Designed by Yevheniia Nahorna, the Whisperwood Home intertwines serenity and sophistication. There is an intentional blend of minimalism and warmthsomething we dont see often in homescreating an atmosphere that invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and savor the beauty of thoughtful design. Stepping inside will give you a better look.The living room is anchored by a plush sectional sofa. The centerpiece, a wooden coffee table, adds natural warmth. This perfectly complements the rich wood-paneled walls that frame the room. Simultaneously, a textured area rug makes the ambiance inviting. A large projector allows residents to curl up in front of their favorite TV show.The houndstooth pattern is the tying element in the open floor plan. We see this used for the cushions as well as the dining table chairs. The dining area also features a large, wooden table. Floor-to-ceiling curtains in creamy beige diffuse natural light throughout the space; this creates a soft, ambient glow during the day.At the far end, the open kitchen has a unique marble backsplash. The cabinetry is sleekcombining hues of beige and wooden elements. There is also shelving to display wine glasses!The master bedroom in the Whisperwood Home sticks to a minimalist bedallowing wooden panels to act as the headboard. There is a vanity with a round mirror and a houndstooth-patterned chair. You can easily use this as a reading station, too. A wooden console table is paired with a statement, ceramic-framed mirror. This provides extra storage while doubling as decor.In the kids room, an illustration of animals incorporates a whimsical touch. The yellow scalloped-edge mirror adds a soft shape to the room. Additionally, the single bed provides ample room for a child to lie down, while the playful nightstand adds color. Theres also a study area with red shelving and a table lamp.The bathrooms in the Whisperwood Home use the same marble patterns we saw in the kitchen. Wooden cabinetry and vanities add warmth to the interior, while shower cubicles segregate functionality. The master bathroom also features a marble-tiled bathtub. And the toilets in both bathrooms are wall-mounted, adding a sleek vibe.

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As we wrap up our 2024 highlights on Archinect and Bustler, we present a countdown of the year's most popular competitions.From hundreds of architecture and design contests listed here, thesewere the top 10 competitions based on reader popularity.

Look below for Archinect's latest curated selection of architecture and design firms currently hiring onArchinect Jobs. This week'sfeatured employer highlightincludes openings inNew York City/Brooklyn and Los Angeles.For even more opportunities, visit theArchinect job boardand explore our active community ofjob seekers,firms, andschools.In New York City,Shigeru Ban Architectshas two exciting roles available: an Architect / Designer with five to eight years of experience and anArchitect / Designer with one to three years of experience. Applicants should be experienced with AutoCAD, Rhino, and Adobe Creative Suite. One should also be able to organize sets of presentation and construction documents. The Architect /Designer with more experience must have experience working on cultural, community, or residential projects, along with supervising a project team.Imai Hospital Daycare Center by Shigeru Ban Architects.Montalba Architectsis hiring for a Job Captain with five-p...

Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work throughArchitizerand sign up for ourinspirational newsletters.Municipal buildings are more than functional spaces they are the cornerstones of civic identity, places where communities come together to engage, deliberate and celebrate. In the 21st century, these structures are transforming into symbols of inclusivity and innovation, embodying the values of the societies they serve. From city halls and libraries to community centers, todays municipal architecture represents a profound commitment to addressing social, environmental and cultural challenges through design.Around the globe, architects are reimagining what it means to design for the public. Beyond creating beautiful landmarks, these projects focus on fostering connection and accessibility. They engage with their surrounding context, utilizing local materials and responding to community needs, while often incorporating sustainable technologies that mitigate their environmental footprint. The following buildings spotlight design that explores the possibilities of civic projects. Diverse in scale and location, they share a common ethos: the belief that design can enhance everyday life and empower communities.Parliament SquareBy fjcstudio, Hobart, AustraliaParliament Square in Hobart transforms a historic city block into a vibrant municipal and community hub overlooking Sullivans Cove. Combining government offices, retail spaces, cafes, restaurants, and a luxury hotel, the development centers around an open public square that invites civic engagement and celebrates the sites heritage.The design skillfully integrates restored sandstone and masonry buildings with a contemporary 5-Star Green Star office building for the State Public Service, which features dramatic Y-shaped columns and a sunken light well that floods lower levels with natural light. This landmark project revitalizes a once-congested precinct into an active and inclusive space for public and private use.Rural Municipality Building in SaueBy molumba, Saue, EstoniaLocated at the southern edge of Saues central park, this rural municipal building serves as both an administrative hub and a community gathering place. Its double-skin faade resolves the balance between privacy and public accessibility, while the covered archway offers a sheltered space for locals and enhances its presence in the park.The buildings triangular layout integrates open public areas along its perimeter and private meeting spaces at its core, ensuring functionality and connection to the community. Constructed entirely of sustainable timber, with exposed CLT panels and Class A energy efficiency, the design reflects a commitment to environmental responsibility and innovative public architecture.Transformation of the Town Hall Borsele in HeinkenszandBy Atelier Kempe Thill, Heinkenszand, NetherlandsThe renovated town hall of Borsele in Heinkenszand serves as a vital municipal center for the 13 villages of the Dutch municipality, offering modern offices and public spaces that foster community engagement. Designed by Atelier Kempe Thill, the transformation preserved the buildings original geometry while introducing a monumental faade of glass mosaic tiles to emphasize its civic identity. The interior was reimagined with a streamlined octagonal entrance hall, glass balustrades, and panoramic office spaces with views of the Zeeland landscape, creating a brighter and more welcoming environment for both employees and residents.Regional Chamber of Commerce and IndustryBy Chartier Corbasson, Amiens, FranceThe Bouctot-Vagniez Town Hall extension in Amiens marvelously integrates with its historic Art Nouveau architecture, serving as a municipal and community hub for the Picardy Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry. A green plinth connects the new wing to the existing building and gardens, while offices above are divided by a light-filled atrium that enhances natural ventilation. The design incorporates sustainable features like a double skin of metal mesh for shading and a panoramic bay window that opens the hall to the gardens, creating a bright and welcoming space for public and administrative use.Laure-Conan Library and City Hall of Ville de La MalbaieBy CIRCUM.ARCHITECTURE and ACDF Architecture, La Malbaie, CanadaPerched on the edge of the St. Lawrence River, the Laure Conan Library and City Hall in La Malbaie serves as a dynamic municipal and community center, blending contemporary architecture with the areas rich historical and natural narrative. The design contrasts materials like wood, stone, and glass, while integrating eco-friendly principles and supporting local industry through the use of locally sourced materials. Split across two levels to accommodate the sloping site, the stone-clad base houses the city hall, and the wood-clad library volume cantilevers above, framing views of the river. With flexible interiors, spaces for reading and community events, and outdoor gathering areas, the building offers a harmonious and multifunctional connection between city and landscape.Minjiang Village Courier StationBy MUDA-Architects, Wenjiang District, Chengdu, ChinaLocated in Wenjiang District near a greenway, the Courier Station is a key element of a rural revitalization project, serving as both a resting spot for tourists and a vibrant community hub for local residents. Inspired by the traditional Sichuan veranda, the design reinterprets its form with contemporary aesthetics, creating a striking, multifunctional space. Its semi-enclosed double-height structure balances natural light, local character and site context, offering a flexible and iconic communal area.Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work throughArchitizerand sign up for ourinspirational newsletters.The post Civic Pride: 6 Municipal Buildings Built to Bring People Together appeared first on Journal.

Photo credit: Light HouseLight House, an organization focused on advancing regenerative and circular practices in the built environment, has launched a new initiative with the aim to divert and upcycle plastic waste from approximately 10 Metro Vancouver construction sites. The pilot program, called the Construction Plastics Initiative, is running from now until February 2026 and is actively seeking projects to bring on board.The objective of the initiative is to demonstrate the feasibility and financial viability of a circular economic model for plastic waste generated on construction sites.The intention is to collect, separate, measure and process plastics from construction sites to determine the amount and types of plastic waste being generated in British Columbias construction sector and to demonstrate circular economic solutions to divert and repurpose the plastic into new products.Project participants will be able to showcase their leadership by pioneering plastic diversion as well as using the locally manufactured building products in their projects.Currently, there is a lack of comprehensive studies in North America quantifying the volume of construction plastic waste directed to landfills. Studies from Europe suggest approximately 80 per cent of plastic waste from on-site construction activities consists of clean packaging materials, which are readily divertible from landfills. This pilot project aims to provide valuable insights into the extent of construction plastic pollution in North America and to identify opportunities for circular innovation in managing construction plastics, said Gil Yaron, managing director, Circular Innovation, Light House.In Canada right now, virtually all of the plastic generated on these construction sites is ending up in landfill or being buried on site. Theres a better solution and were testing it out right now through our Construction Plastics Initiative. Were bringing partners together through the construction plastic value chain, developing a management framework to collect, monitor and track the flow of materials, and were exploring the business case and sale of derivative building products back into the construction sector.Collected plastics from all projects will be processed by Ocean Park Recycling prior to being recycled into reusable plastic pellets, which will be integrated into the manufacturing of a range of new building products.The pilot program will also help developers and general contractors reduce material use and the embodied carbon associated with their projects. Through this initiative, Light House is reducing the environmental impact of construction while also preparing the industry for the federal governments upcoming plastics registry reporting requirements in 2026.A qualified site monitor will be provided to the participating construction project. The site monitor will work with the general contractor and site supervisor to identify the types of plastics to be collected, schedule collections based on the construction timeline, provide size-appropriate collection bins, train site crews on proper source separation practices, monitor bins for contamination, and assist with the delivery and removal of collection bins, as required.To learn more about the Construction Plastics Initiative, click here.The post Construction plastic waste pilot program launches in Canada appeared first on Canadian Architect.

In Still Life With Brioche, c. 1890, Victoria Dubourg Fantin-Latour captures the buttery crust of a signature pastry. Known for her tablescapes, she met her artist husband Henri when both were copying the same painting at the Louvre. Dixon Gallery and Gardens / First Art MuseumFrance has long derived a portion of its national pride from its culinary sophistication, but during the late 19th centurya time of war and social upheaval, as well as the cultural flowering of the Belle poquethe issue of food could sometimes be fraught. Aristocrats feasted while peasants toiled and poor Parisians starved, and new delicacies like the banana debuted against a backdrop of imperialist adventures. To artists like Claude Monet and Paul Gauguin, all of it was also rich fodder for a new approach to painting, showcased in the play of light over a silver pitcher or the slimy floors of a bustling fish market.This is as much a social history as it is the story of food, says Mark Scala, chief curator at the Frist Art Museum in Nashville, which in late January will host the traveling exhibition Farm to Table, featuring some 50 Impressionist canvases and sculptures that depict markets and gardens, farmers and gastronomes, abundance and penury. Food, that universal human obsession, connects people from all walks of life, Scala notes, making it a portal through which artists and museumgoers can explore not only human appetites but also darker questions of class, conflict and conquest. Charles-mile Jacque, The Shepherd and his Flock, 1880, Oil on canvas Chrysler Museum of Art / Frist Art Museum Victor Gabriel Gilbert, Fish Market at Les Halles, 1881, Oil on canvas Chrysler Museum of Art / Frist Art Museum Camille Pissarro, The Gardener - Old Peasant with Cabbage, 188395. National Gallery of Art / Frist Art Museum Eugne Alexis Girardet, Dinner, El Kantara, Algeria, Oil on wood Private Collection / Frist Art MuseumSubscribe to Smithsonian magazine now for just $19.99This article is a selection from the January/February 2025 issue of Smithsonian magazineGet the latest Travel & Culture stories in your inbox.Filed Under: Art, Art History, Food, France, Impressionism