#adaptivereusearchitecture

Reviving an Industrial Warehouse: A Dialogue Between Past and Present

There is a deep sense of satisfaction in seeing a 1960s industrial warehouse reimagined into something new without losing its raw spirit. Warehouse conversions often follow a predictable pattern: gut the interior, whiten everything, add a few Edison bulbs, and label it as industrial chic.

However, Zen Architects took a different approach in their Richmond project, where the outcome felt less like social refinement and more like an intelligent dialogue between past and present. The project brief was clear, but its execution required restraint, a quality that has become rare in Australian residential architecture today.

Site Challenges and Decision-Making

The project sits on Wurundjeri land in Melbourne’s inner suburbs, and decision-making options were complex from the outset. For instance:

- Should the existing building structure be retained, or should it be demolished and rebuilt? - Should the harsh concrete slab be removed, or should it remain?

Within these constraints, Truewood Constructions worked under limited site access, which effectively forced the team to make wiser and more sustainable decisions.

Adaptive Reuse and Sustainability

When demolishing and relocating a concrete floor becomes difficult, serious consideration is given to embodied energy and the building’s life-cycle assessment. In this project, both the slab and steel structure were retained, and even the original sprinkler pipes and lighting fixtures were reused.

In this way, the project stands as a living example of adaptive reuse that respects the past while embracing the present, without apologizing for the existing elements.

Harnessing Natural Light and Ventilation

The spatial solutions in the project focus on a north-facing courtyard that penetrates what was originally a box lacking natural light. This internal garden plays a key thermal role, allowing winter sunlight to reach deep into the plan, while the newly installed high-level louvers facilitate cross-ventilation.

The original warehouse orientations were very weak, with the building facing south and featuring few usable windows, making it difficult to capitalize on natural light and ventilation. Rather than resisting the envelope, a microclimate was designed internally to enhance thermal performance and create a comfortable environment within the warehouse.

Interior Design That Preserves the Original Spirit

The floating mezzanine rooms sit within the original volume as if they were furniture, maintaining the cathedral ceiling while providing actual bedrooms. The exposed steel bridge system reads as a clean structure, painted dark to appear less visually prominent, while the translucent ceiling panels filter daylight throughout the frame.

In this way, the design represents a sectional move that respects the building’s “bones” while completely reorganizing its interior, creating a balance between preserving the warehouse’s original spirit and achieving contemporary functionality.

Spatial Division and Material Contrast

What makes this design successful spatially is the elevated wooden surface that penetrates the concrete floor level. In the lower part of the warehouse, living areas sit on polished concrete, while dining and circulation areas occupy the warm wooden surface.

At the same time, the internal courtyard becomes an intermediate space that belongs to everything yet to nothing specific, enhancing the sense of flexibility and openness within the plan.

Plants as a Functional and Aesthetic Element

The movable circular planters, including the lime-green cylinder on wheels, add a dynamic touch to the space. The planting strategy integrates small trees with ferns and tropical plants, creating sufficient greenery for visitors to feel that the courtyard is an actual garden, not merely a decorative element.

Sightlines and Visual Connectivity

The double-height volume and layered transparency help create extended sightlines between different areas, from the living room to the mezzanine rooms, while maintaining privacy. Emma Cross’s photography captures these dynamics, illustrating how the space can feel open and visually connected without compromising personal comfort.

Color Palette and Materials: Restraint in Design

The interior color palette embodies restraint and moderation in the use of visual elements. Dark blue kitchen cabinets are paired with a yellow backsplash as a focal point, natural plywood is used for the mezzanine rooms, while polished concrete floors cover all other areas, creating a balance between warmth and solidity.

Lighting: Variety Without Excess

The design relies on a diverse mix of lighting, including industrial green enamel pendant lamps, colored glass spheres above the dining table, and black track fixtures on the exposed structure. Clearly, the project avoids ornate chandeliers or overly coordinated fixtures often seen on Pinterest, focusing instead on functionality and simplicity.

Furniture and Texture: Bringing the Space to Life

The furniture feels varied without being overly curated, including:

- A rustic wooden dining table with a strong character - A sectional black sofa - Some mid-century modern pieces - Kilim rugs that add a warm texture

This arrangement reflects a sense of lived-in realism, sparking interest and analysis in architectural photography, where practical authenticity is valued over costly perfection.

Sustainability Integrated into Design

The sustainability aspect plays a pivotal role in this project, even if Zen Architects did not loudly proclaim it. The existing concrete slab represents thousands of kilograms of embodied carbon that remained in place, while the reused roofs, cladding, and original fixtures contribute significantly to reducing material waste that might otherwise end up in landfills.

Passive Heating and Cooling

High-level louvers and the north-facing courtyard provide passive heating and cooling, significantly reducing the loads on mechanical systems. In this way, the project stands as an example of sustainable architecture that does not rely on solar panels to prove its credentials.

Environmental Performance Embedded in Planning

Environmental performance is embedded in planning decisions, material reuse, and the thermal mass of the concrete floor, which absorbs winter sunlight and gradually releases it throughout the night. The project demonstrates that thoughtful design and environmental responsibility can coexist harmoniously, without the need for presentations or marketing slogans about “greenwashing.”

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

The Richmond Industrial Warehouse project demonstrates a clear creativity in handling the existing building and material reuse, combined with a thoughtful integration of natural light and ventilation, and a smart distribution of interior spaces. The multifunctional courtyard and carefully selected materials show attention to daily comfort and sustainability.

However, some design decisions, such as the wide variety of furniture and the lack of overall visual cohesion, can create a sense of dissonance in certain areas. Additionally, some contemporary interventions occasionally challenge the balance between the building’s original spirit and contemporary renewal.

Overall, the project leaves the impression of an intriguing architectural experiment, not perfect, but with clear room for improvement in integrating new elements more harmoniously.

https://archup.net/liverpool-street-station/ https://archup.net/enrich-corten-steeles-light-filled-interior-studio-in-vermont-valley/ Prepared by the ArchUp Editorial Team

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The Beginning of the Story: The Courage to Change

Sometimes, the best architectural stories begin with people who decide to make radical changes in their lives. In the Foxhole Barns project, a couple chose to leave their corporate jobs and pursue an old dream that had long inspired them. What they found was a dilapidated dairy farm in Hampshire, spanning nearly two acres of countryside, in a condition many would consider hopeless. A Different Architectural Vision Here, the role of AR Design Studio stood out, renowned for its ability to revive rural buildings and transform them into homes of high architectural value. Instead of demolishing the rundown barn and starting from scratch, the team adopted a vision based on reusing the existing structure ,  an approach that balances preserving the identity of the place with modern development. Clients’ Hands-on Involvement What is striking about this project is that the homeowners did not limit themselves to being financiers; they actively participated in the construction process. From clearing the debris themselves to overseeing small details, their contribution was evident at every stage. And when walking inside the completed home, one can clearly notice the personal touch that added a warm and unique character to the design.

Balancing the Old and the New

The success of the Foxhole Barns project lies in the design team’s ability to address the tension between the historic character and contemporary touches. They preserved the essential elements that define the identity of the place, such as the exposed brick walls and massive wooden beams, which instantly reveal that this building was once a working farm. These details are not merely decorative but represent an architectural authenticity that is difficult to replicate. Contemporary Touches and Their Functional Role Alongside preserving these historic features, the team added modern elements that meet the demands of contemporary family living. For example: - The custom steel staircase, which pierces the space like a piece of industrial sculpture. - The Corten steel fireplace, which has become a focal point in the living area. Both elements feature a rugged functional appearance that perfectly harmonizes with the spirit of the rehabilitated barn. Thoughtful Spatial Planning The interior layout took advantage of the barn’s towering proportions while maintaining the dramatic sense given by the high ceilings in certain areas. At the same time, the new additions helped define different functional zones within the open framework, creating a delicate balance between preserving the architectural essence and providing a comfortable environment for everyday living.

Honesty as a Design Value

One of the most distinctive features of Foxhole Barns compared to other barn conversion projects is its architectural transparency. The design did not attempt to mimic a fake rural style or create a scene resembling a theme park imitating countryside life. Instead, it celebrated what made the original building special and clearly highlighted the modern additions without hiding their materials or nature. The steel and glass elements appeared as they are, enhancing the project’s sense of authenticity. A Shared Vision Between Owner and Architect Behind this project is a story of people who had a clear vision and found an architectural team capable of bringing it to life. The final result shows that working with the existing structure can sometimes be better than starting from scratch, especially when the owner’s understanding integrates with the designer’s creativity. From Abandonment to Life The Foxhole Barns project exemplifies how abandoned agricultural buildings can be revived and transformed into distinctive family homes. It is proof that the right combination of clients and design team can turn what seems like a forgotten structure into a vibrant living space.

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

When Architecture Disappears from Sight

Amid the cliffs of Cabo da Roca in Portugal, you might walk by without noticing a building at all. This visual vanishing act is no coincidence, it’s the result of a deliberate architectural vision by João Tiago Aguiar Arquitectos, who breathed new life into an old windmill, transforming it into an urban experience that plays with presence and absence. Adaptive Reuse Beyond Restoration Spanning 740 square meters, the project doesn’t stop at the windmill, it also incorporates three adjacent buildings, seamlessly unified to form a harmonious complex. This integration isn’t merely a collection of architectural elements; it’s a revival of spaces designed to engage with the dynamic rhythm of the surrounding Atlantic. Material Dialogue with the Environment What stands out in this work is not just its scale or location, but the meticulously chosen materials. The building’s façade is clad in glossy green tiles that shift in hue with the movement of clouds, from deep emerald to tranquil jade, offering a transforming visual dimension that resists fixation. Additionally, salt-spray-resistant ceramics are used, reflecting an acute awareness of the coastal site’s specific climatic challenges. Terracotta: A Link to the Earth The terracotta coating carries both symbolic and material significance. On one hand, it offers a tactile sense of warmth; on the other, it reconnects the structure to the red soil beneath it, imparting a sensory local character that goes beyond form to essence. Architecture that Vanishes Yet the most striking feature lies in the central glass portion. At certain times of day, especially in the afternoon, the glass reflects the sky with such purity that part of the building appears to vanish entirely. This visual "trick" is not just an aesthetic display but a profound architectural statement about blending with the environment rather than imposing upon it.

From Chaos to Character: How Flaws Became Features

When faced with an old structure like this Portuguese windmill, it’s easy for an architect to feel overwhelmed. The building consists of three mismatched volumes, angled in seemingly random ways, with roofs that defy conventional geometry. Such a composition would drive many to demolish and start anew. But in this project, the approach went in the exact opposite direction. Instead of resisting the chaos, it was embraced and transformed into a foundation for uniqueness. The odd angles and unconventional intersections weren’t treated as obstacles, but as opportunities for a new kind of visual creativity. A Dialogue Between Old and New Walking through the building reveals a design language that weaves together history and the present. The old stone isn’t hidden, it stands proudly, engaging in a visual dialogue with contemporary architectural elements. What’s striking here is the design’s ability to transcend contradictions: no material feels out of place or artificial, but rather an organic part of the building’s fabric. Windows Framed Like Paintings Inside, nearly every window overlooks the ocean like a carefully composed photograph. This intentional orientation goes beyond visual beauty; it deepens the relationship between the inhabitants and the natural world outside. Fluidity of Movement and Light Moving from one room to another follows the original logic of the windmill, not rigid design templates. This gives the space a natural sense of continuity, as if the rooms flow organically rather than being forced into place. Light plays a central role as well, filtering in from unexpected corners and bouncing off handcrafted tiles to create shifting patterns that evolve with the hours of the day. The Human Scale of Living Despite the architectural complexity, the interior spaces are grounded in human proportions. There are no oversized showy halls or awkward, alienating corners. Instead, there’s a clear invitation to pause, to stay, to live in harmony with the space. And what heightens the sensory experience is the ocean breeze slipping through the windows, carrying the scent of salt and the sound of waves, reminding you that architecture here isn’t just a structure, but a seamless extension of nature itself.

Tiles as a Medium of Architectural Expression

In this project, tiles are far more than decorative cladding, they’re active agents in the building’s visual experience. Each tile, with its three-dimensional design, captures light differently, creating constantly shifting shadows and glimmers across the façade. Craftsmanship Serving Modernity What truly distinguishes these tiles is their handmade nature, with slight variations that lend the façade a continuous sense of motion and life. Up close, one can discern the fingerprints of traditional craftsmanship, elevated here to new heights of contemporary design without severing ties to its Portuguese roots. A Palette in Dialogue with Time The color gradient of these tiles ranges from deep ocean blues to soft aqua hues, depending on the sun’s angle and time of day. This visual fluidity reinforces the building’s connection to its natural surroundings, making it feel ever-changing rather than static or rigid. When Architecture Steps Back for Nature What’s remarkable about this design is that the building doesn’t seek to dominate the landscape, it steps back with lightness and respect. It acknowledges that it stands before one of Europe’s most dramatic coastlines, and so it doesn’t compete, but instead allows nature to make the first impression. A Gradual Sensory Encounter Visitors first encounter the sound of waves, the rawness of the cliffs, and the vast ocean horizon, only then do they begin to notice the subtle intelligence of a design that harmonizes with, rather than interrupts, its setting. Here, architecture doesn’t shout; it whispers, gently and in tune, turning the entire experience into a kind of natural retreat, as if the building had emerged from the rocks themselves.

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

Xixi Goldmye Library: An Architectural Revival in the Heart of Nature

From an Abandoned Structure to a Thriving Cultural Hub In the heart of Hangzhou’s wetlands, an architectural project emerges as a testament to how smart renewal can redefine spaces. Once abandoned for over two decades, the building has transformed from a forgotten concrete shell into a vibrant library, thanks to a radical intervention by Atelier Wen’Arch. The team stripped away all superfluous elements, retaining only the original concrete columns as a structural foundation. This drastic move was more than a visual gesture, it was essential to reframe the building’s relationship with its surroundings. Opening Up to the Environment After Years of Isolation The original U-shaped configuration, once closed off, now opens onto the Xixi National Wetland Park. This transformation wasn’t just a visual choice, but a deliberate approach to integrate the building with its natural context, turning it into an extension of the landscape rather than an isolated volume. Covering an area of approximately 880 square meters, the project was completed in April 2025, standing as a living example of architecture’s ability to regenerate itself, transforming neglected spaces into centers of knowledge and reflection. Wooden Beams as Both Functional and Aesthetic Elements At the core of this transformation lies the so-called "book beams", a central feature combining structural and aesthetic values. Crafted from laminated pinewood, these beams intersect with the concrete columns and extend outward with careful precision, establishing a rhythmic visual flow that ties the space together. Functionally, the beams integrate with lighting, ventilation, and HVAC systems, turning the infrastructure into a design language that expresses the building’s identity, rather than remaining hidden technical components. Rehumanizing the Space This intervention didn’t just repurpose the structure, it restored its humanity. The building’s original grid was not erased but intelligently reinterpreted. It preserves structural discipline while embracing the warmth of natural materials and visual depth, offering glimpses of the surrounding wetlands through thoughtfully placed openings. The result is a space where visitors feel suspended between earth and sky, surrounded by nature, immersed in calm, and invited to read or reflect in peace.

Architecture Rooted in Nature: Water and Sky as Extensions of Interior Space

The Book Tower: A Vertical Connection to the Sky In the library’s southwest corner stands the so-called “Book Tower”, a vertical architectural element that deepens the building’s connection to the sky. This tower consists of staggered mezzanines spiraling around a concealed grid of I-shaped steel beams, allowing the levels to unfold gracefully without compromising spatial transparency. The design not only creates multi-level reading zones but also preserves visual continuity between floors, offering a sense of openness and cohesion within an otherwise compact structure. The Water Wing: A Horizontal Extension Toward Nature On the opposite side, the waterfront wing engages in direct dialogue with the surrounding landscape. Through sloped surfaces and recessed seating, comfortable lounging areas emerge, opening onto the wetlands, where visitors can unwind, immersed in the natural sounds that surround them. These spaces serve as a living example of how architecture can avoid isolation, instead embracing and reinterpreting its environmental context through thoughtful design. Natural Light: The Invisible Dimension of Spatial Expansion Blurring Boundaries Between Inside and Out Light plays a pivotal role in shaping the visitor’s experience within the library. Full-height glass facades dissolve the borders between indoors and outdoors, turning the space into a visual and emotional extension of the surrounding nature. Shading Inspired by Tradition, Reimagined Through a Contemporary Lens To control light intensity without disrupting visual connectivity, the designers implemented suspended canopies, a reinterpretation of traditional Chinese shading elements. These canopies do more than soften the sun’s glare; they introduce a delicate visual layer that filters the light and enriches the depth of the interior space. Dynamic Lighting Throughout the Day Daylight inside the library evolves fluidly with time, imbuing the space with a shifting spectrum of moods. From the warmth of morning rays accompanying the first cup of coffee, to the gentle glow of evening light ideal for a quiet reading session, the library transcends its role as a building, becoming a renewed experience with each passing day.

The Floating Library: An Experience of Soaring Between Sky and Water

A Relationship with the Wetlands… Without Touching Them Elevated above the wetland level, the library gives visitors a sensation of flight, as if the space itself floats above the surface of the water. This physical detachment from the ground doesn’t sever the building’s bond with nature; rather, it enhances it, creating a sense of lightness and separation from the noise of the world. At the heart of the design lies the water courtyard, once a negative, disconnected space, now transformed into a mirror that reflects the sky. Clouds and water meet across the surface, doubling the impression that the library doesn’t merely belong to its setting, but reinterprets it entirely. From Exclusion to Embrace No longer do the three wings forming the original U-shape turn inward or away from the water. Instead, they now embrace the water courtyard, forming an open center that visually and sensorially interacts with the surrounding environment. Visitors move through the space as if crossing a suspended void, where bird calls and the scent of wetlands drift in through open windows. This immersive experience redefines reading, not as passive consumption, but as a contemplative act. Books as Human Companions, Not Just Functional Objects A Design That Invites You to Stay The design philosophy here goes far beyond organizing books or facilitating circulation. Atelier Wen’Arch sought to create places that encourage slowness, inviting visitors to stay rather than pass through. Books are not presented as commodities, they are treated as companions to the soul and mind, accompanying the reader through moments of reflection and connection with both self and nature. Restoration Through Imagination, Not Demolition Architect Shen Wen and his team succeeded in presenting a rare model of a public library that truly belongs to its site. It doesn’t disturb the sensitive wetland environment, it engages with it respectfully and responsibly. More importantly, the project proves that restoration can be more imaginative than new construction, when guided by vision instead of destruction, and by architectural sensibility rather than spectacle.

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight