Retrouvius: Contemporary Salvage: Designing Homes from a Philosophy of Re-Use

London-based design studio Retrouvius has carved a unique and important niche in the interior design and architecture spheres by blending architectural salvage with innovative design. Every project is a reinvention of the past and a promise made to our shared future.

In a world increasingly defined by the fleeting and the disposable, Retrouvius stands as a beacon of sustainability, creativity, and enduring beauty in interior design. Each space transformed by the studio is imbued with a history and a character uniquely its own, and a deep respect and sensitivity for original, historic designs and materials.

As interior designers and architects increasingly adopt sustainable practices to reduce their environmental footprint, Retrouvius has been discovering new life in the old and patinaed, new purpose in the centuries overlooked. Its work is a testament to the belief that sustainability can be synonymous with sophistication, and that the past can beautifully and intelligently inform the present.

This important volume is an invitation to explore the world of Retrouvius through the design studio’s most significant projects. Through stunning photography and insightful texts, this book journeys into the heart of spaces that are as functional as they are artful, as timeless as they are tailored to contemporary living.

Maria Speake is a cofounder and creative force behind Retrouvius Design Studio. Her pioneering work at Retrouvius has earned her widespread recognition as a leader in sustainable design. Helena Bonham Carter is an English actor known for her roles in both blockbuster and independent films. She has received numerous awards, including a British Academy Film Award and an International Emmy Award, and nominations for two Academy Awards and nine Golden Globes. Emma Crichton-Miller is a freelance journalist, critic, and author writing on fine art, design, and craft for numerous publications, including the Financial Times, RA Magazine, and The Wall Street Journal. Bella Freud has moved among the mediums of clothing and interior design, perfume making, filmmaking, and publishing. In 2024 she began the weekly podcast Fashion Neurosis with Bella Freud, in which she invites special guests to explore the connection between fashion and identity. Architectural salvage expert Adam Hills is cofounder of Retrouvius. His work blends architectural expertise with a deep appreciation for the history and character of reclaimed materials. Mary Miers is a writer specializing in architecture and the arts. She founded Scotland’s Buildings at Risk Register and is president of the Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland. Rizzoli has published several of her books, most recently Highland Retreats: The Architecture and Interiors of Scotland’s Romantic North.