Trending Interiors
Step into the world of exquisite interior design with our Trending Interiors Page. Here, we spotlight remarkable spaces crafted by skilled professionals in the field.
Each month, we unveil a standout project that epitomizes creativity, innovation, and excellence in interior design. From cozy residential retreats to awe-inspiring commercial venues, these spaces captivate with their distinct charm and functional brilliance.
Join us on a journey of inspiration and exploration as we showcase the best in interior design excellence.
This Month's Featured Interior Space
Project Name
Innonative House
Artist
Joe Osae Addo
Location
Accra, Ghana
Description
The Innonative House, designed by Ghanaian architect Joe Osae-Addo, is located in Accra, Ghana. Completed in 2004, this innovative residence serves as a testament to Osae-Addo’s architectural philosophy of combining traditional materials with modern design principles. The house is a single-story, 2,500-square-foot structure arranged in an L-shape, featuring a series of interconnected rooms with no internal corridors, allowing for the free flow of light and air. Built primarily from timber and adobe mud blocks, the house is elevated three feet off the ground on a wooden deck, harnessing natural breezes for cooling. Its design incorporates sliding slatted-wood screens, floor-to-ceiling jalousie windows, and deep timber overhangs to provide shade and facilitate cross ventilation. The residence is equipped with solar panels for backup power and features a blend of American appliances and local materials, creating a unique juxtaposition of modern convenience and traditional aesthetics. The house is surrounded by lush gardens and shade trees, enhancing its integration with the natural environment.
Design Philosophy
Joe Osae-Addo’s design philosophy for the Innonative House is centered on what he terms “inno-native” architecture, which combines innovation with indigenous building techniques and materials. Inspired by architects like Alvar Aalto, Glenn Murcutt, and Ray Kappe, Osae-Addo sought to adapt their contextual modernism principles to the Ghanaian environment. His approach emphasizes creating harmony with natural elements—trees, wind, sun, and water—rather than striving for the perfection often associated with modernist architecture. Rejecting the prevalent use of concrete blocks in urban Ghana, Osae-Addo embraced materials like timber and adobe mud blocks, typically found in rural settings. The design prioritizes sustainability, using natural ventilation over air conditioning and incorporating solar panels for energy efficiency. The house’s layout encourages fluid movement and interaction, reflecting Osae-Addo’s belief in architecture as a means of enhancing lifestyle and well-being.
Why It's Trending
The Innonative House is notable for its unique approach to sustainable architecture and its innovative use of local materials in a modern context. As global interest in environmentally friendly and culturally relevant design grows, Osae-Addo’s work has garnered attention for its ability to blend tradition with contemporary needs. The house exemplifies how indigenous building techniques can be adapted to create comfortable and aesthetically pleasing living spaces without relying on conventional methods like air conditioning. Osae-Addo’s commitment to using local materials and labor has also sparked interest in how such practices can contribute to economic development and empowerment within communities. Additionally, the personal story behind the house—rooted in love, collaboration, and a return to one’s roots—adds a compelling narrative that resonates with many. This project serves as a model for sustainable living and offers insights into creating architecture that respects both the environment and cultural heritage, making it a subject of interest in architectural discussions worldwide.
Past Interiors Archive
Discover a curated collection of our previously showcased interior spaces. Delve into a journey through time as we revisit the captivating designs and innovative concepts that have graced our Trending Interiors page in the past.
Each featured project represents a testament to the creativity, skill, and vision of the talented designers and architects who have left their mark on the world of interior design.
Join us in celebrating the diversity and brilliance of these remarkable spaces, each offering a unique story and inspiration for design enthusiasts everywhere.
Nominate a Project
Do you know of an exceptional interior space that deserves to be featured on our Trending Interiors page? Nominate it here! Whether it’s a stunning residential design, an innovative commercial space, or a unique public installation, we want to hear about it.
To nominate a project, please fill out the form below with details about the space and why you believe it should be featured. Our editorial team will review all nominations and consider them for inclusion on the Trending Interiors page.
Participating in the Spotlight
- Self-Nomination: If you are the designer, architect, decorator, product designer, or material designer of an exceptional interior space, you can nominate your own project for consideration. Self-nominations allow individuals to showcase their work and share their design philosophy directly with our audience.
- Peer Nomination: If you know of an outstanding interior space designed by a colleague, friend, or industry peer, you can nominate their project for consideration. Peer nominations highlight the work of talented professionals in the industry and provide recognition for their achievements.
Submission Guidelines
- Project Eligibility: Any interior space, including residential, commercial, hospitality, public installations, or innovative designs, is eligible for submission.
- Project Details: Provide comprehensive details about the project, including its name, location, description, and the name of the designer/architect/decorator/product designer/material designer (if known).
- Design Philosophy: Share the design philosophy behind the project, highlighting the creative concepts, inspirations, and objectives that guided the design process.
- Reason for Nomination: Explain why you believe the project should be featured on our Trending Interiors page. What makes it exceptional, innovative, or trend-setting in the field of interior design?
- Contact Information: Include your name, email address, and optionally, your phone number for further communication.
- Additional Materials: You may include supplementary materials such as photographs, renderings, sketches, or project documentation to support your nomination. Please ensure that all materials are relevant and enhance the understanding of the project.
Note: By submitting a nomination, you agree to allow us to feature the project on our Trending Interiors page and associated promotional materials, if selected. We reserve the right to edit or modify submissions for clarity and consistency.
Click below to submit your nomination or application to be featured in our next “Trending Interiors of the Month.”