Building elements. Senses House by UP3 Arquitetura. The house was assembled from three reused containers and a metal structure that allowed expanding the built area, in a box format, up to m2. The main inspiration for the project came from contemporary country houses, with solutions that promote maximum integration of the internal environments with the surrounding nature.
The concept of integration was also explored internally through fluid spaces that communicate with each other, subtly compartmentalised to avoid abrupt visual barriers. From the controlled acceptance of sunlight, ventilation and rainfall through its main facade of pivoting panels and an indoor terrarium at its core, to the natural textiles and aesthetics of its materials, this house is at one with the surrounding nature.
And with the northern hemisphere well into its colder, darker half of the year, this reminder of its vegetative beauty offered me pure escapism. Photo: Peerapat Wimolrungkarat. Ksana is a brand of matcha green tea imported from Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture.
The word 'Ksana' comes from Sanskrit, meaning a small period of time or balance. After tasting the brand's high-quality matcha, Juti architects decided to create a brand flagship store that celebrates moments in an equally serene fashion. In the space, visitors are invited to escape from the busy city to drink tea in a cave-like structure with fibreglass walls moulded with CNC foam and paired with oak-coloured tables and countertops. So, when it came down to selecting my top pick for the month, this tea house in Bangkok, Thailand, stood out for its unique, outside-the-box, pleasantly surprising interior.
Its cave-like walls are enough to create a minimalist, yet innovative and surreal landscape that transports users, enabling them to escape the chaos of the city. Saint Dizier's Market by Studiolada Architectes.
