And that’s what renovation is, at its best. Not about glossing over imperfections, but working with them. Not about erasing history, but giving it a new frame. Maybe even a fresh floor plan.
Written by
Liliana Alvarez
The Prague Planetarium shines again into the future. After 20 years, it underwent a two-year technological upgrade and has become the largest LED planetarium in the world. It thus continues its famous history from the 1960s.
Project name
Prague Planetarium
Architecture firm
collcoll
Location
Královská obora 233, 170 00 Prague, Czech Republic
Principal architect
Adam Kössler, Krištof Hanzlík, Libor Mládek, Michal Fousek
Built area
Built-up area 2,481 m² Gross floor area 3,900 m² Usable floor area 3,000 m²
Site area
Dimensions 22 m screen diameter 45 000 000 LEDs screen resolution
Collaborators
Project management: CManagement [Arnošt Táborský, Dan Kouba]. Technical supervisor: Jiří Cís. Energy management: TO SYSTEM [Jaroslav Smejkal, Jakub Janďourek]. Ventilation: Atrea [Barbora Paříková, Zdeněk Zikán]. Cooling: Michal Ježek. Structural engineer: Štěpán Thondel. Lighting concept, electricity: sysloop engineering [Miroslav Frolec, Anatolyi Obryn]. Accoustic design: Aveton [Dominik Cvetler]. Accoustic consultation: Petr Roll. Accoustic insulation: A.W.A.L. [Kateřina Volšíková]. 2 Fire safety: Ilona Muziková. Sanitary: TZB-BLOCK [Jan Smrček]. Server room: Altron [Jakub Odlas]. Power line connection: Pring [Jan Vočko]. Geothermal wells: Gerotop [Tomáš Kuchta]. Landscaping: her architecture [Alice Boušková]. Geodetic survey: Pavel Keprta, Jan Kopecký. LED projection technology: Cosm. Dome structure: Spitz. LED technology, projection software: Evans & Sutherland. Demolition and site preparation: Technical department of the Planetarium. Building works: Rextron. Steel structure: Karel Krejčíř. Seats fabrication: Kinoexport. LED lighting: sysloop engineering. LED screen foyer: Loko Trans Media. Electricity: Galenit. Environmental controls, ventilation: Bohemik. Heating: Regulterm. Measurement and control: STIFRA Plzeň. ICT: Sistel. Ventilation: Crotherm. Scaffolding: Peri Up. Geotermal boreholes: Artemia
Material
Steel – auditorium construction
Client
Observatory and Planetarium of Capital City Prague
Typology
Public Space › Planetarium
In the heart of Poznań’s Jeżyce district, often referred to as the Polish Berlin, at the intersection of Staszica and Szamarzewskiego streets, lies Atelier Gusta. This space is the result of an inspiring collaboration between GUSTA Jewellery, Von Motz, and mode:lina™.
Project name
GUSTA Atelier
Architecture firm
mode:lina™, GUSTA Jewellery, Von Motz
Location
Corner of Staszica and Szamarzewski, Poznań, Poland
Photography
Patryk Lewiński
Principal architect
Von Motz & mode:lina (Paweł Garus, Jerzy Woźniak)
Design team
Mateusz Von Motz, Gusta (Agnieszka Jankowiak) & mode:lina (Paweł Garus, Jerzy Woźniak)
Interior design
Von Motz & mode:lina™, GUSTA Jewellery
Construction
Local contractors
Material
Stucco, Reclaimed stone, metal, mirror
Typology
Commercial › Jewelry Store
Terminal 3 at Prague Airport underwent a major upgrade that preserved its postmodern character while enhancing both its representative appearance and overall functionality. New architectural elements—most notably the outdoor steel canopy—establish a distinctive visual identity, while interior improvements significantly increase passenger comfort.
Project name
Prague Airport Terminal 3
Location
K Letišti 1073/25, 161 00 Prague, Czech Republic
Principal architect
Radek Lampa, Libor Hrdoušek, David Hřebačka, Dominika Klavrzová, David Skalický, Tomáš Kroužil
Collaborators
General contractor: PORR. Steel canopy structure: Mužík a syn. Aluminium canopy cladding: Albet. Ramp and staircase cladding, ceilings: ProInterier. Street-level entrances: Spiral. Tiling supplier: ProCeram. Glass partitions: RACCOON. Built-in furniture: Nüssli. Freestanding furniture supplier: Techo. Signage and wayfinding: Atlas. Baggage system: LogTech. Lighting supplier: Delta Light
Typology
Transportation › Airport
At Casa Zotz, renovation felt less like an intervention and more like a dance — a quiet, graceful movement between memory and renewal. Guided by ancestral techniques, native materials, and sustainable touches such as solar energy, the soul of the house was preserved and gently renewed.
Architecture firm
Marcela Ávila Estudio
Location
Campeche, Mexico
Photography
Jasson Rodríguez
Principal architect
Marcela Ávila
Design team
Marcela Ávila Estudio
Interior design
Marcela Ávila Estudio
Civil engineer
Julio Pérez González
Structural engineer
Julio Pérez González
Landscape
Marcela Ávila Estudio
Lighting
Marcela Ávila Estudio
Construction
Julio Pérez González
Material
Chukum, Kimicolor, Teka
Typology
Residential › House
Renovation of an attic space in a historic building at Arbes Square into a two-level apartment with a gallery, intended for exclusive rental.
Project name
Arbes Square Apartment
Architecture firm
Formafatal
Location
Arbes Square, Prague, Czech Republic
Principal architect
Katarina Varsová, Petra Dagan
Collaborators
Main contractor: DOMINO - promont Technical supervision: Petra Klapka. Custom furniture: Interiéry Tesař TTK. Locksmith work on the custom furniture: Richard Bold. Metal production [staircase, glass partitions]: Kurel. Epoxy coatings [floor, walls]: Different design [Pavel Trousil]. Patinated painting: Artdecor Vladimír Jeniš. Wooden floors and staircase supplier: Empiri Wood Design. Ceramic tiles and flooring supplier: Archtiles. Lighting supplier and installation: Bulb. Standard furniture supplier: Design Studio. Sanitary supplier: ELITE BATH. Home accessories: Coclea
Environmental & MEP engineering
Material
Wall surfaces: painting (matte white), patinated painting, toned epoxy coating, bleaching of original wooden columns – fireproof coating + base coat by bleaching, ceramic tiles. 2 Floors: large-format ceramic tiles (technical areas), wooden three-layer floor – M-dub Rustikal, brushed, Degas gray oil, epoxy coating, staircase – steel structure with wooden cladding in M-dub Rustikal, brushed, Degas oil. Metal elements associated with construction (metal production): subtle structure made of painted steel profiles, perforated sheet metal PERFO LINEA, matte lacquered (comaxit) – staircase railing, partially backed with super mirror sheet metal, profiles of glass partitions – 1x pivot door (clear glass), 1x slanted glass door (bathroom – wire glass) – subtle painted steel profiles in a creamy shade, matte finish. Metal elements associated with custom furniture: subtle structure made of painted steel profiles, perforated sheet metal PERFO LINEA, matte lacquered (comaxit). Doors: door frames without casings in various finishes (HPL unicolor or wood decor, base for painting, coating), 2x door leaves without casing in line with the wall cladding. Renovation of existing windows, new Velux tilt-and-turn roof windows, entrance door to the apartment: according to the requirements of the heritage office, the entrance door was made in accordance with the original design
Typology
Residential › Apartment
Designed by architect Camila Dequech Ceschin Abdul-Hak, from DC55 Arquitetura, this 209-square-meter apartment located in the Bigorrilho neighborhood of Curitiba (Brazil) was renovated to accommodate the daily life of a couple and their daughter. The project was guided by a clear premise: to combine comfort, functionality.
Project name
Project Ripas Apartament
Architecture firm
DC55 Arquitetura
Location
Bigorrilho, Curitiba (PR), Brazil
Photography
Mariana Koentopp
Principal architect
Camila Dequech Ceschin Abdul-Hak
Design team
DC55 Arquitetura
Built area
209 m² (renovated area)
Interior design
DC55 Arquitetura
Environmental & MEP engineering
Lighting
Lighting project by DC55 Arquitetura
Material
Marble (Grupo Paraná), custom cabinetry (Takumi Móveis), loose furniture (Inove Design), artworks (Riviso Galeria de Arte), decorative objects (Ornament Casa), ceramic vases (Studio Tèrre)
Supervision
DC55 Arquitetura
Tools used
AutoCAD, SketchUp, V-ray, Adobe Photoshop
Client
Daniel, Michelly, Manuela
Typology
Residential › Apartment, Interior Renovation
The Cabo Corazón Hotel, located in Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, underwent a comprehensive renovation that transformed its preexisting condition. The original 2010 complex, consisting of two functional yet spatially disconnected towers, lacked a fluid relationship with the external common areas and the surrounding environment.
Project name
Hotel Cabo Corazón
Architecture firm
Rabago Architects
Location
Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, Mexico
Principal architect
Arnoldo Rábago
Collaborators
Frames: Alumétrica; Acoustics: Saad Acústica
Interior design
Amass & G, Cachet Interior Design
Civil engineer
Cautín / Sergein
Structural engineer
Consultores En Ingenieria Estructural S.A. De C.V.
Lighting
Lighting & Living Onx
Typology
Hospitality › Hotel
