Historic

Aidlin Darling Design has completed the University of Virginia (UVA) Contemplative Commons, a pan-university building designed to support student wellbeing through immersive, experiential learning and reconnection to nature. The four-storey U-shaped building houses multi-purpose studios, research spaces, and a range of sensory-led learning environments. Drawing from Thomas Jefferson’s vision of the university as a living landscape—where architecture and the natural environment shape the experience of learning—Aidlin Darling Design uses biophilic principles, passive strategies, rainwater capture and reclaimed materials to create a restorative space that has achieved LEED Gold certification. Matthew Millman Matthew... More

Originally the home of San Francisco’s first electric railway, the Geneva Car Barn & Powerhouse is the one of the last physical reminders of that historic transit system. Now owned by the City’s Recreation and Parks Department, the historic building is being transformed into a cultural and educational community center. Phase One is a 300-person event space; future phases for two-building complex will include classrooms and a black box theater for youth arts education. Matthew Millman Matthew Millman Matthew Millman Matthew Millman Matthew Millman Matthew Millman More

On a quiet street in Bloomsbury, this project returns two Grade II listed buildings back to a single house after being used as publishers’ offices since 1974. The project places a room, shared by both buildings, in the reinstated garden. The new element sits on the slab and foundations of a former utility building which was built to serve the offices when they were converted. Demolition of the service building results in the best-preserved window being revealed to the garden and mews for the first time in almost fifty years. Ben Blossom Ben Blossom The new extension frames views into the garden whilst allowing light into the main house. New windows and doors are positioned to reinforce established connections, vistas and e... More

Tucked into an eroded field of igneous magma formations in Far West Texas, this extension to a historic 1914 adobe house quietly navigates the terrain and looks out to the ridge beyond. While the new volume differentiates itself from the original on the exterior, the interior seeks to unify them.  Casey Dunn Casey Dunn Casey Dunn Casey Dunn Casey Dunn Casey Dunn Casey Dunn Casey Dunn More

The Heart of the City is the centrepiece of Sheffield’s central redevelopment. Imagined by Sheffield City Council with strategic development partner Queensberry, it is where Sheffield’s heart truly beats. The masterplan, designed by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, brings together three interwoven elements: Elshaw House – a flagship office building; The Cambridge Street Collective – a social destination for gathering; and Leah’s Yard – studios housed within historic metalworkers' workshops. Each has its own distinct style – and a unique story to tell. These sustainable new buildings respond thoughtfully to their historical context. Modern structures reference the city’s industrial past, while... More

Woodinville is a small, up-and-coming town half an hour northeast of Seattle with a population of 14,000. In 2001, the town proposed a civic campus project to enhance the burgeoning community’s existing character and charm. The project, currently known as the School House District, centers around the Old Woodinville School House in existence since the 1900s. Bassetti was contracted to highlight and maintain the historic character of the Old Woodinville School House while reworking its aged interior to accommodate a shared space between Walla Walla Steak Co. and Crossbuck Brewing. Moris Moreno Restoration of the schoolhouse included masonry repair and repointing, window glazing and sashes repair, and updates to the existing Woodi... More

After decades of inactivity, the Dreiviertelweg inn, located at 1325 m above sea level on the pilgrimage route to Maria Weißenstein/Pietralba, has been carefully revitalized. Once a meeting place for pilgrims, summer visitors, and villagers, it now combines tradition with gentle modernization. Gustav Willeit Gustav Willeit Gustav Willeit Gustav Willeit Gustav Willeit Gustav Willeit The existing structure has been preserved, with original materials and furniture reinterpreted. Colors and details reflect history, creating a harmonious whole. Inappropriate extensions have been removed and replaced by an elegant veranda as a dining hall. Gustav Willeit Gustav Willeit Gustav Willeit Gustav W... 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

An architectural design for a store and apartments. Living in old & new On Nieuwlandstraat in Tilburg stood a building whose historical façade had long been concealed. Given that this street is filled with historic buildings, we decided to restore the old façade to its original state. Image Courtesy B-too Mini-neighborhood Only the entrance to the shop is located at the front. The residences are all accessed from the rear of the building. In this way, we aim to bring life to the rear area, creating two distinct worlds: the shopping street at the front and the mini-neighborhood at the rear. Image Courtesy B-too Spacious outdoor areas In the rear area, each apartment has its own outdoor space, storage, and... More

What was once Old Town, Maine’s iconic Eastern Trust Bank, has been transformed into a lively “old world” speakeasy. Designed by Ervin Architecture (EA), the Trust Room is a historic restoration project that took design cues from surviving original remnants of a corner building that prominently serves as a gateway into downtown, an area climbing back into relevancy. Once tethered to the booming lumber industry of nearby Bangor, Maine, local developers are looking to put Old Town back on the map, and owner Alex Gray has added yet another impressive building to this comprehensive rehabilitation effort.   Led by EA’s expertise in creative adaptive reuse solutions, this project continues the design firm’s tra... More

The "Hof im Thal" is historically one of the most precious buildings in the village. The first written mention of the heritage-protected farm dates back to 1288. The house is basically divided into two structures: the two-storey "Baumann"- wing in the east and the three-storey "Herrschaftstrakt" (manor house) in the west, which was the former summer residence of the Baroni family or the later Thalbenefizium for local clergymen. Gustav Willeit Gustav Willeit Gustav Willeit Gustav Willeit The restoration represents a significant contribution to the preservation of the architectural culture of our country and is intended to be an example of sensitive restoration.  Gustav Willeit Gustav Willeit Gustav Will... More

SKOLNICK was retained to completely renovate this apartment, located inthe historic El Dorado building overlooking Central Park and the JacquelineKennedy Onassis Reservoir. Beyond the initial experience of beautiful ArtDeco details in the building’s lobby, the apartment itself required extensivework. SKOLNICK designed the layout to be much more open and lesscompartimentalized with the goal of letting in more natural light andmaximizing the park views and prominent waterfront setting. Zach Pontz Zach Pontz Zach Pontz The opportunity to incorporate the client’s family heirloom Nakashimafloating wall unit, along with large screen-like sliding panels, were alsofundamental inspirations. These elements aligned well wit... More

NetZeroRowHouse began as two architects designing and building a home for their family in the Capitol Hill / H Street neighborhood of Washington DC.  A simple notion about adding solar panels started the journey to create a Net Zero Row House. Caption The original 1925 brick rowhouse was completely reconstructed and expanded.  The front façade and porch were retained to preserve the character of the street.  A third-floor addition, for the principal suite and home office, is setback from the existing roof line, creating a private roof deck.  The lower cellar level was fully excavated with a new entrance to access the accessory dwelling unit / rental apartment.  The addition is clad with a combination of... More