Preserving a 1910 architectural legacy while adapting the home for modern living — Tampa, Florida.
A Historic Home, Reconsidered
Built in 1910, this waterfront estate carries a distinctive architectural identity shaped by arched openings, classical proportions, decorative balustrades and Mediterranean influences. Nathalie wanted to remodel the property without erasing the character that made it unique. The objective was not to replace the original architecture, but to carefully adapt it for contemporary living.
Location:
Tampa, Florida, USA
Property Type:
Historic Luxury Waterfront Estate
Client:
Nathalie
Services:
Architectural design development, 3D visualization, floor plans, elevations and walkthrough
Software:
SketchUp · D5 Render · AutoCAD · Photoshop
A successful historic renovation should feel renewed, not reinvented.
01The brief
The Client’s Vision
Nathalie wanted the interiors to feel brighter, more connected and better suited to everyday life. The formal living room needed to open into the main living area, while the kitchen, dining space, bar and rotunda office required a more contemporary identity. Every intervention had to respect the proportions, details and visual language of the original residence.
02Exterior
Challenge
Reconstructing the Existing Estate
No architectural drawings or measured plans were available when the project began. The house and surrounding site had to be reconstructed using reference photography, visible architectural features and the property’s Google Earth location. Accurately reproducing the scale, proportions, roof forms, openings and decorative elements became one of the most technically demanding parts of the project.
Existing
Façade
A Restrained Exterior Transformation
The exterior already possessed a strong historic character, leaving little room for major architectural alteration. The railing system became the primary element available for updating the appearance, allowing the façade to feel more refined without changing its original composition. The proposed design introduced cleaner metal detailing while preserving the arches, stucco walls, terracotta roof and classical massing.
Proposed
Rear
Rear and Poolside View
The rear visualization communicates the relationship between the main house, secondary wing, terraces and waterfront pool area.
03Wall removal
Intervention
Opening the Interior
The existing formal living room felt disconnected from the primary living areas. A portion of the dividing wall was removed to create a stronger visual and functional connection while keeping the remaining structure intact. This intervention improved circulation and openness without compromising the historic organization of the home.
04Interior
A Dialogue Between Old and New
The interior design retained the home’s traditional mouldings, tall openings, arched windows and dark timber flooring. Contemporary furniture, lighting and cabinetry were introduced with restraint so the new elements would complement rather than compete with the architecture. Warm whites, dark wood, natural stone and controlled accent colours created a refined transition between the historic shell and the updated interior.
Room 01
Living and Dining
The living and dining areas were reorganized to feel more open while maintaining clear zones for each function. Furniture placement was carefully studied to preserve circulation and strengthen views toward the rotunda and surrounding rooms. The result is a more cohesive interior that feels spacious without losing the formality expected of a historic estate.
Existing
Proposed
Room 02
The Updated Kitchen
The kitchen was redesigned as a stronger visual anchor within the open-plan arrangement. Deep blue cabinetry, natural stone surfaces and a warm metallic hood introduced contrast while remaining appropriate to the elegance of the house. Its connection to the dining and living areas allows the kitchen to support both daily use and entertaining.
Room 04
The Rotunda Office
The rotunda was transformed into an intimate office and sitting space that takes advantage of its curved geometry and arched windows. Rather than treating it as a secondary corner, the design turned it into a focal point visible from the adjoining dining area. Light furnishings and understated detailing allow the original architectural form to remain dominant.
Room 03
Formal Living and Bar
The formal living room was updated with a more contemporary furniture layout, integrated display shelving and layered architectural lighting. A warm neutral palette was used to retain the quiet sophistication of the residence. The adjoining bar was incorporated into the broader renovation to support entertaining while maintaining visual consistency across the interior.
05Process & outcome
Architectural Documentation
The visualization work was supported by updated floor plans and elevations reflecting the proposed changes. These drawings helped translate the visual concept into measurable architectural information and clarified the areas affected by demolition and remodeling. They also provided the client with a coordinated reference for discussions with consultants and contractors.
Experiencing the Remodel Before Construction
A complete walkthrough was produced to connect the exterior and remodelled interior into one continuous experience. Nathalie could move through the proposed spaces, understand sightlines and evaluate how the renovated rooms related to one another. This allowed important decisions to be reviewed before construction, when revisions were still manageable.
The Final Outcome
The proposal modernized the home without stripping away the qualities that defined it. The new layout improved openness, circulation and functionality, while the exterior updates remained deliberately restrained. Through renderings, drawings and animation, Nathalie received a complete vision of how the historic estate could evolve while preserving its original identity.
This project demonstrates that historic preservation and modern living do not have to compete. With careful documentation, restrained interventions and detailed visualization, a century-old residence can be adapted for contemporary life while retaining the architecture that gives it lasting value.
Project Deliverables
- Existing-condition 3D reconstruction
- Exterior remodeling visualization
- Interior design development
- Photorealistic interior and exterior renderings
- Updated floor plans and elevations
- Wall-removal and spatial-planning studies
- Material and furniture visualization
- Complete interior and exterior walkthrough