Heritage + Regeneration

A fusion of heritage and innovation

Heritage buildings bear witness to history. They are embodiments of collective memory, integral to the psyche of a city. Their regeneration uncovers the secrets of the past and reimagines the future.

Photograph by Chris Dalton, Courtesy of Romeo Collection

Archeological finds, under the transparent water basin in the garden.

Honouring the past, envisioning the future

ZHA’s regenerations celebrate the fusion of heritage and innovation, contributing a new chapter to the story of a building. Our designs are informed by historical research, thorough analysis of site and building, and consultation with heritage specialists. Our considered approach ensures that buildings retain their historic significance and adapt to future needs.

All heritage + regeneration

10 projects

Photograph by Chris Dalton, Courtesy of Romeo Collection

Bistro

Romeo Roma Hotel

From the beginning of her career, architect Zaha Hadid sited her buildings in the air, floating buildings on shadow, light, and seams of space that lifted volumes above the ground, relating her work to another tradition—Rome’s. In designing the hotel conversion of the Palazzo Capponi, Hadid and her team at ZHA started where Baroque architects ended their palimpsest - at the vaulted ceilings.

Photograph by ©K.Arkatites

Eleftheria Square

Establishing Eleftheria Square as the city’s primary gathering space, ZHA design creates new connections intended to unite a divided capital. Nicosia’s massive Venetian fortifications separate the old city from its modern districts, while the city’s ‘Green Line’ divides the capital into two disparate communities.

Photograph by Luke Hayes

Serpentine North Gallery

The Serpentine North Gallery consists of two distinct parts, namely the conversion of a classical 19th century brick structure – The Magazine – and a 21st century tensile structure. The Serpentine North Gallery is thus – after MAXXI in Rome – the second art space where ZHA has created a synthesis of old and new.

Photograph by Piet Niemann

Niederhafen River Promenade

Located at Niederhafen on the Elbe River between St. Pauli Landungsbrücken and Baumwall in Hamburg, the upgraded 625m river promenade is integral to the modernisation and reinforcement of the city’s flood protection system.

Render by Specto-Digital

Asaan Museum

Meaning ‘inheritance passed down through generations’, Asaan will be an institution dedicated to preserving and celebrating this rich heritage, in addition to promoting creativity and knowledge sharing.

_Photo by John Kellerman courtesy Alamy, montage by MIR

Le Schuylkill

ZHA was appointed together with local practice Square Architecte to renovate and extend Le Schuylkill Tower. Construction works have begun with completion planned in May 2027. With 188 apartments from small studios to four-bedroom family units, the existing tower sits on a steep site with a 22m gradient between its north and south boundaries.

Investcorp Building for Oxford University’s Middle East Centre at St Antony’s College

Photograph by Luke Hayes

Investcorp Building for Oxford University St Antony’s College

The new Investcorp Building for the Middle East Centre provides 1,127m² of additional floor space and a new 117-seat lecture theatre; doubling the space available for the Middle East Centre’s expanding library & archive, and providing optimum conditions to conserve and manage the centre’s collections that were previously stored in the basement of 66 Woodstock Road.

Photograph by Hélène Binet

Port House Headquarters

The new Port House in Antwerp repurposes, renovates and extends a derelict fire station into a new headquarters for the port – bringing together the port’s 500 staff that previously worked in separate buildings around the city.

Render by Negativ

Ropax Ferry Terminal

Repurposing an existing shipping warehouse built in 1960 into a new 20,000 sq. m ferry and cruise ship terminal, ZHA’s design adds a fourth level to the structure to incorporate public terraces with panoramic views of the Daugava River and the skyline of Riga’s city centre, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Nikola Tesla Museum

The new Nikola Tesla Museum renovates Belgrade’s historic Milan Vapa Paper Mill into a cultural destination celebrating Tesla’s legacy while preserving the city’s architectural heritage and creating a variety of new public spaces for local residents and visitors.