Architects love the freedom presented by a blank sheet of paper (or CAD window), but the reality of practice inevitably puts limits on the imagination. This is doubly true when it comes to remodels, which require working around somebody else’s design. But constraints can also encourage creativity as new ideas are shaped by pre-existing parameters. Sometimes, the most difficult challenges—a wall that can’t be moved or a budget that won’t budge—breed the most inventive solutions.

We want to take a look at what goes into designing around an existing structure. Specifically, we’re interested in residential projects with unusual backstories and imaginative design choices. Did you modernize a traditional home? Strip things bare or keep them intact? How did you relate to the original design? How did you relate to the clients’ demands?

Have a project that fits the bill? Post the project to your individual or firm profile, then submit it for consideration by filling out this form. We will be selecting projects to publish on an ongoing basis. There is no deadline.