Renovation

One effect of China's construction boom is the emptying of its villages as people rush to the cities to find new opportunities. A recently-completed project aims to address this by giving an old abandoned village a new lease of life as an art center.

Austin Maynard Architects has performed "architectural keyhole surgery" to turn the cramped and dark center of a terraced house into the light-filled heart of the home. Home efficiency was also improved with additions that include a Tesla Powerwall.

Work was recently completed on a US$165 million renovation of New York City's Empire State Building. The iconic skyscraper now offers a revamped Observatory Experience, including a glass-walled observation point on its uppermost floor.

Husos Architects was commissioned by a doctor to renovate his Madrid apartment that he shares with his bulldog. The firm created a new layout that promotes ventilation without air-conditioning and added some neat features like a "sleeping capsule" and greywater recycling.

Dressmaker and designer Kristie Wolfe previously built a Hawaiian treehouse on a shoestring budget, as well as a hobbit house in Washington State. Her latest project is a fire lookout tower dating back to the 1950s, which she has renovated into an Airbnb rental.

Stefan Hitthaler recently renovated a mountain chalet in South Tyrol, Italy. Built in 1973, it was uninhabitable in winter due to poor insulation, but now keeps occupants comfortable year-round. He also made some minor stylistic changes to accentuate its out-of-this-world looks.

Zaha Hadid Architects recently unveiled a new skyscraper for a tourist area in Malta. Named Mercury Tower, it features a distinctive twisting form and, assuming it goes ahead, will be joined onto an existing building on the site that was originally constructed in the early 20th century.

A decommissioned electrical station in Copenhagen has been given a second life as a luxury hotel. Local chain Brøchner Hotels oversaw the transformation of the facility, with the resulting boutique hotel maintaining a distinct industrial charm.