The winner of the 2023 AR New into Old awards announced

Winner: Site Verrier in Meisenthal, France by SO-IL and Freaks Architecture

Credit: Arthur Crestani

The museum complex, Site Verrier, was selected by our panel of judges which included Mohamadreza Ghodousi, founder of ZAV Architects, who won the last iteration of AR New into Old with their Farsh Film Studio project in Tehran; Lu Wenyu, co‑founder of Amateur Architecture Studio and juror on the UNESCO Asia‑Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation; and Valentino Architects founder Sandro Valentino, who has recently worked on an adaptive reuse proposal for a 17th‑century watchtower alongside his students at the University of Malta.

The winner is joined by two highly commended projects: Rieckshof, the conversion of a stable into a photography studio in Uckermark, Germany by Helga Blocksdorf Architektur; and Laguna México, the incremental transformation of a textile factory in Mexico City by Productora.

Commended projects include: Cowshed, a barn converted into a house and studio in Devon, UK, by David Kohn Architects; the reconfiguration of a shophouse into Khlong San Studio by Everyday Architect & Design Studio in Bangkok, Thailand; and the transformation of tobacco barns into the Kaomai Museum by PAVA Architects, in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Highly commended: Rieckshof in Uckermark, Germany by Helga Blocksdorf Architektur. Credit: Ruben Beilby

Highly commended: Laguna México in Mexico City, Mexico by Productora. Credit: Camila Cossio

The panel were looking for projects that were both intelligent and transformative, and for ideas that they had not come across before in renovated and repurposed buildings. The judges were particularly interested in spaces that opened themselves up to the public as a result of their transformation, and in the ways in which architects allowed for the spaces to continue to evolve gradually, organically, over time. They were also keen to ensure that the shortlisted projects were mindful of the social and ecological contexts of their respective sites.

Site Verrier, as well as the rest of the six finalists, is published in the July/August issue of The Architectural Review – get a copy on the online shop.

Commended: Cowshed in Devon, UK by David Kohn Architects. Credit: Max Creasy

Commended: Kaomai Museum in Chang Mai, Thailand by PAVA Architects. Credit: Spaceshift Studio

Commended: Khlong San Studio in Bangkok, Thailand by Everyday Architect & Design Studio. Credit: Ohm Anawat

Comments from the judges

Mohamadreza Ghodousi said ‘Site Verrier is a joyful urban superimposition that invades the courtyard. An elliptical form, informed by the topography of the surroundings, integrates circulation and revitalises the life of the buildings.’

Sandro Valentino added that ‘It is a beautifully executed intervention which celebrates the town’s history and attempts to reinvent the courtyard as a connecting agent between the buildings and the town.’

Lu Wenyu followed: ‘By successfully bridging the gap between past and present, the architects have demonstrated their profound understanding of the intrinsic value of architectural heritage. This remarkable endeavour serves as an inspiration, illustrating how a visionary design approach can breathe new life into historical sites while preserving their authenticity.’

AR New into Old awards 2023 results:

Winner
Site Verrier in Meisenthal, France by SO-IL and Freaks Architecture

Highly Commended
Rieckshof in Uckermark, Germany by Helga Blocksdorf Architektur
Laguna México in Mexico City, Mexico by Productora

Commended
Cowshed in Devon, UK by David Kohn Architects
Kaomai Museum in Chiang Mai, Thailand by PAVA Architects
Khlong San Studio in Bangkok, Thailand by Everyday Architect & Design Studio

Shortlisted
Norwegian Press House in Oslo, Norway by Atelier Oslo and KIMA Arkitektur
Old East Ham Fire Station in London, UK by dRMM
Croft 3 on the Isle of Mull, UK by Fardaa
Surf Ghana Collective community space in Busua, Ghana by Glenn DeRoché + Juergen Strohmayer
Vast Gallery & Artist Residency in Tehran, Iran by Persian Garden Studio
Åben Brewery in Copenhagen, Denmark by Pihlmann Architects
Swimming pool in Saint-Méen-le-Grand, France by Raum
The Playscape in Beijing, China by Waa
Kha-nam Noi in Sing Buri, Thailand by Yangnar Studio

View the full shortlist here

The 2023 AR New into Old awards are proudly sponsored by