Vamp: Architecture Revamped!

London is known for its beautiful and striking skyline. The London architecture is characterised by a distinct mixture of grand old buildings from renaissance and victorian period, and, innovative newly built modern buildings. This unique mixture is the essence and the air of prestige of London. Many individuals have decided to revamp old buildings, adding a modern element and spicing up neglected buildings.

(Photograph by Valerie Bennett)

Haworth Tompkins, was asked to undertake the task to recreate a space for rehearsals, education and admin by a non-profit theatre company, the Donmar Warehouse. was approached by the Donmar Warehouse to create a new facility for rehearsals, education and admin. Tompkins’ renovation solely focused on one staircase in the warehouse which is often referred to as “the warm heart of the building”. The remainder of the building was left as raw as possible; keeping the antique brickwork and the ceilings demonstrate old paintings which are slowly peeling off the walls. This adds to the eccentric ambiance of the entire building. The centrepiece of the entire building was the staircase which is made up of an interesting use of angles and consists of bright burst of colours and pervades through the entire building.

The Old Street tube station has been one of the first tube stations where the Transport for London has joined forces with to with pop-up marketplace Appear Here to refashion the old tube station. Through the collaboration the station was completely revamped into a funky spot with many small market stalls. Tait, a design agency, also came to play by rejuvenating the underground station by decorating the walls of the station with bright and catching colours. Commuting has just become fun!

Camille Walala was given the challenge to transform a quite boring black block building into an extremely eye catching and full surges of colour by Splice. Jenny Lewis, a photographer, describes Walala’s revamping of the building as “the best ice cream sundae with sprinkles on top”. Walala completely transformed a boring building to a beautiful and stunning work of art.

Outside of London in Penang, Malaysia an old British shipping port has been transformed into a striking international metropolis. This is the perfect mix between the past and the future, as it preserves the heritage and history while promoting a lively environment which not only encourages tourism but oozes sophistication. Dato Sean and Datin Karen worked with Colin Seah to create this stunning building, while conserving the vast history behind the building.

The process of taking an old, neglected building and mixing it with new and innovative architecture produces phenomenal results, which can be observed in the buildings above.