In preserving architecture, there are many possible approaches—ranging from treating a building as a static monument, meticulously restoring it in situ to the point of limiting public access, to more adaptive strategies that reprogram and modify interior spaces while retaining key architectural elements such as materiality and structural form. Yet one method stands apart, both in ambition and in controversy: to deliberately dismantle a building—brick by brick—meticulously label and document each part, and store it until a new site, purpose, or narrative emerges. Then, to reassemble it anew, possibly for an entirely different use. Though the original context is lost, this strategy aims to preserve cultural significance through transformation rather than stasis. This is the story of Murray House in Stanley, Hong Kong.

Walker Hall is an adaptive reuse of a 1927 building at the core of the University of California, Davis campus. The project transformed a vacant, seismically unsafe building into a graduate and professional student center with meeting rooms, a lecture hall, and sophisticated active-learning classrooms that serve the entire campus. It coalesces history, community, and advanced educational environments at a hub of university life.

Surat, a historic trade city, has been a textile hub since the Mughal era. Today, it is known for its large-scale production of silk sarees, cotton fabrics, machine embroidery, and predominantly polyester textiles. Alongside, the city has fostered a dense network of chemical and textile dyeing industries.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, a young man shut down his start-up company Someet, a platform that has organized tens of thousands of self-initiated interest offline activities for young people. Then he decided to move from Beijing to Shaxi, hoping to live freely and settle down here through this building. This is a spring-like all year round Chinese ancient town, people have lived and thrived here for over a thousand years. The Bai people have lived here for generations. Here, anyone who can walk can dance and anyone who can speak can sing. All of he people often hold gatherings.