yang fei critiques facadism in parisian townhouse renovations through his midjourney study

Yang Fei uses midjourney to renew parisian townhouses

Through his AI study, Yang Fei, Founder of Field Object Lab, explores how thoughtful design can revitalize urban spaces using Paris as a prime example. The research advocates a holistic approach to architectural authenticity and addresses the issue of treating historical buildings as mere decorative shells, disconnected from their interiors. Paris, France stands as the study field, showcasing the continuous evolution of urban landscapes. 

The designer employs the AI tool Midjourney to breathe new life into Parisian townhouses, blending old and new through bold, futuristic romanticism. The project features innovative juxtapositions that reveal modern materials and technologies, including metal, glass, ETFE cushions, and lightweight structural systems, rejuvenating the old buildings’ facades.  This approach not only preserves the essence of the past but also contributes to contemporary design trends.

all images courtesy of Yang Fei

PARIS REVIVAL REFLECTS ON URBAN RENEWAL AND FACADE PRESERVATION

The series of studies interprets subtle variations in form, ranging from ‘smooth’ approaches to ‘parasitical’ methods, and adopts a foreign design language that challenges conventional preservation methods. These transformations employ various industrial raw materials and merge with the historic fabric to create unique architectural expressions. Yang Fei’s work pushes the boundaries of architectural intervention, proposing new paradigms that blend respect for the past with a vision for the future.

The designer believes this research presents a vision for urban renewal with remarkable realism. ‘With the power of AI, we can examine the aesthetics of adaptive reuse and its impact on urban environments from a more tangible perspective. The results bring fresh vitality to the city. This study also critiques the ‘facadism’ approach in architectural renovations, where only the facade is preserved while the interior is completely rebuilt, reducing complex historical structures to mere decorative shells. True architectural authenticity requires a more holistic approach, where both the interior and exterior are thoughtfully conserved, adapted, and expressed,’ notes Yang Fei.

renovated townhouse building keeps original horizontal datum

cigar-shaped addition with clear glazing facade attached to the existing townhouse

renovated townhouse building keeps original horizontal datum

innovative juxtapositions reveal modern materials and technologies

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fluid aluminum panels soften the original solid appearance

'blob' addition to the original structure

stainless steel panel cylinder attached to the existing structure, covered with stainless steel panel

all-aluminum facade mimicking the original proportion of the historical building

project info:

name: Paris Revival
designer: Yang Fei, Field Object Lab | @_yang_fei

location: Paris, France

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: thomai tsimpou | designboom