Articles by Valeria Silva

Situated on the outskirts of Puigcerdà, this residence is set in a privileged environment that offers tranquility and spectacular views of the Cerdanya Valley. The plot, characterized by a steep topography, allows for the strategic placement of the house at the high rear of the land. This not only improves access to the home but also facilitates the creation of a spacious garden.

Kofan Coffee Shop epitomizes the essence of third-wave coffee culture nestled in the heart of Kremenchuk. Our establishment is meticulously curated to immerse patrons in a coffee odyssey, fostering moments of conviviality and introspection within the rich tapestry of sensory experiences. Challenge – We endeavor to craft an ambiance reminiscent of the visual allure and comfort akin to being nestled within a cappuccino cup—a sanctuary where distractions melt away, allowing for an uninterrupted embrace of life’s most delightful moments.

In the depths of the Osa Peninsula, a giant tree fell to the ground. For the first time, sunlight penetrated the dense canopy, revealing a rare glimpse of the blue sky above. The natural clearing it created offered a place for two researchers to build their off-grid home, surrounded in every direction by the vibrations of the wild. Concept – The rainforest is a complex multi-layered environment, where the density and darkness can be disorienting. An opening in the foliage provides a moment of clarity, revealing the towering heights of trees. This panoramic experience inspired the design of the home, which takes the shape of a disk with an oculus at its center. On its periphery, the house interfaces with the forest, while its core provides a sanctuary from the wilderness. From this elevated platform, residents are immersed in the sounds and rhythms of nature, transitioning throughout the day like a symphony.

The plot, with a flat topography, is located in the Barcarés development in Alcudia, in the north of the island of Mallorca. The entire house’s program is mainly situated on the ground floor, where the main living areas, living room, dining room, and kitchen are open to each other and the exterior, along with two bedrooms and a bathroom. On the first floor, there is the master bedroom with its en-suite bathroom and terrace.

Our guiding principle, following the clients’ request, was to design a single-story, comfortable home. To achieve this, the house’s layout was distributed horizontally along the middle portion of a sloped site. The design followed a T-shaped plan, placing the social spaces along the lower longitudinal axis of the lot, while the private wing, which houses the bedrooms, extended in the opposite direction. The private wing was positioned between the main entrance to the residence and the outdoor leisure area, designed to be enjoyed by both the social and intimate spaces. Connecting the two areas, wide corridors were enriched by winter gardens, offering a pleasant transition throughout the house.

With temperatures rising and heatwaves set to intensify, coupled with dwindling biodiversity in cities across the world, there is an urgent need for a rethink in urban development. Devised in a three-way collaboration between the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), Stefan Diez’s industrial design studio Diez Office, and urban greening specialists OMCºC, Vert is an experimental proposition for a modular structure that can address both issues. Unveiled at Chelsea School of Art during the London Design Festival, the project proposes a timber structure that helps to cool the city while integrating easily into its existing infrastructure. Tall sails covered in climbing plants work to fix carbon dioxide in the air while creating areas of cooling shade – sheltered spaces for people to pause. Built from sustainable materials, Vert combines aesthetic appeal with tangible environmental benefits and represents a transformative approach to urban development.

Located in Brasília, Brazil, this 47m² apartment underwent a radical renovation that demolished almost all internal walls and integrated the spaces, focusing on natural lighting, ventilation, and spatial amplitude. Aesthetic and sustainable strategies were applied to create a space that is both contemporary and welcoming.

PÕHULA(va) is a straw installation in Paide, Estonia. The installation was used as a stage for the Paide Opinion Festival’s Energetic Economy Area in August 2024. The name “PÕHULA(va)” is derived from the Estonian words “põhk,” meaning “straw,” and “lava,” meaning “stage.” Therefore, the installation’s name translates to “straw stage” in English. Beyond its role as a stage, the installation also functions as a pavilion, gallery, and outdoor classroom. Because of that the name “PÕHULA” highlights the relaxed, straw-filled atmosphere of the space, which invites people to gather and interact in a casual, organic setting.