ISSUE NO. 45

A July Issue

When I think of five types of intelligence—verbal, abstract, kinetic, social, and intellectual—I realize we often lean toward one dominant type. However, balancing all of them helps us become more well-rounded.

Each form brings its own strength, whether it’s using words to connect, imagining new ideas, or understanding others. Embracing all five allows us to navigate life more effectively.

ARCHITECTURALLY CURIOUS

What Remains

Goenetxe is a place where time stays. The original timber beams and thick stone walls haven’t been polished into erasure—they’ve been kept raw, intact, and visible. You can still see the marks left by tools, by weather, by use. In a world obsessed with newness, this home offers continuity. It reminds us that what lasts matters.

Timber as Testimony

Every detail feels earned. The bronze tub, the imperfect stone sink, the handmade shelving—none of it is for show. There’s an honesty in the way light moves across the lime-plastered walls or how a single wooden chair anchors an empty corner. Almost avoid this idea of trying to impress and that’s what makes it beautiful.

Preserving the Structure

Generations have passed through that doorway, returning to the same room where meals were made and ideas exchanged. Even with subtle updates, the space still invites pause and conversation—a place shaped by rhythm, not routine.

GLOBAL GLIMPSE

Malaysia

The entrance is fully saturated in lacquered red, creating a spatial pause that’s both intimate and unexpected. This concentrated moment of color sets the tone for the rest of the home, where palette and material take on an active role in shaping experience.

Designing for Density

In response to limited square footage, the layout was carefully restructured to improve flow and function. Strategic edits—like removing walls and converting a bedroom into a wardrobe—create the feeling of spaciousness without increasing the footprint. Built-ins and sightlines do the quiet work of making the home feel generous.

Mid-Century Cues, Reimagined

The design draws from mid-century modernism, not as nostalgia, but as a design language with enduring relevance. Primary colors, graphic contrasts, and material texture are used with precision—from red-stained ply to ALPI veneer and stainless steel. Each element contributes to a bold yet grounded atmosphere, tailored for contemporary life.

VISUAL COMFORT

Brutal Stillness

Rick Owens designs furniture that resists passivity. In the halls of Studio Oliver Gustav, pieces like the Double Prong seat or Chalice Vase function more as physical statements than conventional furnishings.

Cast in concrete, carved from alabaster, and shaped with unapologetic mass, they command presence. These objects feel elemental—formed with the same gravity as sculpture, yet deeply personal in their restraint.

A Study in Sacred Volume

Within the quiet of Gustav’s neoclassical space, Owens’ work holds the room through weight and shadow. Candlelight moves slowly across stone surfaces, amplifying their raw tactility and deliberate form. The arrangement creates tension rather than symmetry—each piece isolated enough to be considered fully, yet connected by atmosphere. The experience is immersive, asking viewers not just to look, but to slow down, observe, and hold still.

MUSICAL INTERLUDE

What I'm Listening to in July

It’s not about mastering one, but understanding how each intelligence plays a role in shaping who we are. When we stop privileging one over the others, we unlock the ability to move through the world with more nuance, more insight, and more connection—I’ll see you next week, my friend.

Warmly,
/shane