waniyah farah - Re-Adaptive Use of the Custom House, Cardiff Bay

Challenge

The brief asked us to reimagine Cardiff’s historic Custom House Building through an adaptive reuse proposal. Each student could define a new purpose for the listed structure while respecting its architectural and heritage constraints. My challenge was to design a concept that preserved the building’s historic character while giving it renewed social and economic relevance.

Goal

My goal was to transform the disused site into a community-focused market and social hub that supports small local businesses. The proposal integrates flexible spaces for food stalls, shops and leisure areas, aiming to balance conservation with innovation, retaining the building’s original fabric while adapting it for contemporary urban life.

Outcome

The final scheme presented a full adaptive reuse design, including feasibility studies, zoning and accessibility plans, material palettes, storyboards and rendered visuals. The proposal celebrates the building’s heritage while reintroducing it as a lively, people-centred destination for trade, culture and community interaction.

Explored the history, location and context of the Custom House Building through research and mapping. Identified its cultural significance and potential for adaptive reuse.

Developed zoning and accessibility strategies to repurpose the building while maintaining key listed features. Highlighted areas of restoration and proposed new uses through detailed layout and compliance diagrams.

Illustrated the visitor experience through a storyboard sequence and sectional drawing, showing spatial flow from entrance to shops, stalls and leisure areas. Emphasised social interaction and inclusivity.

Presented detailed floor plans and materials chosen to complement the building’s original fabric. Combined traditional textures like glazed brick and oak with modern finishes to create a balanced interior identity.

Rendered visualisations showing proposed food stalls and dining areas. The design maintains exposed brick and archways, celebrating the industrial character while providing a welcoming, modern setting.

Showcased the upper floor’s skittles alley, shop stalls and bar area. Visuals communicate how heritage, leisure and commerce merge to revitalise the Custom House as a vibrant community destination.