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Industrial conversions, cultural districts and civic buildings. Open any project to see what we kept, what we added and what it achieved.

Geometric concrete and glass façade of the converted Tideworks building

Adaptive reuse2025

Tideworks

A 1930s harbour pumping station turned into workshops, a food hall and a flood-resilient public quay.

Location
Rotterdam, Netherlands
Area
14,200 m²
Result
≈68% embodied carbon saved
Bright open-plan interior with exposed structure in the Alserkal District

Civic & culture2024

Alserkal District

Twelve industrial warehouses reconnected as a walkable cultural district with shaded streets.

Location
Dubai, UAE
Area
38,000 m²
Result
40 cultural tenants
Contemporary civic building interior with tall windows and timber

Public realm2023

Mayfield Civic Hall

A Victorian depot rebuilt as a civic hall, library and covered market around a new public park.

Location
Manchester, UK
Area
6,500 m²
Result
1.2m visitors in year one
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Geometric concrete and glass façade of the converted Tideworks building

Adaptive reuseRotterdam, Netherlands2025

Tideworks

A disused 1930s pumping station on the Maas, kept almost entirely intact and opened to the city. The great hall now holds maker workshops and a food hall, while a new stepped quay doubles as flood defence and public seating.

Key moves

  • 92% of the original structure retained
  • Stepped quay designed to flood safely at high water
  • Roof-mounted solar and harbour-water heat pumps
  • Ground floor open to the public seven days a week
Client
Port of Rotterdam
Location
Rotterdam, Netherlands
Area
14,200 m²
Result
≈68% embodied carbon saved
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Bright open-plan interior with exposed structure in the Alserkal District

Civic & cultureDubai, UAE2024

Alserkal District

Twelve former industrial warehouses in Al Quoz, stitched together by shaded lanes, courtyards and a new public square. Galleries, studios and cafés share infrastructure, and the street network now stays comfortable on foot through most of the year.

Key moves

  • Shaded street network up to 8°C cooler at midday
  • Shared servicing for 40 galleries and studios
  • Night-time programme and open courtyards
  • Phased so tenants never had to leave
Client
Alserkal Avenue
Location
Dubai, UAE
Area
38,000 m²
Result
40 cultural tenants
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Contemporary civic building interior with tall windows and timber

Public realmManchester, UK2023

Mayfield Civic Hall

A listed Victorian rail depot transformed into a civic hall, library and covered market, facing a new riverside park. The brick shell was repaired, a timber roof added, and the ground plane opened so the building works as a covered extension of the street.

Key moves

  • Grade II listed shell repaired, not replaced
  • Cross-laminated timber roof over the market hall
  • New 2-hectare riverside park on former rail sidings
  • Designed with 18 months of community workshops
Client
Manchester City Council
Location
Manchester, UK
Area
6,500 m²
Result
1.2m visitors in year one
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