Renovations
Not every space is worth tearing down and starting over. And not every renovation is worth saving. Finding that line is what interests us most.
Renovation isn’t the easiest path. But that’s precisely why it makes sense to us. When it’s done right, the result isn’t just a repaired building — it’s a completely new way of living. Whether it’s an apartment, a house, a villa or a barn, we’re always interested in the same things: what’s worth keeping, what no longer works, and where a bold move is needed.
Renovation or a new building? When It makes sense
A new build starts with an empty plot. A renovation starts with a decision about what’s worth keeping.
And that’s where its strength lies. Older buildings often have something that’s hard to create from scratch today — proportion, light, structure, materials, or simply a particular quality of space that a new build rarely achieves.
That doesn’t mean everything is worth saving. But when you can identify what truly has value, renovation can offer a quality that a new build can rarely replicate.
How renovation actually works
Renovation can’t be fully planned from a desk.
At the start, you have an idea, a design and some kind of plan. But the true condition of the house or apartment only reveals itself once you start opening things up. And that’s when the real decisions about the outcome begin.
Some things you uncover start to make sense. Some things you uncover force you to rethink everything. And sometimes you find that the best solution is completely different from what was planned.
Renovation is not a linear processs. It’s about working with what gradually reveals itself, and the ability to respond to situations that simply can’t be fully anticipated.
And that’s the difference between a design that looks good on paper and a result that actually works.
Why partial renovation doesn’t work
One of the most common assumptions is that renovation can be broken into smaller steps. Do the bathroom, then the kitchen, and leave the rest for later.
On the surface, that seems reasonable. In practice, it produces a space that never quite works as a whole.
Individual interventions don’t connect. Each subsequent change is more complex, more expensive and often constrained by what’s already been done. Instead of a considered solution, you end up with a compromise.
Renovation makes sense when it’s approached as a whole. Otherwise it very quickly becomes an expensive compromise.
What much does renovation cost
It’s the question we hear most often. And it’s also the one that can’t be answered in a single sentence.
The cost of renovation isn’t just about the size of the space. What matters is the condition of the structure, the scope of work, the type of building, and what you expect from the result.
A large part of what’s involved only becomes clear during construction. What looks like a minor adjustment at the start often turns into something that makes sense to address in full.
The idea that a space can be fundamentally transformed for a few hundred thousand rarely holds up. With renovation, you reach the millions very quickly.
And that’s exactly why half-measures don’t make sense.
Renovation isn’t about “fixing something.” It makes sense when the whole is addressed — the layout, the structure, and how the space will function in the long term. Otherwise it very quickly becomes an expensive compromise.
Renovation by house type:
Every house has its own potential, its own limitations, and demands its own approach. The way we think about renovating a villa in Prague is different from how we approach a family home on the outskirts of the city — or a historic property.
FAQ:
There is no universal answer. The decision depends on the structural condition of the building, its layout, the quality of the existing construction, the potential for adaptation, and the relationship between the house and its surroundings. In some cases, renovation is clearly the better choice; in others, preserving the building would require too many compromises. The best time to assess the potential of a property is before purchasing it or before starting the design process.
The earlier, the better. Ideally before purchasing the property or before making decisions about the layout, selecting a contractor, or contacting suppliers. An early consultation can reveal structural limitations, unrealistic expectations, and hidden costs before they become expensive mistakes. It also prevents time and money being spent on solutions that would later need to be redesigned.
An architectural concept defines the overall vision of the project, including the layout, materials, atmosphere, and design direction. However, it is not a construction document. It does not include the technical details required for building, bespoke joinery, or the many construction issues that arise during execution. Before construction begins, the concept must be developed into detailed technical documentation.
If planning permission is required, the documentation is prepared by an external architectural or engineering practice. We can recommend professionals we work with regularly or coordinate with a consultant chosen by the client. Our role is to ensure that the architectural concept, technical documentation, and interior design work together as one coherent project.
It is impossible to provide an accurate figure without understanding the property. The cost depends on the condition of the building, the extent of structural work, changes to the layout, existing services, the required finish, and the amount of bespoke design. Understanding your budget from the beginning allows us to develop solutions that fit your expectations while keeping you informed if design decisions move beyond the original budget.
The timeline depends on the scope of the renovation, planning approvals, contractor availability, and what is discovered once construction begins. Careful preparation is one of the most important parts of a successful renovation, and rushing this stage often leads to delays and unnecessary costs later. For this reason, we always recommend allowing sufficient time and avoiding fixed completion dates tied to Christmas, a family event, or a moving deadline.
Yes. We can guide the project from the first design concept through detailed documentation, material selection, contractor coordination, and construction supervision. Clients contract and pay suppliers directly, ensuring full transparency of costs without additional mark-ups. We coordinate the process, resolve issues as they arise, and make sure the project progresses as planned.
Yes. We work with a network of trusted contractors and specialist suppliers with whom we have long-term experience. They understand our standards, collaborate efficiently with one another, and have proven themselves on previous projects. Clients are also welcome to work with their own contractors, although this usually requires more coordination and naturally limits our ability to guarantee the quality of their work.
Yes. Phased construction is often the right solution, provided it is carefully planned from the beginning. The overall concept, structural interventions, and technical infrastructure should always be resolved first to avoid unnecessary demolition or rework later. The individual phases can then be organised according to budget, timing, or family circumstances while maintaining the integrity of the project.
— Let’s meet!
Whether it's a house, an apartment, or a ruin with potential — we'd love to hear from you!
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