Archer + Braun, a London-based architectural practice, recently transformed a ground-floor flat in Edinburgh into a stunning, modern 5-bedroom family residence. Set in a conservation area within the Edinburgh, United Kingdom, the project exemplifies adept handling of design challenges.
The architects’ sensitivity to local conservation regulations, coupled with their experience on other listed projects in Edinburgh, was pivotal in achieving the homeowners’ vision of modern, airy living within historical constraints.
Located in Barcelona, Spain, Les Mont-Rogenques is an apartment designed by Estudi Biga in 2020. The project aims to revive the essence of a bygone way of life in the Farró neighborhood, characterized by gardens and communal living. Featuring a flexible network of rooms, the interiors are designed to be adaptable and highlight textures, colors, and light, recovered from the house’s historical layers.
The Silvia & Diego apartment, designed by MH.AP in 2023, is located in Barcelona’s Eixample district. This renovation transformed a once-segmented space into an open, interconnected living area. By integrating the kitchen centrally and removing walls, MH.AP optimized circulation and increased natural light. The design respects the flat’s original fan-shaped layout, ornate ceiling, and Nolla mosaic floor tiles, using bold colors and geometric shapes to create a harmonious dialogue between past and present.
Edificio 55, a historic building in Mérida, Mexico, has been transformed into a hotel by Central de Proyectos SCP. Designed in 2024, the property now subtly marries its historical architecture with contemporary elements. The building, previously a school and medical facility, has retained its original stone walls while incorporating local designed contemporary furniture and new artisanal flooring. This blend of styles creates a vibrant atmosphere and reinforces the hotel’s connection with Mérida’s architectural and cultural heritage.
The Rodrigues Sampaio Apartment in Lisbon, renovated by Manuel Tojal | Architecture in 2023, retains much of its original layout. The redesign maintains the apartment’s character while introducing a sense of uniformity and connection between spaces using Lioz stone and terracotta elements.
Interior design firm Studio. D has renovated an apartment in Genoa, Italy, featuring a classic Genoese layout. Apartment S. Anna retains the historic building’s early 1900s architecture with stone perimeter walls and wooden floors. The project includes two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen with a central island, and a dining area with a custom square table.
Designed by the talented team at Studio COSMO, this comprehensive renovation of a 1930s apartment in Prague, Czech Republic, showcases a remarkable blend of historic charm and modern elegance.
Stripping the floor plan to its load-bearing walls, the designers crafted a spacious hallway that serves as a central link within the apartment, leading to a striking green vestibule and a generously designed library. By merging the original narrow street-facing rooms, the team created an expansive living area where a bespoke solid oak table serves as a focal point, complementing the oak floors and seamlessly integrated white kitchen.
