Adaptive re-use

Transformed from its beginnings as a community church and theatre, The Church has undergone a remarkable rejuvenation, emerging as a three-level contemporary dwelling that seamlessly blends modern living with the historic charm of its heritage-listed brick and sandstone façade. Katherine Lu Katherine Lu Preserving the integrity of the original building, The Church successfully maintains its historic exterior while introducing a modern aesthetic within. The architectural intervention delicately navigates the balance between tradition and contemporary design, employing thoughtful reinterpretation through geometries, material selection, and lighting. Katherine Lu Katherine Lu By adhering to the existing footprint,... More

This project entails the adaptation and extension of a heritage-listed flax threshing hut located in the foothills of the Bavarian Alps. The client brief required that the existing stone construction, dating back to the 18th century, be upgraded into a fully functional country home. In close dialogue with the local heritage authorities, a strategy was developed to keep the original building fabric as intact as possible while accommodating complementary functions in a new low-slung volume which at first glance is perceived as a separate and autonomous construction. Simone Bossi Simone Bossi Simone Bossi Simone Bossi Old and new building volumes are connected by a discrete transversal structure. The concept of a cluster o... More

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE Solina factory is an example of a textile site, a representation of twentieth century industrial architecture ensemble that illus- trates the industrial, technological achievements of the period in India as well as internationally. Therefore the new use of this industrial heritage site will facilitate in disseminating the development of appropriate techniques for conserving twenti- eth century Industrial heritage. Caption Caption DESIGN APPROACH Conservation actions for the Solina are based on documenta- tion and research on various aspects of the buildings as well as a broader understanding of its geographical, historical and architectural context, taking into account its new future use. Caption... More

Founded in 1997 by college classmates with a passion for art, architecture, and design, Blu Dot is a manufacturer and designer of modern furniture.  Blu Dot’s furniture can be found in many independent design stores, online, and in the company’s own retail locations.  With the lease on its first San Francisco store on Valencia Street scheduled to expire, Blu Dot found the ideal site at the foot of Potrero Hill among other design-oriented enterprises, a pair of vacant buildings at the corner of Missouri and 17th Streets. Mariko Reed The building at 99 Missouri was formerly the home of ARCH, a graphics supply company well-known to San Francisco architects.  The owner decided to pursue an expansion of the build... More

PROJECT:        Penn State Behrend Federal House  TITLE:              A Bridge Between Past & Future With a gentle touch, the newest addition to campus preserves the past and prepares the future.  Brad Feinknopf The oldest brick structure in the area, the Federal House at Penn State Behrend is gracefully preserved and repurposed by an expansive addition. A light and spacious modern barn slips into the steeply graded site—linking to the restored Federal House by way of an elegant, glass bridge—to preserve and elevate the historically significant building. Brad Feinknopf At the same time, the building provides a new home—offices, classrooms, a... More

Concept/Philosophy The school is housed in a 100-year-old heritage residential building, which has evolved into a child centered IB (International Baccalaureate) school over a span of fifty years. The design explores the idea of flexible and interactive learning environments. The space planning reflects the liberal pedagogy of an international education adopted by the school by re-imagining the “traditional classroom model” by ensuring the heritage significance of the structure. A process of delayering and revealing the embedded features of the heritage structure is revived. Caption The shift is from a traditional classroom-based learning environment to creating subject rooms and shared common programs that offer a varied... More

Do we like to partner with socially conscientious brands that are raising the bar in the retail industry? Yes, we do. Everlane, known for exceptional quality, ethical factories, and radical transparency, has begun to selectively open more brick-and-mortar locations. When invited to work with their team on several new retail stores, our response was, “when do we begin?” Caption Initially brought on as Architect of Record, we also collaborated with Everlane on design decisions, executing their brand identity and aesthetic at new locations in Seattle and Georgetown. While there is recognizable brand consistency at every store, aspects of each location are also woven into the experiences. Both stores, for instance, were uniqu... More

How adaptive reuse and urban wilderness contribute to the reanimation of a wasteland and protect the climate at the same time.  smartvoll It should be clear by now that the construction industry has a significant share of responsibility for climate change. Starting with soil sealing, to the enormous sand consumption in cement production or the CO2 emissions in concrete production. The impact of construction on the climate will increase in the coming decades if, as demographic studies predict, more and more people are going to live in cities. New strategies are therefore needed for the sensible re-use of already sealed industrial areas that have lost their original use. Paradoxically, industrial wastelands are also the epitom... More

Mei architects and planners developed a grand innovative plan to transform the site of the former Silk Factory in Naro-Fominsk, a city two hours driving from Moscow, into a lively area. The program of 50.000 m2 is mixed-use, a novelty in Russia, and will turn the abandoned industrial site into a vibrant small city full of new energy. Loft-style apartments in the characteristic old factory buildings will be combined with a mixture of shopping, culinary, cultural and sport facilities for the families of Naro-Fominsk and visitors from the Moscow region. With this unique and promising plan, commissioned by the Ostov Group who already developed many successful projects in Naro-Fominsk, the Silk Factory complex will become the new historical city... More

The Delft Kabeldistrict (cable district) is a distinctive contemporary urban expansion in which a business park is being transformed on a large scale into a vibrant living and working environment. The Kabeldistrict builds on existing qualities, activity and the industrial past of the existing large Cable Factory. The visible fusion of old and new creates its own identity that contributes to a strong cohesion and connection between future entrepreneurs and residents. With a high degree of circularity and a layered integration of greenery and water, Delft is at the forefront of productive and sustainable area development. The Delft Kabeldistrict is the start of new developments on the Schieoevers in Delft. The municipality has the ambition t... More