Martin Cooper

Beijing-based Evolution Design took on the challenge of rehabilitating two decrepit buildings located in a scenic village in Zhoushan, China. The houses, which had been unoccupied for 70 years, are oriented toward the sea and offer panoramic views. The architects combined the existing structures into a continuous space with a modern layout. “The new residence is composed of bedrooms renovated from the two old houses plus a studio converted from an old kitchen with collapsed roof that is now replaced by a glass ceiling,” the developing team explained. One of the design highlights is a reinforced concrete “box” facing the sea, which serves as an open space living and dining area. This architectural element is also a link between the upstairs master bedroom and the two guestrooms below. “The new house is built with reinforced concrete and is a perfect match in terms of both structure and space while remaining free of excessive decoration,” the designers said. “Concrete was ...

IKEA items used: SILVERÅN vanity Other materials used: Primer and paint Tapered legs from Osborne Wood Products Liquid Nails construction glue Screws Threaded furniture glide feet Tolson cabinet knobs from Rejuvenation Here’s how I customized an IKEA vanity, the SILVERÅN, for our newly-remodeled half-bathroom. Because this powder room is in a visible spot on our bungalow’s first floor, I wanted a vanity that looked like a piece of furniture we’d have elsewhere in the house. I was unable to find an off-the-shelf vanity that fit both my taste and the small space. I got quotes from a variety of places for a simple custom vanity, all of which came in around $1k (for the cabinet only – sink not included). I didn’t want to spend that kind of money on such a small piece and decided to take my chances on an IKEA hack. It’s pretty simple: paint, legs, and hardware. There are two IKEA SILVERÅN cabinet finishes: white and light brown. The white one is made up of particleboard...

Coco Chanel, famous for her black-and-white signature fashion and accessories, may be long gone but she would love the latest venture in her name: the Coco Club. The private, invitation-only club is the first for the brand and opened in the Soho neighborhood in New York City. The invitation to the Coco Club opening in New York City. Image: Eventbrite Coco was always a feminist. She embraced men’s clothing and used men’s tailoring in her designs. So a private women’s club inspired by a gentlemen’s club would be a natural progression for her brand. And the club’s design is inspired by one of her most iconic watches — the Boy-Friend. The colors of the interiors are graphic black and white with cream and gold accents everywhere. The entrance to the Coco Club. Image: Chanel Lucky members receive a gold card for access. There’s all sorts of fun and unusual services at the Coco Club to keep the ladies who have it all intrigued, such as an on-site numerologist (Chanel was obsessed ...

This historic chapel in Belgium was recently converted by  Studio klaarchitectuur into an unconventional office space. Dubbed Waterdog , the project aims to transform architecture work into an almost spiritual experience. “Due to the chapel’s status as a listed building, the renovation project was bound by several limitations,” the architects said. “For instance, it was vital the historical character of the building remained intact. This was achieved by erecting a brand-new construction from scratch, completely separate from the historic building, in sharp contrast with the old walls.” A large, sumptuous space was maintained at the heart of the building, with work areas located at the rear of the chapel. Ceiling vaults add to the grandeur of the space. “By stacking the different offices and spreading out the various departments across different floors, a constant sense of dynamism is created in the workspace,” the architects added. “No more dull and unimaginative offices; be ...