The main goal of this project was to transform an old, gradually deteriorating cottage into a welcoming and functional family home for a family of five. The primary challenge we faced was the lack of light in nearly every room. We addressed this by thoughtfully designing a system to bring light into the interior, primarily through a large window in the living room and by merging three previously separate rooms into one cohesive space—a combined living room, dining area, and kitchen. This solution provided not only ample natural light but also a beautiful view and visibility from each of these rooms to the garden. Additionally, the space is connected to a staircase leading to the upstairs hallway, illuminated by a skylight.

Inside, we focused on simplicity. The historic house itself offers plenty of intriguing features, such as various wall niches and vaulted ceilings, which we chose to expose by revealing the original brick. We decided to keep the walls white, as they were originally, and chose subtle colors and tones for the decor to enhance a warm and cozy atmosphere.

The primary materials used throughout the interior are white plaster, brick, and wood.

The existing building was reconceived as a family home for a five-member household, with an emphasis on making full functional use of the original structure, preserving its historical character, and at the same time ensuring high-quality spatial and lighting conditions for everyday living.

Ventilation is provided naturally, with a focus on effective airflow through newly introduced openings and the vertical interconnection of floors. The staircase area was emphasized as a vertical light shaft, bringing natural daylight deep into the central part of the layout. During the summer months, the placement of windows on opposite façades allows for efficient cross-ventilation.

The interior retains and highlights the historical features of the house – vaulted ceilings, wall niches, and original masonry were exposed and cleaned, creating a strong material contrast with the otherwise simple white plaster and wooden elements. All materials were selected with regard to durability, natural aesthetics, and ease of maintenance.

Overall, the project is conceived as a low-cost yet highly functional conversion of a rural building into a modern family home. It maximizes the use of the existing structure and minimizes structural interventions. The result is a reasonably energy-efficient and operationally low-maintenance house with a long lifespan and high-quality indoor environment.