From Worker's Shack to Cozy Home: A Sustainable Housing Re

The house with a 100 square meter plot was renovated by Altereco Design. Its simple and straightforward design is undoubtedly attention-grabbing. With a narrow plot of land, the layout and design had to be carefully considered for the comfort of its occupants. In addition to being simple, the design of the living space also adheres to sustainable principles.

The homeowner also aimed to create a sustainable living space not just in its design but also throughout the renovation process. The client requested that the architect preserve the original structure of the building whenever possible. This approach aligns with environmentally friendly principles, as it involves minimal demolition during the renovation process.

The parts of the house that were damaged were removed and replaced with new materials. This house has a unique feature with its red brick walls. The red bricks that were originally paving in the backyard were repurposed for the building's walls. Exposed red bricks can be seen in both the interior and exterior. Various materials from the house were recycled, ensuring that there was minimal construction waste during the renovation.

The heart of this house lies in its open kitchen, dining area, and living room, all within one space. The kitchen is designed with a simple white color scheme for the cabinets and bar table. The kitchen walls are adorned with square tiles in white and gray, creating a unique pattern in the space. This clean-looking kitchen is complemented by wooden shelves and wooden seating. Additionally, the ceiling is quite unique, featuring exposed wooden beams with elegant black accents. Local company Cantilever Interior designed the kitchen furniture, using environmentally friendly recycled materials.

Adjacent to the kitchen, there is also a casually designed dining area. Placed in a corner of the room, an oval table and an L-shaped sofa complete the space. Large windows provide natural light and add a unique touch to the room. Plants adorn the space, ranging from tall ones to small potted plants. The pendant lighting is also designed to be simple and attractive, with black accents on the frame and canopy. It exudes a modern and neat appearance.

The living room is designed to be relaxed, featuring a comfortable sectional sofa. A flat-screen television serves as entertainment in this central space. What's unique is that the flat-screen TV is integrated into the red brick wall, seamlessly blending with it. The room has a higher ceiling, creating a sense of spaciousness. The wall features neatly arranged books on open wooden shelves. Potted plants are also strategically placed on the shelves and around the room, adding a touch of greenery.

The family room is connected to the backyard, which is still enclosed by its red brick wall. The use of wooden floorboards adds a natural and environmentally friendly touch to the house. The red brick wall serves as a boundary between the property and external structures.

The primary bedroom in this home is connected to its primary bathroom. The bathroom itself is equally appealing, as it opens up to the backyard through its glass door. This means that when the homeowner is soaking in the bathtub, they can also enjoy the natural scenery outside. The bathroom exudes a natural ambiance. Of course, this is not the only bathroom in the house. There is another enclosed bathroom located in the hallway before the kitchen area.

The use of red bricks in the interior of this home serves not only as an aesthetic element but also as a temperature regulator for the rooms. Various green elements undoubtedly make the residence feel cooler. The presence of openings also facilitates air circulation between the interior and exterior of the house. Additionally, the green roof serves as insulation, making the home more sustainable. Not to forget, the use of solar panels on the roof is a plus point for energy efficiency in the house.

The house, initially an old worker's shack dating back hundreds of years, has been successfully transformed according to the owner's and architect's desires. They managed to redesign the building without generating a significant amount of construction waste. Additionally, through the use of various recycled materials, they have turned the old and rundown dwelling into a beautiful, comfortable, new, and modern home.

source: archdaily