Lève Office Bar: A Retro-Futuristic Workplace Oasis in Turin
Fabio Fantolino's Lève Office Bar in Turin, Italy, blends Space Age aesthetics with 1960s office design to create a unique social and co-working space. Featuring cantilever chairs, wood paneling, and mirrored surfaces, the bar offers a versatile environment for professionals, reflecting a contemporary approach to work that extends into hospitality settings. This transformation of a 1920s building into a cohesive, retro-themed interior caters to various daily needs, from breakfast to aperitivos, embodying a modern 'office bar' concept.
Barcelona's Focacha Bar: A Retro-Futuristic Immersion by Isern Serra
Designer Isern Serra has unveiled Focacha, a speakeasy bar in Barcelona that channels the retro-futuristic aesthetic of the 1960s, drawing inspiration from Verner Panton. The venue, hidden behind a traditional focacceria, offers a multi-sensory journey with vibrant, modular furniture and dynamic lighting, aiming to evoke the innovative spirit of Barcelona's past nightlife.
Sculptural Bar in West Village Honors Queer Community
Wild Form Design Studio created Love Thy Neighbor, a bar next to The Stonewall Inn in West Village, celebrating the LGBTQ+ community. Its sculptural interior features free-form shapes, warm beige tones, and back-lit shelves, echoing the owners' "no straight lines" philosophy for design and hospitality. The space pays homage to LGBTQ+ history with a quote from Marsha P Johnson and a brick from the original Stonewall Inn, aiming to be a welcoming place for all.
Copenhagen's architectural scene now boasts a unique addition: a dedicated book haven nestled within the Cobe architecture studio. Danish architect Nikolaj Mentze spearheaded this transformation, crafting a space where enthusiasts can immerse themselves in the world of the built environment. The newly inaugurated bookshop, which debuted during the '3 Days of Design' festival, showcases an extensive collection of works covering architecture, urban planning, landscape design, and general design principles. These volumes are elegantly displayed on custom-designed aluminum shelves and meticulously crafted wooden display units, blending functionality with aesthetic appeal.
The vision behind this innovative space, conceived by Mentze's Studio 0405, extends beyond commerce, aiming to democratize access to architectural understanding. Strategically positioned at the entrance of Cobe's office, facing the street, the bookshop invites passersby to step inside. A long, inviting wooden bench offers a comfortable spot for visitors to browse and read, featuring publications from both local and international presses, alongside Cobe's own releases. Mentze emphasized his goal of creating a serene, focused reading environment that simultaneously fosters a sense of community and connection, acting as a gateway between the studio and the urban landscape. He envisioned the space as a versatile hybrid: part reading room, part 'cabinet of curiosities,' and a testament to Cobe's commitment to public engagement, complete with areas for micro-exhibitions, talks, and informal gatherings, all set against a minimalist backdrop of aircrete walls.
This initiative follows Cobe's previous endeavor, a studio cafe opened in 2019, further solidifying its commitment to integrating its professional work with the wider city. Cobe founder Dan Stubbergaard expressed that a specialized architectural bookstore was a long-felt absence in Copenhagen, a city renowned for its robust architectural heritage. He believes that by bringing such a resource directly into the studio, Cobe can invite the public into the ongoing dialogues that shape their creative process. In an age dominated by digital screens, this physical space offers a refreshing opportunity for individuals to decelerate, contemplate, and forge connections through a shared passion for architecture, underscoring the enduring value of tangible experiences and intellectual discourse.