Inês Graça: What principles do you always bear in mind every time you start a restoration project?
Brett Woods + Joseph Dangaran: We start with a conversation with the client. What the moments they value are, what drew their attention when first considering purchasing the property, for example. We research original drawings and the technologies available at the time of the constructions and try to empathize with the original architect. What would they do with the tools that we have available today? Most of the existing structures that we work with have extensive water damage. In terms of roofing and waterproofing materials, the technologies available today are far more advanced than what was available 60 years ago. All this impacts the architectural expression by enabling thinner buildups, longer structural spans and larger glazing sizes.

How do you manage to infuse each space with a sense of modernity while maintaining its historical dimension? Timelessness is our goal. On every project, we want to make sure that the home functions with current technology and systems, while still expressing the original design aim. We design spaces that are occupied by humans and so the scale or volume of the space must address the needs of the space. If a room is out of proportion, the user will sense that and will not be comfortable occupying the space.

You have mentioned several times in previous interviews that collaborative processes play a key role. With whom do you usually collaborate? We are only good as the team we are surrounded by. The owner has to buy into the premise that creativity and artistic expression are best nurtured through positivity rather than consequence. We collaborate with our clients, consultants, builders, designers, fabricators, etc. If we ask for the team’s respect and trust for an architectural solution, we should anticipate and promote the same when another expert proposes an idea. We have known each other for more than twenty years and we were friends before becoming business partners. We try to approach all things as one human to another. Nothing is dictated, it’s all collaborative.