This apartment has all the charms and practicalities of a colonial-era home without any of the needed maintenance. The result of a careful renovation, the two-tier living space occupies half of the second story of an attractive early 20th century building in the heart of downtown Yangon.

A newly restored wooden staircase leads to the entrance and spacious front room overlooking the street. Three large windows with split shutters let in natural light; the patterned lintel spanning over the top of the central window was inspired from an original design found in the building while the panes use a mixture of original and reclaimed timber.

One side of the apartment is all exposed brick and includes an original brick arch set against carbonised strand-woven bamboo flooring, a perfect element to resist against humidity and termites. The open kitchen comes complete with a bar, dining area and everything else you need, including an oven and dishwasher.

Upstairs, the wide pyinkado flooring of the mezzanine serves as the perfect spot for working from home, relaxing with guests, or even for yoga and meditation. The nearby bedroom has windows near the ceiling that allow for views of the night sky – as do the adjacent second bathroom and walk-in shower.

Solid wood fans hang from almost every room, helping ventilate the space, while a new roof installation using white sheets and 5 layers of insulation moderates the heat, along with the numerous air-conditioning units. A back-up power supply has been built into the breezy design, protecting the apartment from electricity cuts. While the residence is outfitted with lots of reclaimed wood, the exterior has been replastered and given fresh coatings of cream paint.