The house challenged us. Trained architects as we are, we normally try to achieve the most refined design and detailing possible. However, this house needed more of an “adhoc” approach. And it demanded the acceptance – if not the celebration – of friction and disruptions. Seeking a balance between refinement and unfinishedness became an important attitude for this project.

So we didn’t even go for a ‘total makeover’, but rather a minimally invasive approach. Most of the work was renovation. But whenever there was an opportunity to develop one of the building’s very specific architectural gestures, we took the chance to amplify what we found beyond mere usability.

The house taught us valuable lessons and – since we inhabit it – we have to live with the consequences. Most of those consequences are enjoayble.