Header: David Mitchell
In the world of interior design, 2024 has brought forward some truly exceptional spaces that blend creativity, functionality, and artistry. From the stunning volcanic-inspired serenity of Puinn Hotel to the vibrant, art-infused office at MAGIC PLACE, this year’s top interior design highlights showcase a diverse range of innovative concepts and stunning executions.
D5 takes you on a journey through five standout designs that reflect the unique character of their environments and push the boundaries of design, offering spaces that inspire, engage, and elevate the human experience. Whether it’s the seamless integration of nature at a tranquil Connecticut home, the playful dining experience at Street XO Dubai, or the bold, community-focused design of Lanwuu Imagine’s photography studio, these spaces represent the best of what interior design offers in 2024.
Lanwuu Imagine by Aurora Design
Lanwuu Imagine, a photography studio designed by Aurora Design, is a thoughtful space where creativity and community converge. Located in a residential neighborhood, the studio preserves the original structure of the site while introducing an “unfinished” aesthetic that reflects the fleeting beauty of everyday life captured in photography. The design incorporates a mix of raw and refined materials – stainless steel, concrete, wood, and marble – alongside bold geometric elements and vibrant accents like flashes of pink, creating a futuristic yet grounded atmosphere.
The interior unfolds around a central core, with semi-enclosed cylindrical structures defining spaces and guiding visitors’ emotions. Key features include a circular showroom designed to evoke a camera lens, a café-style chat zone blending commercial and social elements, and a metal staircase that separates leisure areas from workspaces. Reflective surfaces contrast with raw materials, symbolizing self-discovery and growth. Details such as graffiti-inspired corridors and Japanese-style makeup rooms add layers of creativity and comfort.
The studio’s façade incorporates round windows resembling camera lenses, seamlessly blending with white exterior walls to embody the brand’s philosophy of capturing life’s transient moments. Aurora Design’s dynamic and poetic approach transforms Lanwuu Imagine into more than just a studio but a hub where time, space, and beauty intertwine, resonating deeply with its community and visitors.
The MAGIC PLACE by Cui Shu
Located in Shanghai’s historic Xinyefang building, the MAGIC PLACE Office-Life Experience Hall combines artistic design with practical office functionality. Created by designer Cui Shu, the space merges cultural experiences, aesthetic enjoyment, and product co-creation, offering a fresh approach to office life. The design preserves the building’s original structure while introducing elements like bamboo, wood, metal, and cement to create an artistic, multifunctional environment.
Key features include a reception desk woven from bamboo and wood, resembling a wave, and mirrored stainless steel-wrapped beams that blend seamlessly with golden art-painted walls. The large floor-to-ceiling windows enhance the connection to nature, while glass partitions and an inner courtyard foster transparency and flow. The space is designed for flexibility, with furniture arrangements that create social and collaborative zones, while the second floor provides more private office and meeting areas. A brass-colored reception bar offers a social space for relaxation, and the natural surroundings provide a calming atmosphere, making MAGIC PLACE a dynamic, art-infused office space for the future.
Street XO Dubai by LW
Street XO Dubai, located on the 4th floor of One Za’abeel, transforms dining into a vibrant, theatrical spectacle inspired by street culture and the creative vision of Michelin Chef David Muñoz. Designed by LW under the guidance of Pooja Shah-Mulani, the space embodies “horizontal order and vertical chaos,” blending structured layouts with dynamic graffiti-filled walls, suspended tables, and playful art installations.
Guests are welcomed through a graffiti-lined tunnel into an eclectic environment featuring acrobat-inspired ceiling lights, graffiti-upholstered red chairs, and a bar resembling a whimsical street lab. The dining area showcases infinity LED mirrors and a stage-like open kitchen, while the terrace offers sculptures and bifold doors that connect indoor and outdoor spaces. Even the washrooms reflect the underground theme, resembling backstage performance areas with bold graffiti and makeup mirror lights. Spanning 1,200 m², Street XO Dubai captures the energy of Soho, Camden, and Shinjuku, delivering a chaotic yet cohesive dining experience that surprises and delights at every turn.
Four Points House by In Studio
Nestled in the picturesque Connecticut landscape, this U-shaped Four points house by In Studio is a harmonious blend of architecture and nature, designed to frame the stunning views of mountains, meadows, farmland, and forests. Its layout forms a serene courtyard enclosed by three walls and completed by the forest’s natural edge, creating an intimate connection with the outdoors. The exterior features cedar cladding treated with the Shou Sugi Ban method, giving it a striking black finish and enhancing its durability, while the interior highlights exposed mass timber framing for a warm and organic feel.
The home is thoughtfully divided into distinct wings: the primary suite occupies the southern volume, while the northern guest suite is physically separated to offer privacy and energy efficiency, accessible only via an independent entrance. The central wing, a luminous space enclosed in full-height glass, houses the social, dining, and entertaining areas, ensuring a seamless indoor-outdoor experience bathed in natural light throughout the day. Sustainability is integral to the design, with a solar-ready rooftop, a preserved 90% unbuilt site, and a vibrant meadow replacing the traditional lawn to support the local ecosystem. Every element of the house is crafted to enhance the relationship between its residents and the breathtaking environment that surrounds it.
Puinn Hotel by Funs Creative Design Consultant
Nestled on Weizhou Island, Puinn Hotel offers a serene retreat that blends the island’s volcanic geology with peaceful design, which is why the Funs Creative Design Consultant team chose “Oasis” as the theme when creating Puinn Hotel. The striking red marble exterior, evoking flowing lava, contrasts with the lush surroundings, while inside, a reception desk made from a single slab of red stone reflects the island’s natural history. The hotel’s public spaces feature an atrium and sunken lounge, bathed in natural light, creating a tranquil oasis. Inspired by underground hot springs, the pool area resembles a karst cave, offering a unique connection to nature.
Guest rooms range from minimalist Wabi-sabi style to elegant mid-century and bold black-and-white designs, all reflecting tranquility and luxury. The hotel’s outdoor garden spaces, with stepping stones and lush greenery, seamlessly connect the architecture to the natural landscape. Puinn Hotel is a poetic haven, inviting guests to experience serenity and freedom on this beautiful island.
