Abundance, though an invitation to a wellspring, has become a central tension of our lives as our time and resources remain finite. Our goal is to bridge the gap between the abundance of quality lifestyle experiences and the limited access we have to them.

We believe that individuals in the modern world should be able to experience both the familiar and the new in connected harmony, just as humanity has evolved through intersecting paths.

SELENPARC uncovers ‘collective synergies’ at these intersections, exploring journeys that intertwine between wellness, art, style, culinary, travel, and tech. We aspire to create a medium where unique crossroads reveal new possibilities, inviting our audience to see the world through a fresh lens and embrace a richer, more connected way of life.

Belmond, part of LVMH, launched Long Shots, a series of ambient slow TV films promoting mindful living, capturing the sights and sounds of iconic destinations through prolonged, meditative escape.

Embracing 'Slow Luxury', the series gives mental health benefits with calming visuals and ambient sounds that enable a digital detox from fast paced modern life, inviting us to slow down, savor experiences, and envision future journeys within the serene allure of captivating destinations.

Image credit: Belmond

Feb 8, 2025

ICHION CONTEMPORARY gallery, an architectural marvel designed by Tadao Ando, opened in Osaka to foster cultural exchange, bridging architecture and creativity by transforming a narrow 3 meter site into a landmark.

The inaugural exhibition highlights the avant-garde Gutai Art movement with key works by renowned artists, creating a dynamic dialogue between art, sound, and architecture.

"GUTAI: An Enduring Spirit"
Jan 13 — Mar 29, 2025

Image credit: ICHION CONTEMPORARY

Feb 4, 2025

Casa Profumoir, in Florence’s historic San Niccolò district, is an immersive accommodation project by the fragrance brand Profumoir, founded by Daniele Cavalli, son of designer Roberto Cavalli, and Master Perfumer Sileno Cheloni.

Blending the art of perfumery, alchemy, and artisanal design, an intimate stay at the olfactory house offers personalized perfume creation, sensory rituals, and curated experiences, guided by expert craftsmanship and Florence’s rich olfactory heritage.

Image credit: Casa Profumoir

Feb 2, 2025

Abu Dhabi exclusively hosts Casablanca’s first regional tennis club by the sea.

Casablanca Tennis Club at Ilios Beach Club on Al Hudayriyat Island, Abu Dhabi from February 1 to 7, 2025.

The rare occasion intertwines sport, fashion, and gourmet indulgence with curated tennis experiences, workshops, and a pop-up store showcasing Casablanca’s SS25 collection and a limited edition kids’ capsule.

Image credit: Casablanca | ADIO | Ilios

Feb 1, 2025

Designer Joel Seigle introduces a subwoofer dining table, "Table Bass", addressing spatial efficiency in urban living without compromising sound integrity.

Rather than concealing, the speaker takes center stage, reimagining ordinary furnishings into a bespoke creation of refined acoustics and sculptural poise.

Image credit: Joel Seigle

Jan 29, 2025

Khao Yai Art Forest, a visionary project by Marisa Chearavanont, transforms 85 serene hectares into a living canvas that fosters dialogue between art, nature, and biodiversity in a symphony of reciprocal healing, where nature heals people, people heal nature, and art bridges the two.

Conceptualized as 'Art on Earth 2.0', the forest’s artworks by renowned artists illustrate sustainability through material use and spatial integration, with the initiative bridging Marisa's passions for art, food, and education to ignite a journey of reflection and renewal.

Image credit: Khao Yai Art Forest | Stefano Rabolli Pansera | Andrea Rossetti

Jan 28, 2025

Alaïa unveiled its largest new Paris flagship, with a Sant Ambroeus café and curated spaces merging fashion, art, and architecture into an ethereal ambiance.

Designed by renowned architects Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa of SANAA, in collaboration with Alaïa's Creative Director Pieter Mulier, the store draws inspiration from Alaïa's "second skin" aesthetic, reflecting soft, sculptural forms in its architecture and interiors, and accented with art pieces by Ron Arad, Philippe Malouin, and Diamond Stingily.

Image credit: ALAÏA | Sant Ambroeus | Katja Rahlwes

Jan 26, 2025

The Peninsula partnered with the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) to launch contemporary art installations, advancing access to creativity through its 'Art in Resonance' program, which aids emerging and mid-career artists.

Art Basel Hong Kong 2025 will mark the debut of this partnership with newly commissioned works that integrate art into the fabric of hospitality, fostering dialogue and supporting the growth of forward-thinking artists.

Image credit: The Peninsula | Art Basel

Jan 25, 2025

James Turrell exhibits a chronicle of his journey and a prelude to his monumental Land Art for Wadi AlFann, the Valley of the Arts, in AlUla's desert canyons.

The exhibit surveys his legacy as a master of Light and Space through iconic works while rendering a striking preview of the land art 'cosmic observatories', which will carve a planetary diagram into the desert, bridging celestial and terrestrial experiences through the interplay of the sun's path and shadow.

January 16 — April 19, 2025
as part of AlUla Arts Festival

Image credit: ArtsAlUla | Experience AlUla

Jan 23, 2025

Visionary chef Jean Imbert and luxury kitchen utensil brand Mauviel 1830 have partnered to open Le Logis Sainte Catherine, a restaurant at the foot of Mont-Saint-Michel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In the culmination of two decades of partnership, Mauviel 1830’s first restaurant, with a design nodding to the brand’s core material, creates a harmonious balance of sacred and maritime inspirations.

Image credit: Le Logis Sainte Catherine | Mauviel 1830 | Jean Imbert | lecmn | Mont-Saint-Michel | BOBY | Carla Gilbert

Jan 22, 2025

Calder Gardens, a cultural destination honoring the art of Alexander Calder, will open in September 2025 in Philadelphia, with architecture by Herzog & de Meuron and gardens by landscape designer Piet Oudolf.

Designed to inspire introspection and community connection, the gardens of art, architecture, and nature will foster interdisciplinary collaboration and experimentation, with programs curated by Juana Berrío to cross-pollinate artistic and non-artistic practices.

Image credit: Calder Gardens | Calder Foundation | Herzog & de Meuron

Jan 21, 2025

Air France has partnered with master perfumer Francis Kurkdjian to launch its first signature home fragrance, AF001—a scent that recalls the very first journey.

Two years in the making, Kurkdjian's inspiration, "a ray of sunshine on the wings of an aircraft", ties the scent to a sense of space, serenity, light, and sunny vibrancy, with its delicate floral aura developed to take travelers on a real olfactory journey, capturing a specific moment in time.

Image credit: Air France | Maison Francis Kurkdjian

Jan 18, 2025

Southeast Asia’s first Prada Caffè opens at the brand's newly designed two-level boutique at ION Orchard in Singapore, currently in its soft launch phase.

Overlooking Orchard Road through its curved glass facade, with designs that nod to Prada's Milan heritage, the café offers a selection of pastries, desserts, and savory dishes, complemented by artisanal coffees and chocolates crafted by Marchesi 1824.

Image credit: Prada

Jan 17, 2025

Lightfall, a multisensory installation by Studio Lemercier in collaboration with electronic musician Murcof, explores the interplay of light, air, mist, and sound at Superblue Miami, crafting a surreal fourth-dimensional parallel that traverses time and space.

The installation, a dynamic yet serene experience, heightens sensory perceptions through subtle motions, textures, and temperature shifts, layering atmospheric phenomena evoked by mist curtains of near-invisible atomized water particles merged with Murcof's cinematic soundscape.

Image credit: Superblue | Mind The Film | Studio Lemercier | Murcof

Jan 16, 2025

Equinox Hotels has partnered with Dr. Matthew Walker, a renowned sleep scientist, to advance its hospitality offerings focused on sleep, which the brand identifies as the root of health and a driver of movement, nutrition, and recovery.

The partnership’s initiatives, which translate complex sleep science into actionable strategies, include the Sleep Lab, enhanced guestroom designs, and the Jet Lag Reset tool, alongside existing sleep amenities such as circadian rituals, curated food and drink menus for inducing sleep, and sleep driven spa treatments.

Image credit: Equinox Hotels

Jan 15, 2025

Maison Perrier-Jouët and design studio Formafantasma partnered on a multi-year ecological and artistic initiative, Cohabitare, in the Champagne region, demonstrating how design can serve as a medium for ecological improvement.

Their first initiative, Biodiversity Island, installed 74 ceramic pillars designed to foster ecological balance and provide habitats for insects, birds, and bats integral to vitality, an effort that counteracts monoculture's challenges by reintroducing diverse flora and fauna to enrich soil health and vineyard resilience.

Image credit: Perrier-Jouët | Formafantasma

Jan 13, 2025

Audemars Piguet launches its first-ever AP Café and a new AP House at the historic Raffles Hotel Singapore, merging the worlds of horology, gastronomy, and lifestyle experiences.

Housed in the storied Bar & Billiard Room with a timeless yet modern design, the café reimagines Swiss classic dishes through a Singaporean lens, crafting a fusion of flavors that reflect the artistry and craftsmanship of watchmaking.

Image credit: Audemars Piguet | Raffles Hotel Singapore

Jan 11, 2025

Rick Owens, with Michèle Lamy, presents BACKSTAGE, an exhibition showcasing their avant-garde furniture designs that merge brutalism, modernism, and archaism.

The collection reveals artisanal creations inspired by natural forms, crafted with rare earth materials, and showcases the Tech Glade, a modular structure designed with Travis Scott for his CIRCUS MAXIMUS tour.

Jan 10 — Feb 15, 2025
Salon 94 Design, New York

Image credit: Rick Owens | Michele Lamy | Salon 94 Design

Jan 10, 2025

Yukai Engineering unveiled Nékojita FuFu, a portable robot designed to cool hot food and drinks, at CES 2025, addressing the challenge of sensitivity to heat during consumption.

Inspired by a father who felt breathless cooling his son's hot baby food, the robot is equipped with a proprietary algorithm and versatile modes, replicating human cooling patterns and making it a playful yet practical tool well-suited for seniors and parents.

Image credit: Yukai Engineering

Jan 9, 2025

The Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo hosts the first large-scale exhibition in Japan dedicated to Ryuichi Sakamoto’s artistic legacy, highlighting his multidisciplinary approach to bridging music, technology, and visual art.

Ryuichi Sakamoto: seeing sound, hearing time
Dec 21, 2024—Mar 30, 2025

Spanning indoor and outdoor spaces, the exhibit delves into his passion for three-dimensional sound, nature, and time, with immersive works and collaborations with renowned artists.

The museum restaurant '100 Spoons' invites a sensory connection to Sakamoto's life and work, offering a menu inspired by his favorite foods.

Image credit: Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo | Ryuichi Sakamoto | 100 Spoons

Jan 8, 2025

L'Oréal unveiled the Cell BioPrint, a portable device that uses proteomics to provide skin analysis in just five minutes and predict skin issues before they become visible.

Developed in collaboration with NanoEnTek, a Korean startup specializing in biofluid-reading chip technology, the device reveals skin's biological age, sensitivity to skincare ingredients like retinol, and predictions of cosmetic issues like dark spots and enlarged pores.

Image credit: L'Oréal

Jan 7, 2025

Louis Vuitton and artist Takashi Murakami present their re-edition collection, reimagining the seminal partnership that shaped the industry’s approach to collaboration 20 years ago, with over 200 updated designs and a global pop-up rollout across seven major cities—London, Milan, New York City, Tokyo, Seoul, Shanghai, and Singapore.

The pop-up, a prism of Murakami's whimsical artistry with a dynamic blend of retail, cultural narratives, and nostalgic allure, is structured into four zones: retail, care station, cinema, and café.

Image credit: Louis Vuitton | Takashi Murakami | Cafe Zingaro

Jan 4, 2025

Pharrell Williams has partnered with Launchpad Hospitality Group to open two Japanese temaki restaurants, Nami Nori and Matsuyoi, in Miami's Design District, specializing in open style sushi rolls that allow direct savoring of textures and flavors.

Founded by the trio who met under Chef Masa Takayama, the only 3 star Michelin sushi chef in the country, Nami Nori offers a light, beach inspired atmosphere on the ground floor, while Matsuyoi, with a design inspired by the influential artist Kawase Hasui, provides a more intimate setting upstairs.

Image credit: Nami Nori | Matsuyoi | Jihan Lee

Jan 2, 2025

Tom Dixon and A31 Architecture have designed the AIMASIA Residence, a villa at the crossroads of ancient and modern, nestled by Elia beach in Mykonos.

An existing ancient dry stone wall acts as the 'spine' of the structure, and the architecture gracefully flows around it, subtly carving into the hilly ground to minimize visual disruption of the natural landscape.

Image credit: Mike Kelley | A31 Architecture | Tom Dixon | Orizon Development

Dec 31, 2024

Jardin Majorelle in Marrakech, the mystical garden built by Jacques Majorelle and later restored by Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé, celebrates a century of art, nature, and culture in 2024, standing as one of the region's most treasured sites.

Yves Saint Laurent's muse came to life among the serene pathways and vibrant hues of the garden, where his ashes were scattered to rest, immortalizing his creative spirit in its sublime serenity.

Image credit: Jardin Majorelle

Dec 30, 2024

Patina Osaka, set to open in April 2025 by Capella Hotel Group, is an urban hotel that envisions a new paradigm of luxury hospitality, embodying sustainability and conscious living through creative expressions that intersect art, music, fashion, and gastronomy.

Through a creative partnership with artist and cultural icon Verdy, whose Osaka rooted presence serves as a cultural catalyst, Patina Osaka sets out to add a new dimension to transformative urban hospitality.

Image credit: Patina Osaka

Dec 28, 2024

Auberge TOKITO in Tokyo integrates the concept of artisanal cuisine and a traditional Japanese ryokan experience, enveloped in serene architectural design.

The Artisan Cuisine, centered on a collaborative ethos, is led by Chef Yoshinori Ishii, the UK's Michelin star pioneer of ikejime and a ceramic artist, while the design and architecture, by visionary Shinichiro Ogata, modernize traditional ryokan with warm timber, copper, and bronze to evoke serenity.

Image credit: Auberge TOKITO

Dec 27, 2024

The Icebreaker by Serene Industries is a mechanical keyboard designed by filmmaker and designer Denis Agarkov, drawing inspiration from New York's Flatiron Building.

The unorthodox brutalist design, which also nods to filmmaking gear, emerges as a sculptural yet functional and ergonomic piece, embodying a 'no compromise' vision.

Image credit: Serene Industries

Dec 26, 2024

CopenHill, designed by architects Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), is a waste-to-energy plant in Copenhagen that also serves as a recreational space with a ski slope, hiking trail, and climbing wall.

Illustrating 'hedonistic sustainability', the 41,000 m² space, which processes 440,000 tons of waste annually to power 150,000 homes and provide district heating, offers 9,000 m² of year round ski terrain made from artificial membrane, an 85 m climbing wall—the world's tallest—and more activity facilities.

Image credit: CopenHill | Hufton + Crow | Peter Rajkai | Amélie Louys | Ehrhornhummerston

Dec 24, 2024

Rimowa introduces Mahjong Attaché to its collection of gaming sets alongside Poker Attaché and Chess Attaché, crafting utilitarian companions as refined design artifacts to elevate travel and leisure.

Image credit: RIMOWA

Dec 22, 2024

Nomura Group has released 'noon', a speaker fabricated from unconventional materials—denim scraps, construction waste, ocean plastic, food waste, and rocket fuel tanks—giving new life to what would typically be industrial discard, under the ethos "material = earth's resources".

noon intersects contemporary architectural ideals with modular construction and acoustic engineering that manifests modernist spatial ingenuity, delivering a multisensory design experience where sound, touch, fragrance, and visuals intertwine with sustainability and creative transformation.

Image credit: Nomura Co., Ltd.

Dec 21, 2024

Rose McAdoo is a visual artist and former pastry chef who uses cakes as a medium to communicate science and environmental issues, particularly climate change.

Her edible art transforms complex scientific concepts into digestible visuals, addressing topics such as glacier retreat, species interdependence, and human activity's impact on the environment, while using ingredient substitutions like glacier water and algae to highlight biodiversity and extinction.

Image credit: Rose McAdoo | Rachel Heckerman | Tim Wenzel | Arctic Circle | Tyler Watson | Laura Cass

Dec 20, 2024

ICEHOTEL, a transient structure rebuilt annually in Sweden from river ice, launches its 35th edition with designs by 26 artists from 13 countries, integrating art, architecture, and nature into eco-friendly excursions.

This edition presents 12 unique art suites and 20 ice rooms, alongside Arctic gastronomy accentuating regional flavors and a suite of wilderness experiences that span from natural phenomena to cultural heritage.

Image credit: ICEHOTEL | Asaf Kliger

Dec 18, 2024

Simose, a one of a kind art resort and museum in Hiroshima crafted by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Shigeru Ban, earned the 2024 Prix Versailles as the world’s most beautiful museum.

Eight movable art galleries float in a garden of architecture that connects the sea, sky, and greenery, while the Simose Art Garden Villa, offering stays in Forest Villas and Waterfront Villas, includes recreations of Shigeru Ban's iconic designs.

Image credit: Simose Art Museum | Simose Art Garden Villa

Dec 17, 2024

Assouline, a luxury publishing house, opened its flagship boutique with a restaurant and piano bar at Bujairi Terrace in Diriyah, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Blending Mediterranean cuisine with the maison's celebrated collections in intimate settings, the flagship, in tune with the desert landscape and color palettes of Saudi architecture, merges tradition and modernity for a cultural fusion.

Image credit: Assouline | Bujairi Terrace | Diriyah

Dec 15, 2024

Alaïa has opened a bookstore and café in its London flagship through collaborations with Claire de Rouen, a prominent figure in the literary scene, and Violet Cakes by Claire Ptak, widely recognized for crafting the wedding cake for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

The space, embracing a modernist design language that bridges transparency, lightness, and art, continues the tradition of intimate salons hosted by founder Azzedine Alaïa.

Image credit: ALAÏA | Violet Cakes by Claire Ptak

Dec 14, 2024

Nike has collaborated with British makeup artist Isamaya Ffrench, placing beauty and sport as non-opposing forces that jointly elevate confidence and performance, pushing the envelope by asserting cosmetics as a functional medium integral to boosting psychological readiness.

The partnership adapts principles of makeup to the palette of Air Max Dn, interplaying textures, contours, and depth to add multi-textural and tactile dimensions often seen in makeup.

Image credit: Nike | Isamaya Ffrench

Dec 12, 2024

Architects Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), in collaboration with Nokken, unveiled 'Softshell', a two story modular tent designed for sustainable glamping experiences.

The adaptable structure, with a timber frame and weather resistant, recyclable canvas fabric, is designed to integrate into natural settings, and its lightweight, modular design ensures easy transport and assembly, making it suitable for remote locations and reducing environmental impact.

Image credit: Bjarke Ingels Group | Nokken

Dec 10, 2024

Dior opens a new concept space, 'Dior Gold House', in Bangkok's Ploenchit district, blending local artistry with Michelin gourmet experiences within a house inspired by the iconic 30 Montaigne, set amidst a lush garden.

The site's diverse art collaborations orchestrate a resonant dialogue between Dior's French heritage and Thailand's traditional craftsmanship, brought to life by regional artists, designers, and architects.

Image credit: Dior | Pierre Mouton

Dec 8, 2024

The historic Reading Room at the British Museum in London has fully reopened to the public in July after its indefinite closure in 2013, revealing its illustrious architectural splendor, designed by architect Sydney Smirke in 1857 inspired by the Pantheon in Rome.

As an intellectual hub frequented by historical figures such as Karl Marx, Virginia Woolf, Lenin, Mahatma Gandhi, and Mark Twain, the dome, a cornerstone of cultural and scholarly history, has once again opened its doors, allowing general visitors to rediscover its architectural grandeur in its authentic role.

Image credit: Donald Macbeth | Bobulous | Diliff | Phil Armitage | Nordisk familjebok

Dec 5, 2024

Ginori 1735, the iconic brand epitomizing Italian porcelain artistry, has partnered with St. Regis Florence to launch the first permanent Café Ginori, unveiling creative plating and playfulness in the unique dining landscape.

Housed in the 18th century Palazzo Magli, every element of the interior—from the Oriente Italiano wallpaper to the embroidered fabrics on cushions—reflects the spirit and legacy that define Ginori 1735, redefining the rules of mise en place both visually and gastronomically.

Image credit: Michèle Lamy | House By | Hugo Souchet

Dec 1, 2024

Michèle Lamy, an emblematic figure in culture and fashion, partnered with House By, to create 'Object 001', an artistic interpretation of a candle that embraces unity around flame and her philosophy that art can be ephemeral yet hold deep meaning.

Drawing inspiration from Lamy's beloved piece of petrified wood, Object 001 is crafted from organic, unscented, long burning wax atop a hand painted brass stand with a bronze patina, and it burns for 400 hrs.

Limited to 700 pieces, each with a Certificate of Authenticity.

Image credit: Michèle Lamy | House By | Hugo Souchet

Nov 29, 2024

Gucci Giardino, the fashion house's second bar worldwide, has opened in Umeda, Osaka, fusing Italian and Japanese cultural elements in contemporary sensibility.

From its signature cocktails with a nuanced act of storytelling and exclusive aged sake to Michelin starred dining and Laboratory culinary experiences, Gucci Giardino offers an intersection of mixology, art, cuisine, and fashion.

The menu is created in collaboration with Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura Tokyo.

Image credit: Gucci | Sebastian Viguera

Nov 28, 2024

Transparent, the circular audio brand from Stockholm with striking designs, has released a speaker that embeds the bold, geometric forms of 1950s brutalist architecture, designed to stand as a 'monument of sound and design', harnessing a form that contributes to sound performance.

The towering structure encapsulates a vast acoustic volume, the geometric shape disperses sound waves uniformly, the dense material delivers optimal acoustic properties, and the elevated vantage points of tweeters at a 90° angle enrich broader dissemination of an immersive soundscape.

Image credit: Transparent

Nov 27, 2024

Architect Kengo Kuma and Swedish furniture brand Gärsnäs collaborated to create the HidaHida chair, blending Eastern architecture with Scandinavian design.

The chair, with its frame made of steam-bent beech or oak wood and upholstery in fabric or leather with pronounced seams that lend it a hand-sewn feel, exudes haute couture in its structural design.

Image credit: KKAA | Gärsnäs | The Conran Shop Daikanyama | COAD & Materials. PG gallery

Nov 26, 2024

ŌURA, the Finnish smart ring pioneer, is partnering with Dexcom, a leader in glucose sensing, to combine glucose data from Dexcom devices with health metrics collected by the Oura Ring, unlocking comprehensive insights into users' metabolic health, such as how diet, sleep, and activity affect glucose levels.

The partnership signifies a move toward healthcare consumerization, equipping individuals with not only diabetes management but also preventive care.

Image credit: ŌURA | Dexcom

Nov 24, 2024

Bottega Veneta has partnered with the lighting design brand Flos to recreate Gino Sarfatti's Model 600 lamp from 1966, a design that influenced the spirit of experimentation in the 1960s.

The lamp retains its original reflector shield, which swivels to adjust the light's direction and spread, and its flexible base that allows tilting or tumbling without falling, while incorporating Bottega Veneta's signature Intrecciato and Intreccio Foulard leather weaving techniques for the base.

Image credit: Bottega Veneta | Flos | Gino Sarfatti

Nov 23, 2024

Audemars Piguet and KAWS unveiled a collaboration that combines horological precision with contemporary art, culminating in a limited edition Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon 'Companion' watch and a sculpture positioned atop the Musée Atelier Audemars Piguet in Switzerland.

The watch, with a new hand-wound movement designed specifically for this model, was developed over two years to merge art with the rigorous design demands, from horological precision to the strictest standards of materials.

Image credit: Audemars Piguet | KAWS

Nov 21, 2024

Jaime Hayon returns to the origins of his creative process with his solo exhibition 'Bestial' at Art Basel Miami, starting December 1, 2024, hosted at the Mindy Solomon Gallery.

The exhibition, which marks a quarter century of Hayon's journey, explores the intersection of nature and humanity, and the intrinsic connection between animalistic instincts and human emotions, continuing his odyssey of fragility, uncertainty, and self-discovery through hyperbolic creatures.

Image credit: Jaime Hayon | HAYONSTUDIO

Nov 20, 2024

Thomas Heatherwick unveils a limited edition hand-blown glassware collection that reflects the architectural ingenuity and biophilic vision behind his design of the Bombay Sapphire distillery at Laverstoke Mill, constructed a decade ago.

The collection presents gin and tonic glasses and decanters hand-blown by UK artisans, characterized by a pleated hourglass silhouette with a striking blue base.

Image credit: Heatherwick Studio | Bombay Sapphire

Nov 20, 2024

Maison Margiela has inaugurated its premiere flagship store in Seoul's Hannam district, revitalizing a 1970s residential structure with architectural elements that embrace the brand's unconventional 'appropriate use of the inappropriate' philosophy and décortiqué technique.

The space includes a garden and a café in partnership with Bonanza Coffee, and hosts an art project, 'Hacking: 5AC Bag', showcasing reinterpretations of its iconic 5AC bag by contemporary artists from Korea and Japan.

Image credit: Maison Margiela | Bonanza Coffee

Nov 19, 2024

Louis Vuitton has opened a five story experiential space in NYC that serves as a flagship during its Fifth Avenue renovation, blending its legacy with modern artistry through spatial designs by Shohei Shigematsu of the architecture firm OMA, as well as the US debut of Le Café Louis Vuitton, a library concept housing nearly 650 books, and Le Chocolat Maxime Frédéric.

Image credit: Louis Vuitton

Nov 17, 2024

Thom Browne has partnered with The Shilla Hotel in Seoul to launch the 'Thom Browne Experience', a first of its kind concept room that introduces Browne's new home collection, available throughout December 2024.

The room, exhibiting high standard craftsmanship and design from collaborations with esteemed brands—Baccarat, Christofle, Frette, and Haviland—is complemented by an exclusive package including a bottle of Thom Browne X Barons de Rothschild Champagne, executive lounge access, and more.

In conjunction with the experience, the hotel opens an ephemeral store for the Thom Browne Home collection.

Image credit: Thom Browne | The Shilla Seoul

Nov 16, 2024

Genki-ro, created by artist Takashi Kuribayashi, is an art installation set in a historic underground quarry that blends natural wellness with art, serving as an herbal steam sauna designed to stimulate all five senses.

The transporting experience, crafted to invigorate both spirit and body, is meant to evolve over time through visitor interaction, becoming a living piece of art.

Image credit: Genkiro No.06

Nov 13, 2024

Alessi, the renowned Italian design house, has launched its first café, Alessi Espresso, at Dosan Park in Seoul, blending coffee culture with its iconic design concept.

The space is designed by Michele de Lucchi, a luminary in Italian architecture and design, with coffee developed in collaboration with Jang Moonkyu, a distinguished finalist in the World Coffee Roasting Championship.

Image credit: Alessi

Nov 12, 2024

The Sun Tower, a multicultural venue designed by OPEN Architecture on the coast of the Yellow Sea in Yantai, serves as a giant sundial, with its alignment and openings precisely calibrated to follow the path of the sun.

The concave design amplifies the sounds absorbed from the ocean, funnels natural light, and optimizes airflow and tunnel cooling, transforming invisible energies into tangible experiences that connect urban life with nature's timeless rhythms.

It houses a library, an observatory, an outdoor theater, exhibition spaces, a café, and a bar, among others.

Image credit: OPEN Architecture | Jonathan Leijonhufvud

Nov 11, 2024

The Macallan Estate in Scotland, an architectural marvel that sculpts into the land as a verdant swell, has unveiled TimeSpirit, a new dining experience created in partnership with the 3 Michelin starred 'El Celler de Can Roca' and designed by David Thulstrup, the renowned architect behind Copenhagen's Noma.

Image credit: The Macallan

Nov 10, 2024

Lake Como’s air is contained in cans, enclosing 400ml of pure air purportedly collected from the lake.

The concept, aimed at providing a tangible memory to carry back home a piece of Lake Como's serene and elegant atmosphere, is intended as a souvenir that repurposes as pen holders, plant pots, or stationery containers once the air is dispensed.

Image credit: Lake Como Air

Nov 7, 2024

Designer and architect Philippe Starck has crafted LA Almazara in Ronda, Spain, a radical and transformative experiential space dedicated to olive oil and serving as a cultural center that encapsulates art, tradition, and gastronomy.

Image credit: LA Almazara | Philippe Starck

Nov 6, 2024

Ryosokuin, a historic temple in Kyoto known for its role in Zen and wellness practices, cultivates spiritual and cultural dimensions through Zen meditation, tea ceremonies, and yoga, as well as serving as a vital platform for contemporary art exhibitions.

The temple, with gardens and tea houses noted for their architectural and natural beauty, currently exhibits '黙: Speaking in Silence', exploring shared themes of nature and spirituality between artists Bosco Sodi and Izumi Kato.

Image credit: Ryosokuin

Nov 5, 2024

Arturel, a Danish design company dedicated to reducing unwanted noise and echoes to create healthy sound atmospheres conducive to relaxation, concentration, and mental wellbeing, specializes in crafting sound absorbing panels that effectively lower reverberation and improve room acoustics.

Through collaborations with Kvadrat, designers, and artists, Arturel integrates sustainable materials, cultural heritage, and artistic design to craft eco-friendly acoustic panels that merge art, heritage, and functionality.

Image credit: Arturel

Nov 4, 2024

Rick Owens has partnered with Moncler to create an off-grid mountain shelter inspired by architects Charlotte Perriand and Jean Prouvé, as well as a clothing line, merging his gothic, avant-garde design with Moncler's utilitarian vision.

The 'refuge', crafted with support from Hugh Broughton Architects for structural design that ensures resilience and efficiency in extreme environments, harnesses advanced technology to meet modern needs for mobility and ecological responsibility.

Image credit: Moncler | Rick Owens

Nov 2, 2024

Stone Island unveils "Stone Island Sound", a music initiative formalizing its longstanding connection to diverse music movements and community ties.

Embracing the mantra of 'sound as a form of research', which reflects the brand's experimental approach, the project is structured into three categories:

_STONE ISLAND SOUND_FACTORY
_STONE ISLAND SOUND_CURATED BY
_STONE ISLAND SOUND_LIVE

Available on Apple Music and Spotify.

Image credit: Stone Island

Nov 1, 2024

Martin Margiela, the elusive icon who stepped away from fashion into art, unveiled his first public sculpture, Blinds, in Antwerp—a surrealist overlay of art and revitalizing urban space.

The sculpture, dialoguing with the curiosity of passers-by, is a thought provoking piece that illuminates the concepts of visibility, privacy, and perception, conjuring the hidden aspects behind the visible world and the concepts of seeing and being seen.

Image credit: Middelheim Museum | Tom Cornille | Maison Margiela

Oct 29, 2024

Marchesi 1824, the historic Milanese patisserie owned by the Prada Group, partnered with Assouline to publish 'Pasticceria Marchesi: Savoring the Spirit of Milan'.

The book captures how Marchesi 1824 merges tradition with evolving recipes, chronicling the storied journey of a passionate Italian taste; from the emblematic panettone to the rituals that elevate a caffeine break to an art form.

Available from both Marchesi and Assouline channels, as a standalone order, and as a set paired with Classic Panettone through Marchesi online.

Image credit: Prada Group | Marchesi 1824 | Assouline

Oct 28, 2024

Jean-Georges Vongerichten, a visionary chef of our times, steps beyond culinary, into creating a residential retreat where 'Taste is Everything'.

Partnering with Terra and Lion Development Group for completion in 2027, Jean-Georges' approach to living spaces influences everything from kitchen designs to culinary experiences that bridge culture and wellness, with the unique concepts brought to life by the acclaimed architects Arquitectonica and design studio Yabu Pushelberg.

Image credit: Jean-Georges Miami Tropic Residences | Jean-Georges

Oct 26, 2024

MM6 Maison Margiela has collaborated with Timex to reimagine the retro T80 timepiece, introducing it in the forms of a wristwatch and a ring watch, a novel concept that miniaturizes T80 into a wearable shape that challenges conventional notions of versatility and how a watch is structurally perceived.

Image credit: Maison Margiela | Timex

Oct 25, 2024

Naoshima, the revered island dedicated to art and architecture, welcomes a new space of artistic dialogues in 2025, designed by architect Tadao Ando, where his harnessing of natural light is captured in a structural flow, and natural elements are integrated to harmonize with the island's landscape.

The museum, directed by Miki Akiko, embraces a shift toward more dynamic perspectives, engaging with contemporary Asian art, with the inaugural exhibition showcasing 11 artists, including Takashi Murakami and Cai Guo-Qiang.

Image credit: Benesse Art Site Naoshima | Hamada Hideaki | Yoshihiro Asada | Mitsuo Matsuoka

Oct 24, 2024

Hyatt and Peloton have designed an experience that incentivize wellness by allowing you to earn Hyatt points for workouts completed on Peloton equipment at over 700 Hyatt hotels globally.

This wellness initiative, the first to merge a hospitality loyalty program with Peloton workouts, broadens practical motivation for fitness and mutual benefits for all parties involved.

Image credit: Hyatt | Peloton

Oct 22, 2024

Designer Giestas introduces "Baking Vegan Slippers", a DIY project that lets individuals craft personalized, biodegradable slippers at home using materials like cork, agar, and algae, which are then baked in an oven.

The freedom to stylize with a personal and creative touch encourages experimentation, signaling broader practical applications in the fashion industry.

Image credit: Giestas

Oct 21, 2024

Nujiang Grand Canyon Bookstore, designed by Trace Architecture Office (TAO) atop the Gaoligong Mountains overlooking the Nujiang River in China, is an architectural ode to the harmony between civilization and the natural world, symbolizing a spiritual bridge that connects the region's ethnic heritage with its spatial journey.

The architect's vision of a forward stretching volume forms a suspended platform enveloped by canyon views, giving readers the sensation of walking in the clouds. The space includes a café, a bookstore, and a theater.

Image credit: Trace Architecture Office | Hua Li | AOGVISION

Oct 17, 2024

Atelier Ace, in collaboration with French architecture firm Ciguë, has inaugurated 'Ace Hotel & Swim Club Athens', its first location in Greece and second under the Swim Club brand.

The hotel, retaining the Brutalist architecture of the former Fenix Hotel and merging Greek modernism with the vibe of a 1970s coastal resort, places art as the central element, anchored by an orchestral art program exhibiting works by 18 local artists across diverse mediums, curated in public areas and rooms.

Image credit: Ace Hotel & Swim Club Athens | DEPASQUALE+MAFFINI | Alex Antoniadis

Oct 16, 2024

Jaeger-LeCoultre has partnered with French scent artist Nicolas Bonneville to create three exclusive fragrances, dialoguing inherent parallels between watchmaking and perfumery.

Merged through precision, avant-garde synthesis, and rarity, the fragrances instill short formulas with fewer, noble ingredients for clearer olfactory profiles, refined by modern extraction and high concentrations for potent scents.

Image credit: Jaeger-LeCoultre

Oct 12, 2024

Finland's Kyrö Distillery has launched the world's first whisky born from sauna, and an ephemeral 'Sauna Bar' designed by the acclaimed Studio Puisto architects, merging whisky culture and sauna experiences.

The unique aging process in a sauna, powered by excess heat from distillation, expedites flavor maturation and 'sweats out' disharmony, giving a distinctive twist to traditional cask aging and enriching the whisky's complexity and flavor profile.

Image credit: Kyrö Distillery Company

Oct 11, 2024

Maison Ruinart, the oldest established Champagne house, collaborated with architect Sou Fujimoto, designer Gwenaël Nicolas, and landscape artist Christophe Gautrand to revitalize and open to the public its iconic address at 4 RUE DES CRAYÈRES.

The space unveils a multi-experiential pavilion amidst biodiversity-rich gardens hosting contemporary artworks by renowned artists and showcases a metamorphosis exhibit of artisan craftsmanship that transforms raw materials into architectural and design elements through a sensory scenographic experience.

Image credit: Ruinart

Oct 8, 2024

Louis Vuitton, in partnership with Michelin starred chef Cyril Lignac and architect Marc Fornes, opened Le Café and the adjoining new store at London Heathrow Airport's Terminal 2.

Marc Fornes' organic architectural identity renders a unique spatial structure, integrated with gastronomic offerings designed for the senses and the spirit of travel.

Image credit: Louis Vuitton | Cyril Lignac | Heathrow Airport

Oct 7, 2024

KAI Yufuin, a modern hot spring ryokan designed by architect Kengo Kuma, is an organic extension of Yufuin's surrounding landscape, a subtle vanish into the natural topography.

The resort, set across cascading rice terraces resembling pebbles rippling a pond, elevates farm-like material into an art experience, with atmospheric baths magnifying the serene onsen escape.

Image credit: KAI Yufuin

Oct 4, 2024

Perrotin Gallery is opening a new space in early 2025 within London's Claridge's Hotel, reputed as the 'annex to Buckingham Palace', marking a full circle in Emmanuel Perrotin's career by reconnecting his deep ties to the UK art scene.

The new gallery will stand adjacent to the hotel's Claridge's ArtSpace Café, designed by renowned architect John Pawson.

Image credit: Perrotin Gallery | Claridge's

Oct 2, 2024

Vitra has partnered with Zurich based natural skincare brand Soeder to create its first self-care product, encapsulating the unique botanical scents and atmosphere of 'Oudolf Garten' at the Vitra Campus, designed by renowned landscape artist Piet Oudolf.

Integral to the VitraHaus experience, the 'Ever Green' liquid soap embodies connections between architecture, design, and nature, designed to transform any space into the sophisticated tranquility of the garden.

Image credit: Vitra | Soeder | Vitra Design Museum | Clemens Poloczek | Tom Licht | Dejan Jovanovic

Sep 28, 2024

L'Abysse Monte Carlo, led by Michelin-starred chef Yannick Alléno and sushi master Yasunari Okazaki, has opened in Monaco’s Hôtel Hermitage, offering an omakase experience that combines French and Japanese culinary artistry.

The space, enveloped in art and craftsmanship at its core, accentuates tactile exploration and movement with artworks and designs by notable creatives, where natural forms and Japanese architectural influences marry form with substance.

Image credit: L'Abysse Monte Carlo | Clémence Sahuc

Sep 25, 2024

teamLab is turning nature into art by transforming the storied rice terraces of Izura, Japan, into a digital landscape, paired with a natural hot spring and glamping experience.

The exhibit, opening on September 30, 2024, blends wellness, art, and nature, probing the co-existence of nature's long continuity and human activity.

Image credit: teamLab | Izura Hot Spring

Sep 24, 2024

Aesop enters into design objects, unveiling a table light with the glow of a candle in partnership with a multidisciplinary design house, Bocci, recreating Aesop's amber hue in handcrafted form.

Reborn from Bocci's first product, a pendant light designed by founder Omer Arbel in 2005, the 14p is rechargeable, wireless, and encased by two hemispheres of molten glass crafted with imprecise edges and air bubbles that give the glass lights a kaleidoscopic effect, resembling flickering candles from afar.

Image credit: Aesop | Bocci 

Sep 21, 2024

The Venice Simplon-Orient Express, a Belmond Train, unveils L'Observatoire, a sleeper carriage designed by artist JR, the visionary 'photograffeur' known for his monumental public artwork.

The suite, inspired by astronomical observatories and Renaissance Europe's cabinets of curiosity, flows through several micro-environments filled with art, bespoke craftsmanship, and hidden surprises at every turn, evoking wonder and mystery curated through JR's vision.

Image credit: Belmond | JR 

Sep 20, 2024

Alain Ducasse has collaborated with crystal brand Baccarat to open a new restaurant and bar, 'Ducasse Baccarat', at the historic Baccarat Mansion in Paris, bringing together haute cuisine and crystal artistry in a setting where art and craftsmanship intersect in thematic coherence, creating a grand yet inviting art gallery atmosphere.

Image credit: Ducasse Baccarat | Alain Ducasse | Baccarat | Prototype Studio | Anna Leonte Loron 

Sep 19, 2024

HUMAN MADE, led by NIGO in partnership with Blue Bottle Coffee, has launched an offline store with a café in Seoul's cultural district, Seongsu-dong, presenting unique coffee blends and exclusive items that draw from HUMAN MADE’s "The Future Is In The Past" motif, and a collaborative showcase with artists KAWS and VERDY.

Image credit: HUMAN MADE | Blue Bottle Coffee 

Sep 18, 2024

Sansiri, a leader in premier real estate in Thailand, introduces 'BuGaan Pattanakarn', a rare luxury residence in Bangkok styled by the world renowned designer Edward Tuttle, known for his legacy designs with Aman Resorts and Park Hyatt Vendome/Milan.

The project, envisioned as Asia's finest masterpiece, is born to merge the essence of living with experience and designed to mirror heritage with modern interpretation.

Valued at 1.45 billion baht with units ranging from 65 to 180 million baht, the project is fully completed and available for viewing by appointment.

Image credit: Sansiri 

Sep 14, 2024

Folly Mojave, an off-grid wilderness retreat located at the intersection of the Mojave National Preserve and Joshua Tree National Park, is designed by architect Malek Alqadi to blend seamlessly with the desert, vanishing into the landscape during daylight.

The architecture, in desert hues and textures, incorporates elements of sacred geometry, sustainable practices, and facilities that encourage wellness and connection with nature.

Image credit: Folly Mojave

Jul 31, 2024

Hyatt has partnered with Under Canvas, an upscale outdoor hospitality company, integrating the glamping experience into the Mr & Mrs Smith platform for Hyatt access; thereby allowing Hyatt members to earn and redeem points at 13 Under Canvas safari camping resorts spread across destinations located in key U.S. national parks and monuments.

Image credit: Hyatt | Under Canvas

Jul 30, 2024

The Palazzo dello Strozzino in Florence, built in 1457 and transformed into a cinema in 1922, has been reenvisioned as 'Giunti Odeon', a fusion of cinema and bookshop managed by Giunti, a prominent Florentine publishing house, offering a uniquely intertwined cultural experience with book presentations, films, art exhibitions, concerts, and a restaurant.

The evolution symbolizes a new chapter for the historic space, a testament to cultural resilience, preserving its essence while embracing new horizons.

Image credit: Giunti Odeon | Cafè Odeon

Jul 27, 2024

NOT A HOTEL, a timeshare concept hospitality brand, has announced a collaborative project with NIGO, an influential figure in the fashion and cultural scene.

Envisioned by NIGO, NOT A HOTEL TOKYO will be located in Futtsu City, Chiba.

Image credit: NOT A HOTEL Co., Ltd.

Jul 25, 2024

Le Sirenuse, a historic art boutique hotel in Positano, collaborated with artist Nicolas Party to transform its swimming pool into a mosaic art installation that encapsulates the Amalfi Coast’s landscape through abstract forms and vibrant colors, enriching the hotel's legacy of museum worthy, site specific artworks by international artists through their art program.

A mosaic of blues and greens captures the Amalfi Coast's nature, crowned by a golden sun disc as the centerpiece inviting bathers to 'dive into the sky'.

Image credit: Le Sirenuse | brechenmacher & baumann | Roberto Salomone

Jul 23, 2024

Ananda in the Himalayas, an exceptional wellness retreat in the spiritual foothills of the Himalayas, introduced a Fertility Enhancement Program to improve reproductive health through natural methods, combining Ayurvedic wisdom, Yoga, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Emotional Healing.

The program, designed for individuals and couples dealing with fertility issues, includes Panchakarma detoxification, Shamana restoration, physiotherapy, and a customized Ayurvedic meal plan, tailored through pre-arrival consultations.

Image credit: Ananda in the Himalayas

Jul 18, 2024

Ladbroke Hall, the new flagship of Carpenters Workshop Gallery in Notting Hill, London, embodies 'Gesamtkunstwerk', a total work of art, by integrating art, design, music, and culinary experiences.

The space, with contributions from notable figures, is highlighted by a Jean Prouvé-designed pavilion in the garden landscaped by Luciano Giubbilei, and a restaurant led by award winning chef Emanuele Pollini, blending fine dining in the artistic setting crafted by architect Vincenzo De Cotiis and extended to the garden.

Image credit: Ladbroke Hall

Jul 14, 2024

POUYUENJI, a brand devoted to finely curated teas, has opened POUYUENJI KYOTO, showcasing a deep respect for tea culture and craftsmanship in a reborn Kyoto townhouse designed by Tony Chi.

The boutique houses a tea room for tea ceremonies, a garden designed by landscape architect Yasuo Kitayama, and a library dedicated to tea, art, architecture, and Kyoto culture, all aimed at connecting the spiritual value of tea culture with modern life.

Image credit: POUYUENJI KYOTO

Jul 11, 2024

Mona Athens, a boutique hotel set in 1950s architecture, serves as an art & design showroom conceptualized by photographer Eftihia Stefanidi and entrepreneur Shai Antebi, representing a creation of the Athens based design studio, House of Shila.

This multidisciplinary space, designed for mindfulness and slow living, catalyzes collaborations across diverse fields, hosting soirées, art exhibits, supper clubs, and music sessions.

Image credit: Mona

Jul 10, 2024

Assouline, a premier luxury publisher devoted to elevating cultural appreciation, has opened a new boutique with a café at 696 Madison Avenue, New York, designed to render a full Assouline experience, fusing the art of fine publishing with sensory refinement.

Image credit: Assouline

Jul 5, 2024

Van Cleef & Arpels has inaugurated a new L'ÉCOLE School of Jewelry Arts campus at the historic Hôtel de Mercy-Argenteau in Paris, offering public access to museum quality exhibition spaces, classrooms, a special library, and the first bookstore, 'L’Escarboucle', dedicated to the jewelry arts.

The site, respecting the building's architectural heritage with designs led by Constance Guisset, hosts its inaugural exhibition 'Stage Jewels of the Comédie-Française', curated by Agathe Sanjuan, presenting over 120 historical jewelry pieces used in theater.

Image credit: L'ÉCOLE

Jul 3, 2024

% Arabica, in collaboration with Spanish design studio SelgasCano, unveiled its café in Midtown Manhattan next to MoMA, creating a unique design that integrates the building's original spatial characteristics and imperfections into a harmonious space that magnifies visual contrast and natural light.

Image credit: % Arabica

Jul 1, 2024

Once the residence of the Hermès family, Hôtel Particulier Montmartre is a hidden glimpse into Parisian history, tucked away in a secluded passageway.

With only 5 suites uniquely designed with Pierre Lacroix and set in a serene wild garden crafted by landscape architect Louis Benech, the hotel offers a mystical escape while emphasizing biodiversity, creating a unique blend of history, luxury, and ecological consciousness.

Image credit: Hôtel Particulier Montmartre | Yannick Labrousse | Sophie Gaubert | Isabela Mayer | Alexandrena Parker

Jun 25, 2024

Lancôme has collaborated with Nina Métayer, acclaimed as the world's top pastry chef for 2023 and 2024, to open Café de la Rose at the flagship Champs-Elysées location in Paris, presenting pastries that draw inspiration from the rose, Lancôme's emblematic symbol, as well as reflections of her signature ability to infuse classic French pâtisserie with innovative twists.

Image credit: Lancôme | Nina Métayer | Louise Marinig

Jun 24, 2024

Daniel Arsham has collaborated with Kohler on a design project, the 'Landshapes collection', along with a luxury cabin available for rent starting June 24 at Destination Kohler resort, integrating the collection and artistic furnishings with functional designs.

Arsham's installations are showcased throughout the Kohler property, including six large-scale sculptures placed around the golf course, while he has also collaborated with the golf apparel brand Malbon to create a line of gear that echoes the aesthetic themes of his sculptures.

Image credit: Kohler

Jun 22, 2024

Celine, led by Hedi Slimane, has unveiled a Pilates collection, an everyday workout essentials rendered in materials and designs rarely seen in fitness instruments.

The collection, launching in October, includes a Triomphe reformer, kettlebells, dumbbells, a yoga mat & block, weighted bracelets, and an array of activewear.

Image credit: Celine

Jun 20, 2024

Dior launches "Miss Dior Exhibition: Stories of a Miss", designed by architect Shohei Shigematsu of OMA, taking place at the Roppongi Museum in Tokyo from June 16 to July 15, 2024.

The exhibit celebrates the new Parfum through transformative architectural spaces that capture the sensorial essence of fragrance, showcasing scent’s history and its profound influence. The experience includes a Miss Dior Cafe serving floral desserts by Pierre Hermé, and contributions from various artists and designers sharing their views.

Image credit: Dior | Shohei Shigematsu | OMA

Jun 19, 2024

'Library of the Earth' at Kurkku Fields in Chiba, Japan, designed by Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP, is a library submerged into the earth, avoiding disruption of the cultivated soil layer and coexisting with nature.

The broader site, Kurkku Fields, envisioned by musician Takeshi Kobayashi, is a sustainable farm and park that merges agriculture, food, art, and accommodations, combined with the principle of self-sufficiency and renewable energy practices.

Art installations include works by Yayoi Kusama, David Hockney, and Anish Kapoor, and the site hosts various community events that celebrate seasonal changes.

Image credit: Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP | Koji Fujii / TOREAL | Kurkku Fields | Kohei Omachi | Yuka Yanazume | Shinkenchiku-sha

Jun 17, 2024

Kitsuné, the multi-faceted 'Paris meets Tokyo' brand, has unveiled 'Desa Kitsunè', a new concept of luxury hospitality located in Canggu, Bali, offering a unique village-like experience that merges relaxation, culinary experiences, cultural & musical events, and social interaction.

The expansive 5,000 square meters venue houses Café Kitsuné, a Maison Kitsuné boutique, a pool, and the Mediterranean-Latin fusion restaurant Ina Ré, set within an architecture that honors local Balinese and Japanese aesthetics.

Image credit: Kitsuné

Jun 13, 2024

B1 Rooftop Bistro, located atop the Helvetia Campus in Basel, designed by acclaimed architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron, bathes in the illumination of artist James Turrell's captivating light artistry.

As evening arrives, Turrell's lightworks transform the ordinary into a spectacle, inviting a contemplative engagement with light and spatial perception through his work.

The campus, preserving the mid-century architecture with modern elements, hosts public events and art exhibitions, with areas including an Art Foyer, auditorium, and a park by Vogt Landscape Architects.

Image credit: B1 Rooftop Bistro | Herzog & de Meuron | Häusler Contemporary

Jun 11, 2024

Snow Peak, the camping gear and apparel brand, launched 'Yakei Suite Aburayama Fukuoka', a unique accommodation that blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor living, designed by architect Makoto Tanijiri.

Supported by sustainable practices and local economic enhancements, the retreat offers a culinary experience, 'okamochi', that blends French cuisine with outdoor guest engagement in cooking, led by Michelin star chef Hiroki Yoshitake.

Image credit: Snow Peak YAKEI SUITE

Jun 6, 2024

Audeum, a museum of sound and art designed by architect Kengo Kuma, opens on June 5, 2024, in Seoul, where sound engages with full sensory in a design crafted as a symphony of a forest, with 20,000 aluminum pipes that emulate sunlight filtering through trees, and wood enriching acoustics.

Audeum's curated journey traces the chronicles of sonic evolution, presenting a broad array of significant pieces, and the inaugural exhibition, "Jung Eum (正音): In Search of Sound," explores what constitutes "good sound" through the lens of Hi-Fi.

Image credit: Audeum Audio Museum

Jun 4, 2024

Heatherwick Studio, led by designer Thomas Heatherwick, has been selected to transform Nodeul Island in Seoul into 'Soundscape', a cultural space designed as a multi-layered urban retreat for music and art.

Drawn by the flow and variability of soundwaves, Soundscape interacts with the natural rhythms of tides and seasons, unifying nature with the dramatic aerial contours of floating islets that form a 1.2km skywalk, providing vantage points over the city and events below.

Image credit: Heatherwick Studio | Mir

Jun 3, 2024

Kith has opened its first flagship in Korea, the brand's largest to date, spanning four floors including men's, women's, and kids' lines, along with the first Sadelle's restaurant in Asia, a Kith Treats ice cream bar, a vinyl lounge, and a flower shop.

Kith Seoul
70, Yeonmujang-gil

Image credit: Kith

Jun 1, 2024

OGATA Paris, set within a 17th century hôtel particulier in the Marais, embodies the concept of Sahō, the art of living, as a cultural embassy where the sensory arts of Japanese tea, cuisine, and craft are explored and celebrated.

Created by Shinichiro Ogata, a visionary of design and hospitality, this pivotal destination in Paris bridges East and West, providing a seamless journey through intricately curated environments that engage, educate, and inspire through beauty and thoughtful design.

Image credit: OGATA

May 25, 2024

Zenbo Seinei, perched on Awaji Island in Japan, is a unique meditation/yoga retreat for the mind and body, designed by the illustrious Pritzker Prize architect Shigeru Ban.

The retreat, a 100-meter span of timber suspended over the lush canopy, offers an unbroken bond with the verdant environment, seamlessly integrating architecture with the tranquil practices of meditation, yoga, and plant-based nourishment.

Image credit: Zenbo Seinei | Shigeru Ban - Architects

May 17, 2024

Aesop unveiled its first signature store in Beijing, 'Aesop WF CENTRAL House 19', and concurrently launched 'Aesop Home: A Sensory Voyage', a temporary extension to the space running until June 10, 2024.

Set within a historical mansion area, this introspective sanctuary of senses honors traditional courtyard home architecture from a residence once owned by a cousin of the Qing dynasty's last emperor, preserving the original structure while blending modern elements that reflect a deep respect for craftsmanship and materials including large teak structures inspired by classic step-beds and a summer temporary pavilion featuring a retractable structure draped in waterproof canvas and crimson xiangyunsha tea silk.

At Aesop Home, a realm unfolds in the second courtyard where the senses guide the narrative. From the intimate corners of private courtyards to the communal warmth of each house, every area invites reflection and connection, resonating with the art of living that defines the Aesop experience.

Image credit: Aesop

May 16, 2024

Central Embassy is celebrating its 10th anniversary with Daniel Arsham's first exhibit in Thailand, 'BANGKOK 3024'. This exhibit transforms the space into an archaeological site, merging past with future, and presents cultural icons as decaying relics that challenge and evoke perceptions of time and culture.

Located in Bangkok's most vibrant district, Central Embassy has served as a nexus for luxury retail and culture since 2014, cementing its reputation over the years as a premier art and fashion destination. In celebration of this milestone, SELENPARC conducted an exclusive interview with Daniel Arsham and Barom Bhicharnchitr, the Managing Director of Central Embassy.

Image credit: Daniel Arsham | Central Embassy

May 15, 2024

Piaule Catskill, a modernist wellness retreat in the Catskill Mountains, New York, has collaborated with Fritz Hansen, integrating the outdoor collection 'Skagerak' into the property, emphasizing minimal ecological impact and natural aging processes.

Skagerak, crafted from sustainably sourced wood, includes 43 product series and encompasses pieces designed by notable architects and designers, including a collaboration with the architectural firm Bjarke Ingels Group. Outdoor pieces at Piaule are designed by:

Anders & Lars Hegelund
Aurélien Barbry
Niels Hvass
Povl B. Eskildsen
Stine Weigelt

Image credit: Fritz Hansen | Piaule Catskill | seandavidson

May 14, 2024

Fabula, the much anticipated summer terrace restaurant at the picturesque Carnavalet Museum in Paris, has returned this year for its third season.

This season, the venue has welcomed Chef Thomas Chisholm, a 12th season 'Top Chef' known for his cross-cultural culinary philosophy at Chocho, and Mixologist Vincent Diener, winner of the Bartenders Challenge 2023, who crafts cocktails inspired by the museum's gardens and incorporates botanical elements.

Image credit: Fabula | Maki Manoukian | Cedric Randriamalala

May 10, 2024

Architect Kengo Kuma is designing 'Kempinski Saigon River,' the hotel's first property in Vietnam on the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City.

Inspired by the vernacular architecture of rural Vietnam and emphasizing natural beauty as the central component of the experience, the design features a lush ratio of 170 trees per person. The project is slated for completion by 2026.

Image credit: Kempinski | Ecovillage Saigon River

May 8, 2024

Cité Radieuse, visionary architect Le Corbusier's post-war masterpiece in Marseille, stands as seminal modernist architecture that influenced the global Brutalist movement, serving today as both a living area and a center of culture that houses an art gallery, hotel, and restaurant.

Chanel unveiled its Cruise 2024-25 collection at the rooftop MAMO art center, underscoring Le Corbusier's enduring architectural relevance in modern culture.

Image credit: Fondation Le Corbusier | Hôtel Le Corbusier | Chanel | Jamie Hawkesworth | Fabien Dendiével

May 3, 2024