ISSUE NO. 33

An April Issue

My daily coffee arrived this week from my roaster in Bogotá—and as it brewed, I found myself in an unexpected pause. Not because anything profound happened, but simply from noticing: the rich scent of the beans, the sound of it brewing. The moment asked nothing of me but presence—a quiet reminder of how our daily rituals are intertwined with distant places and people.

ARCHITECTURALLY CURIOUS

Block Party

Glass blocks aren’t just visually striking—they offer high strength, durability, light diffusion, soundproofing, and fire resistance. These qualities made them ideal for Newburgh Light House, which sits on an extremely narrow, almost un-buildable site next to a historic train station.

Pane and Simple

This ten-story apartment building optimized the tight 500 sq ft plot by eliminating hallways, with each apartment accessed directly via stairs or a lift. The design includes adaptable two-bedroom units, a duplex, and a bespoke penthouse, all featuring timber, stone, and ceramic tile grids that complement the glass blocks.

Neo Nostalgia

First popular in the late 1800s, glass blocks had their debut in Art Deco buildings and avant-garde designs like Paris’s Maison de Verre. But somewhere along the way, they got written off as dated—until now. Architects never really stopped loving them, but it took a clever design approach to remind us that the best ideas sometimes just need a second look.

GLOBAL GLIMPSE

Medellín: Tropical Modernism

In the lush mountains surrounding Medellín, Colombia, a striking home known as Casa Haras redefines modern tropical architecture. This 8,000 sq ft residence merges brutalist concrete forms with dramatic artistic flourishes. The house balances fortress-like solidity with an ethereal openness.

A Concrete Hug

A bronze statue greets visitors at the entrance, while a spiraling oak staircase anchors the design. The house blurs indoor and outdoor spaces, with a V-shaped concrete column framing panoramic mountain views and a black stone-clad pool mirroring the nearby Río Negro.

Fifth Façade

The design approach was about creating a home that felt both protective and poetic. The brutalist structure provides a sense of security, while the play of light, shadow, and organic curves softens its rigidity. By treating the roof as a fifth façade and using locally sourced materials, the home is deeply rooted in its environment—a bold statement in Colombia’s evolving architectural landscape.

VISUAL COMFORT

The Sound of Space

Known for its buttery-soft cashmere and timeless elegance, Loro Piana has long been a symbol of understated elegance. For Milan Design Week this year, they collaborated to create La Prima Notte di Quiete (The First Night of Quiet)—an immersive installation that blends storytelling, film, and interior design to create a softly lit, dreamlike atmosphere.

Textile + Narrative

The experience starts in a retro cinema lobby adorned with velvet, leopard-print carpet, and brass accents, leading visitors through a 1970s and 80s-inspired home. All upholstered in Loro Piana fabrics like cashmere, wool, and velvet—each space, including the bedroom, dining area, bathroom, and garden, combines nostalgia with contemporary elegance.

Material Sound

By integrating sound design—subtle piano notes, rainfall, and ambient noises—the space becomes a multi-sensory experience, proving that great design engages more than just sight. The installation highlights the emotional power of interiors

DESIGNER PICK

What I’m Currently Obsessing Over

The Why: From DMs to Hardcover

This coffee table book is a love letter to the layered, often overlooked design traditions across the African diaspora. It reclaims, reframes, and reimagines. Because our interiors aren’t just where we live—they’re where our culture shows up, takes shape, and gets passed on.

Interior Identity is the physical manifestation of that collective awakening. It's the result of a moment when we stopped asking permission to define our own aesthetic traditions.

I’m excited to see what happens when these ideas leave these pages and take root in your homes, when your interpretations start new conversations. It's up to all of us to keep the fire burning.

If you haven’t already, preorders are open through May 4. And to those who’ve already ordered—your early support has meant everything. 🖤

MUSICAL INTERLUDE

What I'm Listening to in April

There’s something quietly transformative about a simple routine that becomes sacred. A familiar scent, a rhythm you know by heart, a pause that gives the day its shape. It’s the smallest rituals that can feel the most profound—I’ll see you next week, my friend.

Warmly,
/shane