Architectural Cases

Atelier Backlar's innovative Blue House project in the Azores represents a harmonious blend of historical preservation and modern sustainable design. By integrating recycled ocean plastic, locally sourced timber, and salvaged basalt stone, the studio has transformed a former whaler's tavern into an environmentally conscious and architecturally distinctive residence. This endeavor not only revives a historical structure but also champions circular economy principles and celebrates regional craftsmanship, creating a dwelling that resonates with both its past and its present.

Innovative Sustainable Construction and Material Use

Atelier Backlar has masterfully repurposed a historic whaler's tavern on São Miguel Island, transforming it into 'The Blue House' through an approach that emphasizes sustainability and adaptive reuse. This architectural achievement integrates recycled ocean plastic for exterior cladding and locally sourced timber for its structural insulated panels (SIPs), demonstrating a strong commitment to environmental responsibility. The design preserves the original basalt stone walls while introducing modern, eco-friendly materials that enhance the building's resilience to the local climate and seismic activity. This project serves as a compelling example of how architects can honor historical contexts while pushing the boundaries of sustainable construction practices.

The construction of The Blue House highlights an innovative approach to material selection and structural design. Utilizing prefabricated structural insulated panels (SIPs) crafted from timber primarily sourced within the Azores, Atelier Backlar prioritized materials with low embodied carbon. This choice not only allowed for rapid assembly, with the timber structure erected in just ten days, but also ensured superior performance against the challenging Azorean weather and seismic conditions. The exterior features a distinctive blue cladding made from recycled ocean plastic, a decision that faced considerable logistical hurdles due to the typical scale of recycled plastic production. This material choice not only provides robust protection against the harsh coastal environment but also symbolically connects the house to its oceanic surroundings, blending seamlessly with the sky and sea while contrasting with the rugged basalt. The facade’s deep blue hue offers a subtle narrative, reflecting the studio’s dedication to transforming waste into a durable, aesthetically pleasing, and protective building element, thereby enriching the project's environmental and cultural significance.

Integrating History, Craftsmanship, and Nature in Design

The interior of The Blue House thoughtfully reflects a balance between historical elements, local craftsmanship, and the surrounding natural beauty. The design strategically positions windows and openings to maximize natural light and capture stunning views of the bay, reminiscent of historical whaler lookout shelters, while ensuring privacy. The limited material and color palette create a serene and uncluttered living space, complemented by custom-made furniture crafted by local artisans. A notable feature is an antique harpoon, repurposed from an instrument of whaling to a symbol of marine conservation, illustrating a profound shift in cultural values. This sensitive approach to design ensures that the house not only provides comfort but also tells a story of transformation and respect for its unique heritage.

Inside The Blue House, the design ethos continues to champion a minimalist aesthetic and a deep connection to its environment and history. A carefully curated palette of materials and colors defines a tranquil interior. The layout ingeniously addresses site constraints, orienting windows and openings to flood the spaces with natural light and frame picturesque views of the bay, a nod to the area's maritime past. Many furnishings, including dining tables, coffee tables, benches, and kitchen cabinetry, were custom-designed by Atelier Backlar and produced by local craftspeople, embodying a commitment to regional artistry and a warm, inviting atmosphere. A significant symbolic detail is an antique harpoon, displayed not as a tool of its original purpose, but as an art piece that signifies the island's evolution from whaling to conservation. The concrete slab floor, finished with microcement, extends into a built-in sofa, creating a fluid connection between architectural elements. The lightweight steel and timber staircase further enhances the flow of natural light, and the upstairs bedrooms continue the subdued palette, featuring splashes of blue and unique elements like willow lampshades woven using 17th-century Jesuit craft traditions and acacia door handles inspired by traditional Azorean locking systems. These details collectively weave a rich tapestry of history, local skill, and environmental consciousness into the fabric of the home.

Trahan Architects has completed a significant project at Loyola University in New Orleans, Louisiana: the Chapel of St. Ignatius and the Gayle and Tom Benson Jesuit Center. This 4,620-square-foot circular chapel, completed in 2025, features a distinctive brick facade and an innovative cross-laminated timber structure, marking a blend of traditional religious architecture with contemporary design principles. The design meticulously integrates with the existing campus aesthetics while offering a unique, serene space intended to foster the university's holistic educational mission, focusing on the development of mind, body, and spirit. Its modest yet striking presence is characterized by handmade bricks and a thoughtful interior layout that prioritizes flexibility and community.

The chapel's design by Trahan Architects, a firm with offices in New Orleans and New York, was carefully conceived to reflect Loyola University's core values. The studio articulated that the chapel's minimal aesthetic serves as a tranquil canvas, brought to life by meticulously crafted liturgical elements, bespoke furnishings, and the spiritual engagement of its visitors. The exterior, constructed from handmade bricks sourced from San Anselmo, Italy, harmonizes with the red brick architecture prevalent across the campus, which comprises modern, Gothic, and Tudor styles. This deliberate material choice ensures contextual continuity, even as the chapel's unique form and subtle grey translucent glaze distinguish it from neighboring structures upon closer inspection, revealing similarities in brickwork patterns and deep red hues.

Strategically positioned at the campus's heart, the chapel's cylindrical form is not merely an aesthetic choice but a functional one, facilitating seamless integration with existing pedestrian pathways. The rounded shape acts as an inviting gesture, creating welcoming spaces within the urban grid. The architects drew inspiration from St. Ignatius's transformative experience in the Cave of Manresa, aiming to imbue the chapel's textured, handmade quality with a similar sense of profound reflection. This approach seeks to evoke curiosity and a sense of wonder among students, faculty, and visitors, blending striking design with an approachable presence.

Beneath its brick exterior, the chapel showcases a cross-laminated timber structure, a pioneering use of this material in Louisiana. This innovative construction method facilitates a series of interconnected circular spaces within the interior, reinterpreting the traditional axial church plan. Instead of a hierarchical arrangement, the design promotes equality and intimacy through its gathering spaces. These intersecting circles create sacred thresholds, symbolizing transition and spiritual openness, guided by natural light from a circular skylight and deliberate facade openings. The interior is designed for adaptability, featuring movable chairs that allow for flexible seating arrangements, departing from conventional fixed pews.

The interior design emphasizes visual and acoustic tranquility, employing a palette of modest materials such as white gypsum walls, polished concrete floors, and subtle neutral fabric lining the sanctuary. This understated elegance ensures that the architecture does not overpower the spiritual experience but rather serves as a gentle backdrop. The architects believe that the vibrant life, movements, and celebrations of those who enter contribute significantly to the chapel's atmosphere, highlighting the human element as central to its character. Previously, Trahan Architects has demonstrated its versatility with projects including a pavilion for an Osaka expo, a steel pavilion in Arkansas, and the restoration of the Superdome in New Orleans.

The Chapel of St. Ignatius stands as a testament to thoughtful architectural design that respects its context while pushing innovative boundaries. Its construction not only provides a spiritual haven but also introduces advanced building techniques to the region. The careful selection of materials, the nuanced integration with the campus, and the flexible interior layout collectively contribute to a space that is both deeply reverent and welcoming to all who seek solace or community within its walls.