Japanese design studio Roovice renovated this 1970s wooden house in Kamakura, Japan, focusing on functionality and pet-friendly features. With an understated, relaxed aesthetic, updates include expanded kitchen space, a bright double-height lightwell, and exposed wooden beams.
The redesign blends practicality and charm, creating a peaceful, comfortable home where natural light and smart design choices enhance the living experience. Designed in 2023, the Fueda House reflects a seamless balance between old and new.
Dans le Noir is a house located in Lugano, Switzerland, designed by ITCH in 2020. The renovation focuses on expanding outdoor spaces and redesigning interiors. The project emphasizes the connection between the large terrace and interior spaces, creating a usable exterior from spring to autumn.
Mathison Mathison Architects revamped a midcentury home on Spring Lake, Michigan, focusing on enhancing its connection to the picturesque surroundings. Designed in 2022, the Harbor Point project reconfigures interior spaces for better lake views and functionality, incorporating features like clerestory windows and an expansive deck.
The renovation emphasises natural materials, with warm wood tones, dark stone, and natural steel finishes throughout, aiming to bring more light and openness while respecting the home’s original integrity.
The Pir.116 house, designed by Mardi, showcases sweeping views of Arcachon Bay from its location on a beachfront plot in France. Redesigned in 2023, the 1950s house is set into a dune and characterised by a double-pitched roof and white-plastered walls, resting on a rounded stone base. The renovation opens up the living space to the sea, maintaining the original identity of the house while enhancing its relationship with the scenic surroundings.
Ignazio Mortellaro has transformed a 300-year-old Sicilian farmhouse into a sustainable, energy-efficient retreat called Casa Balat. Located in Noto, Italy, the project seamlessly integrates traditional materials with state-of-the-art green technology, like a geothermal system for air conditioning and water heating.
Casa Balat features an open-air shala for yoga, a saltwater pool, gardens, and a Bulthaup kitchen, all designed to minimize carbon footprint while providing luxurious and sustainable agriturismo accommodations.
Wohnhaus AGM is situated in Montaccio, a small hamlet in the Bergell region, Switzerland. Renovated by Renato Maurizio Architekten in 2024, the house combines historical and contemporary elements.
The design focuses on preserving the building’s original 1719 structure, using rough stone masonry and lime plaster alongside exposed concrete for new structural elements. Old timber cladding and roof beams are repurposed as floorboards, wall cladding, window, and door frames, maintaining the house’s historical character and blending it with modern additions.
House over the wall by Chaoffice in Beijing, China was designed in 2022. The project approaches renovation creatively, blending old and new structures. The house integrates elements like “basket”, “suitcase”, and “cabinet” that provide natural light and fresh air. Its design maintains the site’s original characteristics while enhancing functionality and aesthetics.
Italian architect Matteo Magnabosco prioritised comfortable living spaces, permeable boundaries, and natural materials while renovating this 1950s apartment in Turin, Italy. Designed for a life coach who prioritises wellness, Casa Terracotta celebrates pale wood, blue and brown shades, and features neutral couches, bespoke built-ins, and semi-glossy ceramic tiles.
