ISSUE NO. 29

A March Issue

More often than not, I see too many spaces that lack substance. They exist, but they don’t mean anything. Our homes—though—should be different. They should feel alive, layered with the textures of our lives, the marks of our history, and the purpose we bring to them. It’s about choosing pieces that tell a story, mixing the unexpected, and surrounding ourselves with objects that have a past. It’s about using color with intention, playing with scale to draw the eye, and embracing contrast to create spaces that spark our curiosity and connection.

ARCHITECTURALLY CURIOUS

Making Waves: A Queer Legacy

In the early 1970s, architect Horace Gifford made his mark on Fire Island with a series of striking modern beach houses that blended seductive sculptural forms with the island's natural surroundings.

Modernist Mark

Known for its daring geometry, the Rosenthal Residence—one of his most iconic creations—is composed of two elliptical towers set at angles around a sunken, diamond-shaped living area with walls of glass that invite light and landscape inside.

Cultural Movement

His work was part of a broader movement of experimental, modernist homes that shaped the island’s unique architectural identity. As Fire Island became a hub for creativity, queer community, and countercultural expression, these homes reflected its free-spirited vibe and forward-thinking approach to residential design.

GLOBAL GLIMPSE

Hidalgo: Heavy Histories

Located in central Mexico—Casa Zempoala—is a striking 2,000-square-foot home that features timeless principles of Mexican architecture. Its design approach maximizes natural light and ventilation while creating a strong connection to nature—built to work with the environment, not against it.

Lush Landscapes

The choice of materials—such as local pink stone, clay, and pinewood—adds soft, warm hues to the spaces and makes it feel more inviting and comfortable. The landscaping embraces native flora—like agave, bougainvillea, or Mexican marigolds—which creates a sensory-rich experience through varying textures, colors, and fragrances.

Stone Cold Truth

The house takes architectural inspiration from a controversial local landmark—the Padre Tembleque Aqueduct—making it important to acknowledge the painful history behind its beauty. Though celebrated for its meticulous engineering, it stands as a symbol of both human creativity and the exploitation of native communities—and for many—it remains a reminder of the lasting wounds of colonization in Mexico.

VISUAL COMFORT

Copper, Culture, and Creativity

Nifemi Marcus-Bello—a Nigerian designer—is known for his creative, research-driven designs. Since 2017, his studio has created art that challenges Western norms while exploring function, material politics, and social infrastructure. His success sheds light on the growing global appreciation for West African design—particularly Nigeria’s adaptive and resourceful approach.

Extraction to Art

His Oríkì series uses functional sculptures to explore material histories, cultural identity, and global resource inequalities. The latest—Oríkì (Act III): Whispers of a Trail—speaks to the exploitative systems, like copper mined in Africa but processed and sold back to the continent at higher prices.

Recycled Rhythms

To address the challenges of sourcing raw copper, he turned to recycled copper, purchasing over a ton of scrap metal from Lagos markets. Inspired by West African nomadic traditions—such as Niger’s Agadez bed and farmers’ headrests—his work shows how design connects people, preserves history, and reimagines the future.

DESIGNER PICK

What I’m Currently Obsessing Over

Palo Santo Burner

I’m drawn to this glass palo santo burner (not just because I love palo santo) but because it’s not just a functional object but it’s also a work of art. Made from leftover cast glass using a natural cooling process, it’s designed to hold a single stick of palo santo or other types of incense—making it both versatile and elegant.

MUSICAL INTERLUDE

What I'm Listening to in March

Design—at its heart—is a language. It communicates through function, materials, and the systems it supports. Every decision—whether it’s about texture, structure, or form—conveys its values, histories, and potential. Use this language to express something meaningful, to challenge what we’ve always been told is true, and to create spaces that don’t just exist but speak—I’ll see you next week, my friend.

Warmly,
/shane