Valerie Schweitzer Architects

“I love working with Corten steel, both on exterior facades and in interior spaces. It changes and becomes more saturated with orange color as it oxidizes, reflecting time’s imprint. The material is thus dynamic and connected to its weathering environment. Also, when cold-rolled, it can be cut into various shapes to draw out a surprising elegance. It’s as if it has multiple dimensions, from industrial to refined.” above The Hide and Seek Apartments in West Los Angeles employ curving Corten steel members, faintly reminiscent of the area's famous palm trees.

When it comes to designing for kitchen and bathroom spaces, the emphasis on utility does not have to equate to a limitation of beauty. In fact, the challenge of delivering elegance in the face of this functionality has made these spaces some of the most enticing for architects and designers. In the melding of multiple systems—plumbing, electri- cal, lighting, ventilation—tremendous attention to detail is critical to accomplishing a cohesive whole. This section will focus on three projects that achieve this outcome as well as the latest products that can assist with successful delivery.

By Sophie Aliece Hollis