In the Cour Jardin of the Hôtel Plaza Athénée, Paris, France, Univers Uchronia has unveiled Daybed, a large-scale installation that reinterprets the hotel’s garden through materiality, color, and form. The temporary work, on view until 11th November, 2025, functions as both sculptural object and inhabitable space, establishing a dialogue between contemporary design and the historic setting of the Plaza Athénée.

At the center of the project is a ceramic surface designed in collaboration with Dutch brand Palet. The installation is clad in Palet’s glazed tiles, whose dimensions (149 x 149 mm) and color flexibility formed the basis for Uchronia’s architectural composition. The palette, dominated by greens and reds, references the hotel’s signature tones, including the red geraniums that line the Cour Jardin. Produced in the Netherlands, each tile is glazed to order from Palet’s library of more than 100 colors, which can be combined into over 300,000 possible variations. The reflective surface changes character under different light conditions, giving the installation a shifting visual presence throughout the day.

all images by Felix Dol Maillot

Uchronia’s Daybed Combines Ceramics, Textiles, and Furnishings

The ceramic assembly by creative studio Univers Uchronia is complemented by additional crafted elements: a custom-designed headboard by Treca, bed linens by Le Jacquard Français, floral curtains and cushions by Misia, and painted finishes by Seigneurie. Together, these components extend the project beyond surface design, integrating textiles and furnishings into a cohesive environment.

Palet, founded in 2021 by Jaap Giesen, Gilles de Brock, and Niels Monsieurs, operates at the intersection of digital design and ceramic craftsmanship. Its platform allows designers and clients to configure bespoke color and pattern combinations at varying scales, bridging industrial repeatability with artisanal variation. The collaboration with Univers Uchronia continues a partnership that has evolved from small-scale interiors to more ambitious site-specific installations. Daybed at the Plaza Athénée exemplifies this ongoing exchange, presenting ceramic tile as both material and medium for architectural experimentation within a public-facing context.

Daybed installation in the Cour Jardin of Hôtel Plaza Athénée, Paris

Univers Uchronia reinterprets the garden through form, colour, and material

the installation functions as both sculpture and inhabitable space

textiles, floral curtains, and cushions enhance the composition

Palet’s glazed ceramic tiles form the surface of the installation

greens and reds echo the hotel’s iconic geraniums and palette

the reflective ceramic surface shifts character with changing light

Uchronia and Palet’s collaboration extends from interiors to large-scale work

Daybed explores ceramic tile as both material and medium of architecture

project info:

name: Daybed
designer: Uchronia | @uchronia_world

location: Hôtel Plaza Athénée, Paris, France

photographer: Felix Dol Maillot | @felixdolmaillot

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

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Situated within the Maison des Champs Elysées hotel, Frivole is a new restaurant designed by Maison Malapert in the heart of Paris’s Golden Triangle, close to the Champs Elysées, Avenue Montaigne, and the Grand Palais. The project integrates the hotel’s discreet green courtyard with references to couture, creating an environment that bridges natural elements and the surrounding fashion context.

The interior is characterized by warm amber tones that shift in intensity throughout the day, subtle at midday and more vibrant in the evening, when the restaurant transitions into a bar and event space. Materials and fabrics, sourced from Parisian fashion houses, introduce a couture sensibility, while custom-designed furniture and controlled lighting contribute to a refined yet adaptable atmosphere.

all images by Nicolas Anetson

Warm Amber Interiors Define Maison Malapert’s Frivole design

The design team at Maison Malapert organizes the spatial layout around a central bench that anchors the room and faces the garden. To the right, a marble bar accommodates cocktail service, while the dining area extends toward more intimate seating options, including two tent-like niches inspired by Napoleonic references. A DJ station is integrated into the center of the space, supporting the venue’s dual role as restaurant and nightlife setting.

Architectural details include built-in mirrors, wood paneling, and integrated lighting that establish rhythm across the walls. At the rear, guests access the courtyard terrace, an enclosed garden outfitted with striped umbrellas and lattice patterns that echo the winter garden theme. Throughout, striped and patterned textiles extend the dialogue between indoor and outdoor references, reinforcing the connection to couture and the fashion district. Maison Malapert’s design balances function and atmosphere, creating a space where dining, leisure, and performance coexist within a setting that reflects both the history of the hotel and the cultural identity of its surroundings.

dramatic sofa in the middle of the room

napoleonic tent

main room view

front cocktail bar view

backlighting mirrors on the walls

view of the tent

large bar view

hidden garden terrace

terrace detail

project info:

name: Restaurant Frivole – Paris

designer Maison Malapert | @michael_malapert

location: Paris, France

photographer: Nicolas Anetson | @nicolasanetson

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

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The Hushan Sports Park Swimming Center in Jiangshan, China, designed by LYCS Architecture, introduces the city’s first professional-grade facility capable of hosting national Class B swimming competitions. With a floor area of 14,244 sqm, the project integrates a competition pool and a training pool, serving both professional events and daily public use. Located at the foot of Hushan (Tiger Mountain) and facing Jiangshan Port, the center forms part of a broader sports infrastructure that includes a 4,000-seat gymnasium and a 3,000-seat stadium. Together, these elements establish a ‘one stadium, two arenas’ system that positions Jiangshan as the first county-level city in Quzhou to achieve this benchmark in public sports development.

The design takes inspiration from the city’s cultural and geographic context, using the theme of ‘river and mountain’ to inform its architectural language. The form responds to the surrounding terrain with fluid, undulating surfaces, while its spatial program combines competition facilities with civic functions. The preserved base includes a lobby, auditorium, and rooftop garden, reinforcing the building’s role as a public anchor. The center houses two 50-meter pools: an eight-lane competition pool and a six-lane training pool, each with a depth of two meters. Circulation is organized through a dual-ground-level system, separating athletes and spectators during daily use and further dividing audiences, athletes, media, and VIPs during competitions. This approach optimizes operational efficiency and user experience.

all images by Shan-Jian images unless stated otherwise

Parametric Facade Defines Hushan Sports Park Swimming Center

The building’s massing avoids symmetrical composition, instead employing transitions between horizontal, sloped, and vertical surfaces. A continuous roof structure links the two primary halls, creating a semi-open interstitial space that functions as a public threshold. The main spectator entrance is marked by an inward-folding roof form and elevated platform, emphasizing the arrival sequence and expanding opportunities for public gathering. Externally, the facade is composed of 2,943 uniquely fabricated metal panels arranged in a ‘scaly’ system. Each folded plate interacts with light and shadow to produce a dynamic surface, referencing flowing water and mountainous terrain. Parametric modeling guided the design and fabrication process, enabling digital-to-construction workflows from geometry coding to modular on-site assembly.

Inside, the exposed roof trusses span up to 48 meters, expressing structural logic and scale. Walls and ceilings use modular finishes, colored metal panels, and perforated surfaces to create a functional yet identifiable environment. Retractable partitions allow spatial flexibility, supporting both competition requirements and community activities. The design team at LYCS Architecture considers the project as both a sports facility and a civic space. By integrating competition infrastructure, educational amenities, and public functions, the swimming center establishes a framework for multifunctional development in mid-sized cities. Its architectural expression aligns closely with the surrounding landscape while addressing contemporary demands for adaptability, efficiency, and cultural resonance.

Hushan Sports Park Swimming Center introduces Jiangshan’s first national-standard swimming facility

the architectural form takes inspiration from the themes of river and mountain

fluid and undulating surfaces respond to the surrounding terrain

folded plates catch light and shadow, recalling water and terrain

the building massing avoids symmetry, favoring dynamic transitions

the inward-folding roof highlights the main spectator entrance

the center houses both a competition pool and a training pool | image by Zhang Jianjun

the competition pool measures 50 meters with eight lanes

dual-ground-level circulation separates athletes and spectators | image by LYCS Architecture

the swimming pool area features a modular ‘pixelated’ wall surface

a continuous roof structure links the two main halls

the scale-like roof illuminates at night atop the curtain wall

project info:

name: Hushan Sports Park Swimming Center
architect: LYCS Architecture | @lycsarchitecture
location: Jiangshan, China

photographer: Shan-Jian images, Zhang Jianjun, LYCS Architecture

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

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Moguang Studio has completed a ‘floating’ concrete structure that anchors a new guesthouse complex in Longwanggou Village, Hubei Province, China. Serving as a multifunctional amenities building with café, dining, and gathering spaces, the suspended project inserts a striking horizontal volume into a terraced valley near the Danjiangkou Reservoir. Inspired by the accidental horizon created by a temporary blue construction fence on site, the architects translated this fleeting gesture into a permanent architectural intervention — one that stitches together the surrounding hills while redefining the relationship between landscape and built form.

the suspended structure | all images courtesy of Moguang Studio

a horizon reimagined by moguang studio

The design by Moguang Studio began with the terrain’s transformation into artificial terraces during preliminary site works, a move that altered the valley’s natural topography. When encountered by the architects, the bright construction barricade cutting across the slope suggested an accidental but powerful horizon. Rather than conceal this incision, the studio amplified it with a precise concrete volume that extends laterally across the site, echoing the fence’s graphic clarity while introducing a functional landscape corridor. The textured concrete, cast using standard decking boards, preserves the imprint of wood grain, softening the geometry with tactile detail.

the reflecting pool echoes the horizontal abstraction of the architecture

voids and light

Spatially, the building is organized around three light courts carved into the concrete mass. Openings and voids frame elements of the natural environment, resetting orientation as users move through the structure. At the core is a 7.5-meter cubic court that vertically links sky and ground while horizontally connecting dining, kitchen, and meeting areas. This interplay of solidity and void establishes a rhythmic, layered experience where interior and exterior blur.

To achieve long spans with minimal supports, the roof and floor are constructed as ribbed concrete slabs forming a structural shell. Full-height windows reduce visual mass and maximize transparency, while cross-ventilation is enabled through operable openings. A thin reflecting pool atop the roof lightens the building’s presence, mirroring distant mountains and the reservoir. Cast in a single pour with subtle cambering to prevent cracking, the shell stands as a precise geometric insertion in the valley — both grounded in material tactility and floating in abstraction.

behind the main facade lies a spatial system of vertical light courts and orderly openings

sculpting structural tension through reflection and shadow

ground level shear walls are abstracted into geometric installations

main entrance

the view outside the meeting room

looking toward the light court from the dining area

the architecture anchored in the geohydrological system of Danjiangkou

the reflective roof water mirrors the rugged mountain texture and echoes the distant reservoir

project info:

name: Wudang Mountain Visitor Center
designer: Moguang Studio

location: Longwanggou Village, Hubei Province, China

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: myrto katsikopoulou | designboom

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Studio Yione, led by architect Yi Wang, has developed Fluxwork, a proposal for an office addition above the historic Columbia Building in downtown St. Louis. The project introduces a cantilevered, lightweight volume suspended above the truncated remains of the 1892 landmark, supported by three slender columns and an elevator shaft. The preserved base is reprogrammed as a public hub, containing a lobby, auditorium, and rooftop garden, while the new structure above accommodates a flexible, data-driven workplace.

Originally designed by Isaac Taylor, the Columbia Building was completed in 1892 as a nine-story Romanesque structure at 8th and Locust Streets. Named to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’s arrival in North America, it reflected the optimism of St. Louis’s late-19th-century growth. Following economic decline and widespread demolitions in the mid-20th century, the building was truncated in 1976, leaving only a two-story fragment. Fluxwork seeks to reengage this architectural history while introducing a model for the future of work. The design creates a visual dialogue between the solidity of the historic base and the openness of the new cantilevered addition. The lower portion is anchored in community use, while the suspended volume houses adaptable workspaces. The lower four floors are organized for individual, focus-oriented work, while the upper three levels are designed with open layouts that encourage collaboration. Intermediate mezzanine areas adjacent to a scissor stair provide informal gathering points and circulation flexibility.

all images courtesy of Studio Yione

Historic Base Meets Floating Volume in Fluxwork Office

Material strategies followed by Studio Yione’s architectural team emphasize contrast and performance. The structure uses a hybrid steel-and-concrete system, with high-strength steel columns and a reinforced elevator shaft carrying the cantilevered floors. The exterior is clad in perforated metal panels that filter daylight and views, producing a sense of lightness. Interior finishes balance exposed structural expression with warmer elements such as wood ceilings and retractable curtains, enabling spatial adaptability between open and enclosed configurations. Landscape and environmental integration form another layer of the proposal. The rooftop garden and terraces extend workspaces into outdoor environments, contributing to thermal comfort and social interaction while reconnecting the site to nature.

Fluxwork incorporates a performance-responsive office model, using behavioral simulations and network analysis to study workplace interactions. These insights inform real-time spatial adjustments, allowing layouts to shift in response to evolving organizational structures. This approach positions the project as both a memorial to St. Louis’s architectural heritage and a prototype for adaptive workplaces. Through the juxtaposition of preserved history and experimental office design, Fluxwork proposes a new relationship between cultural memory, urban context, and the changing conditions of work.

facade pattern follows the structure, with gaps at column points to suggest the ‘ghost’ of the original building

Fluxwork Office proposes a future workplace vision by implementing a data-driven, performance-responsive model atop the century-old Columbia Building remnant

perforated metal panels vary in density, denser above and more open below, responding to solar exposure

upper floors provide open office space, with furniture layouts adapting to collaborative performance

lower floors offer private individual workstations and dedicated team areas designed for distraction-free focus

interiors balance raw structure with wood ceilings and retractable curtains

the Columbia Building was once a proud landmark of downtown St. Louis

project info:

name: Fluxwork Office – Columbia Building Addition Proposal

architect: Studio Yione
lead architect: Yi Wang
location: St. Louis, Missouri, US

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Droga5 Dublin has unveiled CAPtured, a one-of-a-kind wearable designed in collaboration with fashion designer Ancuta Sarca. Presented during London Fashion Week, the piece functions as both a design object and a technology prototype, addressing issues around digital privacy in public space.

The cap integrates AI-powered vision technology capable of detecting when a smartphone camera is directed toward it. Once identified, a built-in mechanism deploys a cover that drops over the wearer’s face, concealing their identity and preventing unwanted appearance in social media content. Importantly, the system only interacts with mobile phone cameras and does not interfere with security infrastructure such as CCTV.

all images courtesy of Samuel McElwee

A Cap That Questions Social Media Consent

The exterior design was developed with fashion designer Ancuta Sarca, known for her hybrid footwear and accessories, while the technological framework was engineered by creative studio Droga5 Dublin to operate seamlessly within the compact format of a cap. Photographer Samuel McElwee documented the launch, highlighting the interaction between fashion, technology, and urban culture.

Beyond its immediate functionality, CAPtured is intended as a cultural statement, raising questions about consent and content creation in the age of pervasive social media. By combining responsive technology with fashion design, the project situates itself at the intersection of privacy, identity, and digital ethics.

Droga5 Dublin and Ancuta Sarca collaborated on CAPtured

the cap functions as both a design object and tech prototype

AI-powered vision technology is embedded within the cap

the system detects when a smartphone camera is aimed at the wearer

a built-in cover deploys to conceal the wearer’s face

the cap prevents unwanted appearances in social media content

the project acts as a cultural statement on digital privacy

project info:

name: CAPtured
manufacturer: Droga5 Dublin | @droga5dublin

designer: Ancuta Sarca | @ancutasarca

photographer: Samuel McElwee | @sam_mcelwee

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Turin-based engineering firm Leva has developed a large-scale kinetic face installation for L’Épée du Roi Arthur, one of the performances at France’s Puy du Fou historical theme park. The permanent outdoor structure takes the form of a moving face, integrated into a tower, which animates during the show to represent the sorceress Morgane.

The installation combines mechanical precision with theatrical staging. Measuring 12 sqm, the sculpture is composed of 206 custom-designed modules, each driven by a linear actuator with a 70-cm travel range. These elements work together to create a continuously moving surface capable of fluid, lifelike expression while remaining durable under outdoor performance conditions.

all images courtesy of Leva

kinetic face demonstrates the role of motion in stage design

At the core of the project is Leva’s proprietary motion control system, which synchronizes the movements of every actuator. This allows the face to perform nuanced gestures and shifts that integrate into the show’s narrative. The design team optimized the arrangement of modules to maximize visual resolution, ensuring the sculpture’s geometry remains clear and legible from audience viewing distances.

The material and structural strategies emphasize both efficiency and long-term operability. Maintenance requirements were considered during the design phase, with modular construction simplifying future adjustments. The result is a dynamic wall sculpture that merges engineering with performance design, enhancing the immersive qualities of the Arthurian story. Leva’s kinetic face installation at Puy du Fou extends the company’s portfolio of large-scale kinetic works. Previous projects include the world’s largest kinetic wall for Aramco’s VIP innovation center and an interactive tunnel inspired by desert dunes in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia.

Leva designs a kinetic face for Puy du Fou’s L’Épée du Roi Arthur

the moving sculpture represents the sorceress Morgane on stage

a 12-square-meter surface animates within a stone tower

the installation merges engineering precision with live performance

206 custom modules form the expressive moving face

together, the modules create lifelike and fluid motion

optimized module layout ensures visual resolution and clarity

the kinetic face integrates into the show’s narrative

the dynamic sculpture enhances immersion in the Arthurian story

project info:

name: Kinetic Face
designer-engineer: Leva | @leva.io

location: Puy Du Fou, Les Epesses, France

client: Puy Du Fou

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Twelve years after the boutique’s first transformation in Cancún, the Louis Vuitton store presents a new facade that elevates its identity through the expressive possibilities of precast concrete. The design by MATERIA + Gustavo Carmona reinterprets the brand’s iconic flower motif as a sculpted relief that shifts constantly with the play of light and shadow, turning the exterior into a dynamic, sensorial surface. At the heart of the design is a single modular unit, carefully conceived to act both as a structural element and as a vessel for light. When repeated across the facade, this module generates a continuous and vibrant skin that merges precision with rhythm.

all images by Jaime Navarro

Light and Shadow Animate Sculpted Facade of Louis Vuitton store

The composition for Louis Vuitton Cancún boutique by studio MATERIA + Gustavo Carmona creates a strong collective identity while transcending the individuality of each component. The facade recalls the memory of the earlier wooden intervention while advancing into a new material language. More than a storefront, it is an architectural experience that demonstrates how concrete can embody both emotion and detail. By engaging visitors through texture, depth, and atmosphere, the design establishes the facade not only as an element of branding but also as a living presence in the urban fabric of Cancún.

Louis Vuitton Cancún presents a new precast concrete facade

the design reinterprets the brand’s iconic flower motif

sculpted reliefs shift with light and shadow across the surface

a single modular unit forms the basis of the composition

repetition generates a continuous, rhythmic skin

dynamic textures animate the boutique throughout the day

depth and shadow transform the surface into a sensory experience

rhythm and variation emerge from repetition of the unit

the boutique’s identity is expressed through modular form

project info:

name: Louis Vuitton at La Isla
architect: MATERIA + Gustavo Carmona | @_materia

location: Cancún, Mexico

photographer: Jaime Navarro | @jaimenavarrophotography

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Same Same by design studio A204 consists of a pair of twin chairs conceived as both independent and combinable elements. Individually, each chair functions as a minimalist seat with an integrated storage space beneath the surface. This compartment can be used temporarily for magazines or small items, or fitted with a standard-sized Euro container for more permanent storage. When paired, the wooden chairs can be reconfigured into alternative furniture forms such as a side table with drawers or a tall shelving unit.

all images courtesy of A204

A204 designs modular furniture with open-ended configurations

Through this modular approach, the design team at A204 extends the functional range of the design beyond its primary use. The design emphasizes flexibility and open-ended interaction, encouraging users to adapt the pieces according to context. By combining simple construction with multiple potential configurations, Same Same proposes a long-term usability rooted in modularity and user participation.

Same Same by A204 consists of a pair of twin wooden chairs

each chair works independently or in combination with the other

the chairs’ materiality marries Maritime Pine Plywood with colorful Linoleum

the design functions as minimalist seating with hidden storage

a storage compartment sits beneath the seat surface

the compartment can hold magazines or small household items

when paired, the chairs can form a side table with drawers

the twin chairs can also be reconfigured into a tall shelving unit

A204’s modular approach extends the chairs’ functional range

project info:

name: Same Same
designer: A204 | @__a204__

materials: Maritime Pine Plywood, Colorful Linoleum

The post a pair of twin wooden chairs by A204 reconfigure into tables with drawers and shelving units appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

In the heart of the Aegean, on the island of Leros, Greece, The Monk by a+ architects emerges as a sanctuary that redefines the meaning of hospitality through architectural simplicity and an atmosphere of serenity. The residence, carefully revived with respect for local tradition, blends elements of island modernism with clean, minimalist lines.

The interiors follow a restrained aesthetic, where white light, natural textures, and linen fabrics highlight the essence of the place: authenticity, calmness, and timelessness. The choice of materials, stone, wood, linen, and handcrafted objects, serves as a bridge between the island’s environment and a universal language of contemporary design. The space conveys a sense of ‘monastic’ simplicity, translated into a form of luxury that is rooted in experience rather than display.

all images by Vice Versa Photography

The Monk Blends Island Tradition with Contemporary Design

The architecture of The Monk is not just a shelter; it is a narrative. A story of light shifting through the day, of tactile sensations unfolding in linen, of silence embracing the guest. A house that reflects the dialogue between the island’s history and today’s quest for depth and essence. The design team at a+ architects considers The Monk as not a hotel, but a living organism of hospitality, an experience shaped by space and detail, ultimately leaving guests with the feeling of having stayed in a house with a soul.

a distinct bright blue color defines the exterior

The Monk by a+ architects stands on the island of Leros

island modernism is blended with minimalist lines

respectful revival of local tradition

white light enhances natural textures

linen fabrics emphasize authenticity and timelessness

stone, wood, and linen connect design to landscape

handcrafted objects anchor the space in tradition

monastic simplicity redefined as experiential luxury

a dialogue between island history and contemporary design

a house with the essence of soul and memory

project info:

name: The Monk Leros
architects: a+ architects | @alta_plus_architects

lead architect: Ioannis Zacharakis

location: Leros, Greece

photographer: Vice Versa Photography | @viceversa.gr

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