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London-based architecture studio Wright & Wright has completed an ambitious renovation and extension of Lambeth Palace, the 800-year-old official residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury. Situated on the south bank of the River Thames, this Grade I-listed estate encompasses a remarkable collection of buildings dating back to the 12th century. The recent works involved meticulous restoration, sensitive updating, and strategic interventions to improve accessibility, environmental performance, and functionality while respecting the palace’s rich historical fabric.

This latest project follows Wright & Wright’s 2020 addition of a new library for Lambeth Palace, the first significant new build on the estate in nearly two centuries. Over three years, the studio undertook a comprehensive overhaul, carefully balancing the palace’s layered history with contemporary requirements.

“The masterplan was centered around understanding and working with the complex, multi-era history of Lambeth Palace,” senior associate Leanna Boxill told Dezeen. “Over centuries, successive archbishops either built or ceded land, leaving behind a unique tapestry of architectural styles – from the Chapel and Great Hall to the Blore Building and the Towers. Our work was guided by a principle of continuity and change. Every intervention was carefully considered, in close collaboration with the Church of England, engineers, archaeologists, craftspeople, and Historic England.”

A central focus of the renovation was enhancing accessibility across the estate. At the Victorian-era Blore Building overlooking the main courtyard, a new stone ramp provides an inviting and fully accessible entrance. Internally, four new lifts create smooth circulation between levels, accompanied by the addition of accessible toilets, including a larger Changing Places facility, ensuring the palace is welcoming for all visitors.

Historic interiors were thoughtfully conserved and adapted to contemporary use. The 17th-century Great Hall, which previously housed the palace’s collection of religious texts, has been restored and reopened as a versatile events space. Conservationists and stonemasons carefully repaired the timber ceiling and stone walls, while redundant bookcases were repurposed into elegant timber paneling lining the lower walls.

“The palace hosts a wide variety of charitable and public events, from NHS gatherings to services for veterans, so accessibility was paramount,” Boxill explained. “Our spatial strategy worked like a domino effect: solving one challenge often created opportunities elsewhere. This approach has ensured the palace remains a functioning residence for the Archbishop while seamlessly accommodating large-scale hospitality and events.”

Modern sustainability measures were subtly integrated into the historic site. A new energy center, discreetly concealed behind a metal-clad wall, houses three air-source heat pumps connected to reconfigured service routes and a new system of radiators. The installation was made more efficient through careful attention to double glazing and energy flow, all without disrupting the palace’s daily operations.

The renovation process involved extensive archaeological investigation. Excavations revealed Saxo-Norman deposits, medieval cesspits, Tudor cloisters, and even human skeletal remains beneath the Guard Room, providing valuable insight into the palace’s long and layered history.

Despite the scope of the works, Lambeth Palace remained fully operational throughout the project, hosting the 2,000-person Lambeth Conference as well as rehearsals for major national events, including the Royal Funeral and Coronation.

Founded in 1994 by Sandy and Clare Wright, Wright & Wright has built a reputation for sensitive, thoughtful interventions within historically significant contexts. Beyond Lambeth Palace, the studio’s portfolio includes the renovation and extension of the Museum of the Home in Hackney and the refurbishment of the British Academy headquarters in London, both projects notable for their careful balance of heritage and contemporary design.

With the Lambeth Palace project, Wright & Wright have demonstrated a masterful ability to honor centuries of architectural history while introducing subtle, strategic modern interventions, creating a residence and civic space that is both respectful of its past and fully equipped for the demands of the present.

Dezeen’s top five houses of August 2025 showcase a fascinating array of contemporary architectural approaches from across the globe, spanning Australia, Sweden, Belgium, and Italy. This month’s selection highlights creative renovations, sensitive site interventions, and bold designs that fuse tradition with modernity. Each project demonstrates how architects are responding to context, lifestyle, and the natural environment while delivering innovative homes that captivate both residents and visitors alike.

Omloop Farmhouse, Belgium – Hé!
In Belgium, architecture studio Hé! reimagined a traditional Flemish farmhouse by inserting a glazed timber and metal volume into the roof. This new upper-level living space not only maximizes natural light but also strengthens the home’s connection with the surrounding hilly landscape. The renovation emphasizes a more compact, efficient internal layout, bringing a contemporary layer of comfort and functionality to a historic building. By subtly blending modern materials with traditional forms, Hé! has created a home that celebrates both heritage and innovative design.

Mygunyah by the Circus, Melbourne, Australia – Matt Gibson Architecture + Design
In Melbourne, Australian studio Matt Gibson Architecture + Design transformed a 19th-century terraced house in North Fitzroy into a dynamic family home named Mygunyah by the Circus. The project involved adding two contrasting brick extensions informed by Arts and Crafts architectural traditions. These additions expand the long, narrow home to accommodate a seven-member family while creating a harmonious dialogue between the original structure and contemporary interventions. The result is a carefully composed blend of historical character and functional modern living.

Birdwood, Brisbane, Australia – Peter Besley
At the base of Mount Coot-tha in Brisbane, architect Peter Besley wrapped a house in a combination of perforated reclaimed terracotta brick and metal mesh designed to support climbing plants. Named Birdwood, the residence caters to a multi-generational family seeking a home that allows them to age in place comfortably. The layered façade not only provides privacy and shade but also encourages interaction with the garden and local environment. Besley’s design demonstrates how thoughtful material choices and spatial planning can foster a sustainable, family-oriented living experience.

Horsö, Kalmar, Sweden – Bross and Nick Flygt
In the Swedish woodland of Kalmar, the minimalist summer house Horsö by Bross and Nick Flygt is a study in restraint and harmony with nature. Finished in untreated wood, the home blends seamlessly into its forested surroundings while offering expansive views from carefully positioned openings. The architects designed the structure to have a low-key presence, ensuring that the building coexists unobtrusively with the landscape. This project exemplifies a quiet, contemplative approach to architecture, where simplicity and material honesty enhance the relationship between occupants and nature.

Patio House, Sicily, Italy – Solum
On a coastal site in Sicily, Italian studio Solum designed the Patio House with a series of monolithic volumes connected by a narrow, winding alleyway that serves as the entrance. The home’s spatial choreography contrasts “labyrinthine” interior spaces with dramatic, open views of the sea, creating an experiential journey from enclosed to expansive. Solum’s design balances privacy, intimacy, and spectacle, offering a compelling example of how architecture can respond creatively to both the physical context and the poetic possibilities of a coastal setting.

Together, these five homes highlight a diverse spectrum of contemporary design thinking, from playful material experiments to minimalist retreats, from family-oriented renovations to site-responsive coastal living. Each project demonstrates a unique architectural voice while showing how modern homes can be both functional and inspirational, deeply rooted in their environments yet forward-looking in design.

HE.D Group has reimagined the interior of Kyiv’s womenswear boutique Love by the Moon, infusing the space with artisanal craftsmanship, custom detailing, and a refined, tactile aesthetic that elevates the shopping experience. The boutique occupies a retail unit in the Ukrainian capital that was previously divided into two small grocery stores, separated by partitions, creating a compact, segmented layout. Despite the unit’s constrained footprint, its high ceilings and large front-facing windows offered the designers an opportunity to open up the interior and fill it with light, transparency, and a sense of spaciousness.

“The large windows inspired the concept of openness,” explained HE.D Group. “We wanted the interior to feel inviting to passersby, to draw them in with lightness and refinement while preserving an air of exclusivity.”

The design transformed the space into a singular, open-plan boutique finished with creamy white walls and elegant chevron flooring. The previous glazed vestibule, which had created a visually cluttered entrance, was removed and replaced with striking red French doors adorned with glossy bobbles, making the entrance both eye-catching and welcoming.

At the heart of the boutique sits a fluted wood service desk, supported by four robust legs, which serves as a functional centerpiece and a sculptural focal point. Behind the desk, a heavy brown curtain conceals the brand’s administrative offices, maintaining a seamless flow between public and private areas.

The boutique’s seating areas reflect the same attention to detail and comfort. Near the desk, plush brown velvet armchairs are paired with a pair of oval coffee tables and a sculptural, wavy-stemmed floor lamp, while large pleated lanterns hang above, adding softness and visual intrigue. Additional seating is located along the windows, where sofas are adorned with cushions upholstered in hand-painted fabrics commissioned exclusively for the boutique.

“Textiles were central to the concept,” the studio noted. “We wanted the interiors to feel tactile, individual, and emotionally resonant. Many fabrics were custom-made, with hand-painted designs that give the boutique a unique, visual identity.”

This commitment to craftsmanship extends to the boutique’s screens and changing room doors, which are covered in the same hand-painted floral fabrics. Each changing cubicle is enhanced with flower-like paper lights and wooden bobbin mirrors, echoing the boutique’s overarching theme of delicate artistry and thoughtful materiality.

In addition to textiles, nearly every timber element in the boutique – including wall paneling, door frames, service desk, and decorative components – was crafted by local artisans following HE.D Group’s precise drawings. This meticulous approach allowed the team to harmonize materials, textures, and shades across the boutique, creating a cohesive, layered, and luxurious environment. Even the bathroom carries subtle wooden bobbin details, reinforcing the artisanal narrative throughout the space.

Kyiv has emerged as a hub for visually striking retail interiors, and Love by the Moon stands out for its combination of craftsmanship, individuality, and refined design. Other notable spaces include Anoeses, an eroticwear store inspired by the human form, and One by One, a womenswear boutique featuring playful elements like cushioned walls and a ball pit.

Through Love by the Moon, HE.D Group has demonstrated how thoughtful design, custom materials, and artisanal detailing can transform a previously mundane retail unit into a boutique that is as visually compelling as it is welcoming, tactile, and deeply memorable.

Exploring the Designs of Arne Jacobsen: A Celebration of Architectural Genius and Design Versatility

Arne Jacobsen is widely recognized as one of Denmark’s most influential architects of the 20th century, yet his extraordinary contributions to design extend far beyond the built environment. From textiles to furniture, lighting, and even cutlery, Jacobsen’s work embodies a rare synthesis of architectural rigor and playful elegance. The new book, The Designs of Arne Jacobsen: Interiors, Furniture, Lighting and Textiles, 1925-1971, authored by Thomas Dickson and Henrik Lund-Larsen, seeks to illuminate the breadth and versatility of his creative output, highlighting projects that are as relevant today as they were decades ago.

While Jacobsen is often celebrated primarily for his architectural achievements, Dickson and Lund-Larsen emphasize that his design sensibility permeated every scale of his work. “Most books about Arne Jacobsen focus on him as an architect,” the authors explain. “In Denmark, he is primarily seen as a building designer who happened to create furniture, lamps, and other products on the side. Our aim was to explore the untold stories of his design work beyond architecture.”

Indeed, Jacobsen’s creations, whether monumental or intimate, have a timeless quality. “His designs still feel remarkably modern,” the authors note. “They carry an air of sophistication and freshness that makes them look contemporary even today. That’s why his chairs frequently appear in music videos, advertisements, and interior magazines. The Egg Chair, for example, provides a perfectly framed stage for a public figure without demanding all the attention—it’s both functional and visually compelling.”

Here, the authors highlight ten of Jacobsen’s most remarkable projects, spanning architecture, furniture, lighting, and textiles:

1. Søllerød Town Hall, 1941
In the suburban town of Søllerød, ten miles north of Copenhagen, Jacobsen, alongside classmate Flemming Lassen, designed a town hall that exemplifies his holistic approach. Every detail of the building—from chairs and lamps to door handles, clocks, and signage lettering—was carefully considered. Completed in 1942, the listed building still stands today, largely unchanged internally, demonstrating Jacobsen’s enduring attention to detail and craftsmanship.

2. Lemons in Net for Textil Lassen, 1948
During World War II, Jacobsen and his wife Jonna fled to Sweden, where they began designing textiles to support themselves. Their early designs were romantic, colorful, and optimistic, often depicting flowers, plants, and everyday scenes. The 1948 design Lemons in Net exemplifies this cheerful aesthetic. Over time, their work evolved into more abstract and geometric patterns, suitable for upholstery, curtains, tablecloths, wallpaper, and even women’s dresses.

3. The Ant Chair, 1952
Jacobsen’s experience in textile production revealed the potential of industrial manufacturing, which he later applied to furniture design. In 1952, he introduced the lightweight laminated Ant Chair, followed by the 7 Chair, the Grand Prix, and other variants. Featuring a three-dimensional shell for seat and backrest, mounted on minimal bent tubular steel legs, these chairs became iconic for their innovative use of materials and simplicity of form.

4. Furniture for Munkegaard School, 1955
The post-war baby boom in Denmark prompted extensive school construction. Jacobsen designed the furniture, lamps, and even loudspeakers for Munkegaard School, a project completed in 1957. Each classroom received its own courtyard garden, offering students a secluded space during recess, and the furniture was custom-sized for different age groups. Jacobsen’s attention to detail extended to the layout, natural light, and integration of classical sculptures, reflecting his love for architecture and gardening.

5. The AJ Door Handle, 1956
To counterbalance the sharp angles of many of his steel-and-glass buildings, Jacobsen designed objects that engaged the human touch organically. The AJ door handle, first used in The Royal Hotel (1960), exemplifies this philosophy. Its elegant, tactile form remains in production today, offering a seamless blend of functionality and aesthetic grace.

6. Rødovre Town Hall, 1956
Jacobsen closely monitored architectural trends and often drew inspiration from international examples. The Rødovre Town Hall, completed in 1956, reflects influences seen in Eero Saarinen’s General Motors Technical Center in Michigan. Jacobsen’s design translates these modernist ideas into a distinctly Danish context, blending functionality, proportion, and elegance.

7. AJ Cutlery, 1957
Jacobsen’s philosophy of minimalism and proportion extends to his smallest creations. The AJ cutlery series exemplifies this, with every curve meticulously crafted to please the eye as much as the hand. Designed for The Royal Hotel in the late 1950s, the series continues to be celebrated for its elegant simplicity and enduring appeal.

8. The Swan and The Egg Chairs, 1958
Jacobsen embraced new materials and technologies in the 1950s, including hardened styropor, which allowed him to create contoured, upholstered furniture for The Royal Hotel in Copenhagen. The Egg and The Swan chairs, along with The Drop and The Pot, became iconic for their organic shapes, comfort, and sculptural presence, reflecting Jacobsen’s commitment to both industrial innovation and human-centered design.

9. Kubeflex Modular House, 1969–70
In the final years of his career, Jacobsen experimented with flexible, transportable architecture. Kubeflex, a modular cube-like housing system, allowed prefabricated units to be delivered and assembled on-site. Although only one was completed, it functioned for many years as a vacation home for the Jacobsen family and now resides in the Trapholt Museum in Kolding, Denmark, as a testament to his forward-thinking approach to residential design.

10. Textiles, Lighting, and Interiors Across Decades
Throughout his career, Jacobsen consistently applied his design principles to textiles, lighting, and interiors. From romantic patterns in the 1940s to the sleek modernism of the 1960s, his work demonstrates a seamless blend of creativity, precision, and practicality. Jacobsen’s designs remain influential today, frequently referenced in contemporary interiors, fashion, and media.

The Designs of Arne Jacobsen: Interiors, Furniture, Lighting and Textiles, 1925–1971 is published by Prestel Publishing and will be available on September 2, 2025. The book offers an in-depth exploration of Jacobsen’s diverse work, highlighting why he remains one of the most admired and relevant figures in design history, whose creations continue to inspire and captivate the modern eye.

Studio &Space Transforms 1930s Amsterdam Home into a Sophisticated Family Haven

Dutch design firm Studio &Space has breathed new life into a timeworn 1930s Amsterdam house, turning it into a luxurious family home adorned with bespoke furnishings and refined finishes reminiscent of a high-end hotel.

The homeowners, a female entrepreneurial couple with two young children, commissioned Studio &Space founder Maike Borst to modernize the property in Amsterdam Zuid after returning to the city from the countryside.

Preserving Heritage, Embracing Modern Comforts

The 275-square-metre interior had not been renovated for decades. Studio &Space undertook an extensive renovation that brought the home up to date while preserving its original charm—bay windows, stained glass, and elegant arched doorways remain central to the design.

“I have always admired 1930s architecture for its craftsmanship, detailing, and simple geometric forms. This house is a beautiful example,” Borst told Dezeen.

One of the home’s standout features is its iconic spiral staircase, which Borst extended to the attic level. “I fell in love immediately with the staircase—it defines the character of the home. From the start, I wanted to honor the original details while designing an interior that respects the home’s heritage.”

Family Living Meets Luxury Hotel Aesthetics

The renovation balances original details with contemporary family needs. The home now includes a gym, sauna, two bathrooms, four bedrooms, a walk-in closet, and a play/TV room. To accommodate these additions, the main house was connected to a garage and a rear shed, creating a seamless internal entrance.

The attic-level gym and sauna were added alongside a dormer window, ensuring functionality without compromising the home’s architectural integrity.

The interior palette draws inspiration from the clients’ travels, particularly to the south of France, where they enjoy staying in luxurious hotels. Rich, tactile materials—aged brass, warm wood, and natural stone—blend with custom and contemporary furnishings, creating a space that feels personal, bold, and intimate.

A Kitchen to Impress

The kitchen, designed in collaboration with Amsterdam-based Eginstill, features a central island with a lacquered relief pedestal and a patterned quartzite countertop that anchors the room. Upholstered bar stools, velour-clad chairs, and a curved dining bench create a cozy, inviting atmosphere, complemented by ambient lighting and a mirrored-back bar.

Bedrooms That Feel Like a Getaway

The principal bedroom evokes a luxury hotel experience, with natural woven wall coverings and a walk-in wardrobe crafted from aged wood. The bathrooms feature tactile materials like onyx countertops, slatted timber accents, art deco-inspired lighting, and aged brass fixtures, balancing sophistication with comfort.

The children’s bedroom is a layered, tactile space featuring a custom-built bunk bed with a playful hideaway, crafted from sculptural wooden panels inspired by the home’s original teak garage doors.

A Thoughtful, Cohesive Renovation

Studio &Space’s renovation honors the home’s 1930s heritage while embracing contemporary needs and family life. The result is a home that feels luxurious yet approachable, sophisticated yet lived-in, and utterly unique—a testament to thoughtful design that bridges past and present.

Other Amsterdam homes recently featured on Dezeen include an apartment in a former sugar refinery and a renovated 1920s Amsterdam School-style house, showcasing the city’s rich architectural diversity.