Palau apartment, Spain, by Colombo and Serboli Architecture
Rough-textured wooden beams were left exposed, with the contemporary elements prioritising sturdy, simple shapes like circles and squares.
Imperfect Residence, Hong Kong, by NC Design & Architecture
Grainy wood and veiny marble come together as symbols of nature's flaws at Imperfect Residence in Hong Kong. NC Design & Architecture also introduced finishes such as oxidised bronze and textured plaster to heighten the feeling of a sanctuary in the city.
Kyiv apartment, Ukraine, by Sergey Makhno
Ukrainian architect Sergey Makhno is among the key European practitioners of the contemporary wabi-sabi style. He applied the concept at his own apartment in Kyiv (top and above), installing oak beams in the living room alongside furniture specifically designed for the home to complement his collection of ancient Eastern European ceramics.
C4L House, Japan, by Cubo Design Architects
Traditional Japanese materials sit alongside contemporary finishes at this house in Tokyo designed by Cubo Design Architects. "We believe houses that are rooted in an understanding of Japan's cultural context and a respect for the skills and innovations of our ancestors, which can nevertheless be passed onto future generations, are the kind of houses we should be building in Japan today," said founder Hitoshi Saruta.
Butterfly House, Australia, by Dane Taylor Design
This home on the coast of New South Wales was designed to have a therapeutic effect for its owner, who lives with multiple sclerosis. Dane Taylor Design interpreted accessible design principles through a wabi-sabi lens, using a warm material palette and understated furniture pieces.
Tilden Hotel, USA, by Studio Tack
Brooklyn design firm Studio Tack decided to evoke wabi-sabi in its revival of this art-deco hotel in San Francisco. In a subtle nod to the philosophy, clean lines were mixed with organic textures throughout the distinctly modernist interior.
Wabi-Sabi House, Taiwan, by Soar Design Studio and Chen-Tien Chu
In the lounge area, the wooden deck extends from the outside into the room, enhancing the feeling of nature being invited in.
Silo apartment, Belgium, by Arjaan De Feyter
Belgian interior architect Arjaan De Feyter is another prominent proponent of wabi-sabi design, as seen in his renovation of this apartment that occupies the former silos of a distillery outside Antwerp.