Historic
apartment renovation
Historic apartments from the late 19th and early 20th century were designed for a completely different way of living than today. Large representative rooms facing the street, kitchens oriented toward inner courtyards, servant rooms, and complex circulation layouts often no longer correspond to contemporary living standards. That is why renovating a historic or Art Nouveau apartment is much more than simply redesigning an interior. It is about finding balance between preserving the historic structure of the building and creating a contemporary space for modern life. In our opinion, the strongest results often emerge from the contrast between original historic architecture and contemporary minimalist interiors.
How the renovation of a historic or Art Nouveau apartment works
Every historic apartment is first analyzed as a whole.We study the original layout, building structure, historic layers, and the quality of architectural details. Historic apartments in Art Nouveau apartment buildings were often designed according to principles that no longer function for contemporary living. That is why these renovations frequently involve major layout transformations. We relocate kitchens, connect rooms, or completely rethink the spatial logic of the apartment to suit modern lifestyles. The goal, however, is not to create a new anonymous space. On the contrary — we aim to preserve the most valuable qualities of the original architecture.
Renovating Art Nouveau apartments and working with detail
The strongest quality of historic and Art Nouveau apartments is often found in the detail itself. Decorative plasterwork, high ceilings, original doors, parquet floors, and ornamental layers create an atmosphere that is almost impossible to recreate today. We do not try to imitate or replace these elements with replicas. Instead, we allow them to stand out through contrast with contemporary interventions and minimalist interiors. The tension between the historic structure and the contemporary layer is often what gives these spaces their greatest strength.
Contemporary minimalist interiors within historic apartments
Historic apartments do not require historical furniture or decorative styling. In many cases, contemporary minimalist interiors work far more powerfully because they allow the original architecture to stand out. Minimalism here is not a stylistic trend. It is a way of creating a calm contemporary layer alongside a highly expressive historic structure. We are not trying to recreate the past. Instead, we insert a contemporary layer into the original historic structure that reflects the way people live today. Very often, the contrast between ornament and simplicity becomes the strongest quality of the entire renovation.
Why historic apartments require an individual approach
Historic apartment renovations are never universal projects. Every building has a different structure, different historic layers, and different architectural potential. That is why we approach each project individually — from layout and materials to detailing and atmosphere. Historic apartments also often involve technical limitations that simply do not exist in contemporary buildings. This is why it is important to approach the renovation comprehensively and coordinate the entire realization process from the very beginning.
What clients usually consider when renovating a historic apartment
How much does a historic apartment renovation cost?
The cost depends on the size of the apartment, the technical condition of the building, and the scope of the renovation. Historic apartments often require more complex construction work, restoration of original structures, and highly individual solutions.
Does it make sense to preserve original plasterwork and historic details?
In most cases, yes. Historic layers, decorative plasterwork, and original details often create the greatest architectural value of the apartment.
How do layouts change during historic apartment renovations?
Historic apartment layouts often no longer correspond to contemporary lifestyles. Renovations therefore commonly involve relocating kitchens, connecting rooms, or completely reorganizing the spatial structure of the apartment.
Do minimalist interiors work in historic apartments?
Yes — and often extremely well. Contemporary minimalist interiors can create a strong contrast with historic architecture while allowing original details to stand out.
What are the biggest challenges in renovating historic apartments?
Historic apartments often involve technical limitations, complicated structures, or interventions from multiple historical periods. Every project therefore requires an individual approach and careful preparation.
What makes historic and Art Nouveau apartments unique?
Historic and Art Nouveau apartments often offer a quality of space, detail, and atmosphere that is rarely found in contemporary housing. That is exactly why they still hold exceptional architectural value today.
How does an Art Nouveau apartment renovation work?
The process begins with analyzing the original layout, building structure, and historic layers. The renovation usually includes a new spatial concept, preservation of historic details, and coordination of the entire realization process.
Our portfolio is not built on visualizations, but on real completed projects. This is what our completed reconstruction projects actually look like:
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