AR July/August 2025: AR New into Old

Adaptive reuse is as old as architecture, and many buildings are repurposed without an architect. As well as the six winning and commended projects of the 2025 AR New into Old awards, this issue revisits five historical cases of transforming existing structures for new uses. Read the full editorial
The Architectural Review Cover
Issue 1522
June 2025
£18.50


A small-scale building with a pitched roof, wooden frame and polycarbonate walls surrounded by old, crumbling rammed earth walls

Project Plum Grove in Mui Tsz Lam, Hong Kong by Thomas Chung with the CUHK School of Architecture

The renovation of two rammed-earth houses in a small village is part of a broader initiative of rural rejuvenation

hedeskov-research-centre-in-ronde-denmark-by-djernes-bell-credit-johan-dehlin-architectural-review-748x499.webp

Hedeskov research centre in Rønde, Denmark by Djernes & Bell

In primarily using materials found on-site, Djernes & Bell have transformed a former schoolhouse into a lab that will monitor the performance of its own building materials

A small-scale building with a pitched roof, wooden frame and polycarbonate walls surrounded by old, crumbling rammed earth walls

Project Plum Grove in Mui Tsz Lam, Hong Kong by Thomas Chung with the CUHK School of Architecture
hedeskov-research-centre-in-ronde-denmark-by-djernes-bell-credit-johan-dehlin-architectural-review-492x328.webp

Hedeskov research centre in Rønde, Denmark by Djernes & Bell
szarito-workshop-in-debrecen-hungary-by-DMB-muterem-architectural-review-18-1-492x328.webp

Szárító workshop in Debrecen, Hungary, by DMB Müterem and students
cannady-hall-in-houston-US-by-karamuk-kuo-credit-laurian-ghinitoiu-architectural-review-1-1-492x328.webp

Cannady Hall in Houston, US, by Karamuk Kuo 
07-CafeNazionale-AMAA-Photo-MikaelOlsson_0191-copy_architectural_review_nio_FEATURED-492x328.webp

Caffè Nazionale in Arzignano, Italy, by AMAA
ARTEL31-Moormill-NOV2024-Hi-Res-3071-copy_charles_emerson_ar_new_into_old_-492x328.webp

Barn conversion in Uffington, United Kingdom, by Artel31
barn-conversion-in-sohland-an-der-spree-germany-by-dorschner-kahl-architekten-credit-marco-warmuth-9-492x328.webp

Barn conversion in Sohland an der Spree, Germany by Dorschner Kahl Architekten
suetomi-AOQ-cafe-stand-in-kyoto-japan-by-G-architects-studio-architectural-review-credit-daisuke-shima-7-492x328.webp

Suetomi AOQ café stand in Kyoto, Japan by G Architects Studio
People congregating outside the entrance of Thoravej 29 in Copenhagen, Denmark

Thoravej 29 in Copenhagen, Denmark by Pihlmann Architects
Le-Fresnoy-12_tschumi_new_into_old_architectural_review_fresnoy_FEATURED-492x328.webp

Revisit: Le Fresnoy in Tourcoing, France, by Bernard Tschumi Architects
BOF_ARCHV_SCANS_1_5_TALLER_1983_02_FEATURED-492x328.webp

Revisit: La Fábrica in Sant Just Desvern, Spain, by Ricardo Bofill with Taller de Arquitectura
A view of white buildings winding up a stepped cliff covered in green vegetation

Revisit: Ladeira da Misericórdia in Salvador, Brazil by Lina Bo Bardi
A group of children playing football in the paved over forecourt of the Accra Community Centre

Revisit: Accra Community Centre in Accra, Ghana by Fry, Drew & Partners

 and
the-hagia-sofia-plan-drawing-by-robert-van-nice-architectural-review-1-492x328.webp

Revisit: Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey by Isidore of Miletus and Anthemius of Tralles
DSCF6668_architectural_review_chateau_beaucastel_ar_new_into_old__FEATURED-492x328.webp

Château de Beaucastel in Châteauneuf‑du‑Pape, France, by Studio Mumbai and Studio Méditerranée
JSa_The-Ice-Factory_photo-by-Rafael-Gamo_Drone_0402_ar_new_into_old_mexico_city_FEATURED-492x328.webp

La Fábrica de Hielo in Mexico City, Mexico, by JSa
065-CHAPEX-11-22_03_2025--492x328.webp

Grand Palais in Charleroi, Belgium, by AgwA and AJDVIV
A view of a collection of buildings clad in corrugated metal across a green space and driveway

Monnikenbos in Zoersel, Belgium, by UR Architects
A thriving green lotus pond with tall buildings in the background

Li Hongzhang ancestral hall pond in Nanjing, China, by School of Architecture, Southeast University and AESEU
A cluster of buildings sitting atop the foundations of a historic wall in Shenzen

Bricolage houses in Shenzhen, China, by ARCity Office
xindex-magazines-1523-dropshadow-492x328.webp

AR July/August 2025: AR New into Old

 and and

Since 1896, The Architectural Review has scoured the globe for architecture that challenges and inspires. Buildings old and new are chosen as prisms through which arguments and broader narratives are constructed. In their fearless storytelling, independent critical voices explore the forces that shape the homes, cities and places we inhabit.

Subscribe Now

Join the conversation online

© 2026 EMAP Publishing Limited