Nov 14, 2026 · 7 min listen · Last updated November 14, 2026
From storyflo. This is your daily audio brief. Here are today's top 5 design and architecture stories. Let's get into it. First, from Design Milk. Friday Five With Shaina Tabak: Art, Architecture, and the Spaces Between.
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Daily Design Brief · November 14th
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Friday Five With Shaina Tabak: Art, Architecture, and the Spaces Between
Shaina Tabak, currently pursuing her MFA in Visual Arts at Columbia University, is making waves in the art scene with her latest project, 260 Madison. This exhibition, hosted in a former Duane Reade storefront and a spacious office floor in Midtown Manhattan, features over 50 artists and marks her debut as a curator. Tabak, who has already showcased her work in more than 20 exhibitions, brings a unique perspective to the intersection of art, history, and material culture.
Her artistic practice dives deep into the relationship between the digital and physical realms, often starting with digital models that she transforms into tangible sculptures. She’s particularly interested in how materials tell stories of labor and consumption, prompting viewers to consider how contemporary objects might be perceived in the future. In her recent work, she’s been embedding industrial objects in cardboard, commenting on the blurred lines between viewing and shopping in today's consumer culture.
For 260 Madison, Tabak collaborated with her MFA peers and established artists, creating a diverse exhibition that includes names like Simon Denny and Jon Kessler. The space itself plays a crucial role in the experience, with its exposed infrastructure and remnants of corporate life serving as a backdrop for the artworks. Tabak’s vision is to explore how systems of control and surveillance shape our lives, making the building an integral part of the exhibition.
She draws inspiration from past exhibitions and architectural theories, reflecting on how art can challenge traditional spaces. Tabak’s approach is influenced by the relationship between artistic independence and urban development, as well as the idea that architecture can outlive its original purpose. Her work encourages viewers to see the exhibition space not just as a gallery, but as a monument to the labor and routines that once filled it.
260 Madison will be on display until November 22, 2026, inviting audiences to engage with the evolving narrative of art and architecture in a contemporary context.
Hey! So, I was just reading about this house, FM House, down in Paraty, Brazil. It's in this really nice gated community called Laranjeiras, and the whole deal was fitting a lot of stuff into a pretty small space. You know, a house that can do a lot of things, but on a tight lot.
The architect, Dado Castello Branco, was saying it was a real challenge to get everything they needed in there without sacrificing that connection to the outdoors. And honestly, looking at it, they totally nailed it. It feels so open and connected to the landscape, even with all the program they had to fit.
They managed to create these really cool, distinct areas, but they all flow together. It’s like they used the limited space super smartly, creating different zones for different activities without making it feel cramped. And the way they brought the outside in, with all the natural light and views, is just beautiful. It really feels like a place that’s part of its surroundings.
It's not just about the houses themselves, but how they reveal the city. Imagine this: as you walk through, you get these glimpses of Quito, kind of like a curated tour. They've used materials and light in a way that makes the passage of time feel really present, which is such a neat idea.
The whole design seems to be about this journey, not just a destination. It's like they've built in these moments of discovery, where the architecture and the city itself are in conversation. It's pretty thoughtful, you know? They've really considered how people will interact with the space and the environment around it.
The Peralta D Supercar Is Literally Sculpted From Copper
The Peralta D is a striking new gran turismo designed by Fabrizio Giugiaro, crafted entirely from hand-hammered copper. This unique choice of material stems from a personal connection to the owner, Carlos Peralta, who has business ties to copper. Giugiaro, known for his family legacy in automotive design, previously collaborated with Peralta on the Peralta S and wanted to create something even more special this time around.
Using copper for a car body is quite unconventional, but Giugiaro found it surprisingly manageable. He noted that copper is more malleable than aluminum and easier to weld and polish, although it does add weight. To counterbalance this, the car's structure is reinforced with carbon fiber, creating a harmonious blend of materials. The chassis is based on a 2025 Maserati GranTurismo Trofeo, but the Peralta D’s design is distinct, featuring bold angles and an innovative opening system that includes gullwing-style rear access.
Inside, the car is adorned with copper-colored leather, complemented by modern infotainment screens that hint at its Maserati heritage. It’s designed to celebrate the bond between Peralta and his daughters, incorporating thoughtful touches like a makeup station with an illuminated mirror and a retractable refrigerator for champagne. While the rear seats are snug, the overall design reflects a blend of luxury and practicality.
Giugiaro hints that even more adventurous designs may be on the horizon, teasing the use of another unconventional material for future projects. So, this might just be the beginning of a new wave in bespoke automotive design.
Theon Design celebrates ten years of transforming the classic air-cooled Porsche 911
Theon Design is celebrating a decade of transforming the classic air-cooled Porsche 911, particularly the iconic 964 series. Founded by Adam Hawley and Lucinda Argy, this UK-based specialist has been creating bespoke customer cars that blend modern enhancements with the timeless charm of the original models. Each build is tailored to individual specifications, showcasing impressive craftsmanship in areas like custom machining and interior finishes.
To mark their ten-year milestone, Theon has launched an online configurator that lets potential customers explore a range of personalization options for their cars. It's a fun tool that can easily keep you engaged for quite a while as you mix and match colors and features. One standout creation from their lineup is the latest Theon Coupe, which boasts a powerful 4.0-liter engine and a sleek design that includes F1-grade carbon fiber to keep the weight down.
Theon emphasizes a collaborative approach, focusing on how clients want their cars to feel, which influences everything from the engine to the suspension. The Coupe, for instance, has a remarkable power-to-weight ratio and features upgraded brakes from the Porsche 993 RS, making it a thrilling drive.
While Theon has no official ties to Porsche AG, they respect the original design's integrity, aiming to enhance its qualities while maintaining the spirit of the 911. Their commissions start at £435,000, reflecting the level of detail and customization involved. It’s clear that for Theon, every enhancement is about creating a cohesive experience that resonates with both the car and its owner.
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