Mi Casa - Interior Design Magazine

ISSUE

M I

C A S A

INTERIOR DESIGN - ARCHITECTURE - LIFESTYLE - SUSTAINABILITY

INTERNATIONAL EDITION

ISBN: 022-82-8485-8796-1575-00-84

NOV 2023

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INTERIOR DESIGN - ARCHITECTURE - LIFESTYLE - SUSTAINABILITY

NOV 2023 - DEC 2023 03

Editor’s Letter Susta Living

04

A Sculptural concrete house in Oaxa

Zen Space Minimal Space

05

Talk

08

Natural Tranquility

10

Sustainability Cover: A sculptural concrete house in Oaxaca

Green Projects

12

Green Interiors

13

Vintage

14

Hot Trend

16

Mindful Retreats

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Cover Design: Renny Novita Fotographer: César Béjar (Dezeen.com)

Editorial EDITOR IN CHIEF

PURPOSE

PUBLISHER

RENNY NOVITA

FINAL EXAM BASIC DESIGN LSPR

PT MEDIA ESQUIRINDO INTERNASIONAL

PHOTO

ARTIKEL

DEZEEN.COM

DEZEEN.COM

WISMA CHITA KIRANA 3rd FL

INTERIORDESIGN.NET

INTERIORDESIGN.NET

JL. LOMBOL NO 73, MENTENG,

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Thank you for being a part of our journey. Enjoy the edition, and let’s continue to build a sustainable world, one space at a time.

Editor’s

03 Letter

Dear Readers,

Our aim is to empower you with the knowledge to make your design projects

Welcome to Mi Casa Magazine’s special

more

eco-conscious

and

reduce

your

edition on sustainable building. In this

carbon footprint. We’ve collected tips,

issue, we explore the intricate dance

trends, and exclusive interviews to inspire

between elegant design and environmental

your sustainable endeavors.

responsibility.

At Mi Casa, we believe in responsible Join us in a journey through sustainable

design that cherishes our planet. We invite

architecture,

that

you to be part of this movement, join the

harmonize with nature. Dive into the world

conversation, and build a more sustainable

of

world, one space at a time.

showcasing

eco-friendly

materials

homes

and

energy-

efficient technologies, and gain insights into practices like upcycling, recycling, and

Warm regards,

energy conservation.

Renny Novita Editor-in-Chief “Mi Casa”

ISSUE 1

MI CASA Susta Living

Structural concrete facade

Casa de Alma

Mexican studio Espacio 18 Arquitectura has balanced an expansive concrete house designed like a “rock carved to create a sculpture” on a hillside in Oaxaca.

One side holds service areas and the kitchen

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Susta Living

A Sculptural concrete house in Oaxaca Project Credits:

Design: Espacio 18 Arquitectura

2023

Interior design: Espacio 18 Arquitectura Builders: Espacio 18 Arquitectura Architect in charge: Sonia Morales Landscaping: Espacio 18 Arquitectura Team: Mario Ávila, Carla Osorio, Sonia Morales, Karina Flores, Paola Alavez, Marco Farias, Noemié Coquil

Known as Casa del Alma, the 460-square metre (4,950-square foot) house was completed in 2023 as the client’s “last refuge” after a “long life of work and travel”, according to Espacio 18.

Two concrete boxes – set in the highest up next to an ecological

The two halves are divided by a monumental, entry staircase with

reserve – frame views of Oaxaca City and create a space for

floating concrete treads and light that filters down between

“peace, meeting, contemplation, and introspection”, Espacio

the concrete beams.

18 said.

“Through vertical subtractions, we work with light, creating Structural concrete embeds the house in the terrain and the

domes, beams and windows,” the studio continued. “The light

boxy concrete forms jut out in cantilevers from the slight slope.

expands through the spaces, bathes the walls and shows us the passage of time.”

“This project was inspired by the masters of light, such as [Gian Lorenzo] Bernini or current masters such as Alberto Campo

Set primarily within a single level for the convenience of the

Baeza,” the studio said.

resident – despite the entry stair – the program is separated into public and private zones on either side of the staircase.

“The different uses of light in the space allow the project to evolve during the day, during the year in the different seasons.

One side – which is slanted deeper into the hillside – holds

It’s as if it were a rock carved to create a sculpture.”

service areas and the kitchen, dining and living spaces, while the other holds two ensuite bedrooms.

“This project was inspired by the masters of light, such as [Gian Lorenzo] Bernini or current masters such as Alberto Campo Baeza,” the studio said.

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Susta Living

The interior finishes are minimal, leveraging the

poured-in-place

concrete

structure

and polished concrete floors with exposed aggregate. Low-profile glass and metal serve as additional detailing.

Large rectilinear skylights illuminate the bathrooms and the circulation spaces, where the repetitive concrete beams reappear.

An expansive terrace looks out to the surrounding landscape and city Interior finishes are minimal

The spaces that face away from the hill are characterized by floor-to-ceiling glass sliding doors that allow the view to serve as the fourth wall.

The linear balconies have no roof but are wrapped by a deep concrete beam as well as delicate glass railings.

The staircase wraps up to another bedroom and an expansive terrace that looks out to the surrounding landscape and city. An outdoor kitchen is built into the rooftop.

In the basement, the parking area and mechanical rooms are tucked under the concrete cantilever.

The layout allows cross ventilation both horizontally and vertically to mitigate the

harvesting

system

and

LED

lighting

contribute to the home’s resiliency.

Espacio 18 Arquitectura also completed a concrete and terracotta beach house in Oaxaca that orients to the sunrise and sunset, as well as a dark grey townhouse with a glazed interior courtyard in Puebla.

The two halves are divided by a statement staircase

ARTICLE & PHOTO: COURTESY OF DEZEEN.COM

warm climate of Oaxaca, and a rainwater

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Zen Space

a High Design Public Housing Flat MINIMAL

SPACE

“High design” and “public housing flat” are two phrases not usually mentioned in the same breath.

“The design might seem simple and straightforward,” says Chan, “but there is a sense of wonder and delight when one explores the home, uncovering all the secret functions hidden behind all the closed doors.”

This included creating zones for his client to play, work, sleep, cook, and

William Chan of Spacedge Designs readily dispelled that myth with his project, Alex, a 506-square-foot, tworoom public housing flat that exudes aspirational design at every turn. Chan transformed the unit into a minimalist bachelor pad for his client, Alex, by taking the apartment’s standard layout and totally reimagining it. “I broke the mold and re-engineered the space to optimize it in a way that made sense for Alex and his lifestyle.

bathe—even carving out a small space for the homeowner’s hobby: building Lego Architecture Series Models.

Chan’s design philosophy for this

Practicality was at the core of Chan’s

project can be distilled into the famous

approach, with thoughtful storage

phrase “less is more.” Although the

solutions lining the corridors. Even the

apartment’s design exudes simplicity,

standard bomb shelter, designated for

it demanded a remarkable level of

wartime emergencies, was transformed

craftsmanship and meticulous attention

into a Lego gallery. Backlit shelving

to detail to execute. Every aspect of

now graces the space, providing an

the living space was carefully examined,

ideal environment for the homeowner

considering the homeowner’s unique

to construct and proudly exhibit his

lifestyle and daily needs.

creations, bridging the gap between functionality and aesthetics.

ARTICLE & PHOTO: COURTESY OF INTERIORDESIGNCOM

However, Singapore-based designer

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talk

Rafael de Cárdenas The designer-curated auction is starting to be a thing. Note the recent “style sale” by Adam Blackman and David Cruz of Blackman Cruz at

08 How did the auction with Paddle8 come about?

Wright, unique in its thoughtful mix of design styles and materials and blatant disregard for any theme related to era or estate. Now, Rafael de Cárdenas, founder of design firm Rafael de Cárdenas / Architecture at Large, has launched “Rafael de Cárdenas: Through Thick and Thin,” a Paddle8 online sale of dozens of works from de Cárdenas’s own

Rafael de Cárdenas (RDC): Through a causal conversation with

collection combined with items by the likes of Philippe Starck, Ettore

Alexander Gilkes, one of the founding partners of Paddle8. We

Sottsass, Enzo Mari, Paul Rudolph, Hans Agne Jakobsson, Ico Parisi,

share a unique view on collecting.

and Shiro Kuramata—all of whom have been featured in de Cárdenas’s

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What are some of the projects currently on your plate that are challenging and/or inspiring?

RDC: It’s equally challenging and inspiring to do something

residential projects. One is a ground-up pool house in the

new, and recently our studio has been taking on digital video

English countryside; the other is an extremely contemporary

and film projects. We just created a conceptual film based in

insertion to an otherwise Hausmannian hôtel particulier in

part on our design for Delfina Delettrez’s London store, and at

Paris. Commercially, I am happy to be working on several

the moment are working on a music video.

projects here in New York. We’re doing the first US flagship for a very design aggressive Asian eyewear brand, as well as a

In Europe we are working on two exciting, but very different

private showroom and exclusive fitness studio for Nike, both

What are the shared traits of your staff members, and what do you consider

RDC: My team is the most exciting group of young people that

And of course they all have very good, but more importantly,

have arrived to architecture and deign through circuitous paths

very precise and exacting taste.

like myself. They come from varied backgrounds and have very active interests in other creative endeavors, so each person really brings a unique point of view to the studio as whole.

What is your earliest memory of design?

What’s the last design item that you bought for yourself?

RDC: It’s hard to say. Aside from my mother’s clothes and

RDC: A pair of all black Nike Air Huaraches. A shaker box.

going with her to the furniture floor at Bloomingdale’s, I’d have to say the Philippe Starck juicer for Alessi. The juicer stands out in my memory because its design marked an acute turning point in how I thought about objects;

What—and where—excites you?

RDC: Youth culture. It’s a struggle and a joy to keep up with it.

And I love L.A., as boring as that is to hear.

that talk

ARTICLE & PHOTO: COURTESY OF INTERIORDESIGNCOM

indispensible when it comes to the people you collaborate with?

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Zen Space

Swedish Holiday Home Olson Kundig references natural surroundings for Swedish holiday

Dark timber and stone feature throughout Dalarö House, a summer holiday home that US studio Olson Kundig has added to a rocky waterside site in Sweden.

Nature Tranquality

“Dalarö House was an opportunity to create a building that is responsive to its surroundings and encourages its occupants to interact with that environment,” said Olson Kundig design principal Tom Kundig.“Throughout the design process, we wanted to maintain a sensitivity to this special place and create a home that is quiet and deferential to the context,” he told Dezeen. Inside, the studio continued to incorporate dark colours, opting for dark timbers and finishes that offer a contrast to the brightness of

“Because the house was intended for use primarily in the summer, we moved away from the lighter palettes that are traditional to Scandinavian architecture, and instead use darker materials as a refuge from the light,” said Kundig. The main volume of the home contains an open kitchen and living space with a full wall of glazing that offers views of the water below. Bordered on one side by the long concrete feature wall, the living space is filled with light furnishings that match the tone of the concrete, chosen in collaboration with interior designer Louise Liljencrantz Design. Throughout the bedrooms, the studio paired deep-toned timber walls with portions of glazing, while textural tiled walls and black flooring feature in the bathroom.

Other Swedish homes recently featured on Dezeen include a house entirely clad in red-painted local pine and a villa set within an apple orchard that has been refreshed with a larch-clad extension.

ARTICLE & PHOTO: Magnus M�rding. COURTESY OF DEZEEN.

the summer months.

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info@BNBgroup.net Head Office: Jl. Kesatrian No 22, Buduran Sidoarjo 61252, Jawa Timur Indonesia Tel. +62. 21.8790 2222 Fax +62. 21 a.8790 7770 Jakarta Branch Jl. Raya Jakarta-Bogor Km.46 Pakansari-Cibinong, Bogor 16915 Jawa Barat, Indonesia Tel. +62. 21.8790 2222 Fax +62. 21a. 8790 7770 Factory Jl. Raya Campurdarat-Bandung Km 15, Campurdarat 56272 Indonesia Tel. +62. 355. 533 800 Fax +62. 355. 533 530ISS

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Sustainability

Green Projects A Former Mall is Reinvented into a Modern Office Design

Sustainable practices are top of mind for today’s designers. Just ask the 2023 Sustainability Giants. MI CASA’s carefully researched report turns the spotlight on the top 100 environmentally-conscious firms of 2023. While the scope of environmental practices can vary, from use of sustainable materials to achieving LEED and other environmental certifications, green design is undoubtedly big business.

Malls, with their large swaths of shuttered real estate, are ripe with opportunity for repurposing—and every building saved also benefits the environment. Take the West Side Pavilion in Los Angeles. Re-branded as West End, it is currently being transformed to a 584,000-squarefoot Google office campus by Gensler and ZGF Architects for interiors.

Separate but related is one parcel of the mall. The former Macy’s, a corner structure designed by Gruen Associates and built in 1964, has already been developed by GPI Companies and designed as a 230,000-square-

Though still Mid-Century in vibe, it’s anything but the closed-in retail emporium it once was.

HLW’s scope was vast, from interiors to structural upgrades and

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landscaping, since the exterior was deemed every bit as important as inside. Parking, too, was part of the program entailing construction of a 1,000-car structure. “It’s an impressive case study on repurposing underperforming and abandoned malls throughout the country,” says Sejal Sonani, principal and managing director. In this case the project came to $180 million.

ARTICLE & PHOTO: COURTESY OF INTERIORDESIGN.COM

foot speculative office complex by [HLW](https://www.hlw.design/).

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Sustainability

Monverde Wine Experience Hotel Against a backdrop of predominantly clear-finished pine, colors inside the Monverde

Wine

Experience

Hotel

by FCC Architecture and Paulo Lobo Interior Design are earthy, dappled with the vineyard’s springtime green and autumnal russet, Pantone-matched to wine leaves.

Green Interiors

Sumiyoshido Kampo Lounge by Id Inc.

Barrows by Ghislaine Villas

Educators 4 Excellence by Kati

“We brought the African jungle to the

Taking inspiration from the organization’s

concrete jungle,” Ghislaine Viñas says

chalk-scribbled

apple

Lounge—which sounds like a bar but

about

the

a

logo, Kati Curtis Design decided to

is actually an apothecary and spa—is

New

York–based

agency.

make the color green the element that

devoted to the apothecary, where the

Furnishings inside are mostly green,

threads their entire New York City office

fresh mint green of the storage-display

from Arik Levy’s high-backed sofa to

together. She sought out a mixture of

system targets a youthful aesthetic.

the rug on the polished concrete floor.

different shades, from the forest green

Though it looks like there are hundreds

Viñas worked with her husband, Jaime,

of Humanscale‘s Ballo ottomans to the

of

and Jon Sherman to design Flavor

large-scale graphics of Granny Smith

apothecaries, only 25 open.

Paper wallpaper for the stairwell, which

apples that adorn the elevator lobby and

from Afrika.

reception area.

interiors

for

Barrows,

marketing

bright

green

Half of Id Inc.‘s Sumiyoshido Kampo

drawers,

a

nod

to

traditional

ARTICLE & PHOTO: COURTESY OF INTERIORDESIGN.COM

Step into the world of green interiors where sustainability meets style. Explore eco-friendly design ideas that transform spaces into vibrant, sustainable sanctuaries.

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MI CASA Sustainability

Milanese restaurant group Sant Ambroeus has opened a coffee bar in Aspen, Colorado, where Giampiero Tagliaferri Studio has filled the space with vintage Italian furniture.

The Sant Ambroeus Coffee Bar Aspen draws references from the Alpine design found across the popular ski town, as well as the heritage of the brand, which was founded in Milan in 1939. Milanborn, LA-based designer Giampiero Tagliaferri aimed to combine the two, creating a cosy and intimate space that nods to the glamour of midcentury Italian design.

The designer selected a variety of vintage pieces by famous Italian designers to populate the coffee bar.

Le Bambole sofas by Mario Bellini

are

upholstered

in

dark green velvet, while 1950s curved plywood chairs by Carlo Ratti accompany the small cafe tables.

Giampiero Tagliaferri lines Aspen coffee bar with green marble and faux

VINTAGE 14

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BUILDING Milanese

restaurant,

ARTICLE & PHOTO: COURTESY OF DEZEEN.COM

ASPEN COLORADO

The designer selected a variety of vintage pieces by famous Italian designers to populate the coffee bar.

“As a Milanese myself, and a Sant Ambroeus regular, I felt an immediate connection to this project,” he said. “I hope the space will become a staple for Aspen locals and visitors; a refuge where one can go in the morning for an espresso and croissant, or stop by for a quick lunch or a delicious hot chocolate after a day on the slopes.”

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Hot Trend Is there a more mysterious hue than blue, color of sea and sky? We think not. Benjamin Moore’s just announced 2024 Color of the Year, Blue Nova, stretches beyond the expected, incorporating hints of violet. Inspired by the ethereal phenomenon of a new star formation in the vast void of space, Blue Nova invites a sense of adventure, journeying into the unknown.

Journey into the Blue With Benjamin Moore’s 2024 Color of the Year

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“Blue Nova 825 is an alluring mid-tone that balances depth and intrigue with classic appeal and reassurance,” Andrea Magno, color marketing and development director at Benjamin Moore said in a statement The magic of Blue Nova lies in its versatility. The dynamic color takes on new meaning based on the experiences each person brings to it, from evoking calm to energizing a room with its expansiveness and depth. “These contrasts invite us to break away from the ordinary to explore new places and collect color memories that shape the hues used in our homes,”

Light a star aglow in the night sky, Blue Nova anchors Benjamin Moore Color Trends 2024 palette, which features 10 captivating hues

ARTICLE & PHOTO: COURTESY OF DEZEEN.COM

added Magno.

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MI CASA Retreats

Kona Villa is the Peak of Chic in Kailua-Kona, Location

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Kailua - Kona, Hawaii

In 2011, a tsunami destroyed the beloved Hawaiian

Resort.

resort Kona Village. For five decades, the Big Island hideaway was known for its paradisal location on

“We felt we had a responsibility to honor the

Kahuwai Bay and a relaxed, convivial vibe; families

memories of the old Kona Village, but also look at it

returned year after year. Frequent collaborators

with a new vision for future guests,” Hollis recalls. That

Greg Warner, cofounder/partner at Walker Warner

meant keeping the summer-camplike environment

Architects, and Nicole Hollis, creative director and

but rethinking the architecture to better reflect the

principal of the eponymous interior design studio,

island’s heritage and meet modern sustainability

had the formidable task of formulating the next

standards.

iteration of the property: Kona Village, A Rosewood

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The design of the 150 guest structures depends on

Over 200 artworks across the 80-acre property—

where they sit on the site. Yellow and blue tones define

nearly all by Hawaiians—evoke the island’s history

those by the ocean; the north village, built over lava

and culture. An installation of three pe’a, or canoe

flow, has a red-and-black palette. Furnishings include

sails, by Kaili Chun, hangs from the vaulted ceiling of

oak beds inspired by the shape of a boat, rugs with

the main restaurant. Multiple pieces by Roen Hufford

Hawaiian motifs, and dark concrete bathtubs that

introduce guests to the ancient Hawaiian art of kapa

echo the rugged volcanic landscape outside. Hollis

(dried bark cloth). Outside the spa, two cast-bronze

notes that furniture and finishes were chosen to

sculptures by John Koga sit atop a field of lava,

evoke the feel of an upscale residence on the island,

referencing a molten flow and making a powerful

on which many she and Warner have collaborated.

connection with the landscape.

ARTICLE & PHOTO: COURTESY OF INTERIORDESIGN.COM

KONA VILLA, A ROSEWOOD RESORT

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Retreats

Habitas Namibia Seeks to Redefine Luxury With a Sustainable Resort Location

Namibia

The natural landscape of Namibia, from its desert dunes to vast savannas, draws visitors around the globe, so when hospitality brand Habitas envisioned a new hotel there, preserving the natural balance was top of mind.

Habitas Namibia, a modular build crafted mainly from

pit. In place of solid walls, rooms are lined with floor-to-ceiling

sustainably-sourced wood, marks the brand’s second hotel (the

canvas, immersing guests in panoramic views.

flagship property opened in Tulum, Mexico in 2017). “Nature plays a fundamental role for Habitas Namibia and when creating

In line with its sustainable mindset, the resort is run on solar

the property, we ensured full immersion into the natural world,

energy and recycled water. “We do not generate any waste

comfort and space designed for human connection, and

water through our operations, as we have access to an aquifer

sustainability throughout the entire design and execution

which treats water through an artificial wetland system, cycling

process,” says Kfir Levy, co-founder. The team decided on a

back into irrigation and returning back to the land after it’s

modular building approach to minimize carbon emissions—

been treated,” Levy shares.

and environmental impact—compared to traditional methods of construction. “Our design philosophy is simple: we let the

On site, guests can participate in safari drives, sound journey

nature speak for itself,” Levy adds.

meditation, indigenous spa treatments, dance, drum circles, yoga, and agora gatherings with live music, among other

Set on a sprawling private wildlife reserve near the Windhoek airport, Habitas Namibia features 15 guest rooms, a swimming pool, an outdoor cinema, a communal dining area, and a fire

activities that benefit local conservation efforts.

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Habitas RISE, in partnership with Saira Hospitality, that offers

interested in such work. Up next, Habitas aims to launch new

employment opportunities and hospitality training for locals

properties in Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and Costa Rica.

Contributor:

Text: Carlene Olsen Photography by Adrian Gaut.

Nestled within Namibia’s breathtaking natural landscape, Habitas Namibia emerges as a sustainable oasis.

Its

modular

wooden

structure

minimizes

environmental impact, showcasing a commitment to nature, comfort, and human connection. With 15 guest rooms, eco-friendly features, and panoramic canvas-lined views, this retreat is a testament to ecoconscious luxury.

Solar power, recycled water, and waste water treatment through an artificial wetland system ensure minimal ecological Habitas also supports local conservation efforts through its community initiative, Habitas RISE. With plans for expansion in Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and Costa Rica, the brand pioneers eco-chic hospitality.

M I

C A S A

INTERIOR DESIGN - ARCHITECTURE - LIFESTYLE - SUSTAINABILITY

NOV 2023 - DEC 2023 PUBLISHER PT MEDIA ESQUIRINDO INTERNASIONAL WISMA CHITA KIRANA 3rd FL JL. LOMBOL NO 73, MENTENG, JAKARTA 10350, INDONESIA TEL: +62 21 12345678

ISBN: 022-82-8485-8796-1575-00-85