Moscow furniture factory from the 1980s turned into loft-style apartments

This article details the transformation of a 473-square-foot studio apartment located in a historic 1930s building in Milan, Italy. The renovation, undertaken by local architecture firm ATOMAA, converted a dark, cramped, and compartmentalized space into a flexible and open living environment. The project, named "A House In Constant Transition," demonstrates how renovating existing buildings can be a more sustainable and tailored solution compared to new construction, particularly in addressing embodied carbon. The original layout featured a narrow, poorly lit bathroom centrally located, bisecting the apartment and blocking one of its three windows. The architects' primary intervention involved relocating the bathroom to the rear perimeter wall, away from natural light sources. This strategic move allowed for the centralization of fixed functional elements such as storage furniture, a wardrobe, washing machine, and entrance along this thickened wall. Consequently, the main living areas—kitchen, living, dining, and bedroom—were repositioned closer to the windows, benefiting from ample natural light and creating a continuous, open space. The new design emphasizes flexibility and openness, giving the impression of a much larger apartment. Curtains and sliding doors play a crucial role in enabling the inhabitants to reconfigure the space as needed. For instance, curtains in the living room can be drawn to create a private, enclosed area. The use of light and bright colors, particularly on a curved wall, helps reflect light and enhance the sense of spaciousness. An exposed brick wall, painted white, subtly defines an entry area and a laundry room. The kitchen, now centrally located, features cabinetry and furniture crafted from high-quality beech plywood. All living spaces are unified by wooden flooring laid in a diagonal pattern. The kitchen is fully equipped with modern appliances, including a stove, oven, range hood, refrigerator, and dishwasher, all neatly concealed behind cabinet doors. Floating shelves are utilized instead of heavy solid cabinets to maintain a light and open aesthetic. Flexibility extends to the bedroom, where two sliding doors can separate the sleeping area from the kitchen. A reading nook is positioned by the window, and another curtain offers an additional layer of division to separate the bedroom from this nook. Multipurpose sliding doors in the bedroom can alternately close off the closet or the bathroom. The relocated bathroom is now a wider and brighter space, accommodating a shower, toilet, bidet, and sink. It also features two points of entry: one from the laundry room and another from the bedroom. ATOMAA founder Umberto Maj highlights the importance of such renovations in ensuring urban continuity and providing comfortable, sustainable housing solutions in growing cities like Milan, by reusing and rehabilitating existing beautiful buildings from the 1930s. #ApartmentRenovation #SmallSpaceDesign #FlexibleLiving #SustainableDesign #MilanArchitecture #InteriorDesign #HistoricBuildings #SpaceSavingSolutions

A loft in a house is an elevated interior area accessible via stairs, typically overlooking a main living space like a living room or kitchen. Unlike a traditional room, a loft generally features railings instead of four full walls, offering an open design similar to an indoor balcony. These versatile spaces can serve various functions, including a bedroom, storage area, or an activity space, blending both aesthetic appeal and practical utility within a home. Lofts are commonly found in contemporary or industrial-style homes, where their open nature and often modern finishes complement the architectural design. They are also prevalent in smaller city apartments, providing a solution to maximize vertical space and create an additional room when square footage is limited. The specific appearance of a loft can vary depending on the home's architectural style. For instance, in industrial-style homes, lofts might feature black metal staircases and railings, possibly accompanied by exposed brick walls or visible beams and ductwork. Functionally, lofts are frequently used as offices or lounge spaces. Rachael Grochowski, principal architect and designer at RHG A+D, highlights their utility as offices, enabling adults to work while maintaining a connection with family members in the main living areas below. Lofts can also serve as libraries or overlook areas, with some office lofts even being enclosed with glass. While less common due to the lack of standard walls, lofts can function as bedrooms, particularly in single-occupancy apartments or for couples where privacy concerns are minimal. Sometimes, a lofted bedroom may include an en-suite bathroom, though it's also common for the sole bathroom to be on the main living level. Furthermore, lofts can be utilized for storage, offering easily accessible space for items like off-season clothing, holiday decorations, or crafting supplies, potentially transforming into walk-in closets. Designing a loft effectively involves creating intentional zones and defined spaces without relying on walls. The focus should be on the space's function, whether it's a reading nook, a bedroom, or an office, while adhering to the modern or industrial aesthetic often associated with lofts. Unlike finished attics, which are more secluded with standard walls and tend to have a rustic design, lofts prioritize open space, aesthetics, and functionality. Patty Cassidy, director of interiors at Ike Baker Velten, emphasizes this distinction. When furnishing a loft, neutral pieces, plants, and sleek accent pieces are often chosen to maintain a cohesive look with the rest of the home, as lofts are visible from the rooms below. The open design also means sound can travel easily between the loft and the main living areas. Lofts offer several advantages, including increased space, abundant natural light, and a modern, urban feel that supports contemporary design. However, they can present challenges with temperature regulation, requiring effective heating and cooling systems for year-round comfort. The cost of building a loft typically ranges from $10,000 to $35,000, depending on the project's scope and location. Adding a loft can increase a home's property value by 10% to 25%, making it a popular choice for homeowners seeking additional space, especially those appreciating an industrial or modern aesthetic. Nevertheless, if a loft replaces a closed bedroom, its appeal to potential buyers might vary. #HomeDesign #LoftLiving #ArchitecturalFeatures #InteriorDesign #SpaceUtilization #ModernHomes #IndustrialStyle #HomeImprovement

This article details the transformation of an outdated kitchen in a two-family home in Arlington, Massachusetts, that had remained largely untouched for over 50 years. The homeowners, who had resided in the property for almost two decades, sought to modernize their kitchen while honoring the home's 1920s heritage and incorporating a sense of whimsy and warmth. Resa Gray, a partner at Honeycomb Design + Build, led the renovation project, focusing on infusing Finnish design elements, a connection to nature, and cheerful colors to achieve a contemporary feel. One of the primary goals of the renovation was to enhance the perceived size of the kitchen without physically expanding its footprint. To achieve this, the design team removed a partition wall that previously obscured the rear stairs. This modification created a more open and spacious feel within the existing layout. Additionally, a large window was installed, significantly increasing the amount of natural light entering the kitchen, which further contributed to the sense of openness and airiness. A key aesthetic feature introduced in the redesigned kitchen is a vibrant floral wallpaper from Milton & King. This eye-catching wallcovering, characterized by dense foliage and lively blooms, serves as a welcoming focal point. It extends down to the first floor, creating a cohesive visual flow and drawing inspiration from the outdoor garden. The choice of this less traditional, energetic pattern reflects the homeowners' desire for a joyful and colorful environment, as noted by Gray, who emphasized the positive impact of vibrant colors on the family's mood. Given the space constraints that precluded the inclusion of a traditional island, Gray ingeniously designed a breakfast counter. This counter is strategically positioned to face the newly installed large window, allowing residents to enjoy natural light and views while dining. Complementing the custom-designed breakfast counter are orange Eames stools, which add a playful and modern pop of color, harmonizing with the overall color scheme of the kitchen. Further details of the kitchen's cabinetry include lower cabinets painted in Sherwin-Williams’s Marea Baja, a blue hue with a subtle hint of green. These are accented by natural cherry shelves. These shelves were intentionally placed in a corner that was previously hard to access, transforming it into a functional and decorative area for displaying personal mementos and cookbooks, adding a personal touch to the space. For the backsplash, narrow tiles from Nemo Tile were chosen and installed in a herringbone pattern. This choice was deliberate to ensure that the backsplash would contribute texture without competing visually with the bold floral wallpaper, maintaining a balanced and sophisticated design. During the renovation process, the team discovered original fir floorboards beneath layers of peeling checkerboard tiles. These historic floorboards were carefully refinished, and any damaged sections were repaired using salvaged boards from other projects. While this approach resulted in some natural blemishes, the homeowners appreciated the character these imperfections added, feeling that it honored the historical integrity and age of their home. The entire renovation aimed to create a kitchen that is not only functional and modern but also deeply personal and reflective of the homeowners' tastes and the home's intrinsic character. The collaboration between the designers and the homeowners ensured that the final design achieved a harmonious balance between contemporary style and traditional roots. The project successfully transformed a neglected space into a vibrant and welcoming central hub for the family, emphasizing bright colors, natural light, and a connection to the outdoors. Ultimately, the redesigned kitchen represents a thoughtful blend of aesthetics and practicality, celebrating both the past and the present of the Arlington home. The selection of materials and finishes further reinforced the design's commitment to both beauty and longevity. Every element, from the large window to the specific paint colors and tile choices, was carefully considered to contribute to the overall whimsical and modern yet rooted aesthetic. The renovation is an example of how thoughtful design can revitalize an old space. #KitchenRenovation #HomeDesign #InteriorDesign #FinnishStyle #Wallpaper #ModernKitchen #MetroWest #ArlingtonHome #HoneycombDesign

In Prague's Holešovice district, a historic building that once housed the city's first municipal brewery has been transformed by CMC architects. The structure, originally used for beer fermentation and storage, has been revitalized into a residential complex featuring intimate and outward-looking spaces designed for modern living while preserving an industrial aesthetic. This project marks a return for CMC architects, who previously restored parts of the complex in 2008. The converted brewery now accommodates a total of forty loft flats. Half of these are authentic industrial lofts, meticulously integrated into the original storage units. An additional six lofts were created in the building's front section during the conversion, and fourteen new units were constructed in an addition facing the square, further expanding the residential capacity of the site. The interiors of these industrial lofts are characterized by a deliberate preservation of the building's raw, historical elements. Unplastered brick wall surfaces are prominent throughout, contributing to the industrial charm. Other notable features include steel staircases, steel bookcases, and concrete flooring. The barrel vaulted ceilings, finished in a matte black, add a dramatic touch while referencing the building's past. The design philosophy aimed to maintain the original industrial character of the brewery while simultaneously creating comfortable and functional spaces for contemporary residents. A key aspect of the renovation involved preserving the original raw materials and leaving the structural elements exposed. For instance, the original concrete floors were cast without movement joints, allowing them to crack naturally and develop a unique, aged patina. Electrical wiring is routed visibly along the brick walls, culminating in fixtures also finished in matte black, further emphasizing the industrial aesthetic. Each loft features a double-height living space with ceilings reaching nearly twenty feet, creating an expansive and airy atmosphere. The lofted areas within these units typically house two bathrooms and two bedrooms, optimizing the vertical space available. Residents can access their flats through an exterior terrace, and a second private terrace is strategically placed adjacent to the living area, providing additional outdoor living space. The project, completed in June 2019, involved CMC architects as both the lead architects and main contractor. The design team included Vít Máslo, David R. Chisholm, Evžen Dub, Gabriela Sekyrová, and Nela Niederle. Each unit spans approximately 120 square meters, offering generous living areas. Photography by BoysPlayNice captures the essence of this adaptive reuse project, showcasing the successful blend of historical preservation and modern residential design within a unique industrial setting. #IndustrialLofts #PragueArchitecture #BreweryConversion #CMCarhitects #ResidentialArchitecture #AdaptiveReuse #HistoricPreservation #IndustrialInteriorDesign #CzechRepublic