Office — London | 2026
Apex HQ
Brief
A sophisticated executive workspace in dark walnut and gold, organised for focus and presence.
The Challenge
"The primary challenge was to create a sense of 'heavy weight' through materials like solid travertine while maintaining an atmosphere of 'lightness' through strategic voids and suspended architectural elements. We wanted the house to feel like it had always been part of the rocky terrain."
Design Concept: The Void
Initial Ideation
Structural Poetics
Our process began with hand-drawn charcoal sketches to capture the raw emotional weight of the site. We explored the concept of 'subtractive architecture'—where the living spaces are carved out of a single monolithic block, creating framed vistas of the desert horizons.
Executive Cabin
Workstations
Reception
Breakout Lounge
Cinematic Walkthrough
Experience the flow of space
Materiality
Earth, Wood, & Stone
Silver Travertine
Sourced from Italian quarries, providing a timeless, porous warmth to the structural walls.
American Walnut
Used throughout the millwork to provide a rich, dark contrast to the stone surfaces.
Oversized Glass
Custom-engineered panels that blur the line between interior and the Arizona desert.
Process
Phase 01: Excavation
Integrating the foundation into the existing basalt rock formation of the site.
Phase 02: Structural Framing
Erecting the steel skeleton to support the massive cantilevered roof sections.
Phase 03: Finishing
Meticulous stone cladding and bespoke millwork installation over six months.
"Afterthink Studio didn't just build a house; they created a piece of art that breathes with the land. Every morning, the way the light hits the travertine is a new experience."
The Client
Owner, The Monolith Residence