Old Becomes New

Howcan houses be upgraded to meet today’s demands – from living comfort via energyefficiency to digital requirements? How can the fusion of historic and newelements be utilized as a design element? The continued use of existing residential buildings, be it a Renaissancetownhouse, a Ming Dynasty atriumhouse, a 19th-century farmhouse, or a post-warbungalow, not only scores with the charm of former years, but actually also withan advantagous ecological balance. Based on carefully selected works, this bookpresents the whole scope of possibilities for extensions and conversions – fromannexes, via new designs for existing spaces, to additional sections, or conceptuallymerged rooms. All are evidence that preservation is a creative challenge thathas many different solutions. How can homes be upgraded to meet today’s demands – from living comfort to energy efficiency and digital requirements? How can the fusion of the historic and the new be used as a design element? The use of existing residential buildings scores not only with the charm of what has been handed down, be it a baroque villa, a 19th-century farmhouse, or a post-war bungalow, but actually also always with an excellent ecological balance. The extensive reworking, whether modernization, renovation or extension, is a widespread and thoroughly rewarding task for many architects. Since the initial situation is documented for each of the presented projects, the reader can clearly understand the redesign process.