Rebirth

After multiple conversations with the client, the design team decided on a retro-industrial style based on the client’s love for vintage items such as antiques, vinyl records, and photographic film and the client’s wish to keep the original wooden furniture. The team created a brand new living style under the guidelines of not dismantling the structure on a large scale and integrating the collection of the client. Other than having a retro tone, the overall style also gives a vintage, mottled touch to the atmosphere of the space which accentuates the client's collection and taste. Facing this project of renovating an old house, instead of taking down all of the original furnishings, the design team kept the cabinets and embellished them while taking the client’s interest in vintage clothing into consideration, hence the decision of making furniture out of discarded hardwood, achieving the team’s goal of reusing resources and creating value for old materials. Due to innovations made in the field of construction, the techniques used then are largely different than techniques nowadays, but because of this, the design team was able to study the craftsmanship of 20 years ago. After close analysis, the designers integrated modern methods and brought forth an atmosphere different than before with a comprehensive design language. This environment-friendly way of thinking also adds a more colorful tone to the retro-industrial residence and creates a minimal yet warm atmosphere. In order to shape the retro-industrial style presented in this project, the design team utilized the original form of Pandomo concrete, the coarseness of plaster, and the natural knots and color of hardwood flooring. During construction, the team brought the client along to a vintage timber store in search of lumber suitable for building lattice for the dining room and old wooden planks for the dining table and coffee table. A vintage ambiance of the 50s is hence present throughout the whole house.