The project involves the restoration of a landmark three-storey listed building, built in the 1920’s, located within the narrow streets of the walled city of Nicosia. Situated on the corner of a triangular block, its distinct rounded façade enhances the historical grandeur of the building’s form.
The existing property consists of a ground floor designated for commercial use and residential areas on the top two floors. All levels feature generous floor-to-ceiling heights, multiple types of fenestration, and balconies facing north, east and west. The top floor offers panoramic views of Nicosia from a paved checkered veranda that reaches over the whole city.
The brief called for restoring and upgrading the building with modern amenities while preserving its original function and historic charm.
On the ground floor, the existing shop was fully restored to accommodate a flexible commercial space. The upper floors offer a modern duplex apartment accessed by a side entrance on the ground floor. A grand timber staircase leads to a central hall on the first floor with access to the bedrooms and a reading room. The main living spaces are situated on the top level, where panoramic views can be enjoyed.
Architecturally, the adaptation of the existing building ensures a respectful, functional, and enduring transformation of the building’s historic character with the functional demands of modern living. The design retains the original layout and intricately threads new architectural features and mechanical installations into the fabric of the building while the selected materials and tectonics elegantly contrast the old with the new. The primary spatial modification to the layout, is a lightweight extension bridging the kitchen and living room on the top floor, to create a dining area that can be completely opened up, extending into the balconies on either side. Additionally, an exterior toilet is located within a small polygonal room cladded entirely with zinc panels, introducing a contrast to the historical fabric whilst ensuring durability.