Muzamil Mutalib

advisor

City University Malaysia

Malaysia

Lecturer specializing in Interior Design and Architecture, with a strong passion for blending… more

This proposal demonstrates a deeply meaningful and contextually intelligent approach to adaptive reuse. Set in Mateur, Tunisia, the transformation of a neglected colonial-era church into an AgroLab is both respectful of its architectural legacy and bold in its contemporary relevance. The project reclaims a forgotten space, not by erasing its past, but by weaving it into the future of the city’s agricultural and educational development. The concept is particularly compelling by aligning the spiritual history of the site with the nurturing nature of agriculture, the design offers a poetic reinterpretation of growth and regeneration. The architecture maintains the dignity of the original church, preserving key features such as the bell tower, while harmoniously integrating new, minimalist volumes. This juxtaposition of old and new is handled with restraint and elegance. Technically, the landscape design enhances the site’s narrative cacti and structured hedges echo both the arid local ecology and the rigor of agricultural planning. The spatial flow is calm and ceremonial, inviting public interaction without overwhelming the historical essence of the structure. This project stands as a thoughtful reminder that architecture can be both a vessel of memory and a catalyst for transformation. It succeeds in preserving heritage not as a static monument, but as a living system, rooted in the community and relevant to its future.