Issuu

EUR 35.00 | USD 45.00 | wonder.ifdm.design

Spring 2025

PHOENIX KITCHEN, DESIGN POLIFORM

POLIFORM.IT

FEATURES

Spring 2025

01 YEAR X

Color stories

Room for fantasy

Spring

Publisher

Interviews PEOPLE Silvia Prandelli

Populous: community spaces

PEOPLE Francesco Conserva

The method according to Open Project

PEOPLE Martin Goddard & Jo Littlefair

116

“Design is a journey”

Paolo Bleve | bleve@ifdm.it

Editor-in-Chief

Ruben Modigliani | ruben@ifdm.it

Deputy Editor

Alessandra Bergamini alessandra@ifdm.it

Senior Editor

Giulia Guzzini | redazione@ifdm.it

Editor-at-Large

Veronica Orsi | orsi@ifdm.it

Projects review

WONDER

Vertikal Nydalen Oslo

16 Puerto Escondido, Mexico

Casa To | Ludwig Godefroy

18 San Blas, Mexico | Cultural Center

Designing at triple zero

Shangri-La Nanshan Shenzhen

Colectivo C733

Return to the nest

70 Haikou, China | Gaoxingli Insun Cinema One Plus Partnership

Gigi Studios Sant Cugat del Vallès, Spain Creative dynamism

72 Paris | Wood Up

Contraste Milan Psycho-culinary journey

Ilma The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection Tailored hospitality at sea

20 Levanto, Italy | Ex Chiesa della Madonna

della Costa | Caarpa

Local Architecture Network (LAN)

74 Everywhere | Cocoon Freelancer | Maruán Attia 110 Aranya, China | Wulingshan Eye Stone

Spring Spa | Vector Architects

Ruinart 4 Rue des Crayères

112 Chengdu, China | Lujiatan Wetland Park

Muda Architects

114 Tlacolula De Matamoros, Mexico Rancho Cebú | Rootstudio

Reims, France A historic address to rediscover the richness of champagne

Palazzo Cristo Venice

Exclusive Venice

Artyzen New Bund 31 & Performing Arts Center Shanghai

Contemporary oasis

Bonfiglioli Bologna, Italy

International Contributor New York | Anna Casotti

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94 4 | IFDM

Editors

Alessandro Bignami, Manuela Di Mari, Elena Franzoia, Elena Luraghi, Francesca Oddo, Sabrina Sciama

Fluid spaces for free ideas

Erica design Antonio Citterio

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FEATURES

Spring 2025

    ifdmdesign

Hillman’s Penthouse New York

Residing in Manhattan

BGM75 Bluegame

102 The ongoing challenge Our Habitas Ras Abrouq, Qatar

106 Where the desert meets the sea Janu & Aman Residences Tokyo

120 Zen serenity McNeely Center of Ideas & Imagination Sorengo, Switzerland

128 Virtuous dialogues through interference & interaction

120

Apartment E19 Prague

132 Architecture squared Nite Kong Rome

136 Shades of the Roman night Chancery House London

138 At the office like in a hotel Casa Newton Pienza, Italy

142 A timeless retreat Accenture Montréal, Canada

146 Human experience

138

151

Short Stories

A wide view on major international projects by Sabrina Sciama

Design inspirations

169 A selection of the most innovative products

for the contract sector by international brands

183 A preview of the upcoming global projects NEXT IN THE WORLD

192 New top hotels: a leap forward in the Middle East On cover

Artyzen New Bund 31 & Performing Arts Center by Neri&Hu Design and Research Office Photo © Branston Partnership

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EDITORIAL

Spring 2025

Doing together...

RUBEN MODIGLIANI Editor-in-Chief

mong all the projects we publish in this issue, there is one that particularly caught my eye. It is on one of our ‘Wonder’ pages: we are in San Blas, Mexico, and the project in question is the transformation of an 18th century customs complex, which has been abandoned for years, into a museum and cultural centre. The work that has been done is interesting and courageous, as it puts the ancient and the modern in dialogue with courage and lightness at the same time. But what struck me most is that it is the work of a collective, Colectivo C733. A group of professionals, each with their own studio, who have decided to work together. This is not something to be taken for granted, especially in an era like ours where we think in terms of ‘I’ rather than ‘we’. The acronym they have chosen has a meaning: c733 stands for Cósmica (cosmic) 7ógica (logic) 3conómica (economic) 3ficiente (efficient). An architecture manifesto in four words. The collective is known for winning last year’s Obel Prize, an international award that promotes architecture at the service of people and the planet. They have essentially signed off on public projects and are extremely efficient in their execution (36 works completed throughout Mexico in three years: one per month). The key lies in their working process, in which the focus shifts from the ego of an individual to a system, to a group whose decisions are negotiated and discussed; an open group that allows, when necessary, the intervention of other voices (teachers, biologists, artisans). With one goal: not to give space to all voices, but to find the one that can best interpret the needs of the project. Winston Churchill famously remarked that “it has been said that democracy is the worst form of government, except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time”. It seems to me that a similar discussion could be made for architecture. This could be the beginning of something truly new.

IFDM | 9

CURATOR’S LETTER

Spring 2025

...going beyond

ALESSANDRA BERGAMINI Deputy Editor

ne of the numerous research projects at the Penn Center for Neuroaesthetics, University of Pennsylvania, directed by Anjan Chatterjee, Professor of Neurology, Psychology, and Architecture, is dedicated to Built Environment and Wellness. According to this study, aesthetic reactions seem to stem from three fundamental, interrelated dimensions: Fascination (an environment’s richness or interest), Coherence (analytic judgments about an environment’s organization and construction), and Hominess (feelings of warmth or coziness). This is the necessary sense of belonging also mentioned by Francesco Conserva, Vice President of the architecture firm Open Project, in the interview we are publishing in this Spring Issue of the .Wonder Book, along with those with Martin Goddard and Jo Littlefair of the namesake studio, and Silvia Prandelli, Senior Principal and General Manager of Populous Italia. Beyond the physical space, which certainly meets functional requirements and aesthetic characteristics, “the sense of belonging to a place comes from intrinsic history and beauty,” whether they be architectures of various types or urban spaces of different functions. As Maurizio Cilli, architect and artist, highlights in the White Box page, “a key to understanding the reciprocity that indissolubly unites a community to a place is the result of a process of proximity.” Equally, “the quality of relationships and exchanges is crucial.” This quality becomes essential also as self-gratification and an elixir of longevity. Beyond the physical space, beyond individuality, it is important to create a sense of community, real human relationships, and shared social bonds to improve the quality of places – of living, working, learning – and of one’s life. Beyond the current

concept of longevity, designing “places” of beauty, relation, and empathy generates wellness and often fleeting moments of surprise and wonder. These are what we have perceived in the various architecture and interior design projects presented here, signed by (in alphabetical order) Anna Covre and Frederic Tubau de Cristo, Bluegame, Cheng Chung Design, Debonademeo Studio, Flaviano Capriotti Architetti, Isern Serra, Jean-Michel Gathy, Julie Hillman, KURZ architects, LaiBE Architettura, Laura Gonzalez, Lemay, Malfinio, Maria Adele Savioli Architettura, Neri&Hu, Norm Architects, Our Habitas, Peter Pichler Architecture, Philippe and Antonie Bertherat-Kioes, Snøhetta, Sou Fujimoto and Gwenaël Nicolas, The Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection, Yabu Pushelberg.

IFDM | 11

WHITE BOX

Spring 2025

Beyond the idea of art as decoration Curated by: Alessandra Bergamini

DRAGA & AUREL Draga Obradovic e Aurel K. Basedow, designer

A MAURIZIO CILLI Architect, artist, public art curator

he Magic Maker. The primacy of desire over need and the symbolic over space. A key to understanding the reciprocity that indissolubly unites a community to a place is the result of a process of proximity. The project should identify the specific energies that lead individuals to wish to inhabit certain places. On a perceptual level, the project’s ability to re-signify the expressiveness of a place through the symbolization of public space as an enabling context plays a decisive role. On the level of cohesive intent within a specific community, the quality of relationships and exchanges is crucial, as these are directly connected to the construction of a stable and inclusive social architecture. Here, the stability of a community’s vision depends on the project’s ability to express its generative qualities and a continually negotiable degree of openness. Rather than through a structured top-down participatory process, it may be more engaging to experiment with the rooting of a hybrid collective subject focused on bottom-up sharing directed towards specific local actions within a stable vision of the future. 12 | IFDM

rt design pieces are not just simple objects; they are living presences in a space. For us, designing means translating emotions into forms, playing with transparencies and color nuances to create objects that radiate joy, lightness, and carefreeness. The requests from clients vary, but what unites those who choose our creations is the desire for unique pieces that tell stories and remain alive over time, going beyond current trends and becoming an integral part of a place’s narrative. In interior projects, our works are selected for their scenic presence and their ability to establish visual and emotional connections with those who inhabit the space. Whether it is a private residence, a boutique hotel, or a retail environment, each piece carries a unique language, capable of enhancing the soul of the project without ever overpowering it. It’s all about subtle balances.

STEFANO RABOLLI PANSERA Architect, Director of Khao Yai Art

n the khao Yai Art Forest, Thailand, the relationship between art, nature, and landscape design is not about placing artworks in a natural setting, it is about a dynamic, reciprocal exchange where both art and landscape continuously shape one another. Khao Yai Art embodies this approach, going beyond the idea of art as decoration to create a space where art is lived, experienced, and integrated into the environment. Preservation, as Giorgio Agamben suggests, is just another form of consumption. Instead of merely conserving the forest, we aim to dwell within it, allowing art to become a natural part of its evolving ecosystem. Inspired by Forest Buddhism, our approach does not separate human intervention from nature – it embraces transformation. In Khao Yai Art Forest, artworks arise naturally. Fujiko Nakaya’s “Fog Forest,” for example, reshapes the landscape to slow the dispersal of mist, turning a hill into a fluid, timescape installation. Similarly, Delcy Morelos’ intervention transforms existing excavated rocks into a meditative rock garden, using a 400-meter-long table as a space for gathering, eating and contemplation. At Khao Yai Art, landscape design is defined by perpetual motion rather than fixed plans. Far more than a gallery or exhibition space, Khao Yai Art is a living laboratory where art, architecture, and nature merge to form an immersive, ever-changing experience.

LIVINGDIVANI.IT + 39 031 630954

KASBAH DAVID LOPEZ QUINCOCES

CORSO MONFORTE 20 20122 MILANO ITALY + 39 0287178662 GALLERY@LIVINGDIVANI.IT

Spring 2025

WONDER

PUERTO ESCONDIDO, MEXICO | CASA TO | LUDWIG GODEFROY Located in La Punta Zicatela, a green area overlooking a long beach, Casa TO is a boutique hotel where modernity and tradition blend: the nine suites, with their essential design, are decorated with pieces

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WONDER

made by Mexican artisans and design studios. The centerpiece of the architectural design is the swimming pool, which flows dramatically through a series of concrete arches that rhythm the space.

IFDM | 17

Spring 2025

WONDER

SAN BLAS, MEXICO | CULTURAL CENTER | COLECTIVO C733

A museum and cultural center has been created from the surviving customs house of an ancient port. As many of the original elements as possible were retained, with the addition of functional red steel details.

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Spring 2025

WONDER

LEVANTO, ITALY | EX CHIESA DELLA MADONNA DELLA COSTA | CAARPA

After deconsecration, the church’s marble facings were sold and the building fell into disrepair. The Genovese firm Caarpa transformed it into a multi-purpose center, adding a steel “cantoria” as a tie to the past.

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Spring 2025

COLOR STORIES

Room for fantasy Next year’s color trends are an ode to fantasy. An intense and vibrant palette that ColorWorks has interpreted as a return to positivity Author: Veronica Orsi

olorWorks™ has already charted the color direction of 2026, identifying trends that will dominate the world of design, fashion and lifestyle across the board. Through analysis of emerging social movements, international experts at ColorWorks™design and technology have developed their annual guide, ColorForward™, which associates future trends with 20 key colors, divided into five color stories. Each palette chronicles an evolution in collective taste, responding to cultural shifts and new consumer desires. From bold tones that evoke a need for expression and innovation, to softer shades that reflect a return to nature and sustainability, Color Works’ research anticipates the colors that will define our daily lives in the coming years. 2026 will be a time of transformation, and the palette proposed by ColorWorks is tangible proof of this. ColorForward 2026 brings together bold and intense hues capable of instilling energy and optimism by inspiring dynamic scenarios and reflecting positive emotions. So too are the graphics that identify them, which draw from cinematography and anime. Wonderland, Bio-funk, Viviendo de noche, Carnival of fuels, are the four stories that will define the new year and with it new global attitudes. Wonderland identifies the growing quest for escapism and comfort, in a multitude of solutions ranging from the fantasy genre to collectible games. Carnival of fuels, on the other hand, tells a more pragmatic story, the search for alternative fuels that will help us meet the growing demand for electricity. So too does Viviendo de noche, which focuses on the problem of rising temperatures and those heat waves that increasingly force us to adjust our daily schedules to different times-a factor that could contribute to the growth of the nighttime economy. Finally, Bio-funk takes us through some of the amazing computer technologies for data processing, such as bio-computing. We discuss the first story here with Roberto Romanin, senior designer at ColorWorks. 22 | IFDM

Trend

Spring 2025

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PEOPLE

Silvia Prandelli

PEOPLE

Spring 2025

POPULOUS: COMMUNITY SPACES A method that goes beyond traditional architecture, embracing a philosophy that values both the human and environmental aspects of sports projects. Through participatory design and a strong focus on sustainability, each structure becomes a vibrant element of the urban fabric, able to adapt to present needs and anticipate future ones

ilvia Prandelli, Senior Principal and General Manager of Populous Italia, guides us through the philosophy that has taken the firm to the forefront of global sports architecture. Founded on the idea that architecture should unite communities, Populous embodies the belief “Drawing People Together” – a method that transcends physical design to focus on the vibrant experiences spaces can facilitate. Under Prandelli’s leadership, Populous Italia continues to innovate, integrating local cultures into their iconic stadiums and arenas worldwide. Projects like the Principality Stadium in Cardiff and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London showcase how design can regenerate urban areas and promote community cohesion. In Italy, Populous faces unique challenges, adapting to diverse landscapes and complex regulations, while maintaining a commitment to sustainability and accessibility. With projects like the new AS Roma Stadium and the redevelopment of the Como 1907 stadium, Populous is set to redefine live event experiences, blending digital innovation and cultural richness. With Prandelli’s vision, the firm ensures their architecture continues to integrate into urban life.

author: Giulia Guzzini projects photo: Edward Hill

Silvia Prandelli

Which projects have been fundamental to Populous’ evolution and growth? In my view, the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wembley Stadium, and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium are excellent examples of evolution in sports design. The Principality Stadium is a custom, multifunctional structure with a retractable roof for various events, including concerts. Wembley Stadium is a great example of the regenerative power of stadiums, leading to the creation of a whole new district in London with leisure facilities, workspaces, and retail outlets. The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is the pinnacle of cutting-edge facilities: not only multifunctional with a retractable field for NFL games and other events, but also perfectly integrated into the urban fabric, with year-round accessible local services and attractions. In arenas, projects like the O2 Arena or the Sphere in Las Vegas are benchmarks, marking the evolution of today’s structures. The innovative integration of digital technologies in Sphere, enhancing the audience experience, represents what many consider the next frontier in event space design. How does your “Drawing People Together” method work? Bringing people together is more than a slogan: it embodies the essence of our practice. We are committed to building experiences that offer something special. This commitment guides and precedes building design and never allows us to think of people as a generic audience – a philosophy inspiring all our teams and characterizing every project we undertake. How do you integrate local culture into your global projects? Local culture and geographic context are crucial elements. We are a global firm with offices and teams in all major markets. Here in Italy, our headquarters is in Milan. The people working on each project have a deep knowledge of the area, some come from there or have lived and worked there for many years. IFDM | 27