It all began with the land; a five-acre tract in Hillsboro, where Mary and Rich Patterson loved living and raising their two daughters, Sydney and Stella.

Built in 1977, the 4-bedroom ranch was a classic example of mid-century modern architecture—low-slung, streamlined and designed to integrate with its surroundings. In spite of the home’s age, the soon-to-be owner recognized its potential and acquired the property in 2019. Nearly two acres in size, the lot was beautifully wooded, large enough for a planned pool and well-oriented to capitalize on natural sunlight.

The “effortlessly chic” look of a pared down space complete with clean lines, well-curated artwork and subtle yet memorable decor requires thoughtful precision and, oftentimes, a lot of hard work. Undeterred by the challenge, Jason and Lisa Noakes took up the mantel of minimalist design in their new addition to honor the history of the original 1920 house and make room for their growing boys.

Edison Lite Apartment Building, Paris, France: The Edison Lite Apartment Building in Paris, France, was built with three main principles in mind: made-to-measure housing units, 20% extra surface area available for residents to share and to welcome residents into an existing landscape. Made-to-measure housing units allow future residents to participate in setting the original design of their home. The extra surface area utilizes space for groups to enjoy that would otherwise not be accessible to residents.

House of Harth, London, England: Photography courtesy of House of Harth | House of Harth, an online platform for furniture rental, took their shop to the streets of north London to allow potential customers to view their furniture selections in person. Henrietta Thompson and husband Edward Padmore, owners of the brand, say the shop will not only allow them to meet with borrowers face-to-face but will also open up opportunities for discussion about the company’s future.

Powell Symphony Hall, St. Louis, MO