Our apartment design is heavily influenced by the rich culture and architectural heritage of Brooklyn. We have used its iconic brownstones and industrial lofts as a template for blending traditional elements with contemporary ones to achieve a timeless yet modern look. By using reclaimed wood, red brick, and pretty old lights, we keep the space in touch with Brooklyn’s history but also make it comfortable for today’s urban life. Our design also promotes the neighborhood’s artistic side through local art pieces and hand-made furniture that highlight Brooklyn’s creative force. It is this historical context that has enabled us to come up with an apartment that does not only respect where it comes from but also focuses on where it is heading.
100000% the past has influenced current design. Both interior and exterior. I love taking trips to Europe and study how they designed something over 2000 years ago. The use of natural stone, vaults and coffered ceilings are all from the past and love borrowing from the Masters. Borrow it and build it beautiful. This all can be interpreted and used for modern design. Not everything is good to borrow, not have windows and HVAC would be less than fabulous in today's life.
As an architect who values the blend of historical context and modern needs, I'd like to share an example from a project I worked on: the adaptive reuse of a former Police Station and Courthouse in Burwood, NSW. Designed by the renowned former government architect of NSW, Walter Liberty Vernon, this project shows how historical context can influence modern design, balancing preservation with new functionality. In this project, we focused on respecting the building's historical character while making it suitable for modern use as a health facility. We aimed to minimize changes to the building's exterior, preserving its original look. We also brought back original features that had been lost or altered over time, restoring the building’s historical charm. A key part of our process was consulting with our heritage architect to ensure we preserved significant features. This collaboration was crucial in maintaining the building’s historical integrity. One of our main tasks was to remove recent additions that didn't match the building's historical style. By doing this, we were able to highlight the building’s true historical features. To connect the Police Station and Courthouse, we added a transparent glazed pavilion. This modern addition was designed to fit in with the original architecture, featuring a curved vaulted ceiling that echoed the building’s archways. This created a smooth transition between the old and new parts of the building. We also upgraded the building to meet modern standards, especially for its new role as a health facility. This included making sure it complied with current health and safety regulations and adding modern amenities without compromising its historical integrity. Additionally, we added a new café to the street front, revitalizing the building's interaction with the community and creating a lively public space that honors its historical context while serving today's urban needs. This project inspired the creation of a web platform, bestcafedesigns.com, which features café designs from around the world. This platform showcases how historical and modern design elements can come together to create unique and functional spaces.