Adaptive re-use

The Olathe Public Schools Innovation Campus turns a vacant call center into a hub for hands-on learning and emerging career pathways. Through adaptive reuse, DLR Group reimagined a building that had served the community for more than 50 years as King Radio Building and later the Lindenwood Business Center as a flexible, future-ready Career Technical Education (CTE) environment.  Caption Caption Caption Caption A foundation of adaptive reuse Rather than clear the site and start over, DLR Group used detailed 3D scans to guide the transformation of the call center into a new Career Technical Education campus and District Operations Service Center.   By retaining existing roof and floor framing, columns, and... More

Bob’s Bar is built into, above and around an 80-year-old bungalow, a little piece of Bangalore’s colonial history in the heart of the city. With several interventions and adaptations over the years (mostly as bars and restaurants), much of its initial form and character was either displaced or barely discernible.From the outset, Bob’s bar seemed to be the right fit for this site. The brand’s theme is inspired by long-standing bars of the ‘gymkhanas’, and the more ‘local‘ unpretentious neighbourhood bars for ‘regulars’.  Shamath Patil Shamath Patil Shamath Patil Shamath Patil Shamath Patil The location allows Bob’s bar to rekindle some of that ol... More

Amai Artisanal Bakehouse is a contemporary café and bakery located in Kolhapur, India. Designed by Gauche Studio, the project transforms an existing Kerala-inspired building into a warm and inviting hospitality space through a restrained architectural intervention that respects the character of the original structure. Shubham Wanjhere Shubham Wanjhere Shubham Wanjhere Shubham Wanjhere Rather than altering the building extensively, the design builds upon its existing architectural language. The pitched roof, generous volumes and natural light establish the foundation for a contemporary interior that feels both familiar and refined. New insertions are intentionally minimal, allowing the original architecture to rem... More

When architects Dan and Sandra Wilson first acquired this 1,325-square-foot penthouse in Seattle’s historic Pioneer Square, the interior was a collection of vibrant eccentricities—glass block, sheet metal, and colorful wall coverings. The project became an intentional exercise in "addition by subtraction," subduing the visual noise to celebrate the unit's most significant assets: expansive views of the Puget Sound and an abundance of natural light. Kevin Scott (www.kevinscott.us) Kevin Scott (www.kevinscott.us) Kevin Scott (www.kevinscott.us) Kevin Scott (www.kevinscott.us) Inspired by hotel suites in Europe and Asia, the design rejects traditional American residential norms. The layout is almost entirely op... More

Background  The founder of a newly merging oriental perfume brand is establishing its first pilot flagship in Shanghai. The founder believes that your senses focus on the present olfactory experience, where self-awareness, contradictions, and harmony coexist. The brand's pilot flagship is situated on Taiyuan Road in Shanghai, a place of historical significance. This location holds special importance as it was once the residence of Cheng Nien, who was renowned as the "last socialite of Shanghai." After conducting extensive on-site surveys in the Conservation Area for a period of 8 months, the team ultimately selected this site. It offers a convenient location and a serene ambiance perfect for olfactory experiences. Caption Cap... More

Nestled within the established residential fabric of Karve Nagar, Pune, this project involves the transformative retrofit of a 2000s-era bungalow. Originally characterized by a distinct lack of indoor-outdoor synergy, the 5,000-square-foot site possessed a lush, albeit underutilized, canopy of mature trees. The architectural intervention sought to dissolve these rigid boundaries, evolving a conventional 3BHK layout into a 4BHK functional sanctuary tailored for a multi-generational family. The design brief was anchored by a dual commitment: honoring the clients’ ancestral roots through strict adherence to Vaastu Shastra while working within the definitive structural constraints of the original build. The resulting spatial configuratio... More

Located in the small fishing village of Pontian, Johor, Chye Lye Hock Residence is a renovation project of a 25-year-old family house. The project emerged from personal dedication to the architect's family, addressing the deteriorating condition of the existing dwelling while redefining its spatial hierarchy. The intervention seeks not merely to repair, but to introduce a new shelter—a "parasol"—that mediates between the tropical climate and the domestic activities within. Alexander Goh Alexander Goh Concept and Form "In making for ourselves a place to live, we first spread a parasol to throw a shadow on the earth, and in the pale light of the shadow we put together a house." Inspired by Jun'ichirō Tanizaki’s... More

Located in the Łazarz district of Poznań, Poland, LJM Apartments reimagines a 150-square-metre interior within a 1904 Art Nouveau building. The building was originally designed by Paul Pitt for brick factory owner Otto Fechner. Once divided into two long-abandoned units, KIN KUNI has reorganised the apartment into three independent homes. The project demonstrates how historic residential fabric can be adapted to contemporary living standards through repair, reuse, and material continuity. Plan before the new subdivision KIN KUNI Plan of the new subdivision KIN KUNI ❌︎ Remove Applied Products block will be inserted here Working within a historic framework The tenement building forms part of Poznań’s late 19th- a... More

 The project began with a 160-year-old house in India. Modest yet full of quiet charm, the home was restored while adapting it for modern life. A renewed spatial layout breaks down the traditionally compartmentalized spaces into an open-plan with light-filled spaces and a renewed connection to the landscape. Saurabh Suryan Saurabh Suryan Saurabh Suryan Saurabh Suryan Saurabh Suryan Rather than mimic tradition, the design reinterprets Goan elements, balcao, plaster bands, verandahs, in contemporary ways that balance continuity and change. The traditional balcao was carefully disassembled, expanded, and rebuilt as a verandah that opens onto the landscape. A raised roof created space for a mezzanine, introducing... More

 The building on the street - an Art Nouveau tenement house designed in the National Romantic style - was designed by Aleksandrs Vanags. As part of this project, the facades of the building were renovated and insulated. This is a particularly delicate task for a historic façade, which is why it was insulated from the inside on the street side. On the outside, the original decorations of the building have been restored: rough plaster areas alternate with smooth ones, preserving the monochrome solution, typical for the Latvian architecture of the time. Madara Kuplā Madara Kuplā Madara Kuplā Madara Kuplā Madara Kuplā Madara Kuplā The façade is complemented by carmine red accents - a tin roof an... More

On the occasion of the proclamation of Eleusina as the 2021 European Capital of Culture, architect Constantine Bouras completed, for ASPROFOS Engineering, the architectural design for the conversion of two preserved buildings of the former paint factory IRIS into a multipurpose cultural center. Caption The repurposing of the buildings produces a space for theater, cinema, music, congresses, art exhibitions and other cultural activities, while part of it is home to the Aeschylus Museum. The creation of the IRIS Cultural Center will contribute to the emergence of the industrial heritage of the city and its sustainable development. The two listed buildings and the chimney of the old factory are particularly interesting examples of interw... More

  In the heart of the Elefsina waterfront, an emblematic building - a remnant of the city's industrial history - is being transformed into a contemporary cultural space. The listed two-story building, prominently located on Kanellopoulou street, used to house the offices of the old industrial complex of Eleourgiki, and will be redefined as a multifunctional cultural hub, contributing to the promotion of the industrial heritage and the cultural revitalization of the area. The intervention is part of the broader strategic plan of the Municipality of Elefsina for the sustainable development of the city, which includes the upgrading of the coastal front and its transformation into a cultural zone - within the context of Elefsina European... More

The former 871 Chip Factory was not only a landmark enterprise in Shaoxing but also the cradle of China's integrated circuit industry. As this industry expanded, the factory ceased operations in 2018. In 2024, CR LAND undertook a comprehensive renovation and upgrade, opening a new chapter for the site as “SHAOXING PLACE by MixC” envisioned as an “urban living room”. Terrence Zhang Terrence Zhang Located in the heart of Shaoxing’s ancient city, the project is only 2 kilometers away from the famous historic and tourist districts, and adjacent to Fushan Park and the Shaoxing Museum. Blessed by Shaoxing's extensive network of riverways, the site is surrounded by water on all sides, while convenient urban... More

Abandoned for half a century, the sprawling Neuhoff meat-packing complex is poised to become an exciting new addition to Nashville’s resurgence. S9 Architecture re-envisioned the riverfront property with a comprehensive design that retains and repurposes much of the existing buildings, while strategically incorporating new construction throughout the site. Seth Parker S9’s master plan features a connective network of pedestrian pathways, courtyards, public roof terraces, and cantilevered catwalks that create a series of experiences for visitors. The 1.3-million-square-foot project houses a mix of offices, cultural spaces, residential units, and retail/dining establishments. Seth Parker Caption Caption Cap... More