Travel the Interval: Reimagining Urban Voids Through Adaptive Reuse Architecture

In contemporary cities, where density continues to rise and unused infrastructure fades into obscurity, adaptive reuse architecture has emerged as a critical strategy for reactivating dormant urban spaces. “Travel the Interval,” a shortlisted entry in the Salut Paris competition by Dayana Ludlow, exemplifies this approach by transforming a neglected segment of the historic La Petite Ceinture railway into a vibrant, multi-layered public realm.

Rather than erasing the past, the project operates within it. It treats the site not as a void to be filled, but as an interval to be experienced. The design constructs a spatial narrative rooted in memory, movement, and transformation.

Concept: The Interval as Architecture

At the core of this adaptive reuse architecture proposal lies the idea of the “interval”, the space between two points, both physically and metaphorically. In this case, the interval exists between two railway stations along a linear infrastructure that once defined movement across Paris.

Drawing inspiration from the poetic journeys of Arthur Rimbaud, the project interprets displacement not as absence but as a condition of possibility. The intervals in Rimbaud’s life, marked by travel and transition, become a conceptual framework for spatial design.

The axis of the project is derived from the historic Boulevard Ornano railway alignment. This axis becomes both a physical guide and a narrative spine, structuring the entire intervention.

Spatial Strategy: Breaking Linearity

One of the most compelling aspects of this adaptive reuse architecture intervention is its response to linearity. Railway infrastructure is inherently linear, often restricting movement to a singular direction. The design challenges this by introducing multiple layers, directions, and experiences.

Paths are distributed across different levels, creating a three-dimensional spatial system. Visitors are no longer confined to a single trajectory but are encouraged to explore vertically and laterally.

The original wooden railway sleepers are reinterpreted as structural elements, extending into an elevated platform that hovers above the ground plane. Below, alternating voids and solid paths fragment the linear space into smaller, human-scaled environments.

Natural light penetrates through the layered structure, breaking the continuity of the corridor and creating dynamic patterns of light and shadow. This interplay transforms the perception of the space from elongated and monotonous to fragmented and experiential.

Programmatic Diversity: A Public Landscape

The project expands beyond circulation to become a hybrid public landscape. It integrates a range of programs that cater to diverse users, reinforcing the inclusive nature of adaptive reuse architecture.

Key spatial programs include:

• Outdoor libraries embedded within the linear corridor
• Temporary art galleries positioned along elevated paths
• Botanical gardens occupying the lower levels
• Orchard spaces that reconnect users with productive landscapes
• Walking paths and scenic platforms for leisure and interaction
• Ephemeral stands for markets and community activities

These programs are not isolated but interwoven, allowing users to transition seamlessly between different experiences.

User Experience: Designing for All

The adaptability of the design ensures that it accommodates a wide demographic. From children to elderly users, from tourists to local residents, the space offers multiple entry points and engagement opportunities.

A layered journey unfolds through the project:

• A visitor might begin at an elevated gallery, observing the site from above
• Descend into the botanical gardens to interact with nature
• Pause at a scenic platform for rest and social interaction
• Engage with temporary markets or exhibitions

The design prioritizes flexibility and accessibility, ensuring that each user can construct their own narrative within the space.

Material and Structural Language

The architectural language is restrained yet expressive. Vertical elements define the edges of the corridor, creating a rhythmic enclosure that filters light and frames views.

The use of linear members echoes the original railway tracks, maintaining continuity with the site’s history. At the same time, the elevated platforms introduce a contemporary layer, signaling transformation rather than preservation alone.

The contrast between solid paths and planted voids enhances the sensory experience, blending built and natural elements into a cohesive system.

Reclaiming Infrastructure Through Adaptive Reuse Architecture

“Travel the Interval” demonstrates how adaptive reuse architecture can extend beyond conservation into innovation. It does not simply restore the railway but reinterprets it as a spatial and cultural resource.

By activating the interval, the project redefines how we perceive transitional spaces in cities. It transforms what was once a corridor of transit into a destination of engagement.

This approach aligns with broader urban strategies that prioritize sustainability, community, and cultural continuity. It highlights the potential of underutilized infrastructure to become catalysts for urban regeneration.

Through a careful balance of memory, structure, and program, “Travel the Interval” offers a compelling vision for adaptive reuse architecture. It challenges conventional notions of linear infrastructure and reimagines it as a layered, participatory environment.

The project stands as a reminder that the most meaningful urban interventions often emerge not from expansion, but from reinterpreting what already exists. In doing so, it transforms an overlooked railway into a dynamic public landscape that celebrates both past and present.