# Luxurious Modernized Museum Complexes Casa K is a Former Rotterdam Museum Turned Apartment Complex By Vasiliki Marapas | Published 2014-01-08 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/casa-k References: [mymodernmet](http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/pena-architecture-casa-k) & [pena-architecture](http://www.pena-architecture.com/casa-k/) Peña Architecture is the studio behind 'Casa K,' a [renovation project of a former Museum](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/museo-casa-kahlo) in Rotterdam. The finished product is a luxurious apartment complex, featuring three separate residences that share an entryway and elevator. The architects focused on creating a modern aesthetic without comprising the historical elements of the building (which is also protected by the city's preservation stipulations). The focal point of the complex is a walnut cube surrounded by open glass that functions as a staircase leading from the ground to top floor. The innovative walnut staircase structure is contrasted with steel railings, aluminum kitchen appliances and darker, wooden bookshelves. The bare white walls offer a clean and simplistic touch and allow the art on the walls to become a central focus. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.1/10 - Popularity: 45% | Activity: 10% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Modernizing Museum Buildings:** Renovating historical museum complexes into modern and luxurious multi-use buildings, like Casa K in Rotterdam. - **Preserving Historical Elements:** Maintaining historical preservation regulations while creating contemporary buildings, like the walnut cube staircase featured in Casa K. - **Focusing on Design Aesthetics:** Creating a cohesive and modern aesthetic in historical buildings while highlighting the existing artwork, like the white walls in Casa K. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Real Estate:** Opportunities for real estate developers to renovate historical buildings into multi-use luxury complexes, like Casa K. - **Architecture:** Designing modern buildings while preserving historical elements and complying with preservation regulations, like Peña Architecture. - **Interior Design:** Creating sleek and cohesive interior designs that blend modern and historic elements, like the walnut cube staircase and white walls in Casa K. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Home-Transformed Art Museums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/studio-kukkapuro.md) - [Abandoned Bar-Transformed Apartments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/xstudio.md) - [Pavilion-Style Art Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/galeria-house.md) - [Multicultural Bright Historic Museums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fenix-museum-of-migration.md) - [Hotel-Inspired Renovations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/amsterdam-zuid.md) - [Water Tower-Transformed Apartments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/amsterdamsestraatweg-water-tower.md) - [Compact Madrid Residences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/burr-studio-1.md) - [Plant-Filled Home Renovations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/casa-c.md) - [Neighborhood House Renovations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/casa-cruda.md)