Renovation

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.

The project begins with the rehabilitation of a modest family winery built in the 1930s, preserving its historical essence while adapting it to the comfort and living requirements of a contemporary home. The challenge was balancing the respect for the space’s original identity with the introduction of elements that would make it functional and welcoming for modern living.

At the back of the backyard of a typical late 19th century caged building located near the Estrela Basilica, there is a chalet nestled between the backyard and the canopies of a neighboring garden. The time and construction system are the same as the building that serves as an entrance, but not the scale. The cottage could have been the back annexe, but instead it had become the hidden gem within the tree-lined block.