Before & After: In Spain, a Compact 1960s Apartment Gets a Quirky, Experimental Retrofit

Designer Ismael Medina Manzano stretches the limits of an 861-square-foot flat in San Sebastián with mirrors, curves, and a kitchen island on wheels.

When it comes to home design, Spanish designer Ismael Medina Manzano thinks we need to shake things up. "We live in a time when society is changing a lot, and there is no single family type or domestic space," says Manzano, who divides his time between New York City and Madrid, where he carries out built projects while pursuing a PhD in advanced architectural projects. "I’m always wondering, can we conceptualize the domestic space as something less fixed and more flexible?"

Designer Ismael Medina Manzano renovated this 816-square-foot apartment in San Sebastián, Spain, bringing a new level of flexibility and personality to the space. 

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Manzano brought this open-ended approach to the renovation of a compact apartment in San Sebastián, Spain, owned by friends of a friend. "This apartment has been in the family for a while, but it didn’t meet our needs," says the homeowner. "It was dark and very compartmentalized." Manzano’s task was to bring his research to life, and he sought to transform the apartment into a place that could accommodate many different family members and a range of activities.

Before: Entrance

Previously, the apartment was segmented into many smaller spaces with bedrooms on the perimeter, making the main living area in the center feel dark and cramped.

Photo: ismael medina manzano

Located in a 1960s building, the apartment was typical of housing built in northern Spain during that period and it had a standardized, compartmentalized layout. While at the time, many designers thought that closed rooms and rigid floor plans would make domestic life more efficient, the apartment wasn’t working for the owners. "We wanted it to accommodate family members in wheelchairs, kids, or friends who might want to visit," says the homeowner. "The main goal was to create a space for sharing."

After: Entrance

A key intervention in the space was the addition of a curved wall just off the entrance. "We like doing curved things that are not sharply defined," says the designer. "You get more transition and amplification of space." Framing the doorway in locally sourced sandstone highlights regional building materials and traditions in a new way.

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See the full story on Dwell.com: Before & After: In Spain, a Compact 1960s Apartment Gets a Quirky, Experimental Retrofit
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This $5,880 Tiny Home Prototype in India Serves a Family of Four

The 210-square-foot unit has a mezzanine sleeping area with a bathroom and storage underneath, and a living space that turns into an open bedroom.

Houses We Love: Every day we feature a remarkable space submitted by our community of architects, designers, builders, and homeowners. Have one to share? Post it here.

Project Details:

Location: Indore, India

Designers: Tanvi Jain, Harshit Singh Kothari, & Eco Habitas

Footprint: 330 square feet

Structural Engineer: Ujwal Ghosh

Civil Engineer: Manish Jain

Photographer: The Space Trading Company / @the_space_trading_company

From the Designers: "Designed as a prototype for an affordable house in Indore, India, this tiny house comfortably accommodates a family of four. It occupies a minimal footprint of 210 square feet with a spill-out space of 65 square feet. The interior features a versatile single volume that adapts to various daily needs. The house features an RCC-frame structure with in-situ cast isolated footing foundations and brick infill walls, making it easy to replicate using locally available skills and construction techniques.

"The house is accessed through a semi-open space on the east and includes a large, multifunctional interior volume. A toilet and storage area are tucked beneath a mezzanine floor to the west. This layout transcends the conventional housing template of separate living, dining, and sleeping spaces in favor multifunctional spaces. The main living space is equipped with a daybed cum sofa and flexible seating, functioning as a living area by day and transforming into an open bedroom with a pull-out double bed by night. A foldable table opposite the kitchen serves as both a dining area and a study space.

"Strategically placed openings on all sides provide optimal natural light, ventilation, and views. The western facade’s 12-inch-thick wall minimizes thermal gain, keeping the interior cool. The kitchen sink and bathroom’s adjacency allow them to benefit from minimal plumbing costs with the overhead water tank positioned right above.

"Constructed for INR 4,55,000 (U.S. $5,880), the home features premium finishes like marble flooring, bespoke teak-framed double-pane windows, and high-quality fixtures. It balances design, functionality, and cost-efficiency, while making it an aspirational housing solution suited for working families in India’s tier-two cities. Building multiple units can allow for shared infrastructure, such as solar panels, and communal amenities like libraries, gyms, and launderettes—further reducing both construction and operational costs.

"The design draws from insights gained through interactions with rural migrants living in rented houses, residents of social housing, and self-build homeowners addressing their aspirations, lifestyle, and affordability needs. This project illustrates how thoughtful design can create economic and ecological housing, paving the way for vibrant communities in urban and peri-urban areas."

Photo by The Space Trading Company

Photo by The Space Trading Company

Photo by The Space Trading Company

See the full story on Dwell.com: This $5,880 Tiny Home Prototype in India Serves a Family of Four
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An Alaskan Showhome Embraces Outdoor Living Through Cleverly Designed "Zones"

In Juneau, sleek outdoor heating solutions complement—rather than compromise—the architectural vision of Bauer/Clifton Interiors.

Juneau, Alaska, is one of the country’s most beautiful capital cities, with a temperate rainforest landscape that is spectacular to take in through all the seasons. Bauer/Clifton Interiors recently transformed a 1960s home in the area into an architectural show space, driven by the need to figure out a way to enjoy the setting on a winter day as much as a chilly summer evening.

The star of the project is the impressive outdoor decking area that keeps the weather at bay without compromising the design vision—namely sleek surface-mounted heating units paired with a sculptural concrete fire pit.

The Bromic products have been tailored to heat each zone—living, dining, and grilling—effectively throughout the year. The sleek design of the surface-mounted heaters blends seamlessly with the home.

Photo: Bromic Heating

The vision from the outset was to create a seamless flow between dedicated living, dining, kitchen, and spa areas for a resort-like feel. To achieve this ambitious vision, it was necessary to extend the decking without impacting the mature trees on the site. The result is an expansive arrangement of outdoor zones split over three levels—an upper deck, the grill zone, and a dining, lounge, and spa area—all connected by stairs.

The upper deck offers views over the landscape and connects the kitchen with the outdoor grilling zone via a short set of stairs. This outdoor kitchen can also be accessed from the garage, which houses additional kitchen storage.

The home is surrounded by the natural beauty of Juneau. "Privacy and sightlines are key considerations when designing outdoor spaces," says Jason Clifton, principal designer at Bauer/Clifton Interiors. "We incorporated a mix of railing styles for this deck, including a privacy wall screen and more transparent railings in areas where privacy wasn’t needed, so the design feels cohesive and intentional."

Photo: Bromic Heating

The spa area is nestled below the upper deck, and Bauer/Clifton Interiors created a waterproof ceiling to allow the residents to immerse themselves outdoors—even in heavy rain or snow. Finally, the placement of the living and dining zones, which connect to the outdoor grill area for ease of entertaining, was dictated by where the largest deck platform could be installed within the trees. 

This home is perched on a mountainside, so it was imperative the hardscape design incorporated natural elements like rock retaining walls and stacked rock steps throughout the backyard, all surrounding the deck cantilevered over the sloping edge. Whereas the landscape design features a combination of indigenous plants, perennials, and seasonal blooms, and is bordered by beautiful hemlock and spruce trees that are pruned to maintain the view.

"We like to approach the design of outdoor living spaces similarly to the indoor living space," says Clifton. "Using a mix of forms, textures, and finishes adds depth and interest while ensuring that the outdoor space feels like an extension of the home rather than a separate entity."

Photo: Bromic Heating

See the full story on Dwell.com: An Alaskan Showhome Embraces Outdoor Living Through Cleverly Designed "Zones"
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Budget Breakdown: With $69K, They Made Their Little Paris Cottage Feel Like a Greenhouse

A pair of architects infuse their 1930 house in Montreuil with sunshine and a soothing palette. "Plants, sun, and coffee—what else does one need?"

When architects Olivier Lekien and Mathilde Nicoulaud went on the hunt for a new home in Paris that would accommodate their growing family, they set their sights on areas outside the city’s hustle and bustle. "We wanted to stay in Paris for our work, but we also wanted a peaceful cocoon that felt like it was in the countryside," says Olivier. 

Before: Architects Olivier Lekien and Mathilde Nicoulaud purchased a small cottage in the Parisian suburb of Montreil and set about renovating it with a budget of €65K. 

Photo courtesy of Atelier olk

The couple turned the compact house built in 1930 into their ideal family home.

Photo courtesy of Atelier olk

The eastern suburb of Montreuil, a short bicycle ride from Paris proper, is full of small, cottage-like houses that give it the feeling of a quaint village—exactly the kind of place Olivier and Mathilde were looking for.

The architects replaced a kitchen wall with a glass extension that floods the room with natural light.

Photo courtesy of Atelier olk

See the full story on Dwell.com: Budget Breakdown: With $69K, They Made Their Little Paris Cottage Feel Like a Greenhouse
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Macaws and Howler Monkeys Are the Neighbors at This Costa Rica Prefab

After a fallen tree cleared part of the rainforest on the Osa Peninsula, two researchers erected a circular plan with an airy viewing deck and oculus framing the canopy.

Houses We Love: Every day we feature a remarkable space submitted by our community of architects, designers, builders, and homeowners. Have one to share? Post it here.

Project Details:

Location: Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica

Architect: Studio Saxe / @studiosaxe

Footprint: 4,305 square feet

Builder: Gabriel Reyes

Structural Engineer: GUIDI Estructurales

Electromechanical Engineer: CIEM

Photographer: Alvaro Fonseca / @depth.lens

From the Architect: "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 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 wild.

"The rainforest is a complex multilayered environment, where the density and darkness can be disorienting. The opening in the foliage provided 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.

"Our design intention was to highlight different perspectives of the environment. While the home is on a single level, the terrain around it descends steeply. One side aligns with the forest floor, while the other is raised above the ground. The perimeter walkway takes visitors from moss-covered roots up to the treetops, where macaws forage among the branches. The home features two bedrooms, a combined living room and kitchen, and a laboratory-library, interspersed with shaded outdoor terraces from which to observe wildlife. With the likes of jaguars and howler monkeys in the vicinity, the central courtyard offers a calm space in the midst of an untamed ecosystem. An expansive roof structure shelters the house from the region’s intense rain and sun. The hyperbolic form directs rainwater toward the sides, where it cascades into natural streams. Slatted screens allow fresh air and the forest sounds to permeate the home, while the wooden ceiling radiates from the center, extending outwards.

"Building in proximity to Corcovado National Park, which hosts approximately three percent of the planet’s biodiversity, demanded a sensitive and responsive approach. The house was scaled to a minimum footprint to avoid removing vegetation around the clearing. It was raised on stilts with narrow footings to prevent disruption to the groundwater and allow animals and root systems to cross below. In a region characterized by extreme heat and humidity, our goal was to create a comfortable living environment without mechanical cooling. This was achieved by raising the home off the ground and including louvered openings to encourage passive ventilation. The white insulated roof helps keep the house cool by reflecting sunlight and reducing heat absorption. The home is entirely self-sufficient, generating power through a photovoltaic array and a hydro turbine in a nearby stream, which also supplies drinking water. Energy-efficient lighting and responsibly sourced materials, such as teak and cork, further reduce the environmental impact. The residents contribute to the preservation of the area by monitoring wildlife, propagating native plant species, and leading initiatives to restore nearby coral reefs.

"Building in a remote and challenging location required careful planning and adaptation. In an earthquake zone, with high precipitation, dramatic temperature differentials, salt in the air, and threatening wildlife, it was crucial to work with a local contractor who knew these realities and had the resourcefulness to overcome them. With no electricity or water connection on the property, and only a narrow footpath for access, all resources had to be transported over rivers and mountains by truck and then carried to the site. Prefabricated steel components were prepared in advance, delivered during the dry season and assembled by hand. The dynamic roof form was created with a woven grid of uniquely pitched beams, and was then covered with fiber cement boards and a durable membrane to withstand the harsh environment. After construction, the site was replanted with native vegetation, which will eventually envelop the home, absorbing it into the natural surroundings."

Photo by Alvaro Fonseca

Photo by Alvaro Fonseca

Photo by Alvaro Fonseca

See the full story on Dwell.com: Macaws and Howler Monkeys Are the Neighbors at This Costa Rica Prefab

Who’s Afraid of a Colorful Couch?

Bypass that beige bouclé loveseat for something with a little personality.

Picking the "right’ sofa is largely subjective. Some of us look for a couch that’ll support hardcore lounging after a hard day’s work, while others are in the market for an undeniable statement piece—a couch that’s as bold as they are, without sacrificing comfort. The former is a personal journey, but to successfully execute the latter, consider a sofa that stands out due to its brilliant, non-neutral hue. If you’re hung up on how to choose a couch that radiates fun and personality, bypass beige, cool millennial grays, and other hues that are decidedly #teamneutral in search of something brighter.

For advice on what to expect when you’ve opted for a brilliantly hued sofa, we tapped Victoria Sass of Prospect Refuge Studio and Kelly Neely of Kelly Neely Interiors for some advice.

When the rest of the space is colorful, a bold couch feels almost like a neutral. 

Photo by Niccolò Benetton and Simone Santilli

Both designers agree that a colorful sofa is more "set it and forget it" than you might think. "Selecting a color that’s bolder rather than neutral can add a lot of depth and interest into a space," Neely says. "Pillows act as small pieces of art and help to tie colors together, but since they are smaller in size, a sofa fabric really sets the tone for the space."

Sass—whose recent Kips Bay Decorator Show House in Dallas featured a table fashioned after the floral-printed sofa in her parents’ Midwestern home—agrees, adding that purchasing a colorful sofa over a neutral one and occasionally swapping out accent pillows may prove to be more economical over time. 

This bright-red Togo anchors the space and, in a room that is otherwise quiet, makes a statement.

Photo by Andrew Meredith

"The more impactful your sofa, the [more] it’s gonna shift the energy of your space," Sass says. "I think sometimes people who are craving change think, Oh, I’ll just get a neutral sofa and then update the pillows. And then they get it all in place and realize it didn’t really have the [anticipated] impact, even after spending just as much money without really changing the energy quite as much as they’d hoped to."

Colorful sofas are also a simple way to transform a rental, points out Sass: "If you can’t change the wall colors, or the lighting or drapery, going for a bigger piece of furniture in that accent color can be more impactful."

For sectional owners, Sass offers what she refers to as a controversial take. "I think the sectional is the equivalent of the minivan in interior spaces," she says. "If you have to have one or it suits your lifestyle, go playful with it. Otherwise, it appears like a big blob in your room."

Purple is certainly a bold choice for a living room’s sectional, but the cool undertones match that of the pale-blue wall, so the overall effect is calm rather than chaotic.

Photo: Mike Schwartz

Additionally, Neely recommends focusing on undertones. "When selecting a non-neutral sofa color, it’s safer to select a color that has a neutral undertone rather than a poppy shade of color," she says. "For example, a blue with gray undertones or red with brown undertones is going to coordinate with other fabrics better than a brighter version of the color."

Sass’s advice? Stick close to neutrals while using nature for inspiration. She recommends blue, chocolate brown, and green, which she considers neutral and more easy to blend instead of overpowering a space. "It’s the color of most of nature and it tends to read not as radical as some other colors like a red sofa or a strong artificial color," she adds. Another way to ensure that your sofa doesn’t completely usurp every other item in its presence is to play with wall color.

A pop of almost-Tiffany blue highlights the shape of the couch and picks up on the jewel tones in the wall art in the background.

Photo: Liz Kuball

See the full story on Dwell.com: Who’s Afraid of a Colorful Couch?

This £860K Midcentury in the English Countryside Is Filled With Leafy, Green Spaces

The four-bedroom Hertfordshire home is set within the Grade II-listed Cockaigne Housing Group, just a 25-minute train ride from central London.

Location: Hertfordshire, England

Price: £860,000 (approximately $1,084,017 USD)

Architect: Phippen, Randall & Parkes

Footprint: 1,711 square feet (four bedrooms, two full and one half baths)

From the Agent: "Filled with original features and conceived for effortless living, this four-bedroom house sits in a leafy spot of the Grade II–listed Cockaigne Housing Group development. Designed with the midcentury ethos of indoor/outdoor spatiality in mind, the modular plan extends around a light-filled conservatory and a free-flowing sequence of living spaces. There are gardens at the front and back of the house. The house is a 10-minute walk from Hatfield Station, where trains run to London King’s Cross in around 25 minutes. The owners of the houses that make up this development share the extensive communal gardens of almost three acres on the western edges of each plot. The gardens include a tennis court and a secure children’s play area."

Sporting a sleek black exterior, the single-level residence is part of a postwar housing development built between 1963 and 1966 by Peter Phippen, Peter Randall, and David Parkes.

Photo courtesy of The Modern House

Photo courtesy of The Modern House

See the full story on Dwell.com: This £860K Midcentury in the English Countryside Is Filled With Leafy, Green Spaces
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