Recycled Spaces: Converting Old Buildings Into New Homes
Vinny Lee, Ray Main (Photographer) Hardcover 144 pages (October 2000)Who wouldn't be intrigued by the idea of living in a dairy barn, a movie theater, or a hat factory? From the urban warehouse to the rural church, buildings in all possible settings are being converted into homes. Recycled Spaces shows you how to successfully remodel all types of old structures into beautiful domestic dwellings which still preserve the history and nuances of their unique heritage. From choosing a building to blending necessary modernizations with original features, author Vinny Lee takes you through every phase of "recycling" your space. Not only will the result be spirited and impressive, but the process promises to be exciting and satisfying. Lee emphasizes the importance of "breathing life" back into these historic properties and landmarks—nurturing their unique features, rather than reinventing or hiding them. To make this resuscitation possible, Recycled Spaces offers practical advice, imaginative tips, inspiring case studies, and 175 lavish, full-color photographs, as well as a complete list of suppliers. All the buildings highlighted in Recycled Spaces—from a spring factory in Paris, to a cattle barn in England, to a school house in Brooklyn—display the perfect, simple balance of old and new design. But critical modernizations, such as sufficient light, ample storage space, and proper insulation, are never overlooked. Unusual structures require a different approach to design. Each building has had a previous life that constitutes much of its character, allure, and mystery. Recycled Spaces provides the guidelines, wisdom, and inspiration to help you revitalize and personalize your space so that it can add yet another chapter to its rich history.