DESIGN DISPATCH

A Hotel That Pays Homage to Capri’s Breezy Splendor, and Other News

Our daily look at the world through the lens of design.

Il Capri Hotel. Photography by Jonathan Froines and Marine Billet

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A Hotel That Pays Homage to Capri’s Breezy Splendor

Tucked into the verdant heart of Capri, a Venetian-style palazzo unfurls in all its architectural glory. The recently debuted Il Capri Hotel is the result of a delightful makeover by husband-and-wife duo Graziella Buontempo and Arnaud Lacombe, who fashioned the luminous sanctuary as an unparalleled rendezvous with Italian luxury. The duo’s ingenious interplay of modern aesthetics with nostalgic echoes of midcentury Capri delivers a palette of terracotta hues, sumptuous fabrics, and breezy alfresco spaces—all choreographed to pay homage to the island’s innate splendor. 

The original pink-and-white facade gives way to chic amenities like the shimmering pool flanked by sun-dappled terraces with loungers shaded by red parasols and the Italian restaurant Vesuvio appointed with caned bistro chairs. Meanwhile, the suites, awash with natural light and boasting sweeping views of the Gulf of Naples, are decorated sparingly to not distract from the island’s dreamy landscape seen from the terraces. —Nate Storey

Stanford torus interior view (1975) by Don Davis. Image via Don Davis collection

MoMA is planning a major fall show about architecture in support of environmentalism.

The Museum of Modern Art is set to present “Emerging Ecologies: Architecture and the Rise of Environmentalism,” which opens in September. Curated by the Emilio Ambasz Institute for the Joint Study of the Built and the Natural Environment, the exhibition will showcase objects such as models, photographs, and sketches, as well as research on ecological concerns. It aims to highlight the history of architects’ engagement with environmental issues and propose “environmental architecture” as a counter movement to modern architecture. 

A new trademark application suggests that Telfar may be developing a beauty line. 

A trademark application of Telfar’s TC logo—which was abandoned due to a conflict with makeup brand Charlotte Tilbury—hints the upstart New York label may be pursuing a beauty line. Initially filed in 2021, the application aimed to extend the use of the recognizable emblem, which represents founder Telfar Clemens’ initials, to cosmetics. Charlotte Tilbury opposed the application, citing the similarity between Telfar’s logo and its own CT mark. Telfar may reconsider its plans in spite of the setback, considering the growing trend of fashion brands (Balmain, Off-White, and Hermès) venturing into beauty.

Rendering of the central collection hall at the V&A East Storehouse. Image courtesy of Diller Scofidio + Renfro

The V&A Museum wraps up construction on its ambitious East London storehouse.

The Victoria and Albert Museum has finished building its new open-access storage building in east London, housing more than 250,000 objects. The V&A East Storehouse, slated to open in spring 2025 alongside the V&A East Museum, constitutes the UK’s largest museum development project in decades, surpassing the costs of the British Museum’s Great Court. Visitors will have the rare opportunity to closely interact with the collection, as the museum departs from the norm of displaying objects behind glass or on guided tours.

The embattled Sackler family is ordered to pay $6 billion to combat the opioid crisis.

In a landmark ruling, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York has ordered the Sackler family, owners of Purdue Pharma, to pay $6 billion to combat the ongoing opioid epidemic and relinquish control of the company. The ruling provides protection for the family against current and future civil lawsuits related to their opioid business. Under the settlement, Purdue will be restructured into Knoa Pharma, overseen by a public board, and will manufacture addiction reversal and treatment medications while continuing to produce drugs like OxyContin. Company profits will be directed toward addressing the opioid crisis.

Bart Drenth, TEFAF’s global managing director, resigns in scandal after six months.

Bart Drenth, who became TEFAF’s global managing director in December, has resigned from his position after less than six months. Drenth had previously served as the company’s interim director while Charlotte van Leerdam, TEFAF’s managing director, was on medical leave. TEFAF announced that Drenth stepped down to focus on his consulting advisory business, and the board will reveal its leadership plan for the foundation and art fairs in the coming weeks. His resignation comes days after reports emerged about his “anti-woke” tweets.

Manuela Lucá-Dazio, executive director of the Pritzker Prize; Jean-Philippe Vassal, Anne Lacaton, David Chipperfield, Alejandro Aravena, and Francis Kéré at the Pritzker Prize ceremony. Photography by Nikolas Kominis for The Hyatt Foundation/The Pritzker Architecture Prize

David Chipperfield received the Pritzker Prize at a ceremony held in Athens, Greece.

David Chipperfield, the 2023 Pritzker laureate, received the prize at a ceremony held at the Agora in Athens. Attended by hundreds, including Chipperfield’s partners from various offices and former Pritzker laureates, the ceremony highlighted the significance of Athens as Chipperfield was recently chosen to design an expansion of the National Archaeological Museum and sparked a discussion about the Parthenon Sculptures housed at the British Museum. Chipperfield emphasized the importance of professional responsibility in his acceptance speech, and the evening concluded with a dinner inside the Stoa of Attalos.

In-house designer Stefano Gallici is named Ann Demeulemeester’s creative director. 

Stefano Gallici has been appointed the new creative director of Ann Demeulemeester, succeeding Ludovic de Saint Sernin, who departed after one season. Gallici, who previously worked as a menswear designer for the brand, will unveil his first collection during Paris Fashion Week on Sept. 30. “Stefano immediately demonstrated a strong creativity and a clear vision for [the brand],” said Claudio Antonioli, owner of the Antonioli Group, which acquired the label in 2020. “He represents the DNA of the brand with an eye to the future.” 

“Horizon Horse” (2023) by Charlie Engman

Today’s attractive distractions:

A new play honors scientist Rosalind Franklin’s role in DNA discovery.

The photographer Charlie Engman is embracing the alien logic of AI.

After 50 years, one of Australia’s strangest shipwrecks has been found.

Digital nomads bring innovation to cities, but locals often get left behind.

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