ISSUE NO. 27

A March Issue

We shape our spaces—but they shape us too. A narrow path can feel like a constraint or a guiding line forward. An open space can feel freeing or lonely—depending on our mood. Light, shadows, and textures don't just shape the room—they reflect our thoughts. As we move through spaces, we realize they affect how we feel—just like our mood changes how we experience them.

ARCHITECTURALLY CURIOUS

Emotion in Motion

Walking through the door feels of this vestibule is like crossing from one world to another. It isn’t just an entrance—it's a carefully designed experience that leads visitors through a journey of how space feels and changes. The design uses the contrasts between openness and enclosure, light and shadow, and warmth and coolness to make visitors more aware of the space around them.

Shifting Realities

Every detail—from the semi-circle frame that lets light flow evenly, creating a calm, almost dreamlike atmosphere to the strong terra cotta walls offer a sense of stability—plays a part in creating a space that affects both movement and emotion. Thick benches invite you to pause, and the heavy doors feel like entrances to mysterious places—encouraging exploration.

Flow & Form

After you pass through the door, space unfolds in different ways—sometimes wide and open, sometimes closed and narrow. This creates a mix of openness and boundaries that sparks curiosity—like how a river can be redirected by rocks. This empty space becomes full of life and discovery—not because it’s empty but because of how it shapes your movement.

GLOBAL GLIMPSE

Shanghai: Old Roots, New Leaves

Situated in an old street park, the World Island project is designed to combine nature with history in a space surrounded by ancient banyan trees. The design reflects the connection between the natural environment and human life through a calm and nostalgic atmosphere.

Nature's Palette

At the center of the space is The Tree Room—inspired by medieval aesthetics—which fosters a relaxing, green island ambiance. Natural materials like travertine, terracotta bricks, teak, and lime wash create a balance between heavy and light elements.

Branching Out

The project challenges our view of time by blending new and old elements—suggesting time is cyclical and transformative. The design preserves terrazzo flooring with visible cracks caused by the banyan tree’s roots—creating a visual narrative of time and change.

VISUAL COMFORT

Shifting Seats

Recognized as one of the most influential figures in performance art—Marina Abramović—has spent decades creating works that challenge audiences to think deeply about art, the body, and endurance. Expanding beyond performance art, she has recently begun exploring other forms of expression—including furniture design. Her latest project—Elephant in the Room—marks a new chapter in her artistic journey.

700 Hours in Silence

Known for her controversial performances—like The Artist is Present (2010)—where she sat silently in a museum for over 700 hours, she’s consistently used her body as a medium to explore its limits. Turning her attention to design—she debuted her first furniture collection at Mexico City Art Week.

Challenging Consumerism

Elephant in the Room consists of minimalist chairs—showing her belief that art doesn’t always need to be visually striking to be meaningful. The chairs—inscribed with words like love, risk, and insecurity—reinforce the deep connections between art, design, and our shared human experience.

DESIGNER PICK

What I’m Currently Obsessing Over

Tuff as Stone

This source console table blends Armenian history, materials, and personalization. The hand-carved design shows meticulousness—which is often lost in mass-produced furniture. The black tuff—a volcanic stone—gives character with its raw, earthy texture and color—while also being durable. Tuff is also linked to ancient Armenian architecture—adding a rich historical touch.

MUSICAL INTERLUDE

What I'm Listening to in March

With a new month comes a new studio playlist. I invite you to click on the color of the month image above—a muted terracotta with a touch of rose—to see what’s inspiring us this March. I’ll see you next week, my friend.

Warmly,
/shane