2021 Round-Up: Our 5 Most Read Stories
- Words
- Steph Wade
Against the backdrop of a tumultuous twelve months, 2021 was the year that artists, designers, architects, and photographers around the world dedicated themselves to pushing the boundaries of their respective fields; using their talents as powerful tools for change and innovation.
As the year draws to a close, we take a look at the standout stories covered by IGNANT this year, with the five most viewed stories by our readers. From verdant hotels and apartment interiors in Japan to an interview with Russian designer Maria Osminina, here are the five stories that defined our year.
Set in an eighty-acre secluded garden north of Kyoto, Japan, and surrounded by tall forests, local temples, and shrines, ‘Aman Kyoto’ is as peaceful as it is otherworldly. The small luxury hotel was built on what was initially conceived as the garden of a textile museum, unfolding as a series of platforms within a verdant valley. Using the existing platforms for new pavilions, Singapore-based studio Kerry Hill Architects has created a striking complex of zinc roofed and black timber clad buildings, minimalist in their geometry and paired back in their design. An architectural masterpiece, the charming resort reimagines traditional Japanese inns with minimal and light-filled interiors fostering recovery and contemplation.
Image © AMAN Kyoto Resort
Image © Norm Architects
Image © Maria Osminina
The focus of I—AD, short for Instrmnt Applied Design, lies in creating industrial pieces with an emphasis on quality, simplicity, and attainability. Pieces by the studio include a stylish mid-century inspired daybed, and a pair of made-to-order sleek walnut and oak lounge chairs, all hand-built by local manufacturers. Speaking of the chairs, the designers explain: “Its bevelled hardwood top is large enough for a coffee cup or book and neatly adds an additional level of functionality, something which runs through much of our work.”
Image © Instrmnt Applied Design
Image © Eric Petschek
