Articles by Hana Abdel

The main design concept of French Kitsch is developed by interpreting its name, ‘French’ and ‘Kitsch.’ Apart from being a specialized French patisserie, the owner’s love for French bulldogs also comes as a brand identity, portraying a playful yet elegant image of the cafe. The design aims to enhance this image with the concept of ‘Kitsch,’ a form of art that appreciates imperfection through architectural elements and materials.

This semi-rural house on ex-grazing land in Tamworth was designed to transform a scrubby, parched piece of land into an energy-efficient contemporary home set within a landscape of regenerated native plants.

As society changes, there is a growing demand for “Places for Memorial Services.” Due to the declining birthrate, aging population, and changing lifestyles, the average household size will decrease to 2.37 persons by 2021. The percentage of single-person households will increase to 29.5%, due to which family forms are diversifying in Japan. The focus of family consciousness is shifting from ancestor worship = the dead to marital and parent-child relationships to the living. The ancient custom of inscribing “XX family ancestral grave” and placing the remains in the grave is a form that has spread in less than 100 years since it became common as a result of legal reforms and national moral education since the modern era. We have chosen the form of memorial service according to the lifestyle of each era. In recent years, family-based graves based on vertical succession by lineage or blood have reached their limits, and various forms of graves have emerged, including joint graves with perpetual memorial services that do not require heirs, tree burial services, and single-life ossuaries. These forms respond to the weakening of ancestor worship and the shrinking size of families, but they are no more than a collection of individuals.

Escher House is a renovation and addition to a 1930s interwar cottage in Canterbury’s heritage Hassett Estate. The design retains two existing bedrooms and the formal living and dining at the front of the home. The extension accommodates a master bedroom suite, kitchen/meals, bathroom, laundry, and study/home office.

Site: A plot of land standing on the mountainside 520m above sea level and encircled by several layers of plots, similar to terraced rice fields. From there, you can appreciate a full 360° view of the surrounding landscapes. On the southern side, the South Sea is about 50 km away; on the northern side, the mountain with the stone retaining walls (built with local rocks) and a dense forest cover the western side. The road leads steeply to the top, then descends again, passes through new houses sites, and ends at a dead-end downhill road.

In early 2022, we had the opportunity to work with an investor in Bao Loc, which was also the time when we clearly realized the difficulties that this land would bring. Those were long, dry, sunny days followed by endless rain from day to day. The consequence is that corrugated iron houses keep popping up around them. Although the climate is so harsh, the air here is very pleasant and cool all year round. So the problem is: “How much will the Climate like this house?”

Project Objective – This house is built on land with a central golf course area. The rear of the house serves as a viewpoint showcasing the garden and the lake, which are significant features of the space.

Whether rain or shine, Toronto is a yearlong bustling city, the largest in Canada and the fourth largest in North America. It’s become a cosmopolitan center with its renowned business district and cultural venues/ events that come alive during the summer and early fall nights. Toronto suggests a beautifully diverse urban setting between shimmering high rises and smaller brick houses, intertwining residential and vibrant commercial areas, public parks, and even beaches. All become part of the city’s striking skyline, crowed by the iconic CN tower.