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Here’s a line I never thought I’d write: I liked a leopard-print sofa. Not the kind of thing you’d normally associate with the pared-back, neutral interiors that I’m drawn towards, but I saw one at the New Works showroom during 3 Days of Design in Copenhagen and I was surprised by how sophisticated it looked.  Launched to coincide with 3 Days of Design 2024 , the showroom sits on Bredgade – the Neoclassical street that’s home to so many Danish interiors names – on the second floor of an 18th-century building whose ornate Rococo architecture perfectly offsets New Works’ hallmark mix of calm minimalism and honest materiality. This year it was dressed as the brand’s interpretation of a boutique hotel, and it was another of my highlights from the 2025 festival.  The ‘hotel’ unfolded over a series of rooms, each curated to give a blend of intimacy, grandeur and tactility. Earthy beiges and greenish-browns created a tranquil, grounded ambience, with black accents adding dept...

Perched gently atop timber stilts in the Austrian countryside, the Zen House by Jan Tyrpekl is a minimalist retreat that feels both weightless and deeply grounded in nature. Elevated four meters above the orchard floor, the 30 m² glass micro-home was designed for reflection, calm, and connection with the land. Surrounded by mature trees and a young orchard, the structure blends traditional materials—such as spruce timber and rustic shingles—with a contemporary, transparent shell. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls erase the boundary between indoors and outdoors, turning every sunrise and evening mist into part of the living space. Inside, a suspended fireplace, warm wooden floors, and a custom bed with an integrated bar create a space that’s as functional as it is serene. The home sits on a CLT (cross-laminated timber) platform and features glued-laminated larch and spruce elements. Designed to be self-contained yet expandable, it includes plans for a sauna, shower, and bathroom at ...

Located in Portugal, M House by Silverline Architects is a striking example of contemporary residential architecture that balances concrete strength with a strong connection to its surroundings. The home features a bold, floating concrete upper volume that shades the open-plan living space below, while retractable glass walls blur the boundary between interior and exterior. The design leans heavily on minimalism and materials—poured concrete, warm wood accents, and natural stone create a serene palette. The upper floor balcony is softened by cascading greenery, introducing softness to the rigid geometry. The landscaping is understated yet intentional, enclosing the property in privacy while keeping the view open toward the pool and garden. The living room flows directly into the patio, maximizing transparency and natural light. The open kitchen and lounge share the same visual language of clean lines and low-profile furniture. Every element, from the integrated lighting to the...

Casa Olivos by Gonzalo Bardach Arquitectura , located on a golf course slope in Pilar, Argentina, offers a stunning architectural response to its natural setting. The most striking feature is its curved concrete roof, seamlessly merging into a green terrace, blurring the boundary between architecture and landscape. Acting as both roof and garden, this vegetated ramp not only connects the lower and upper levels but also softens the geometric structure with a sculptural flow. Large glass facades open up the interior to expansive views of the surrounding greenery, reinforcing the home’s connection to nature. The light-filled spaces, framed by exposed concrete and warm wood surfaces, create an atmosphere that evolves with the daylight. The interior, open-plan and generous, includes social areas on the ground floor and private bedrooms above, all designed with sustainability and passive cooling in mind. In Casa Olivos, the roof is not just a shelter but a living ecosystem. It invites...