architecture studio méctamo has renovated a 1900 house with a private central patio located in lima, peru. dubbed the ‘orei house’, the project is proposed as an exercise in the recovery and adaptation of the city’s architectural heritage to the new needs of contemporary life.

mectamo converts an old house from 1900 1

all images courtesy of alex bryce
front view of the house from calle cajamarca

 

 

according to sergio guzmán, director of méctamo, in today’s age, an adaptation of old built nature to new human needs, is ‘the only way to preserve our architectural heritage’. the renovation of the single-story house preserves the original construction systems from 1900: adobe walls, wooden ceilings and carpentry. meanwhile, it proposes a space capable of adapting to the dynamics of a three-member family. 

mectamo converts an old house from 1900 2
central patio – the new kitchen is located on the right

 

 

the new design integrates environments that were previously separated due to the original layout of the dwelling. a central patio in the middle, serves as an open main hall, determining the distribution of the house. the kitchen, dining room and living room, are distributed around the nation, as interlinked spaces, within the large area that used to serve as a covered gallery. the original tall height of the house is used to include high shelves and a library.

mectamo converts an old house from 1900 3
central patio – kitchen view

 

 

the interior also features a main family room, with a secret access to a hidden workspace on the north side of the house. here, one can find the headquarters of ‘orei catering’, a cooking workshop where meals are prepared for different events that take place around the city.

mectamo converts an old house from 1900 4
view from the kitchen to the living room

mectamo converts an old house from 1900 5
view of the new living room

mectamo converts an old house from 1900 6
view of the office, from which you can access the main room through a secret passage

mectamo converts an old house from 1900 7
view of the work areas 

 

 

project info:

 

name: casa orei
architecture office: méctamo
location: lima, perú

 

 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: myrto katsikopoulou | designboom