François-Luc Giraldeau

Originating from Montreal but with a global perspective, ACDF Architecture, the subject of this monograph, perfectly embodies the dynamic interplay of dichotomies. Wishing to pay respect to its Montreal heritage while also taking inspiration and liberties from the international design scene, the studio is adept at balancing various goals and identities to achieve distinct results. Balancing the contrasts of black and white, glossy and matte, French and English, ACDF’s projects are a masterclass in navigating these polarities. They infuse new vitality into the contrasts of colour, texture, form, and functional design. ACDF is the perfect blend of North American pragmatism and European flair. The studio is a rich mix of logical thinkers and hopeless romantics; its approach is methodical and exploratory, balancing efficiency and creativity. FRAME provides an unfiltered view of ACDF within these pages, tracing its evolution from a nascent idea to a fully realized architectural studio. The texts also delve into establishing the firm’s core values, its workspace design, and Montreal’s influence on its growth. Anecdotes from Maxime Frappier, the firm’s principal interviewed throughout this book, offer a vivid depiction of the exhilarating chaos and thrill of creating something new. ACDF’s projects move away from ego-driven architecture and towards a more context-sensitive, user-centered approach. This prompts us to re-evaluate our understanding of good architecture and encourages us to explore new methods of developing captivating and resilient built environments. Encompassing a wide range of typologies, from residential to hospitality and commercial outputs, ACDF’s story is sure to inspire in readers a new approach to creativity and design-based work.

Discover the luxurious and sensorial world of I IN, the celebrated Tokyo-based interior design studio stirring up the world of interiors with its vibrant and distinct use of colour, shapes and materials. Not one to be restricted by pre-existing paradigms, I IN uses familiar tools to achieve innovative and out-of-the-box designs. The two founders Yohei Terui and Hiromu Yuyama, hailing from Tokyo, share their methodologies and values in this their first dedicated publication. Characterising the work of I IN is much like peeling the layers of an onion. The eye is immediately drawn to spaces that impress with their simplicity – there is no excess of materials, no unnecessary details and no gimmicky objects present. However, these spaces are far from cold or impersonal. Rounded structures and curved corners instantly make visitors feel at ease. Fluid lines are soothing to the eye. Warm colours, often derived from natural materials, welcome people and invite them to linger. The colour gradient in I IN’s oeuvre deserves special mention. By enriching surfaces, gradients suggest the radiant presence of concealed light sources, adding depth to the space. Peeling back another layer reveals what could be termed I IN’s secret ingredient: The studio’s use of light. Soft, often natural, lighting shapes space and enhances the spatial experience. In the hands of I IN’s founders, Yohei Terui and Hiromu Yuyama, light becomes a tool to add drama and depth to rooms. The designers also use light to highlight merchandise. But above all, lighting imparts a sense of calm and sensuality to many of I IN’s projects. In this book one can expect to learn about Japanese design conventions and the way the duo is maintaining the delicate balance between honouring their heritage and pushing it into new directions, both in terms of the final product and the process by which they get there. Luxury, a keystone concept for I IN, has an evolved and new holistic meaning for the future. Featuring 13 of the studio’s most recognisable projects, the pages have been carefully curated and designed to inspire and evoke feelings of calm and luxury.