Retrofit

In the heart of a quiet neighborhood, an old residential building stood forgotten. What invisible forces compel us to breathe new life into such spaces? In an era of relentless urban expansion, do we truly need architecture that questions demolition's ease, challenging the tangible costs of carbon footprints, ecosystem disruption, and fleeting trends? For preschools those delicate realms where tiny minds form their first impressions of the world the stakes feel even higher. How do we craft environments that spark joy without ignoring structural scars, tight budgets, or the whims of young perceptions across age groups? Studio Lumos.media Studio Lumos.media Studio Lumos.media Studio Lumos.media Studio Lumos.media S... More

 A carbon-reducing remodel and retrofit of a detached house in Barnes that could become a template for retrofits of many similar houses across the UK.Sitting outside a Conservation Area and unrestrained by planning, a simple, two-story suburban house from the 1930s went through a piecemeal expansion typical for the 1990s. In under 10 years, it nearly doubled its square meterage, spreading out in all directions. Agnese Sanvito Agnese Sanvito Agnese Sanvito Agnese Sanvito The seemingly endless extensions, with ever-bigger windows, finally culminated in the addition of a ubiquitous conservatory, all facing due south. By the 2020s, the house became challenging to live in, fluctuating from too cold in the winter to over... More

Designed by Finestra Arquitetura, the project for the library of the largest Marist school in Brazil offers multifunctional, welcoming, and symbolic spaces. Marcelo Nakano Marcelo Nakano Marcelo Nakano Marcelo Nakano Marcelo Nakano Marcelo Nakano Marcelo Nakano  The renovation of Luminar library at Marista Arquidiocesano School marks an important step in the institution’s ongoing modernization. With nearly 4,000 students and high daily circulation, the school needed a space capable of supporting contemporary learning practices while honoring the Marist tradition of community, hospitality, and integral education.  Marcelo Nakano The new library is a multifunctional and welcoming envir... More

Designed by the architecture firm Königsberger Vannucchi, the Sesc Avenida Paulista unit, opened in 2018, stands out as an extension of the avenue itself, establishing itself as a free territory to be appropriated by the general public. Among its structural characteristics, the concept unfolds in the large access points, the various social interaction areas – with internal squares and a rooftop terrace – and even in the choice of materials, such as the use of non-reflective glass. The choice of this material, combined with zinc panels on the façade, reveals the various activities carried out inside the building. Architecture is only complete when activated by the flow of people, and for this relationship, the entire... More

170 Piccadilly is a workplace strongly rooted in its location and history. Opposite Burlington Arcade, the building offers a considered contrast to the pace of Piccadilly outside, blending restored historic character with contemporary comfort. Inside, spaces feel calm, tactile and adaptable, shaped by crafted details and carefully controlled environments. A hospitality-led club overlooks a planted courtyard garden, creating a social anchor for the building. Throughout, the experience is intentional – a workplace that feels grounded, comfortable and distinctly its own. Ed Reeve Our ambition was to rediscover the architectural identity of 170 Piccadilly and reposition it as a Fully Managed Workplace for GPE. Originally built in 19... More

Bordered by the public balcony of the Copan Building - a suspended sidewalk in São Paulo's Historic Center - the project for the New Headquarters of Greenpeace Brasil presents itself as a showcase of the institution to the largest city in Latin America. Manuel Sá Manuel Sá Its privileged insertion and architecture invite the inhabitants of the metropolis to enjoy a universally accessible space, with peculiar materiality and unique cultural relevance. Simple and inviting furnishings allow a thorough appropriation of  the balcony - an interface between the city and the public space of the new headquarters. Manuel Sá Manuel Sá While the Warehouse hosts various forms of the instituti... More

The renovation of Casa Graviola was planned based on 4 main movements. The first step was to simplify the existing structure by demolishing the various extensions that surrounded the original house from 1991. The main body of the house was preserved and has striking features, such as the brick walls and the roof made directly from beams and ceramic tiles, dispensing with the use of slats, an old technique that directly refers to the Casa do Rio Vermelho by Jorge Amado and Zélia Gattai, a direct reference for this renovation. Manoel Sá Manoel Sá Manoel Sá Manoel Sá Manoel Sá Manoel Sá The structure of the original house could not accommodate all the needs of the... More

"We tasked Quinn Architects with the challenge of modernising a unique mid-century home to meet the living and environmental needs of the 21st century, without compromising the integrity of the house’s original spirit. The resulting evolution builds upon, but does not compromise, the original Case Study ethos around which it was originally designed back in the 70s — that of open plan, simple volumes and panoramic windows overlooking exterior courtyard spaces."Ruth, owner of Harfield Gardens House Elliot Sheppard Elliot Sheppard Elliot Sheppard More

We were approached by residents to transform a typical condominium house from the late 1990s, with wooden roofs with many slopes and small windows and doors, into a house with contemporary architecture adapted to the family's needs in 2021. Manuel Sá Manuel Sá Manuel Sá The two main objectives were clear: to integrate the social areas and to make the house open to the gardens with a view of the horizon. To achieve this, it was necessary to demolish walls and make structural reinforcements to support the new spans of the integrated spaces. Manuel Sá Manuel Sá Manuel Sá The toilet that was between the living room and the kitchen was completely demolished and repositione... More

The renovation and expansion project of this beach house was based on the perception of existing potentialities that could be preserved in order to propose new spaces and ways of use. Rafael Schimidt Rafael Schimidt Rafael Schimidt Rafael Schimidt Rafael Schimidt Rafael Schimidt Rafael Schimidt Rafael Schimidt Rafael Schimidt The perimeter of the house and some walls were maintained. The roof, with two uneven pitched sections, was rebuilt to create a skylight. Walls were removed from the upper floor, forming the large open space that combines the living room, dining room, and kitchen. These areas integrate with the large veranda that runs along the house, designed to connect the garden with the... More

Originally completed in 1975 but left largely unoccupied for decades, Piraeus Tower stood as a symbol of unfinished ambition at the port of Piraeus. Rising 88 meters, the building's concrete shell was long known as the "sleeping giant" of the port. Its recent transformation into a contemporary mixed-use tower marks a major shift in both architectural and urban terms. Led by PILA, the project reactivates the structure through a comprehensive facade retrofit and reprogramming of common spaces, aligning it with the broader regeneration of Piraeus as a dynamic, livable district. Yiannis Hadjiaslanis   Responsive facade and solar performance At the heart of the retrofit is a new facade system designed to reduce energy use and enhanc... More

Kitchener, Ontario, originally known as Berlin, is a city in the Waterloo Region of Southern Ontario, Canada. Founded by German Mennonite settlers in the early 19th century, it was named Berlin in 1833, reflecting its strong German heritage. The city thrived as an industrial and manufacturing hub throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was later renamed Kitchener and has since grown into a vibrant, urban center.   Photos courtesy of Patrick Wey Today, Kitchener is renowned for its diverse cultural scene, highlighted by the annual Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest, the largest Oktoberfest celebration outside Germany. The city is also part of Canada's Technology Triangle, hosting numerous tech companies and startups, which co... More

Bold contrasts and a skillful play with perspective – that is our interior concept for the new spaces of McCann Frankfurt. The area is designed along a clear light-dark axis. A white funnel from the entrance along the digital brand wall pulls visitors seamlessly into the heart of the offices. Similar to a well-told story, tension builds as visitors venture deeper into the new premises. This design structure not only creates a memorable physical experience but also fosters the connection between the space and the narrative told – Truth well told. Kirsten Bucher McCann, an international multi-channel agency with various sub-brands, commissioned us to develop a spatial concept for their location in Frankfurt, providing a comm... More

Located in the eastern quays of Amsterdam, the striking 19th century warehouse of the Geschutswerf sets the scene for this transformation. The apartment has been re-designed to meticulously embed within the renovated structure, embracing the robust, industrial nature of the state monument. Peter Mann Peter Mann Peter Mann Over the past 30 years the apartment has been modified and interior layers have been added by different users, leading to a fragmented floorplan. The approach for this project was to strip the space back to its bare bones to holistically form a coherent living space both spatial and technically. Utilising new sustainable heating and energy systems whilst liberating the historic fabric to create spaciousness... More