Architectural projects may not always have empty plots - with their countless possibilities - to work with. Adapting pre-existing buildings to new demands is a challenge that requires a different approach.
Refurbishments, extensions, and renovations can be used to meet the constantly evolving needs of the inhabitants, either the original residents or the newcomers.
The original architectural project of a house doesn't always foresee all the transformations that happen over time, and the pre-existing layout becomes no longer suitable. Therefore, these contemporary interventions can range from interior design to the construction of new buildings that use pre-existing elements as a guideline for the project, depending on the new demands.
We have gathered a series of eleven Brazilian houses that represent some of the many ways of approaching pre-existing buildings in architectural design.