On a late winter’s day with full sun and a brisk breeze, the sliding side panels of a vast Ampelite shed were open. A large almond tree – the first fruit tree to blossom – was vivid white and buzzing with bees. Shadows of birds moved across the roof with a clatter of claws. A pair of masked lapwings voiced their distinctive call. They typically inhabit large grassy areas near open water but have taken to nesting on flat roofs. The Longhouse roof isn’t flat, but perhaps it seemed like an expanse of reflective water from above. Within, all is glowing, leafy-green and very comfortable.

Built in the 1950s, the timeworn grain storage buildings of Wangjiangjing Town in China were once collectively known by locals as the Lotus Granary, a name given to the site for its proximity to masses of lotus-filled marshlands. But after the interiors of the two main warehouses were mostly destroyed by fire – thought to have been extinguished by water sourced directly from the lotus ponds – the granary was forced into early retirement, abandoned and mostly forgotten.

Rig up the mirror ball, slip on your sequin-bedazzled bell bottoms and cue the best hits of the 1970s – interior designer Greg Natale has released disco-inspired glassware to partner up with a summer of boogie nights at home. “I love a Studio 54 design moment,” says Greg, who has channelled the late 70s vibe into the sexy silhouettes of his ‘Rubell’ highball and tumbler sets. “Named after one of the co-owners of the New York club, they will bring a little disco to your dining room.”

From well-dressed watering holes to exquisite fine-diners, Australia’s most beautiful establishments have been singled out by the 2020 Eat Drink Design Awards. Organised by Architecture Media, the illustrious program sets its sights on venues where aesthetics is as highly regarded as the bites and beverages they serve, presenting design-led awards across eight categories including Best Restaurant, Best Cafe and Best Bar.

Laker by David Caon and Henry Wilson The two designers spoke of encasing ubiquitous metal shelving components in high-quality timber – more specifically, oak and walnut – and how this combination of materials could bring a sophisticated edge to a sensible, albeit unattractive system. Their vision continued: By pairing the timber-clad strips with sleek joinery pieces, […]

Sitting camouflaged in a highly visible location, Bangalley House is an exercise in balancing extreme exposure with protection. The rising headland site drinks in panoramic ocean views and shares sightlines with the golden sands of Avalon Beach in Sydney. “Almost any new building you’ll see on a Sydney headland really stands out, often to the detriment of the surrounding area,” says architect Rob Brown.

Designed by former NSW housing commission architect Tao Gofers in the 1970s, the brutalist Sirius building is back in the spotlight as plans for its redevelopment are submitted for exhibition by developer JDH Capital. The proposed scheme for the adaptive reuse of Sirius has been imagined by BVN, following an architecture competition that closed to submissions in December 2019.

The first restaurant in New York City for both chef Alain Verzeroli and interior designer Joseph Dirand, Le Jardinier attracts local New Yorkers alongside gourmet travellers from all corners of the globe, each with a penchant for sophisticated style and thoughtful cuisine. As we look forward to a world that returns to some sort of normality, Karine Monié bumps this designer destination to the top of our must-visit list in 2021 and beyond.

Nestled in the verdant foothills of the symbolic mountain of Hidari Daimonji, a one-hour drive from Japan’s Osaka International Airport, Aman Kyoto is a place of immense beauty, where small jizo statues sit contentedly among the luminescent leaves of the yamamomiji maples. The understated resort perfectly tempers privacy, relaxation and rejuvenation with the vibrancy of Japan’s ancient imperial capital, home to 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

For the third instalment of the all-new architect speaker series inDETAIL presented by Brickworks, host Professor Cameron Bruhn, dean and head of school at The University of Queensland’s School of Architecture, was joined by Jayson Blight of Blight Rayner. Shaped by the themes of form, space, structure and material, the captivating conversation was broadcast online from the Brickworks Brisbane studio, recorded live with an audience comprising local architects and designers.