They have renovated their house, which was built in the 1990s. This is what it looks like after the makeover

·20 August 2026

The architecture of this house is defined not by the materials used, but by its proportions. A deliberate approach to the scale of the openings, the vertical divisions and the composition of the façade has brought out the potential of the existing structure – a potential that had remained hidden for years – giving it a completely new identity without altering its basic geometry. It turned out that an ordinary house from the 1990s harbours great potential!

The refurbishment ofthis house near Kraków is an example of how contemporary architecture can emerge not through demolition, but through reinterpretation. Eklekt Atelier’s design proves that even a building with a traditional roof form, typical of 1990s detached housing, can acquire an elegant, timeless character thanks to the deliberate organisation of proportions and the interplay between light, materials and detail.

New architecture without altering the building’s form

The greatest challenge was to completely redefine the perception of the house without altering its geometry. The architects focused on the composition of the façade, replacing the haphazard arrangement of small windows with large vertical glazed sections. This approach has made the building’s form appear more slender, improved the natural light within the interiors and given the whole a cohesive, contemporary look. Natural wood, deep graphite and white are not merely decorative elements here – they are tools for organising proportions and emphasising the logic of the composition.

A house that stays put

The project was designed for a family with strong ties to the location. Rather than building a new structure, the clients decided to make the most of the existing building’s potential. The surroundings are dominated by private gardens and mature trees, which is why the architects deliberately adapted the façade to its context – the subdued palette of materials allows the building to coexist harmoniously with the greenery, rather than competing with it.

This is what the house looked like BEFORE the renovation:

Interior layout

In parallel with the façade renovation, the functional layout was reorganised. The interiors were opened up to the garden, circulation and natural light in the rooms were improved, and the entrance area was redesigned to make the house more intuitive in everyday use. This is not a renovation based on eye-catching additions – its strength lies in the consistent organisation of the space, which gives the whole a contemporary, clear character.

A design that ages gracefully

The inspiration came from the very idea of transforming existing architecture. The architects wanted to show that the greatest change comes not so much from a new form as from the way it is perceived. The most valuable element – the building’s structure – was retained, treating it as a starting point for creating a new composition. Limiting the materials to wood, graphite and white ensures timelessness, whilst the deliberate use of proportions means the house will still look contemporary many years from now.

This is a project about proportion. It is rarely seen in renovation projects, as it is not based on striking materials, but on precise composition. A good architect does not always design from scratch – sometimes their greatest skill lies in recognising potential where others see only a building to be demolished.

design: EKLEKT ATELIER

team: Przemysław Cepielik, Małgorzata Krupa, Bartłomiej Przęczek

photographs: Anna Gruszkowska