Renovaste

Renovaste is a term used in architecture and interior design to describe an approach to renovation that emphasizes a curated balance between preserving existing character and introducing modern functionality. It is not a standardized method but a flexible concept that different practitioners interpret in their projects.

Origin and usage: The term has appeared in design journalism, blogs, and professional discussions since the early 2020s, often in contexts addressing sustainable retrofits or heritage-sensitive renovation. Its meaning varies with context and practitioner, contributing to a spectrum of interpretations rather than a single formal definition.

Core elements: Renovaste projects typically begin with an assessment of the building’s fabric, focusing on what should be retained and what may be replaced. They favor restrained material palettes, careful detailing, and the preservation or selective restoration of historic features. Modern systems—lighting, insulation, heating, and other infrastructure—are integrated with attention to efficiency and comfort while maintaining overall aesthetics and proportion.

Process and outcomes: The approach prioritizes minimizing demolition, lifecycle thinking, and reversibility where possible. Projects aim to reduce material waste and extend the useful life of existing structures, while delivering spaces that meet contemporary living standards without erasing provenance.

Reception and terminology: As a relatively new term, renovaste can overlap with ideas of adaptive reuse and sustainable design, but it is commonly used as a philosophical stance rather than a narrowly defined methodology. Related concepts include renovation, adaptive reuse, and sustainable design.