Houzz's original article
It only takes a short walk through any Spanish town or the hills of the wild to see abandoned office blocks, disused warehouses, or beautiful, traditional farmhouses in a sorry state of neglect. for sale
While such melancholy ruins contain a certain mystique, they are a significant architectural patrimony in the country, which can be used to develop quality homes in the ultimate upcycler's weapons.
Below you can read about five good reasons to redevelop an abandoned building and a warning.
1. Sustainable call for refurbishment
Refurbishment of existing buildings reduces land consumption compared to building new buildings, a key objective of all sustainable urban policies. It also demonstrates the charm of abandoned buildings, not only historical buildings. The trick to preserve the attractiveness of an old house is to maintain its original features and only try to improve certain architectural details. For example, a touch of color is sufficient to make an old plaster wall look as new as an undescribed wooden door.
2. The challenge of the perfect style
You don't have to adhere necessarily to a traditional style when you upcycle a property. It's fun to try and find what works for the current room by reinventing what already exists. For instance, restructuring for projects using properties in the city is generally inspired and aims at an industrial style, which recalls America's post-WW2 push to reuse disused workplaces. In this case, certain typical features of old warehouses and plants are maintained and adjusted to suit the construction's new purpose, such as large windows and counters.
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The majority of people prefer a simple country style in abandoned sites outside the town centres, shows wooden roofing beams, stone walls, bricks and original tiles. However, you don't have to use antique furnishings – you can play with the juxtaposition between traditional and contemporary furnishings or even eclectically personalize the rooms.
Design of the UZone
That said, it is perfect for housing projects, both in urban and rural ruins to use vintage furniture and accessories, since modern elements easily harmonize with the simple and essential construction of the past. In short, nobody has the right style, but each project's design must be adapted to the building in order to improve its weaknesses and show strength.
3. The quest for unfathomed architectural treasure
The opportunity to explore a new architecture, derived from the stylistic union of traditional architecture and modern techniques is another important reason for doing historic properties, such as the powerful contrast created when placing windows floor to ceiling in rustic, steep walls.
4. Mainstreaming
There is no shortage of social initiatives in the internet age to support you with the cost of renovating an abandoned building. Both public grants for cultural purposes and private funds such as crowdsourcing are excellent ways of realizing your renewal dreams.
5. Bonuses and incentives
Moreover, tax breaks and other financial aid provide a strong incentive for the reuse and recycling of discarded properties. Many Spanish municipalities lower the cost of rehabilitating old buildings or giving renewers volumetric discounts.
6. Finally, be careful about seismic safety
Finally, the reasons for choosing to reform a pre-existing house in a new building range from sustainable perspectives to architectural research and historical patrimony. However, be very careful about seismic safety, particularly in high-risk areas. A technical check is absolutely necessary to indicate the viability of your renovation interventions and the work to be carried out on the structures. Safety must be paramount when dealing with old buildings.