They say everything old can be new again. This renovation project, dubbed the Campo Alegre Apartment, completely captures that very sentiment. When you see this modern apartment’s beautiful views, lovely flooring and open layout, you won’t believe it’s part of a housing building constructed in the early 1970s.

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A room with wood floors and white walls with built-in cubbyhole storage cabinets. To the right is a light blue chair next to a large window.

Rather than building brand-new places, many architects are finding creative ways to reuse and repurpose existing structures. This approach is not only practical but sustainable, too. For example, this project reused existing materials to give this apartment in Portugal an energy-efficient makeover.

Related: Residential building from the ’60s gets an energy-efficient remodel

A room with wood floors and white walls with a dark gray cabinet built into one wall and white cabinets to the right.

The renovation also changed the apartment’s entire floor plan, turning five bedrooms into three. This created enough space for a master suite with a big closet and added room to the kitchen. The result is an open and airy design that looks and feels modern while retaining some of the original layout’s retro flair. It’s a true blending of the past, present and future.

A hallway showing the living room to the left and a kitchen to the right.

The apartment is oriented to the east, south and west, providing plenty of natural light and a beautiful view of the river. Several big windows and sliding glass doors help bring the outside world in and make the unit feel spacious.

A kitchen with off-white flooring and tile backsplash. The kitchen has white cabinets and a black oven.

Meanwhile, the wood floor features an eye-catching design. Paired with built-in shelving cubbyholes, this apartment offers a unique look that honors the 1970s while incorporating modern elements and plenty of storage spaces. Tall custom cabinets in the kitchen, a fully tiled bathroom and sleek design elements throughout contribute to the unit’s amazing contemporary look.

A bathroom with a bathtub surrounded by off-white square tile.

Created by Costa Lima Arquitectos, this apartment is a beautiful example of how old buildings can become new again, even when they’ve got a design that honors the past. This sustainable renovation project lives up to Costa Lima Arquitectos’s value for designing and building from a place of collective conscience with a focus on economic sustainability and environmental awareness.

+ Costa Lima Arquitectos

Via ArchDaily

Photography © Ivo Tavares Studio