Harmoniously Renovated Riverside Villas

In Praise of Shadows Designs the Villa by the River

Swedish design firm In Praise of Shadows has just renovated a villa first built in the 60s, dubbed Villa by the River in Umea. The team restores the original features of the home and unveils a modern integration through the fine details in the space. Some of the main changes were rooted in the layout as it has a distinctive angular form.

In Praise of Shadows co-founder Fredric Benesch told Dezeen about the design, "Our approach was to preserve and highlight the villa's historic qualities, maintaining original materials and features wherever technically feasible. Where new interventions were necessary – whether spatial or material – they were designed to be clearly contemporary yet harmoniously integrated with the original architecture."

Image Credit: Bjo?rn Lofterud

Historic-modern Architectural Integration
Blending historic architectural elements with modern design creates a unique contrast that enhances aesthetic and functional appeal.
Sustainable Restoration
Renovations that preserve original materials align with sustainable practices while retaining the historical narrative of the building.
Angular Form Interior Design
Utilizing distinctive angular designs offers a geometric and artistic approach to modern interior layout innovation.

Who This Affects Most

Architecture and Design
Architectural practices focusing on harmonizing historical elements with contemporary additions can redefine conventional home restoration projects.
Sustainable Building Materials
The emphasis on using original materials fosters growth in industries focused on sustainable and eco-friendly building resources.
Luxury Real Estate
Demand for unique homes integrating historical charm with modern amenities is transforming luxury real estate development approaches.
SCORE
2.4 out of 10
GENDER
50% Men50% Women
MARKETTop markets: Europe
GENERATION
  • Gen Alpha
  • Gen Z (primary audience)
  • Millennial (primary audience)
  • Gen X (primary audience)
POPULARITY
Popularity 16%
Activity 9%
Freshness 48%