The home upgrade

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Against a backdrop of growing cities and evolving lifestyles, refurbishing homes has become essential. Our buildings must adapt alongside us, requiring creativity and resourcefulness. Societal shifts, such as longer lifespans and increased solo living, demand updates to accommodate these changes, especially in light of a changing climate. With the urban population currently at 3.9 billion and projected to rise to 6.34 billion in the next 25 years, most people now live in urban environments, a first in history. This growth emphasizes the need to work with existing structures rather than demolishing them. The focus shifts from big-budget projects to innovative solutions that make the seemingly impossible achievable. For architects, these projects provide a chance to lead and showcase their skills. For example, a Brooklyn home was refurbished after Hurricane Sandy in 2012, raising the living space above the high-water line to address the reality of more frequent extreme weather events. Historic conversions and adaptive reuse projects highlight the dynamic relationship between old and new. By examining extraordinary transformations from leading studios, this exploration reveals the limitless potential of reimagining our living spaces.