To what extent has the existing building been modified or added to?

Both existing buildings have been modified by the architects. The Amsterdam factory has been modified to a large extent and the architects and the engineers have applied different engineering rules to renovate this factory to make it closer to nature and more advance.

On the other hand, the Archway studio is a prototype but Uncurrent Architects has constructed these architectures on other similar sites. In this building, advanced and recent architectural principles have been used that make the architecture more attractive from inside.

The study is all about the construction designs of the buildings. I have selected two designs of buildings. Each building design description or the description of the project including designer/ architect, location, and new interior activity discussed in this document. The selected projects are Amsterdam factory and Archway studios. The description of both projects is given below.

1)      Archway Studios

Description of project (location, designer/architect and the new interior activity)

The archway studio is the very fine, amazing, and attractive design that was made for the photographer. The studio contains inside the steel blanket Corten. The architect of this design is the Undercurrent Architects. In this project, the project architect is Didier Ryan and his assistant was Alessandra Giannotti. While the engineer who constructs this beautiful design is Eckersley O'Callaghan Engineers. The Archway Studio is situated in Southwark, London, United Kingdom. It was constructed between 2010 and 2012. Furthermore, the design of this architecture was made as to the prototype and other similar sites. It has living and working spaces which are completely secured from the noises running trains.

2)      Amsterdam Factory

The Amsterdam factory is looking very simple look from outside of the building. But it is not so simple while it is designed and architected with new ideas. This project was architected by two architects Ronald Janssen and Donald Osborne. They were invited by Buro Amsterdam for the revocation of the factory.  The factory was too old but the architects have renovated. The factory situated in Amsterdam. Architects of this project are creating 12 maisonettes with double-height living spaces and they are focusing to create the slideshow.

For what purpose was the existing building first constructed?

Both existing buildings have different purposes for the construction of these buildings first. The Archway studio which is architected by Undercurrent Architect, as the architectural prototype for other similar sites. The main purpose of constructing the Archway studio was only to design and construct a site as a prototype for the photography and the portfolio of the architecture. On the other hand, the Amsterdam factory has no any kind of specific historical and architectural significance. But firstly, made the building, was only for factory business purposes.

How are the private and public spaces organized?

In Archway Studios, the architects have effectively managed the private and public spaces. Private spaces such as bedrooms, toilets, and Kitchen are placed on the right side ground floor. Other toilets are also placed on the left sides. While the public space such as a TV lounge, sitting hall, and dining are managed in a single hall. Other bedrooms and sitting rooms are placed in the form of the stack in Arch.

On the other side, the Amsterdam factory has a lot of space. The personal spaces are or the bedrooms are on the first floor while the toilets are on the ground floor. The public areas are also provided on the ground floor.
In your opinion, how well does the new design occupy the existing spaces?
In my opinion, the spaces in both buildings can be managed efficiently and they can save much more space in the existing buildings. In the Amsterdam factory, the architects can provide toilets with the door, and the kitchens can be given inside of the sitting hall. The bedroom on the first floor can have one more toilet. The archway studio needs minor change that it is possible to provide one more bedroom along with the sitting area in the arch and one more toilet can be given.

Is the use of materials and finishes sympathetic to the existing building?
Both buildings architectures are very beautiful as well as the materials which are used to construct makes buildings more attractive and provide beautiful finishes. The architects have used several materials. The materials which are used in buildings are giving beautifully finished and give the premium looks to the buildings.

Does the design contain a strong contrast between old and new?

The design of both buildings is different than each other. Designs of both buildings have no much contrast. Especially, the Amsterdam building is looking like the engineers or architects have first constructed.