Refurbished lofts are associated with a minimalist aesthetic of industrial sophistication so it’s refreshing to find a project that adopts a radically different approach. The project, called Hayloft, is the house that a couple of architects built for their family, based on two ideas: to renovate the large volume of the building maintaining a strong industrial appeal as previously it worked for commercial activities designed with exposed utilities, metal ceilings, concrete and brick structures, double heights; and, on the other hand, the owners’ will to create a private refuge where new technologies and sustainability act as a continuous background for the eclectic compositional mix. All these were synthesized and imagined as a philosophy that combines high-tech and antique solutions, in a continuous contrast between ancient, modern, and contemporary. This spacious, two-bedroom apartment is filled with vintage and antique furnishings and an exuberant collection of artworks that explore concepts of family and land tradition and memory. While exposed concrete columns, metal decking, and salvaged brickwork evoke the design of typical loft conversions, ornate elements such as carved wall paneling, antique woodwork, hand-crafted ceramic tiling, and hand-sculpted stone basins both soften and enrich the industrial undertones of the once derelict commercial building. Being completely out of attractiveness, the building was of some benefits: it is located in a modern cottage village surrounded by water on both sides of the house and at minimal accessibility to a busy metropolis. The most significant is the task to preserve the breathtaking volume of the space, harvest the most of natural light and use it in the interior. Therefore, the architects designed a new facade of the building with panoramic windows, an attached terrace, and a suspended garden. It made the building look modern and became attractive for six more families. Even during construction, Hayloft got the neighbors' attention, and after the completion of the work, the open interior view through giant windows, and the terrace with trees prompted the villagers to begin the reconstruction of their houses and terraces, seeking advice from architects. The height of the inner space allowed the construction of the second level. The skeleton of the structure forms the rooms with metal and glass, so the maximum of natural light penetrates the darkest corners of the room. The volume of the first-level bathroom is tiled with scratched mirror panels. This makes the sunlight be reflected and to get more natural light. The cable-stayed staircase has a pivot point and leads to the private area via a suspension bridge. The main idea of Hayloft is a space free for air and sight. Even the walls of the Master bedroom and bathroom are from transparent or reinforced printed glass. So you can still enjoy the view of the whole interior and the river through the front windows being at the farthest place of the house. The only isolated space is the guest bedroom, a real secret room, the entrance to which is hidden with destructive wood paneling. To preserve the original profiled sheet ceiling and obtain a comfortable temperature regime all year round, designers have found the most non-standard solution. These are Liquid nano-ceramic thermal insulation coatings, four air stirring fans, and an Antrax heating system. Traditional ceiling fans do not require energy consumption like cooling or heating, so the ducting system has been simplified and left the ceiling clean. Heating elements, made of 100% recyclable carbon steel, are composed of tubular elements with a diameter of 25mm, feature a rhythmical alternation of solids and voids. Designer radiators guarantee significant energy savings, thanks to the reduced water content and low-temperature operation, supporting the “green” vocation of the intervention and the great ambition of architects to live in a sustainable, welcoming home, where every detail has been meticulously thought, designed or chosen. Hayloft is not just housing. It is a compilation of restaurants, experimental cuisine, bartender area, showroom, DJ place, and a friendly atmosphere not only for the family but also for the multiple guests. The kitchen features an integrated cooking counter for common food preparation as well as a cooking show from the chefs. It includes professional equipment similar to a restaurant, a bar station, a fireplace stove for cooking on a fire, and a large dining table. The adjacent kitchen, which is tucked underneath the mezzanine level, combines an elemental palette of stainless steel, natural wood, and textured marble, with state-of-the-art appliances, while the master bedroom upstairs was conceived as an inner sanctum with imposing, ancient-looking double-doors guarding the entry. The apartments’ stylistic eclecticism is crowned by a collection of vintage finds antique pieces and contemporary furniture, including bespoke light fitting by local designer and the architects themselves, which is complemented by an evocative selection of colorful tapestries and artworks like the pair of Soviet space dogs, Belka and Strelka, that greet visitors at the entrance. Antique doors and temple gates originated from Indonesia have received a second functional life. Some serve as part of a sliding wardrobe system, while others are impressive entrances to the master bedroom. All the original elements of the gate have been preserved and even used in a complex opening system, including the soundproofing of the room. Most of the furniture tell their own stories. The Japanese cabinet was once used for tatami storage and was 90 cm deep, later reduced to 60 cm depth and moved to Europe. The chest-table in natural wood color is manufactured in India. A low drawer in deep gloss red color is a typical Chinese tradition, and a naturally aged rare console with colored drawers tends to the culture of Tibet. A bench-table near TV was found at an aircraft factory in Ukraine, and a two-hundred-year-old wooden horse was found in a Chinese village. Each item got a second life and took an important place in the interior. A few antiques became the icon for Hayloft and shaped a remarkable atmosphere. Hayloft tells about tradition and memory, the ability to preserve history and create legends, family values, creativity, and art objects as a life philosophy.