Building Character: Transforming Old Homes for Modern Living

As the modern world changes and evolves, so does the modern lifestyle. Our levels of home comfort, desires, and overall life satisfactions are being defined in new ways, often contrasting with notions of the 'traditional' house design. We now strive to own more things, yet aim to live simpler lives; and we opt to reside in open-plan homes that provide a sense of freedom, too. All too often traditionally designed homes are no longer able to satisfy our contemporary living needs. The restoration of living spaces is usually to restore existing buildings that may have become impractical over time, if not outdated. These days, the challenge is how to adapt and transform these existing buildings to modern standards, all the while maintaining what may still be useful, special features or design characteristics, or what we like most about the space. Today, we prefer to live in quite open and airy spaces. We renovate and upgrade different levels of living spaces by upgrading installations and equipment, dismantling and rebuilding walls, and expanding building volumes, for instance. This book showcases a selection of examples of how people from around the world have refurbished an old house to meet their needs for a modern lifestyle. With vivid descriptions, detailed drawings and rich photography (including befores and afters), this book provides designers and architects, as well as owner-builders of old houses several excellent strategies on how to approach their restoration, and how to convey a modern life concept.