Jang Mi

BROWSE ALL FROM THIS PHOTOGRAPHER HERE

Design Ethos of Subtraction and Addition: 10 Adaptive Reuse Projects for Commercial and Social Spaces in Asia

While adaptive reuse has been increasingly acknowledged as a vital architectural strategy worldwide, its discourse and implementation in Asia are still expanding—driven by growing ecological awareness and a shifting understanding of architectural knowledge. Rather than accelerating a developmentalist model centered on demolition and new construction, architects today are confronted with a different approach to the built environment: treating the existing structure as a resource—an archive of materials, spatial organizations, and informal histories.

Adaptive reuse is often associated with the preservation of historic buildings and culturally significant heritage. Yet the vast field of seemingly 'less-valued' structures—abandoned houses, standard yet old dwellings, non-conforming office buildings, and overlooked urban voids—has become ground for experimentation. These sites challenge architects and designers to reconsider prevailing standards of efficiency and market-driven development, and to imagine spatial and ecological practices that avoid the continual loss of embodied material and cultural knowledge inherent in constant rebuilding.

Design Ethos of Subtraction and Addition: 10 Adaptive Reuse Projects for Commercial and Social Spaces in Asia - More Images+ 29

Stone Wall Stay House / Atelier O

Stone Wall Stay House / Atelier O - More Images+ 24

  • Architects: Atelier O
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  292
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2024

CASCADIA Golf Club / STRX Architects

CASCADIA Golf Club / STRX Architects - More Images+ 24

  • Architects: STRX Architects
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  8770
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2023

Teummak Open Hut / one-aftr

Teummak Open Hut / one-aftr - More Images+ 18

Hwaseong-si, South Korea
  • Architects: one-aftr
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  70
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2025

JiyongKim Hannam Flagship Store / one-aftr

JiyongKim Hannam Flagship Store / one-aftr - More Images+ 26

  • Architects: one-aftr
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  255
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2025

Bangjja Yugi Museum / Studio Heech

Bangjja Yugi Museum / Studio Heech - More Images+ 26

  • Architects: Studio Heech
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  1148
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2025

Blue Bottle Samseong Café / one-aftr

Blue Bottle Samseong Café  / one-aftr - More Images+ 10

  • Architects: one-aftr
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  17
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2024

n-retreat / one-aftr

n-retreat / one-aftr - More Images+ 33

  • Architects: one-aftr
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  330
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2022
  • Professionals: Peony Garden, Stuga

Pad(dock) Factory and Office Renovation / one-aftr

Pad(dock) Factory and Office Renovation / one-aftr - More Images+ 27

Sikbang Maru Pavilion / one-aftr

Sikbang Maru Pavilion / one-aftr - More Images+ 34

  • Architects: one-aftr
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  369
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2023

Gastro Circuit / one-aftr

Gastro Circuit / one-aftr - More Images+ 19

  • Architects: one-aftr
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  99
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2023
  • Professionals: Full Design

Dabang Café / one-aftr

Dabang Café / one-aftr - More Images+ 36

Doldam House / one-aftr

Doldam House / one-aftr - More Images+ 22

Sokcho-si, South Korea
  • Architects: one-aftr
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  88
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2023
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Samsung, Vola
  • Professionals: Post Standards, Studio GDB

Hannam Place / One O One Architects

Hannam Place / One O One Architects - More Images+ 8

  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  518
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2020

Osulloc Sullochyangsil House / One O One Architects

Osulloc Sullochyangsil House / One O One Architects - More Images+ 2

  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  178
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2020

Exfoliate Wine Shop / one-aftr

Exfoliate Wine Shop / one-aftr - More Images+ 15

  • Architects: one-aftr
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  336
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2020
  • Professionals: Full Design