#adaptivereusearchitecture

[archupnet]

A Design That Doesn’t Demand Attention: A Portuguese Lesson in Architectural Humility

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

Despite the project's aesthetic finesse and its remarkable ability to engage with nature effortlessly, a lingering question remains: Can architecture disappear without losing its expressive function? The design offers an inventive answer, but it also opens the door to debate. While it succeeds in crafting a poetic spatial experience that blends seamlessly with its environment, one might also view it as an architectural gesture that verges on excessive modesty, almost erasing its own identity as an independent built form. The reliance on glass as a medium for blending in, though visually compelling, raises questions about environmental performance and insulation efficiency in a harsh coastal climate. And while the project is commendable for resisting the lure of architectural spectacle, this very restraint may not resonate globally, especially in urban cultures that view architecture as a bold vehicle for asserting identity. Ultimately, the project delivers both a visual and critical lesson: about when architecture should speak, and when it’s better for it to fall silent... or even disappear. https://archup.net/seamless-transitions-between-architecture-and-nature/ Prepared by the ArchUp Editorial Team Don’t miss the chance to explore more from Projects in fields like Design and Architectural News on the ArchUp website. Read the full article

[furrina]

Vector Architects converts an old sugar mill into a hotel retreat of magnificent craftsmanship 🌿 Designed by @vectorarchitects Images: Su Shengliang / Chen Hao / Vector Architects / Alila Yangshuo Located in Yangshuo region of China, the site for Alila Yangshuo is surrounded by verdant landscape of limestone hills and manoeuvring Li River, as it makes its way through its flood plains and towering giants. Once used as a sugar mill factory, the site had fallen in despair before being bought by the Alila group to develop a property, offering the guest a chance to immerse themselves in the landscape and amazing natural sights this region has to offer. The project site located on a 1960s old factory complex is sandwiched between a busy road on one side and expansive landscape on the other. To work on the project, Vector Architects was brought on board to build a hotel which is holistically designed and environmentally friendly. Initial discussion led to the decision of restoring the sugar mills and refurbishing them as part of the project. The old structure and the bursting limestone hills became the inspiration for the project as a way to build something new while acknowledging the past. #chinaarchitecture #resort #adaptivereuse #adaptivereusearchitecture #architecture #architecturephotography #architecturedesign #architecturephoto #architecturedetail #arquitetura #arquiteto #arquiteturaedecoração #arquitecturamoderna #modernarchitecture #contemporaryarchitecture #sustainabledesign #sustainablearchitecture #greenarchitecture #refurbished #hoteldesign #interiordesign #hotelinterior #hotelinteriordesign #resortdesign #resortarchitecture #sustainabletravel #ecotravel #ecotraveller Follow #designstudiomag 🤝 @designstudio_mag https://www.instagram.com/p/CdDuGiYNIuP/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[quarryviewbuildinggroup]

New Director

The Historic Barn and Farm Foundation of PA (HBFF) appointed Quarry View’s own Paul Bahn, as a Board Director. Paul has been an instrumental part of Quarry View’s success with recent barn restoration and adaptive reuse projects. Paul will expand his circle of influence to the HBFF, though he still continues to collaborate with clients to achieve unique restoration and reuse goals, architect partners for distinguished designs, and our internal team & subcontractors for quality workmanship. Like Quarry View, this non-profit organization values the preservation of PA’s historic barns and farms. The website states that the foundation is, “dedicated to providing educational resources for the long-term preservation, protection, and documentation of historic barns in Pennsylvania, and the agricultural heritage of the Commonwealth.” We are proud to have Paul on the Quarry View team and we are excited to see the contributions he will make as the newest director with HBFF!

[thearchitecturaltourist]

Doylestown, Pennsylvania, USA Doylestown, Pennsylvania, USA. #architecturaltourist #thearchitecturaltourist #architecture #architecturephotography #architec #architectuur #architechture #architectures #architecture_hunter #architecture_lovers #travelphotos #travelphoto #travelphotography #travel #stone #stonebuilding #stonechurch #church #historicchurch #churchsteeple #beautifulchurch #doylestown #doylestownpa #loveoldchurches #churchconversion #adaptivereusearchitecture #adaptivereuse

[archupnet]

From Concrete to Contemplation: The Architectural Transformation of Xixi Library Above the Wetlands

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

There is no doubt that the Xixi Goldmye Library stands as an inspiring example of how an abandoned structure can be revived and transformed into a sensory and cultural experience in harmony with nature. The interplay of light, water, and sky, along with the use of natural materials like wood and pine, reflects a refined architectural sensibility and a deep understanding of environmental context. However, from a critical standpoint, one might question the scalability or replicability of such a poetic project in other urban contexts. The design leans heavily into individualism and experimentation, raising concerns about its long-term operational efficiency, particularly in humid climates where exposed wood and suspended structures may present maintenance challenges. Moreover, while the project offers an immersive, contemplative experience, it may be viewed from a purely functional lens as a space that does not necessarily cater to intensive reading needs or large cultural gatherings. It leans more toward solitude and introspection rather than being a flexible, multi-purpose public space. Nevertheless, the project remains a valuable architectural lesson in contextual respect, and a testament to the idea that restoration is not a temporary fix, but rather a creative and holistic alternative when approached with architectural insight and a sincere reverence for nature. https://archup.net/architectural-pavilion-on-lake-austin/ Prepared by the ArchUp Editorial Team Don’t miss the chance to explore more from Architectural News in fields like Design and Architecture Competitions on the ArchUp website. Read the full article

[archupnet]

Reinventing Suburbia: From the American Dream to More Connected and Sustainable Communities