Breathing New Life Into An Old Duplex

The duplex is spread over three levels with a basement and two residential floors, but following the restructuring was also equipped with a fourth level; in fact, the designers decided to make this previously unused attic into a proper living space. 

Making this area into something liveable looks like quite a task – no wiring, dust, old materials and curious angles seem complex. But not for the ACERTUS architects. Let's check out what they managed to do!

Well they pulled it off beautifully; now this attic is a whole living space unto itself. The old, cement centre beam has been used to buttress the installation of the sink and shower, acting as a solid wall partition now between the bathroom and bedroom. 

The old brick walls that gave the attic a dank, low feeling have smartly been replaced with smooth beige tiles and buffed wooden floors, giving the space a much-needed clean and airy look.

Here we see the other part of the attic space, turned into a cosy, well-lit bedroom, complete with customised attic storage wardrobes, which angle up with the A-frame attic ceiling. Additional cherry wood cabinetry has been used for the sink – what a transformation!

If you are interested in more attic transformations, we recommend having a look at this project by Studio Lenzi in Bologna.

This kitchen suffers from antiquated appliances and clutter for the most part – things which can really do a lot to drag the atmosphere of any kitchen down. 

Furthermore, white appliances tend to gather rust and show their age much quicker than black or steel appliances do. Can you guess how ACERTUS revamps this kitchen?

Yup. Out with the old, in with the modern steel and black appliances for an ultra up-to-date and stylish kitchen you would actually want to hang out and eat in. And hanging out is easy now because the clutter has been swept away and chic white leather bar stools line the newly installed breakfast nook. 

The countertops are also long-lasting, with a dark, hard rosewood that will not wither and peel like the old plastic countertops. In the end, we learn that investing in quality appliances and kitchen materials goes a long way to keeping your kitchen modern for as long as possible.

One imagines that these stairs had their heyday at one point, but since they are tiles, their shine was doomed to be fairly short-lived. 

Staircases are high traffic areas, so they are prone to wear and tear more than any other flooring in the house, and here we can see nothing but scuff marks and dirty grey grouting which used to be white! What solution did ACERTUS come up with?

Now we see that narrow staircases – so common in old European homes – don't have to feel narrow. ACERTUS have installed a long slit window at the centre platform, which shines natural daylight into the space, reflecting nicely off the fresh white walls and light great wooden stairs, which have a subtle shine to them. 

A last point of note about the stairs is how much easier they will be to keep clean -- no white tile grouting that to get grimy. The ACERTUS architects have really proven their expertise with this project!

Excited about stairs? Check out our list article on amazing staircases! You'll be amazed…