposing an architectural presence on the landscape.

The project is organized around two primary elements: a green concrete mantle that follows the site’s undulating topography and a suspended reflective volume above. The mantle functions as a vegetated roof that conceals the majority of the program below ground, minimizing the visual and environmental impact on the surrounding landscape. This approach restores the original surface condition while enabling a large portion of the architecture to remain visually unobtrusive. Above this mantle, a lightweight, mirror-clad box is positioned to reflect and multiply the forest environment. This volume, which contains a compact guest residence, maintains visual continuity with the trees and defines a spatial boundary without physical interruption. The result is a structured relationship between solid and void, where architectural elements frame and respond to the existing natural conditions.

all images by Obra Linda unless stated otherwise

TAM introduces accessible green terrace atop Casa Moro

The design team at Taller Arquitectura Mar del Plata (TAM) organizes the primary program beneath the green roof. It includes an open-plan living area centered around a courtyard that serves as the spatial core. This courtyard introduces natural light and ventilation while maintaining privacy from the street. A wooden volume organizes internal functions by establishing spatial separation between public and private areas. The courtyard and structural void create a continuous spatial flow throughout the dwelling. Above the mantle, the rooftop serves as an accessible green terrace, further reinforcing the project’s environmental strategy by replacing the occupied footprint with vegetated surface. The reflective box accommodates a secondary living space, offering a different spatial experience, one situated at the level of the tree canopy.

The design reflects ongoing research into the architectural treatment of voids and the role of absence in spatial composition. Drawing from sculptural theories, particularly those of sculptor Jorge Oteiza, the project treats space not as a static enclosure but as a formal outcome of interdependent masses. The void is not considered a pre-existing absence but rather a constructed condition, shaped by the positioning and interaction of solid volumes. Casa Moro positions architecture as a method of inhabiting natural systems through minimal intervention. By framing the void rather than occupying it, the project presents a model of spatial organization rooted in environmental continuity, material restraint, and the integration of landscape into architectural form.

green concrete mantle follows the natural slope of the forested terrain

architecture embedded within a pre-existing void defined by trees

Casa Moro engages the forest without interrupting its continuity | image by Jonathan Paz

courtyard at the core introduces light and ventilation to the interior

open-plan layout is organized around a central sunken courtyard | image by Jonathan Paz

voids are shaped through the interplay of solids and surfaces

wooden volumes inside define zones for living, rest, and service

the rooftop doubles as an accessible green terrace | image by Jonathan Paz

environmental continuity achieved through site-sensitive design

formal restraint and landscape integration define the design approach

Casa Moro proposes architecture as a response and not an addition to nature

project info:

name: Casa Moro

architect: Taller Arquitectura Mar del Plata (TAM) | @tam.arquitectura
lead architects: Guillermo Elgart, Juan Albarenque
location: Barrancas de San Benito, Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina

photographers: Jonathan Paz | @jony.paz, Obra Linda | @obralinda_

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CCA proposes masterplan and sports complex for resilient urban regeneration

CCA reimagines El Cajoncito as a linear public corridor

CCA | Bernardo Quinzaños has developed a masterplan for La Paz, Baja California Sur, in Mexico, aimed at transforming El Cajoncito, a seasonal stormwater channel, into integrated public infrastructure. The proposal reconfigures the site as a continuous public corridor, enhancing urban connectivity, mobility, and flood resilience. Key interventions include a new sports complex, a pedestrian and cycling path, and a vehicular bridge.

The existing dry riverbed currently acts as a major physical barrier between two urban districts, extending over approximately eight kilometers. During the rainy season, this area becomes impassable due to flooding. The new plan introduces infrastructure that both mitigates these hydrological challenges and improves day-to-day circulation for pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles. The project connects La Paz’s waterfront malecón to peripheral neighborhoods through green infrastructure, improving accessibility and contributing to long-term urban resilience. The proposed bridge is engineered to maintain structural stability during extreme weather and seismic events, integrating flood-control measures into its drainage design. Alongside it, a dedicated pedestrian and cycling path supports non-motorized transport and includes shaded rest areas and public transit stops. Approximately 40% of the masterplan has been implemented to date, with the cycling path partially constructed and the sports complex fully completed.

all images by Jaime Navarro

Community input shaped the design of Masterplan La Paz

Located within the El Cajoncito zone, the new Sports Complex responds to a need for athletic infrastructure in La Paz. Developed through community engagement, the facility provides accessible amenities for various sports and recreational activities. It features baseball and softball fields, soccer pitches, basketball and tennis courts, a skate park, and tracks for running and cycling. The design by CCA | Bernardo Quinzaños architectural practice includes four modular baseball pavilions, allowing for standardized construction and clear user orientation via color coding. Each field accommodates different age groups and skill levels, from youth to adult users, and supports athletic progression. Supporting infrastructure includes shaded seating and integrated furniture designed to address local climatic conditions and enhance user comfort.

A key component of the complex is a multipurpose building consisting of two gabled volumes on a shared steel frame. The open structure incorporates passive ventilation strategies and provides flexible indoor-outdoor space for physical and cultural activities. The ground level includes a shaded double-height gathering area, while internal spaces host administrative functions, music classrooms, a café, and a library. The building supports simultaneous programming and community events. The project decentralizes public services traditionally concentrated along the city’s waterfront, bringing recreational and cultural infrastructure to underserved areas. It offers accessible programming for youth and adults during non-working hours, contributing to community well-being and public engagement.

masterplan La Paz reimagines El Cajoncito as a linear public corridor

the dry riverbed is transformed into resilient green infrastructure

a new sports complex anchors the regeneration strategy

the masterplan addresses seasonal flooding with integrated infrastructure

shaded seating areas address local climatic conditions

open-air structures use passive ventilation for climate responsiveness

pedestrian and cycling paths improve non-motorized mobility

color-coded fields assist with wayfinding across the complex

the bridge and paths reduce travel distances for residents

modular baseball pavilions support standardized construction and use

project info:

name: Masterplan and Sports Complex La Paz
architect: CCA | Bernardo Quinzaños | @cca.mx

area: 22,727 sqm

location: La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico

lead architect: Bernardo Quinzaños

design team: Santiago Vélez, Begoña Manzano, Andrés Suárez, Carlos Molina, Cristian Nieves, Miguel Izaguirre, Sara de la Cabada, André Torres, Abigaíl Zavaleta, Víctor Zúñiga, Pablo Ruiz, Scarlett Díaz

client: SEDATU, Municipality of La Paz

builder: HABA, Alan Haro

photographer: Jaime Navarro | @jaimenavarrophotography

video: Jaime Navarro Studio, Ricardo Esquivel, Fernanda Ventura

model photographer: Arturo Arrieta, Centro de Colaboración Arquitectónica (CCA)

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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hee house by studio ellsinger elevates small-scale living on sweden’s coast

A Compact Home on Sweden’s West Coast

Hee House, designed by Studio Ellsinger, stands on a flat plot just south of Hamburgsund on Sweden’s West Coast. Framed by pines, weathered rocks, and meadow grass, the vacation home balances a modest footprint with a sense of generous interior scale. The design responds directly to the site’s prevailing coastal climate, using durable materials and careful orientation to protect against wind and rain.

From the north, the façade remains closed to shield views from the road and neighboring properties. Toward the south and east, large openings draw in daylight and connect the interiors to the forest edge and open fields. This dual character — introverted on approach, expansive within — establishes a clear distinction between shelter and landscape.

images © Christopher Hunt

Vertical Space and Structural Ingenuity

At only 7 by 7 meters in plan and reaching 7 meters in height, Studio Ellsinger’s Hee House achieves surprising volume. To preserve clear sightlines and avoid structural elements interrupting the main space, the design moves roof loads into a horizontal laminated timber frame. This strategy eliminates the need for bracing or exposed beams that would segment the experience of the tall room.

The architects clad the roof and all gable surfaces in untreated aluminum sinus sheeting, chosen for its resistance to the harsh coastal conditions and its ability to weather naturally over time. A cantilevered canopy extends from the main volume, reinforcing the house’s protective posture while marking the entry.

Hee House by Studio Ellsinger is located just south of Hamburgsund on Sweden’s West Coast

Custom Detailing for a design-minded client

The clients — a photographer and a writer, both working within design — worked together with Studio Ellsinger and brought an informed perspective to the Hee House. Their openness to unconventional solutions led to a fully bespoke approach. Nearly every element was designed specifically for the house, from the window profiles to the kitchen and fitted furnishings.

Inside, the layout organizes a large central volume around a lofted platform. Beneath the loft, a compact sequence of rooms includes a hallway, bathroom, and private bedroom. The loft itself is held aloft by a bookshelf that stretches the full width of the space. This single piece serves as structural support, storage, and the main room divider, integrating a fireplace and extensive shelving in one continuous element.

the house sits on a flat plot surrounded by pines rocks and meadow grass

the exterior is clad in untreated aluminium sinus sheeting for durability in harsh weather

a laminated timber frame carries roof loads to keep the main volume visually clear

the volume is compact, organized with a 7 by 7 meter floorplan

project info:

name: Hee House

architect: Studio Ellsinger | @studioellsinger

location: Hee, Sweden

lead architect: Mikael Ellsinger

area: 506 square meters

completion: 2024

photography: © Christopher Hunt | @photographer.christopher.hunt

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torrey: private spaces: an intimate retrospective of andrew torrey’s american design

atelier dyakova designs new monograph for andrew torrey

The new monograph Torrey: Private Spaces: Great American Design offers an expansive look into the work of architect and designer Andrew Torrey, whose practice has grown from a solo endeavor in New York City into a studio synonymous with polished, modern American interiors. Published as Torrey’s first book, the volume charts a path across residences in Manhattan, Miami, Los Angeles, London, and Cabo San Lucas, capturing how his spaces balance architectural clarity with expressive materiality.

Written by art historian and journalist Gay Gassmann and documented through the lens of photographers including Manolo Yllera, Douglas Friedman, and Tim Lenz, the book spans twenty-three projects that articulate Torrey’s evolving point of view. Each project reveals an interest in crafting environments that feel composed yet personal, often layering custom millwork, contemporary art, and vintage objects within precise geometries.

images courtesy Rizzoli

A Design Language of Opulence and Restraint

Growing up in Kansas before moving to New York at twenty-one, architect Andrew Torrey channeled a sensibility shaped by American optimism and the desire for transformation. The book situates his career within a broader narrative of self-made success, while also attending closely to the details that define his interiors: clean architectural volumes enriched by saturated color, textural contrast, and custom furnishings.

Torrey’s design philosophy emerges in subtle combinations: a high-gloss lacquered cabinet standing against raw plaster walls, or a polished brass light fixture set above matte travertine. Throughout the book, these pairings are documented with clarity, avoiding any sense of staging in favor of showing how clients inhabit the rooms. Celebrity residences — such as those belonging to Antoni Porowski and Alex Pall — are presented alongside lesser-known commissions, underscoring the consistent rigor of Torrey’s approach regardless of scale or prominence.

Andrew Torrey’s first book documents twenty-three private residences across the US and abroad

Typography, Form, and a Cohesive Visual Statement

The book itself reflects the character of Andrew Torrey’s design work. With art direction by London-based studio Atelier Dyakova, the object makes a deliberate statement through a deep red treatment that extends uninterrupted across cover, spine, boards, and endpapers. This chromatic saturation conveys both confidence and restraint, inviting readers to see the monograph as more than a catalog of spaces but as a study in material and form.

Typography reinforces this impression. The primary typeface, GT America, with custom Rs derived from Cartier’s archives, anchors the layout in Torrey’s brand identity. Bold letterforms mirror the architectural qualities of his interiors, communicating a visual language as resolved as the projects themselves.

the monograph highlights Torrey’s blend of modern design with rich materials and vintage details

In an era when design publications often pursue either a documentary neutrality or an overproduced aesthetic, Torrey: Private Spaces finds a measured middle ground. The book privileges direct observation and avoids excessive narrative framing, allowing the work to convey its own atmosphere.

At its core, the monograph affirms Andrew Torrey’s place among American designers who balance modernism with a tactile sensibility. It offers a resource for architects, stylists, and collectors who share his fascination with spaces that feel deliberate yet accommodating. As an object, it signals the same qualities as the interiors it chronicles: weight, clarity, and a sustained attention to detail.

photographers including Manolo Yllera and Douglas Friedman bring clarity to each interior

the book design by Atelier Dyakova uses saturated red to create a bold visual identity

celebrity homes appear alongside more understated projects to show consistent vision

project info:

name: Torrey: Private Spaces: Great American Design

book design: Atelier Dyakova | @atelierdyakova

architect: Andrew Torrey | @torreyllc

author: Gay Gassmann

publisher: Rizzoli | @rizzolibooks

photography: © Manolo Yllera, Douglas Friedman, and Tim Lenz, among others

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slender steel arcs blossom into kong xiangwei studio’s camellia-like theater in china

seven slender steel arcs shape Camellia Theater in China

At 2,300 meters above sea level in the highlands of Wuliang Mountain, a delicate steel pavilion, designed by Kong Xiangwei Studio, shimmers above a tea garden. The open-air Camellia Theater in Dali, Yunnan, China, emerges from the mists of Fenghuang Mountain as a weightless structure that frames the land and sky. Its purpose is to host cultural performances, quiet contemplation, and everything in between as part of a larger transformation of this historic tea estate into a tea-tourism destination.

Inspired by the form of a camellia flower, the structure was not conceived through formal drawings but emerged on-site through hand-weaving steel bars, an approach developed by the studio in close collaboration with local workers. The initial form, determined in a single day, takes shape through seven slender steel arcs that resemble petals, streamers, or even celestial tassels. ‘They are both petals and streamers,’ the designers explain, ‘like silver tassels shaken down from the sky.’

all images by Archi-translator Photography and Kong Xiangwei Studio

Kong Xiangwei Studio create petal-like canopy for performance

Part of a wider homestay renovation and cultural upgrade of the estate, the Camellia Theater sits on a natural platform recommended by the head of Huilong Village, an already beloved scenic overlook between Fenghuang Mountain and the Lancang River. The architects at Kong Xiangwei Studio opt for an intuitive intervention that blends almost invisibly with its surroundings. ‘The tea garden is a wordless poem,’ they share. ‘Human intervention should be as light as dewdrops on leaves.’

Beneath its delicate, petal-like canopy, the structure curves into the shape of a circular bench that wraps around a central clearing. It avoids disturbing the surrounding tea trees, creating a space that functions as a stage and audience seating. When a singer or storyteller stands in the middle, they’re performing to a crowd, and at the same time they’re enveloped by the landscape itself.

a delicate steel pavilion, designed by Kong Xiangwei Studio, shimmers above a tea garden

the form of the structure reflects local legend

That immersive effect is constantly in flux, thanks to the mountain’s unpredictable microclimate. At times, the theater floats in clear sunlight; at others, it disappears into mist. These conditions are part of the experience. When the sun sets, the sky often fills with glowing cloud formations, transforming the entire scene into a quiet spectacle. Even when there’s no scheduled performance, the environment itself puts on a show.

And seen from the other side of the forest, something interesting happens: the theater’s form, those seven petal-like arcs, begins to resemble a crown. Whether coincidence or subconscious intuition, the image connects to local legend, evoking the mythical queen of Caowang Mountain, weaving folklore into the architectural gesture.

a weightless structure that frames the land and sky

its purpose is to host cultural performances

inspired by the form of a camellia flower

the initial form was determined in a single day

the seven slender steel arcs resemble petals, streamers, or even celestial tassels

Kong Xiangwei Studio opts for an intuitive intervention

the structure avoids disturbing the surrounding tea trees

a space that functions as a stage and audience seating

at times the theater floats in clear sunlight, while at others, it disappears in the mist

project info:

name: Camellia Theater

architect: Kong Xiangwei Studio

location: Fenghuang Mountain Tea Estate, Bixi Township, Nanjian County, Dali Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China

design team: Kong Xiangwei, Cui Jun, Gao Zhuojian

photographer: Archi-translator Photography, Kong Xiangwei Studio

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modular wooden table reforms into exhibition platform within ceramic workshop by AACM

Mosca Bianca Integrates Craft Process into Interior design

The Mosca Bianca project by AACM – Atelier Architettura Chinello Morandi is a ceramic workshop that also functions as an exhibition space in Padua, Italy. The design concept integrates the entire process of terracotta crafting into the spatial and material composition of the interior. The primary design gesture takes the form of a continuous, sculptural element that extends from the ceiling and guides the spatial experience. Shaped to evoke the twisting movement of clay on a potter’s wheel, this form creates a centripetal dynamic within the space, drawing attention toward a single zenithal light source. This lighting element punctuates the central axis, aligning with a monolithic work and display table positioned diagonally within the room.

The table serves multiple functions. While it operates as an exhibition platform when closed, it transforms into a worktable during ceramic workshops. Its structure reveals a series of concealed chairs and storage compartments integrated into the volume. Constructed from okumé wood sheets and supported by T-shaped frames, the table features a slender, cantilevered design that visually reduces its mass and emphasizes lightness. The choice of surface material responds to functional requirements for clay workability.

table without chairs | all images by Catalogo

Spatial Design by AACM is Rooted in Material Lifecycle

The surrounding surfaces contribute to the narrative of the ceramic-making process. Walls and ceilings are finished with a rammed-earth plaster composed of clay and brick production waste. This material selection reflects a focus on reuse and closed material cycles, consistent with the lifecycle of terracotta. Storage for tools and workshop equipment is integrated discreetly behind metal blades and fabric curtains, maintaining a clear spatial language and allowing functional elements to appear only as needed during use.

Throughout the project by studio AACM – Atelier Architettura Chinello Morandi, the relationship between form, material, and function remains central. The spatial layout, material palette, and lighting strategy collectively reference the phases of terracotta production, from raw material, through shaping and working, to final display.

table closed altar

worktable

diagonal table closed

diagonal table open

table light curtain

table light and shelves

hidden shelves

table structure detail

ceiling detail

junction detail open

junction detail closed

project info:

name: Mosca Bianca
architect: AACM – Atelier Architettura Chinello Morandi | @aacm_studio

client: Mosca Bianca Ceramics | @mosca.bianca.ceramics

location: Padua, Italy

area: 45 sqm

photographer: Catalogo | @catalogo.studio

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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gora architects turns cow pasture into student art park in rural russia

Student Meadow by GORA reimagines riverside field in Knyaginino

Located along the Knyaginka River in Knyaginino, Russia, Student Meadow project by GORA (Gorshunov Stanislav) reimagines a former grazing and event field as a multi-functional public space. The design responds to the town’s demographic context, where approximately 20 percent of residents are university students, positioning education and student involvement at the core of the intervention. The site, formerly used for local football matches, community fairs, and the annual Nightingale Melodies festival, had become largely underutilized outside of festival periods and grazing seasons. GORA’s approach preserves the meadow’s open, natural character while introducing a flexible program that adapts to seasonal and daily changes in use.

all images by Margarita Sesorova

Student-Led open space for art, learning, and community events

GORA’s architectural team, led by Gorshunov Stanislav, organizes the landscape into distinct zones, with each section managed and curated by a specific academic institute from Knyagininsky University. This framework encourages active student participation in the ongoing development, programming, and maintenance of the space. During the day, the meadow functions as an open-air classroom and a setting for informal gatherings. At night, it becomes a platform for light installations, performances, and community events, extending the area’s usability into evening hours. A key architectural feature within the site is the pavilion known as the ‘Tower.’ Designed for research and observation, the Tower serves as a space for stargazing, lectures, seminars, and workshops. Its placement and form integrate with the meadow’s topography while supporting a variety of educational and cultural activities.

Student Meadow was selected as the winning proposal in the 2021 Small Towns and Historical Settlements Competition. The project reflects a broader strategy of using landscape and architecture to activate underused urban areas, with a particular focus on community engagement and the educational potential of public space.

Student Meadow by GORA reimagines a riverside field in Knyaginino as a multi-functional public space

the project sits along the Knyaginka River, responding to the town’s strong student population

formerly a site for football matches and fairs, the meadow’s open character has been preserved

the Tower pavilion functions as a space for observation, lectures, and workshops

the Tower integrates into the natural topography of the site

each section of the meadow is managed by different academic institutes from Knyagininsky University

the architectural approach balances educational programming with ecological preservation

the project reflects a larger urban strategy of activating underused spaces through design

the meadow serves as an open-air classroom and space for informal gatherings

landscape zones are defined without imposing on the site’s existing natural features

the flexible program accommodates both spontaneous use and organized community events

the project extends public space usability into evening hours through event-focused infrastructure

at night, the area transforms into a venue for light installations and performances

project info:

name: Student Meadow

architect: GORA | @gor_architect
lead architect: Gorshunov Stanislav
design team: Gorshunov S.V., Yudina M.V., Budko E.V., Krylova E.I.

location: Knyaginino, Russia

photographer: Margarita Sesorova | @sesorovna

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

The post gora architects turns cow pasture into student art park in rural russia appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.