Renovation

The warehouse is a commercial and service space located in the small town of Onça do Pitangui, in Minas Gerais. It offers products from agroforestry systems and handicrafts made by local small-scale producers, as well as serving coffee and regional baked goods to both residents and tourists. The project occupies a small building from the early 20th century. The construction, adjacent to a colonial house, has two floors: the ground floor, which sits slightly above street level, and a basement that adapts to the slope of the land. The property is located on the right side of its lot, at the entrance to the town, just before the town hall square.

Situated in the mountainous region of Kamakura, a town renowned for its proximity to the sea, this apartment within a residential complex has undergone a significant transformation under the meticulous guidance of Roovice. Originally designed with a 4DK layout featuring outdated elements such as a dark kitchen and multiple small rooms, the renovation aimed to breathe modernity into the space while seamlessly integrating it with the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape, particularly enchanting during the spring bloom of Sakura trees.

In the heart of the 11th arrondissement of Paris, an old workshop has been masterfully transformed into a serene and contemporary residence, blending industrial heritage with modern elegance. This unique rehabilitation project centers around a cul-de-sac courtyard now reimagined as a lush, planted patio that serves as the green heart of the home. The U-shaped structure embraces this central oasis, offering both privacy and tranquility while promoting urban biodiversity and natural oxygenation throughout all floors.

Located in the Alto de Pinheiros neighborhood in São Paulo, the existing semi-detached house occupies a narrow, long 5x35m plot. The challenge of the architectural project, without being a radical overhaul as a premise, was to maintain the existing concrete structure, without the need for structural reinforcement. The volume of the staircase and toilet were also maintained.

Almost four years ago, we started an experiment. Erika and Willi had bought a barn, willing to carry out a major alteration by themselves. The financial means for the conversion were limited, as were the owner’s craft skills. A sensitivity for architectural issues could not be assumed. For both, the owner and the architects, this project has been an intense yet rewarding journey.

Owners of large Slovenian post-war suburban houses often took inspiration from older and more prestigious city villas when designing their premises. However, unlike their inspirations, these structures were far simpler in terms of materials and architecture, lacking in excessive luxury and the spacious interiors of the past. Floor plans are typically fragmented into a multitude of small, disconnected rooms arranged around a central staircase. This layout makes it difficult to accommodate the modern spatial expectations of today’s clients, who mainly seek an open, airy living space in the style of a “loft.”

Japanese villages see the average age of the population rise considerably and, being abandoned, are losing their identity. In this regard, the old machiya are being demolished to make room for more modern and history-less buildings, without a rule. The purpose of Ikeda Ryokan is to send a message to the community of the island of Tanegashima, a place that over the centuries has distinguished itself as a place of hospitality, and where Westerners were first able to come into contact with Japan.

The blue door, with its vibrant hue, symbolizes hope and transformation. This choice is not merely aesthetic; it alludes to the idea of new beginnings and welcome, an invitation to what is good. With that in mind, we present the renovation proposal for a house with an exposed brick structure, where we aim to modernize the space while preserving its original features. The intervention was minimal, respecting the identity of the building. We opted for white paint, which brightened the space and highlighted the texture of the bricks, giving it a contemporary touch.