Reviving History: IO architects' White Concrete Old House

Blending Old and New: A Modern Interpretation of Avant-Garde Architecture

Located in the heart of Stara Zagora, Bulgaria, the White Concrete Old House stands as a testament to IO architects' ability to breathe new life into old structures. The house, originally built in the 1920s, was surrounded by fragments of ancient Augusta Traiana, isolated from the contemporary city. The architects saw potential in the ruin and embarked on a reconstruction project from 2013 to 2017.

The design inspiration came from the house's historical context. The architects aimed to continue the "game of time offsets," bringing the design to a contemporary interpretation of the avant-garde, the prevailing style when the house was first built. The result is a unique blend of the old and the new, a dialogue between different eras of architecture.

A new volume of white concrete was added to complement the structure and the program of the old house. The composition of the openings, the ambiguous elements of the addition, and the materiality blend the two distinctive entities. The space of the new stair and its design bring light into the center of the entire composition, illuminating the house's unique features.

The new glossy white concrete slabs integrate and conceal all the contemporary technology of the house, offering a sleek, modern aesthetic while preserving the historical charm. The house now covers a gross floor area of 425 square meters, offering ample space for modern living.

IO architects' innovative approach to reconstruction has not gone unnoticed. The White Concrete Old House was awarded Silver in A' Architecture, Building and Structure Design Award in 2018. This prestigious award is given to designs that demonstrate outstanding expertise and innovation, and the White Concrete Old House certainly fits the bill.

In conclusion, the White Concrete Old House by IO architects is a shining example of how modern design can respectfully interact with historical architecture. It showcases the potential of thoughtful, innovative design to not only preserve history but also to bring it into the present in a meaningful and beautiful way.