Electric, the new cultural platform in Paris, is already an event in itself: a 1,000 m2 penthouse in which the designer has devised a canopy of sound suspended between heaven and earth, monumental electrical braids emerging like pitch black trees. Impressive by day, magical by night, Electric is a venue which never sleeps.

Old farm houses tell stories, style and choice of material disclose what was erected when and for what purpose. In Limbach, a farmyard was expanded by an architecturally exciting chapter; the annex serves as a discussion forum and venue. On top sits the upper storey as “house on the house” with the principal’s private rooms. The new building, fitted into the historically grown farmyard structure, closes the rural square edifice and at the same time opens up the previously enclosed inner yard. This apparently contradictory double function is made possible by the building’s clever horizontal bisection.

The Survey Co Restaurant in Brisbane was completed last year by architecture firm Richards & Spence formed by Ingrid Richards and Adrian Spence. Interiors feature a raw, organic palette of cork, timber, brass and steel that works beautifully with the rough brick of the original walls. Lighting drops over tables through cylinders of copper piping.

Close to Bloemendaal, on the edge of the Kennemer dunes, the site of Villa Bloemendaal is situated. A sustainable home that follows a minimalistic design and shows respect for man and nature alike, in a unique residential area where the existing flora and fauna are given full rein.

Interior designer Frederic Perers and graphic designer Gemma Alberich have selected steel as the vertical surface element in the area of washing machines and dryers, which disappear under it. The orange tone, everywhere, reflects in the steel and serves as a warm counter element to the coldness of the metal. The remaining areas are treated with neutral elements: shiny white tiles – commonly used in spaces with water, light coloured floor and a false ceiling made with black vertical plates.

Papiota (the Spool) is a tailor shop ‘themed’ bar, the third in a series inspired by the trades specific for Lipscani area which used to be the commercial center of Bucharest. Nowadays all the small shops are swept away by bars an clubs. Papiota has a 60′s touch, the period when this kind of shops flourished.

Covering 230 square metres in origami art might sound absurd at first, but this Japanese art form is what inspired Pinkeye’s somewhat stroboscopic design. The designers wrapped, twisted and folded the walls, floors and lighting into myriad physical and optical layers that invade the space.

Designed to accommodate a growing family and close friends, this lake-front compound includes a 4,500-square-foot main house with 50-foot lap pool, an 1800-square-foot three-bedroom guest house, and a barn. An aggregate of smaller, informal living spaces carefully composed to disguise the bulk of the building and create a variety of views and experiences, each structure centers on a great room open to the northern water views and the southern sun and breezes.

Ukrainian architect Olga Akulova transformed a typical apartment in the centre of Kyiv into a contemporary project. Now the apartment approximately 80 m² has a Scandinavian atmosphere and Italian taste. Architect has extensive experience of working in old buildings in Ukraine’s beautiful but often-unforgiving architecture. There are two floors: the top providing access and holding a private suite for the owner (bedroom, bathroom), and the lower level offering large open-plan space including a living room – the true heart of the interior, the first room you enter and also kitchen. To design a comfortable and cozy space Olga Akulova decided to use mix of warm and cold color palette, best pieces of Italian furniture and some paintings from the owner collection.

Existing green mound, protecting the open fields of the game preserve from the bustle of the road became a refuge for hunting lodge – a lookout, which replaced original technically unsuitable structure. Above all, the lodge provides necessary facilities for the game preserve, as well as becomes a place of encounters, whether with friends or of romantic views of the surrounding countryside.

Sergey Makhno Workshop has recently created a concept of loft-like Emerald penthouse in Ukraine. The space with huge windows has amazingly stylish interior with rich materials’ palette and elegant proportions of overall composition.

In the old Romanian Stock Exchange building, the shipping case themed furniture acts as storage, dividing walls, young dynamic company statement and reverence on the genius loci. Designer Corvin Cristian for his interior concept created an interesting associations chain: stock exchange > moving goods > advertising agency > moving brands, which is moving goods as well > moving shipping cases.

Eastern Norway is a vast landscape that is dominated by its glacial rock formations, its lush vegetation and the changing sky. The interpretation and re-composition of these elements form the ingredients for the resulting interior concept. The concept is an abstract display of what nature means to Norway – he feel of natural environment with its fertile greenery, fresh air and water, dramatic views and light.

Ukrainian architect Igor Sirotov has presented residential concept ‘Chair House’ which aims to provide a comfortable peaceful domestic environment contrasting the harsh rocky landscape in which it is situated. Interior features a palette of exposed concrete, natural wood floors and dark stone panels create a strong relaxing atmosphere, setting up a dark neutral backdrop for the contrastingly characteristic furnishings.

Office of architectural studio Nefa Research is situated in the building of former factory “Flakon” in Moscow and is formed by geometric multi-level construction. The idea of industrial office with unusual structured space was created by Nefa Research. Most of the furniture was made from architects’ sketches.

The picturesque Villa Paulick, an outstandingly well preserved example of a summer resort mansion, is located on the promenade of Lake Attersee. It was built by Friedrich Paulick, a master joiner at the imperial court, between 1876 and 1877. The mansion was well known to 19th century painters, poets and philosophers, who lived in Vienna in the winter time, but came to Seewalchen for the summertime to relax, go for long walks and have inspirational conversations. The most famous of these visitors was the painter Gustav Klimt – one of the best known figures of the Jugendstil art period.

The home of Berlin-based set designer Sylvester Koziolek is quite unusual. He started refurbishment with changing the color of the walls to black. This created a dramatic look of a theatrical stage. With Sylvester Koziolek’s impressive collection of iconic furniture, glass and ceramics the interior was enriched with beautiful details.

One of the client’s major requirements was for a living space where the presence of the family would always be felt. In response, Airhouse Design Office devised a single-roomed layout without columns that took advantage of the distinctive features of the existing warehouse. A large kitchen was installed to cater to the needs of the food-loving husband-and-wife couple.

The 2012 IIDA Award winning Communicating Vessels, is a 250 sq.m complete apartment renovation, located in the Modernist neighborhood of Barcelona, near the Gaudi’s and Puig i Cadafalch’s city monuments. Through a well-studied design and an accurate execution, the architect creates a meaningful open space built around the natural light.

Pulsate is a unique installation designed by Lily Jencks and Nat Dorent using Marazzi’s SistemN tiles. The installation is on show from 21st March to 27th October 2013 at 42 Chalcot Road in London.