When they first enter their dormitory bedrooms, fledgling university students often have low expectations. While it may be their first taste of freedom — a new home away from home — too many tales of cramped, cell-like spaces and roommate horror stories tend to quell any confidence that their experience will be different. Enter Le Within. Led by Sid Lee Architecture and Canora Real Estate Agency, the student-housing project in Montreal reimagines a common reality: adaptable interiors that support everyday needs while inspiring personal and academic growth.

Located in a historic Shaughnessy Village building, the student lofts are defined by four design pillars: duality, immersion, urbanity and modularity. The scheme explores contrast through rich colours and textured materials, while frame-within-a-frame interior compositions and the repetition of certain elements create a visual connection between the various functions of the residence. To link the 1926 building’s heritage roots to its modern-day urban sensibility, Sid Lee Architecture devised a considered palette that includes bold red (a nod to the brick-clad homes typical of the Milton-Parc neighbourhood) and deep green (the nearby verdant Mont Royal) — even hits of salmon and cream point to the toppings of the city’s famous bagels. “Le Within reflects the idea of a microcosm mirroring its surroundings, inviting students to find inspiration, comfort, and a sense of belonging within the residence. It is an encounter with the city within its own walls,” says Marie-Elaine Benoit, executive design director at Sid Lee.

It should come as no surprise that Le Within boasts such a clear colour story — coming as it does from an architecture firm with strong ties to graphic design — or that all the signage and brand identity were also expertly realized by the team at Sid Lee.

Far from the cramped and uninspiring dorms of the past, the student lofts are considered and adaptable to support a variety of individual needs. Custom furnishings — like the beds, desks and kitchen cabinets — are sleek and durable, while matte black Ginestra 300 pendants from Astro add graphic punctuation.

But more than anything, Le Within champions modularity. Two room types are available (private lofts and three- or four-bedroom co-living apartments), and both offer versatile storage and surfaces optimized for functionality. The kitchen counter can be used for meal prep, and when it’s time to study, it doubles as a workstation. Generous cubbies built into the single beds’ planked oak laminate frames and open shelving throughout help keep things organized and within arm’s reach. “Le Within addresses evolving student needs by focusing on well-being, community and adaptability, and fosters social connectivity through versatile communal spaces,” explains Jean Pelland, architect and principal partner at Sid Lee Architecture.

Behind the historic facade of the Shaughnessy Village building, Le Within offers students an all-inclusive and connected way of life.

Student housing projects like Le Within are refreshing, and they signal that it is finally time to abandon the old, unyielding dorm model for something more modern — and to dispel those prison cell comparisons once and for all.

Experiential, thoroughly modern hospitality spaces are a trademark of Spanish design firm Masquespacio. But when founders Ana Milena Hernández Palacios and Christophe Penasse set out to purchase a property for their hybrid home–office, they eschewed contemporary quarters in Valencia’s city centre in favour of the historic houses found in the surrounding countryside, eventually settling on a 1920s farmhouse turned villa with original features that hadn’t been erased by past renovations.

Furniture pieces from Mas Creations, the product arm of Masquespacio, include a triangular chair and a terracotta and ceramic ringed table base.

While Hernández Palacios and Penasse were committed to maintaining the essence of the home’s character — glimpses of which can be seen in the original brick walls, modernist hydraulic tile floors, and latticework — the end result is a maximalist reimagining. “The design of the house is a clear representation of our evolution as designers,” Penasse says. “That’s why you find some deco, some futuristic elements, some New Memphis, but also graphical forms.”

Exemplifying Masquespacio’s signature blend of maximalism and whimsy, the upper-level bedroom combines vivid tones of lime green and acid yellow with robust geometric forms.

The home is also a case study of geometric shapes, variegated textures and colour-washed surfaces. For their ground-floor office spaces, the two splashed each room with a bold hue to create definition, demolished portions of existing plaster on the walls to reveal the brickwork and layered curtains of different colours to build dimension and warmth. Sculptural furniture and ceramics from the firm’s own Mas Creations collections further establish a sense of modernity, contrast-ing with the original decorative flooring.

Nowhere is that more evident than upstairs, in the couple’s bedroom. Partially overlooking a double-height interior courtyard, the sleeping space is defined
by two massive forms: a cylindrical magenta screen and a neon-green sphere. The screen wraps around a built-in bench and, along with Mas Creations’ whimsical table and chairs, constitutes the couple’s meditation area. To the right of this, the sphere — actually a 3D-fabricated dome made from foam and covered with micro cement — encases the acid-yellow bed, concealing it from the courtyard to create a sense of disconnection. The playful effect of the oversized fluorescent volumes is softened by microcement floors and contrasted by the industrial character of the exposed beams, ductwork and brick walls, all painted a shade of lilac that’s an extension of the lower courtyard.

While open to the internal courtyard below, the bedroom maintains a sense of privacy through the large-scale volumes that conceal a custom bed and meditation area.

The bedroom also contains a sitting area with a television tucked behind floor-to-ceiling curtains, and additional convention-busting furniture and eclectic objects from Mas Creations. A triangle cut-out in the wall serves as the entrance to the closet. There are no partitions to divide the sleeping quarters from the rest of the upper-level living space; instead, they’re linked by a long corridor that also contains the bathroom, an all-yellow, mosaic-clad space. Despite the small footprint, the designers managed to incorporate another geometric element to maintain a connection to the rest of the home: a vanity in the shape of an inverted triangle.

There are well-designed hotels, and then there is Interno Marche in Tolentino, Italy. Taking up residency in the fully renovated Villa Gabrielli — home to the factories of leather goods fashion label Nazareno Gabrielli for six decades before becoming the headquarters of Poltrona Frau — the recently opened hospitality venue is the vision of Franco Moschini and pays homage to 60 years of design history.

A heartfelt patron of Italian design and past owner of Poltrona Frau (who also lived in the villa at one time), Moschini called on Claudio Tombolini and Cristiana Antonini of ORA Studio (which they co-founded with Michele Bonfigli and Federico Pisani) to lead the interior overhaul of the entire 3,600-square-metre century-old art nouveau building, including the lobby, restaurant, spa and guest rooms; the local firm orchestrated a team of more than 2,000 professionals that were involved over three years of construction to bring Moschini’s dream to life. Now featuring 25 rooms dedicated to 25 iconic Italian and international designers — chosen by Moschini — along with five long-stay suites that reference as many movements (arts and crafts, Vienna Secession, radical, pop and modernism), Interno Marche Hotel is appointed with 400 monumental furniture pieces, lighting fixtures and artworks by industry darlings like Gio Ponti, Nendo, Vico Magistretti and Achille Castiglioni. Before officially opening to the public, the hotel hosted a few special events to give locals a sneak peek of the revitalization. “Seeing older people who used to work in the building crying and moved to see the old beauty brought back to life was very touching for us,” says Tombolini, who led some tour groups with Antonini. “We were happy and proud to see that different generations sincerely like the project.”

Here, we look at four of our favourite rooms.

ANASTASSIADES, ROOM 202

ANASTASSIADES, ROOM 202

When bringing the Liberty-era villa (the Italian version of art nouveau) into its modern incarnation, a number of original frescoes were revealed, including in the room dedicated to Cyprus-born lighting design maestro Michael Anastassiades. Now painstakingly resurrected, the ornate mural makes for a stunning contrast to the deep blue–painted metal sheet that backs the bed — a unique finish that effects a “mixture of material surface and light reflection,” notes Tombolini — and the sleek Kerakoll resin floor. Delicate pendants by Anastassiades are suspended above the bed, while his sinuous bent beechwood N. 200 lounge chair for Gebrüder Thonet Vienna and matte-finished Verde Guatemala marble Love Me, Love Me Not table for Salvatori create a cozy corner. The custom artwork is by graphic designer Emilio Antinori and was inspired by other lighting series by the London-based Anastassiades.

ALBINI, ROOM G 01

ALBINI, ROOM G 01

Celebrating the Italian neo-rationalist architect Franco Albini, this room features a serpentine red metal tube detail that directly nods to the handrails he designed for Milan’s metro stations during the 1960s. The shocks of red in the tube (which wraps around a Glo-Ball wall sconce from Flos) and the Duomo signage are set off by a sophisticated palette of blue and grey; elsewhere, white metal tubing frames walls, doorways and a built-in desk. Albini’s minimalist yet playful Cicognino table for Cassina sits bedside, and his Tre Pezzi wingback (also Cassina) in poppy red upholstery greets guests at the door (not shown).

DE LUCCHI, ROOM 104

DE LUCCHI, ROOM 104

A pivotal player in multiple radical design movements (and a personal friend of Moschini), Michele De Lucchi is known for his clean, simple lines, affinity for natural wood and responsible waste-free approach. This shines through in his namesake room, which features an abstract layout of wood strips on the plaster walls and ceiling and a pervading sense of warmth. Responsible for the refurbishment of the nearby Politeama Theatre (built in 1926), De Lucchi founded the experimental studio Produzione Privata in 1990, for which he developed the Benedetto table (shown) with Davide Angeli; his iconic Tolomeo floor lamp from Artemide stands in the corner behind an archival Gebrüder Thonet Vienna theatre chair.

CERRI, ROOM 106

CERRI, ROOM 106

Visually arresting, precise and rational, the scaffolding-like structure in the room devoted to architect and graphic designer Pierluigi Cerri was inspired by the visionary’s rigorous approach; ORA Studio also celebrates industrial metal as a functional element with this architectural installation. The chevron floor found here and in other rooms adds a layer of age-appropriate warmth to the historic building, while the two-tone grey walls and Cerri-designed furniture — namely, his brutalist Ouverture sofa at the foot of the bed and (now dis-continued) Lola armchair at the desk, both from Poltrona Frau — are contemporary counterpoints. Elsewhere in the room, mirrors, textured glass and a restrained use of colour (primarily red) effectively showcase the evergreen appeal of the polymath’s creative output.

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Lull by Design Within Reach

Tapping into the free-spirited attitude of 1970s surf culture, Australia’s Ellison Studios describes its Lull bed for Design Within Reach as “the moment of calm between swells.” With a low-slung profile and plush cloud-like frame, the fully upholstered bed feels both contemporary and nostalgic, playing with texture right down to its fabric-covered disc-shaped feet. A range of upholstery options is available, including Sandon, Ellison’s own sustainable velvet-like material made from recycled plastic bottles (shown here in Burnt Butter).

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Hypna by Ligne Roset

Conceived by Nada Nasrallah and Christian Horner of Vienna-based Soda Designers, the Hypna bed from Ligne Roset is backed by a movable paravent (or screen) that can be opened to make space for a bedside table or closed to create a more intimate sleeping environment. Vertical metal tubes wrapped in the same fabric as the headboard accommodate the movement of the screen and accentuate the detail in a formal way. Single wing (left or right) versions are also available, as is one without any wings.

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Iro by Porro

Copenhagen-based GamFratesi references both Swiss Alpine chalets and intricate Japanese joinery techniques with its Iro bed for Porro: Four hefty ash-wood poles are fastened together with finely crafted corner joints, creating a substantial frame for the two large upholstered headboard cushions (in multiple fabric, eco-leather or leather options); four columnar feet lift the platform off the ground, adding a sense of overall lightness. The turned-wood structural elements can be tinted one of five nature-inspired colours.

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Brera by Poliform

Expressing contemporary elegance through a strong horizontal design, the Brera bed, by architect Jean-Marie Massaud for Poliform, makes for a serene destination within the domestic landscape. A tailored leather-clad base supports the upholstered bed frame and expansive headboard, both of which are available in a variety of tactile fabrics and rich leathers. The bed (and two new coordinating bedside tables) is a nighttime complement to an existing sofa system collection with impressive architectural undertones.

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Fern Mini by Bisley

Part of the larger Fern family of hand-built sustainable steel lockers, Fern Mini from British manufacturer Bisley introduces a decidedly industrial edge to modern interiors. The nightstand’s flat-panel door (which can be right- or left-opening) is detailed with a sleek handle and charming ventilation holes; inside, a fixed shelf creates two compartments for storage. A total of 37 colourways are available, ranging from subdued and earthy to bold and vibrant.

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Cuba Libre by Roche Bobois

The latest piece to be added to French designer Daniel Rode’s Cuba Libre series of tables for Roche Bobois, this nightstand has a simple yet sophisticated expression. Three slender and curved legs support the circular back-lacquered glass tabletop, which contains a petite storage space accessed by a left-opening door. It’s offered in 18 matte or high-gloss lacquered finishes.

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Easy Edge All Wood by Sundays

With an all-wood construction, tambour panel detailing and curved lines, the Easy Edge nightstand from Sundays has a distinctly West Coast modern appeal. Two spacious soft-close drawers and a generous surface provide ample storage, while a clear matte-lacquer finish protects it from dings and dents. The striking table is a recent addition to the Easy Edge collection, which also includes nightstands with metal legs and drawer pulls.

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Cosentino x Modular Capsule Collection

At once launching Cosentino’s new Silestone Le Chic Bohème collection and celebrating the 40th anniversary of Modular’s iconic Modupoint lighting series, this hospitality-aimed capsule collection of side tables (and coffee tables) was designed by interior architect Justine Kegels. Showcasing the Blanc Elysée and Château Brown full-body colourways from the Silestone collection, the sculptural tables are integrated with an updated panel-mount Modupoint lamp, an enhancement to the series.

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Fonte by Molteni&C

A versatile table collection by Molteni&C creative director Vincent Van Duysen, Fonte marries exceptional craftsmanship with an approachable yet sophisticated style. Made with a solid oak frame (in coffee or black), the nightstand features a practical drawer and a raised burnished-aluminum surface ring to neatly corral items. Material options for the tabletop include multiple glossy or matte marbles, wood or black back-painted glass (shown).

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Canvas by Schönbuch

In the extensive furniture series Canvas, by industrial designer Christian Haas for Schönbuch, every detail allows for complete customization. The bedroom storage units (in varying heights, widths and depths) can be fronted by doors, hinged flaps or drawers, which in turn can be paired with one of seven types of grips; internally, fixed shelves, middle walls and drawers can be configured to suit personal storage needs. Each unit can be set on a plinth or legs or be wall-mounted and is available in the brand’s full range of rich and saturated colourways, in matte, glossy or mirrored finishes.

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Croma Wardrobe by Systemtronic

Colourful, shapely and infused with personality, the Croma collection of hospitality storage pieces was developed by multidisciplinary design firm Lagranja for Valencia-based Systemtronic. Included within the series is the Croma wardrobe, an open-rail structure able to accommodate up to 15 articles of clothing, with two lower shelves for bags, shoes, suitcases and other items. Made from sustainable aluminum and solid ash, the wardrobe — along with the valet stand, coat rack, mirrors, side tables, shelving trolleys and benches — can be lacquered in six nature-inspired colourways.

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Reform Wardrobe and Storage

Danish design brand Reform moves from the kitchen to the bedroom with its introduction of wardrobes and storage solutions. A modular system, the new line includes elements to configure walk-in or full-wall closets, freestanding or built-in wardrobes and cabinets in the bedroom (and other rooms in the home) with the same designer fronts as the kitchen systems (Column by Inga Sempé is shown).

Interiors can be fitted with a nearly endless combination of drawers, shelves, organizers and dividers; a vast range of colourways, finishes and hardware accessories is offered.