Cadu Architects turn a 70s office space into a playful family home

Cadu Architects transformed a former open-plan office in a 1970s apartment building into a functional yet playful family residence. Removing partitions and ceilings revealed an open space with a raw concrete ceiling, inspiring a design that preserves spatial unity while serving a modern family’s needs. Key to the project are two “inversions” that challenge traditional layouts: private rooms form a cohesive timber “box” structure, and the patari – typically hidden storage – becomes a central multi-level feature in the living room. The timber box, detached from the structure, creates a dynamic internal façade and fosters movement. Plywood surfaces visually connect the concrete ceiling and seamless flooring, while bursts of color in the kitchen cabinetry add vibrancy. Positioned toward the interior, timber elements open views to the urban landscape and hills beyond. ‘P22’ balances minimalism, functionality, and playful design, transforming a generic 1970s shell into a contemporary and unexpected family home.