Refurbishment

Preserving heritage, identity, and communityThe retrofit and extension of Um Bock School preserves far more than a building; it safeguards memory, identity, and community ties. Originally built in the 1950s, the school’s concrete framework and interior red brick walls were carefully retained, preserving their authentic materials and aged patina. Rather than fully replacing damaged areas, the project embraced a sensitive, sustainable approach that combines restoration, extension, and creative repair. Steve Troes Steve Troes Flexible, light-filled spaces for learning and social lifeThe design departs from traditional corridor layouts, organizing classrooms and circulation into offset, interlocking volumes around a central pat... More

Located at the heart of Université de Sherbrooke’s main campus, the cafeteria of the Multipurpose Pavilion, originally built in 1993, is reimagined as a new social heart for the university. As one of Quebec’s leading French-language research institutions, with a campus closely tied to its natural setting, it now offers renewed spaces of daily life for students, places to meet, study, share a meal and spend time together from morning to evening. Charles Lanteigne Charles Lanteigne The design is guided by the idea of an appropriable interior landscape, composed of a sequence of atmospheres rather than a single uniform hall. Students are invited to occupy the space in many ways: for a quick meal, collaborative wor... More

The building of Cercle Calongí society, inaugurated in 1924, is located in the main square of Calonge old town. The organization has recently ceded part of the building to the City Council to be renewed as a cultural public facility. The assignment includes the concert hall and a patio, with access from the back street. Pol Viladoms Pol Viladoms Pol Viladoms Pol Viladoms Pol Viladoms The main challenge is to provide a new access through the courtyard and change its character to represent a public facility, offering a new facade towards a new square. Where the backdrop was, a large door is opened to connects directly to the patio, favoring versatility and being able to hold events that mix the interior with t... More

Forn Lleva’t transforms a former warehouse on Carrer dels Fossos, in the historic heart of Avinyonet de Puigventós, into an artisanal bakery that restores the tradition of bread and places it once again at the center of the town’s everyday life. More than a renovation, the intervention is a careful reading of place: an architecture that listens, interprets, and supports. The space, rich in memory and matter, unfolds as a sequence of three interlinked areas, each with its own scale, construction system, and character. This succession constructs a coherent, functional, and, above all, living spatial narrative. Pol Viladoms The first space, located at the corner of Carrer dels Fossos and Carrer Bellaire, is a large, op... More

The delicate, timeless family home floated above the garden, which stretched out toward the banana grove. Perched on multiple black, rugged arches, it rose with tall windows that filtered the light, softening it into a quiet, tranquil glow. João Morgado A large courtyard, drenched in vibrant, temperamental colors, unfolded toward the exterior, evoking a past that celebrated a palette full of contrasts. João Morgado The pre-existing structure played a pivotal role in shaping the concept for the interiors of the building, and the memory of the visit to both the house and the island resolved the harmony between them. The house symbolized the multiple layers of the island, bridging the past and the present. Jo&atil... More

A space where warm ambiance meets playful character. Designed with intention, Arkouda bar blends existing architectural elements with a contemporary eye for materials and custom design. The result is a bar café that feels both familiar and fresh. Vintage floors, soft lighting, industrial details and clean lines create a glowing interior that invites you to relax, connect, and stay a while. The open layout connects inside and outside seamlessly—bringing the street energy in, while offering a calm and cozy escape out. Vibrant selected artwork brings a poetic touch to the space. Loukianos Arnaoutakis Loukianos Arnaoutakis Loukianos Arnaoutakis Loukianos Arnaoutakis Loukianos Arnaoutakis More

On a quiet street in Bloomsbury, this project returns two Grade II listed buildings back to a single house after being used as publishers’ offices since 1974. The project places a room, shared by both buildings, in the reinstated garden. The new element sits on the slab and foundations of a former utility building which was built to serve the offices when they were converted. Demolition of the service building results in the best-preserved window being revealed to the garden and mews for the first time in almost fifty years. Ben Blossom Ben Blossom The new extension frames views into the garden whilst allowing light into the main house. New windows and doors are positioned to reinforce established connections, vistas and e... More

Built in 1970 according to the plans of Bernhard Pfau, the Schauspielhaus, together with the neighbouring Dreischeibenhaus, forms one of the most important ensembles of post-war architecture. The architectural icon has now been renovated by ingenhoven associates. © ingenhoven architects / HGEsch The focus was on the sensitive handling of the architectural heritage. The listed building fabric was adapted to the current state of the art. The façade and roof, the latter now covered with greenery, were renovated, as were the areas relevant to the public, including lighting and furnishings. Contemporary additions are elegantly restrained in matt black. Designer Petra Blaisse has created characterful curtains for the wall coveri... More

The new Cultural Center is located in a historic setting that is part of the Flix agricultural cooperative complex. The new space contributes to the recovery and enhancement of the building's historical and social features and elements. The basic interventions to enable the new center's use are: foundation and ground stability, structural consolidation, and comfort of the interior spaces. José Hevia The original character of this heritage building is closely linked to its typology: a typology based on the void of the nave and the connection of the naves within the complex. Inside, the nave's typological structure is preserved and designed to ensure maximum comfort. A ceramic finish and ceramic battens are proposed to improve... More

What would he say, former mayor and “Loam Baron” Josef Gloo, who built Beim Fuchs in Unterföhring near Munich? What would he say if he knew that almost 120 years after building his befitting residence at the center of his municipality, it is still being cherished by his direct descendants? What would he say about the property’s new incarnation - its conversion and restoration - set in motion by his great-great-grandson in collaboration with IFUB*? We'll never know, but one thing is for sure: this house is as magnificent now as it was back then. IFUB* Caption IFUB* This is what the property looked like at the beginning of the 19th century - half farm, half Mayoral residence. A bit of local history: the... More

forresterarchitects have taken a refreshingly minimalist approach to the renovation of a mid-terraced house in Archway, North London. Unlike the typical full-width rear extension often seen in similar homes, this design avoids the need for a large side extension altogether, opting instead for a subtle yet transformative reconfiguration. The result is a space that feels more connected to the garden and sky, while maintaining the house’s original proportions. Anna Stathaki The clients wanted to reconnect with the garden without sacrificing the house’s character. With long rear gardens providing ample space and expansive views of the sky, the architects saw an opportunity to open up the back of the house while avoiding the bu... More

forresterarchitects have brought a distinctly retro flair to a terraced house in Newham, East London, with the completion of a stylish garden pergola extension. This bold addition is not only a nod to mid-century modernism but also a thoughtful response to the home’s south-facing orientation, taking full advantage of natural light and city views. Anna Stathaki Anna Stathaki With no houses to the rear, the pergola offers uninterrupted sunshine from morning to evening, framing the sky and offering glimpses of London’s skyline. The design features an inclined exposed roof structure that seamlessly extends from the interior outwards, forming the pergola over the south-facing terrace. This thoughtful detail serves as both... More

The dramatic landscape of Coverdale, North Yorkshire, a 17th-century Grange has been lovingly restored, recapturing the rustic charm of its storied past. This historic farmhouse had fallen into disrepair, but its new owners saw the potential to bring it back to life. With great care and respect for its heritage, forresterarchitects embarked on an extensive refurbishment to preserve the building’s original character while updating it for modern living. forresterarchitects forresterarchitects The restoration highlights the Grange’s most striking features, from its thick, half-meter stone walls to the exposed timber beams that showcase the craftsmanship of centuries gone by. The stone-tiled roof has been carefully preser... More