# Amalgamated Apartment Homes This Space-Merging Design Maximizes the Usability of a Historic House By Kalin Ned | Published 2018-04-11 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/space-merging References: [dezeen](https://www.dezeen.com/2018/03/28/vladimir-radutny-architects-two-chicago-apartments-sawyer-residence-walnut-interiors/) & [radutny](http://www.radutny.com/index.php/work/view/sawyer-residence) Chicago-based firm Vladimir Radutny Architects was tasked with a [space-merging project](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bekarch) for a dilapidated building with origins dating back over 100 years. The [Sawyer Residence](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/portable-water-filtration-system) was originally two apartments, however, the architectural firm took down walls, added an outdoor patio and injected some life into the old building with wooden materials. Before the space-merging process was underway, the two apartments in the brick building were on top of one another. Vladimir Radutny Architects successfully transitioned the building into a spacious [single-family residency](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/west-84th-street-brownstone). The creatives established a clear connection between the previously uncommunicative spaces with a stylish and modern steel staircase that is beautifully wrapped in a walnut wood veneer. Photo Credits: [Mike Schwartz](http://www.mikeschwartzphoto.com/) ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.5/10 - Popularity: 97% | Activity: 90% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Space Merging:** The amalgamation of separate spaces to maximize their usability. - **Modernization of Historic Buildings:** Upgrading and innovating the design of older buildings. - **Wood as a Design Element:** Incorporating wood as a key design element in architectural projects. ### Who This Affects Most - **Architecture:** Exploring innovative designs to enhance existing building structures. - **Real Estate:** Creating single-family residencies from previously divided apartment spaces. - **Furniture and Woodworking:** Meeting the increased need for wooden pieces in modern architectural designs. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [History-Rooted Urban Renovations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/casa-sofia.md) - [Mid-Century Flat Revamps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/warsaw-apartment-renovation.md) - [Adaptive Family Residences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/no-ordinary-house.md) - [Compact Madrid Residences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/burr-studio-1.md) - [Nature-Merging Geometric Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/neville-park-residence.md) - [Artist Apartment Conversions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/alan-prekop-studio.md) - [Sleek Garden-Edge Renovations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/waverley-house.md) - [Curved Translucent Experimental Apartments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sculptors-apartment.md) - [Vividly Designed Apartments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pascali-semerdjian-arquitetos-1.md)