remodel

4 Amazing Old Buildings Remodeled

Old buildings may have a great potential to either carry on their old functions or be transformed into something new. Here are the four amazing buildings that got a second life thanks to architects’ brilliant planning for their transformation.

4 Amazing Old Buildings Remodeled

Amazing Remodeled Old Buildings:

Convent de Sant Francesc

Convent de Sant Francesc remodeled by David Closes is a church located in Santpedor, Spain. Built between 1721 and 1729 by Franciscan priests the church was long abandoned and its convent complex was demolished in 2000. The church renovation began in 2003 and the original building that stood in ruins was enhanced with some modern elements yet the traces of time and wear were preserved as part of the building’s history. The church was turned into an auditorium, cultural space while the upper levels of the chapels are to be turned into a historical archive.

4 Amazing Old Buildings Remodeled

1930′a Church in Netherlands

4 Amazing Old Buildings Remodeled

Another church remodeled and turned into a house is this 1930′s Rotterdam church that stands on the river. Remodeled by Ruud Visser Architects the church wasn’t fully transformed into a regular home. The architects made sure to preserve the parts of the building that recreate the atmosphere of the church as well as added the modern architectural parts to create the rooms and other home features. See more of 1930′a Church in Rotterdam.

La Concha House

4 Amazing Old Buildings Remodeled

This 15th century barn was transformed into a modern house by MOOARC. Originally the barn was made of stone but the architects have given it a makeover by adding floor-to-ceiling entrances and windows. It was turned into a kitchen and dining as well as a formal living area on mezzanine level. The sleeping block with the bedroom stands separately and is linked to the barn with a glazed corridor. See more of La Concha House.

Dovecote Studio

4 Amazing Old Buildings Remodeled

This prefab music studio stands surrounded by the ruins of the Victorian structure in Suffolk. The old foundation was enhanced by a prefab house-shaped studio for artists conceieved by Haworth Tompkins for Aldeburgh Music campus. The two-story studio has an upright piano and a writing desk which makes for a perfect space with no distractions. The natural lighting is aplenty thanks to a skylight and glass door entrances. There is also track lights under the ceiling.

4 Amazing Old Buildings Remodeled

Before transformation

70 Percent of Affluent Homeowners Looking to DIY Projects to Save Money

According to the Summer 2012 Merrill Edge Report, many mass affluent Americans are willing to make short-term sacrifices in order to get their finances in better shape. The report, released on April 26 by Bank of America, explores the financial concerns and priorities of mass affluent consumers, Americans with $50,000-$250,000 in investable assets.

This group, which consists of approximately 28 million households in the United States, has also shown over the last six months a rising concern over a number of financial issues, such as the cost of healthcare and being able to afford the lifestyle they want in retirement.

According to the findings, 70 percent of mass affluent Americans say they took on home improvement projects in the last year, such as plumbing, painting, and home cleaning, that they would normally hire someone else to do.

Younger members of the mass affluent segment were more likely to embark on these home improvement projects than their older counterparts.

84 percent of 18-34 year olds took on a project compared to 77 percent of 35-50 year olds and 60 percent of those aged 65 and older.

Other methods this group will utilize in order to meet financial obligations include cutting back on entertainment and personal luxuries (61 percent), trimming day-to-day expenses (56 percent), and keeping the same car longer than they’d like to (49 percent).