The act of conversation has always had an architectural framework. In ancient Rome, the triclinium—a small dining table surrounded on three sides by couches—was a dedicated space for food and talk. Chilly medieval houses added benches next to a central fireplace to create nooks for intimate conversations. Arts and Crafts designers in England and the United States adapted these “inglenooks” in late-19th-century cottages. As modern central heating made toasty alcoves unnecessary, 20th-century house planning blended functions across large continuous rooms. This story is from Kinfolk Issue Forty-Two Buy Now Related Stories Design Issue 51 John Pawson From the king of minimalism: “I find the essential and get the design down to a point where you can’t add or subtract from it.” Design Interiors Issue 51 Axel Vervoordt Inside the world of Axel Vervoordt. Design Issue 51 Kim Lenschow The architect who wants to show you how your house works. Design Issue 51 Sean Canty The Harvard professor on architecture as a driver for social change. Design Issue 51 Cult Rooms The Pavilhão de Portugal. Design Issue 49 Marcio Kogan On the pursuit of perfection.
Design Issue 51 John Pawson From the king of minimalism: “I find the essential and get the design down to a point where you can’t add or subtract from it.”
