#adaptivereuse

Set in the rural landscape of Istria, Casa Milanesi transforms a century-old barn into a contemporary home while preserving the character of its original architecture. The project is part of ALT Spaces’ ongoing Casa series, which explores the adaptive reuse of historic buildings through a contemporary residential lens. For Casa Milanesi, the challenge was to introduce the comfort and functionality of modern living without losing the atmosphere, materiality and structural qualities of the original barn. The interior is defined by a restrained palette of natural materials and contrasting warm and dark tones. Bleached oak, beige plastered surfaces and pale stone are balanced by darker walnut elements, handcrafted details and textured f... More

The IZTO building, which was designed and built in 1986 according to the administrative needs of the Izmir Chamber of Commerce, holds a distinct position in the urban memory of the city of Izmir along the coastline, but was unable to respond to the needs of a new scenario. Through the lens of adaptive reuse, the building was reconfigured with a collection of new demands and scenarios for the design of the innovation center. Through extensive analysis and calculations, structural and technological interventions at different scales were determined and executed in order to repurpose the building program for more integrated public use. ZM Yasa Photography ZM Yasa Photography ZM Yasa Photography ZM Yasa Photography ZM Yasa... More

Tucked along the banks of the River Medway in East Farleigh, Kent, stands a striking reminder of Victorian engineering and architectural eclecticism. Built in 1860 by James Pilbrow, this Grade II-listed boiler house is a rare example of Egyptian Revival architecture in Britain – a style that flourished briefly in the mid-nineteenth century, when fascination with the temples of Karnak, Luxor and Edfu – particularly the Temple of Horus – inspired civic and industrial buildings across the country. Once crowned by an extraordinary obelisk chimney, now long vanished, the building had endured decades of change and underuse. Today, through a bold yet sensitive design by Felix Lewis Architecture & Interiors, it has been reimag... More

The Challenge: A Legacy at Risk The project began with a brief for demolition of existing school building. A 30-year-old school building in Koyali, Vadodara, was in a dilapidated condition. With a sinking plinth, cracked flooring, and termite-infested doors and windows, lack of natural cross ventilation and heat retention, the four-classroom block was struggling to provide a conducive learning environment. Despite being the oldest structure on campus, distinguished by its characteristic sloping roof, it had become a dark, heat-trapped, and uninspiring environment for learning. The space tracing company The space tracing company The space tracing company The Vision: Adaptive Reuse Rather than starting from scratch, our desi... More

Carriage Hall is part of a trio of developments that have transformed cobbled Floral Street into a premium retail and residential address.    The renovation of Carriage Hall has rejuvenated the under used western end of Floral Street by converting a historic building to create a unique retail unit suitable for a high-end multi-brand tenant and enhancing the block through a series of sensitive refurbishments and dramatic interventions.  Credit: Alicia Clarke   The site comprises three adjacent interconnected buildings of different eras, all set around the Grade II-listed building known as ‘The Carriage Hall’.   KPF’s work included enriching the historic fabric with the insertion of bold n... More

Located within the historic James A. Farley building, a former US Postal Service Office and one of New York’s first landmarked buildings, Project Potomac celebrates the building’s history while reinventing today’s workplace to meet the needs of a large innovation company. Credit: Connie Zhou Credit: Connie Zhou Inside the sprawling former main USPS branch, Meta Farley embraces the building’s historic elements, such as elevator cabs, lobbies, corridors, and staircases as design inspiration for the new workplace interiors. Balancing wellness-focused workspaces and open collaboration areas, the office provides 3,500 desks and a range of breakout zones. Workplace neighborhoods are capped at 150 people to creat... More

In the heart of Trieste, within an early twentieth-century building, the project transforms an apartment whose original layout remains legible, reinterpreting its logic to accommodate contemporary living. Davide Maria Palusa The existing plan—three rooms in sequence, a separate kitchen and fragmented service areas—reflected a highly compartmentalized domestic model. The intervention works through processes of reconnection, identifying key points of transformation along the circulation spine. Davide Maria Palusa The primary gesture is the opening between kitchen and living room, establishing a new social and spatial core. Here, the central island acts as both functional and relational anchor, while a system of walnut... More

Located in the old town of Nanyang, this public space renewal project addresses a familiar urban condition: high building density, limited open space, and a growing disconnect between inherited built fabric and contemporary community needs. The site, covering 2,135 square metres, was once an abandoned public granary complex dating to the early years of China’s planned economy. Comprising eight buildings with traditional grey-tile sloping roofs and a mix of wood, brick, and rammed earth, the complex had suffered extensive collapse and neglect. Over time, parts of the site had been informally occupied for storage and small-scale cultivation, further fragmenting an already damaged environment. Wu Qingshan Working within a tight bud... More

Maxim Loskutov   The former carriage repair depot of Moscow-Kurskaya railway station is an unusual building in a modern urban environment. Built in 1906, it is a striking example of the industrial architecture of the early 20th century, but it has not been designated as an architectural monument. After standing abandoned for several decades, the building has not lost its charm, and has even attracted new visitors. Train spotters come here to watch trains passing by from the roof, while artists organize exhibitions and installations and stage conceptual theatrical performances. So, in 2011, the creative association BLACKMEAT organized an exhibition called "Les", and in 2016 Theater.doc staged the performance "The Tibetan Book of t... More

Just like us, plants grow and buildings age. The process of decay in this particular case was natural. Concrete roof tiles fell into the building as purlins eroded and timber frames rotted away. Due to these structural damages, the roof opened up to the sky, and the floor reverted to earth. These three buildings, once used as a dormitory for factory workers, were abandoned as nearby factories closed. In a shrinking town, on a distressed building, humans were gradually replaced by wild plants. This decay gradually transformed the site into an interior garden, providing a sanctuary for plants. Jang Mi The three rectangular-shaped buildings stood parallel to one another. The thickest building on the northern side served as the home for... More

Located in Brest, France, this project represents the third historical iteration of a site deeply woven into the local urban fabric. Originally constructed in 1927 as an Art Deco post office, the building was destroyed during the Second World War and subsequently rebuilt between 1947 and 1950 in a neo-regionalist style. This post-war version, characterised by the dual use of reinforced concrete and granite, featured a U-shaped plan with three wings organised around a central courtyard and a post office. The recent transformation adapts this administrative landmark into a residence, introducing a fourth contemporary wing that completes the block and revitalises the building for modern residential use. ​ Antoine Mercusot for Chatillon Arc... More

At the northern end of Raiko Daskalov’s pedestrian walkway, this project breathes new life into the former National Bank, transforming it into a cultural hub that bridges the city’s historic and creative districts. Positioned between the Kapana Art District and key public landmarks, the building becomes a gateway to local heritage and a gathering place for the community. ©StudioTiltedCircle ©StudioTiltedCircle At its heart is a grand central atrium, inspired by the intimate laneways of the Old Town. By removing aging upper floors, we reveal towering columns that enhance a sense of verticality, echoing classical architecture. A spiral staircase winds down into the basement gallery, symbolizing the city’... More

Hotel Alpenhof in Niederaudorf is nestled in the picturesque landscape of the Upper Bavarian Inn Valley. Historically, a small farm has always been part of the property, and while the original stable—dating back to the early days—has been replaced by a larger building, it remains a testament to the site’s heritage. Theresa Schmid When the building owner expressed a desire to incorporate a wellness area into the hotel, the concept of an open-air sauna emerged. The idea was to integrate this sauna, sheltered yet open to the elements, within the airy structure of the old stable and barn area, ensuring privacy while blending with the rustic charm of the surroundings. Caption Caption More

The 30-acre Natura Gardens incorporates 10 acres of restored wetlands, striking a delicate balance between community needs and environmental responsibility. The restored wetlands became an opportunity to demonstrate how communities can serve as the custodians of scarce environmental resources. The site plan integrates the wetlands so residents can experience the seasonal changes of this essential ecosystem. To pay homage to the cultural history of living around wetlands, the community’s open space features several chickees, the thatched-roof shelters of the indigenous Seminole Tribe.  Landscape Design Workshop & Avatar Productions Landscape Design Workshop & Avatar Productions Landscape Design Workshop &... More