Replus Bureau Renovates Historic Ukrainian Villa with Modern Additions

Ukrainian architecture firm Replus Bureau has completed a renovation of Villa Quince, a 20th-century villa in Lviv, Ukraine. The project involved restoring the original neoclassical structure, which was built in 1906 and later modified by architect Józef Hornung in 1922. By the time Replus Bureau began work, the property had been abandoned and was deteriorating. The studio avoided what it termed 'nostalgic reconstruction,' instead adding contemporary cubic extensions to expand the ground floor and create a new upper level. These modern volumes contrast deliberately with the historic shell, a theme that continues inside where restored elements coexist with new interventions. The original enfilade layout was preserved, with a central kitchen connecting to a study, bedroom, and bathroom. A ground-floor extension houses a living and dining area with full-height glazing overlooking gardens. An additional storey contains three ensuite bedrooms in a pale rendered volume. Interior finishes include exposed historic wall fragments, deep brown parquet floors, alabaster tiles in bathrooms, and contemporary mosaic tiles in grey and coral upstairs. The studio stated that the goal was to let the building 'tell a simple story' of its different periods, with reconstruction dated to 2025. They emphasized balancing preservation and transformation, using contemporary details like Tom Dixon door handles for contrast. The project reflects a broader trend in Ukrainian design toward boldness amid ongoing conflict.