While most architects are looking to create structures that are modern or futuristic in design, these examples of retro-inspired architecture buildings are reverting back in time to themes and references that were popular back in the day.
What better way to stand out from all the sleek and minimalist-looking structures than by showcasing a building that references old school, vintage looks? These nostalgic pieces of architecture are infusing elements that were utilized years ago as a technique to draw in those accustomed to these iconic themes. From buildings that humorously resemble the 8-bit imagery from retro video games to beach homes that feature a vintage 1960s feel, these retro-inspired architecture designs will certainly have people stopping in their tracks to have a look.
If you're interested in taking a step back in time, then these examples of retro-inspired architecture will offer up some great cases of vintage design techniques.
19 Examples of Retro-Inspired Architecture
18
Retro-Industrial Beach Homes
The 'Point Perry Beach House' by Owen and Vokes Architects
17
Retro Beach Abodes
The House in Palabritas Beach by Metropolis is 60s-Inspired
16
Eclectically Retro Eateries
The Matto Bar and Pizzeria is Cozy and Rustic
15
Bipolar Retro-Modern Homes
The Alvarado House is Conservative Up Front But Modern At the Back
14
Mod Monolithic Architecture
L'And Vinyards Hotel Embodies Luxury and Modernity in its Crispness
13
Remodeled Retro Abodes
The 'House Lam' by Nico van der Meulen is a Modern Take on a Vintage Home
12
Retro Party-Ready Residences
The Atenas 038 House by Dayala + Rafael Arquitetura is Stunning
11
Retro Gas Stations
Top Architects Thought They Could See Future
10
Retro Sci-Fi Retailers
The Dover Street Market London Makeover by Rei Kawakubo is Eye-Catching
9
Retro-Styled Abodes
The Jaime Lacasa Home is a Vintage Cozy Cocoon
8
Retro Retirement Homes
The Armstrong Place Senior Housing is Full of Life
7
Retro-Modern Masterpieces
Dupli Casa Blends Past and Future
6
Reconstructed Castle Homes
The Lymm Water Tower is Converted into a Modern Manison
5
Historic Building Replicas
Creative Architects Honor Their Heritage with Deceivingly New Buildings
4
Vinyl Record Cratechitecture
Raphael Vinoly's Atlas Building Channels Retro Music
3
Vintage Gas Station Bathrooms
An Old Fill Station Becomes a Quirky Rest Stop and Washroom
2
Life-Size 8-Bit Recreations
Enjoy Massive Retro Pixelated Images in HESAV S'Anime Time-Lapse Video
1
Retro Oceanside Escapes
Casa Kimball Has a 70's Vibe to It; Thankfully, No Bell Bottoms
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Nostalgic Gaming Timepieces
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AI-Generated Paper Architecture Series
Tim Fu Tests Out New AI Model for Architectural Design
Ultra-Modern Apartment Designs
No Architects Created a Multi-Functional Modern Apartment
Venetian-Inspired Museum Designs
The Conceptual Floating Glass Museum is AI-Generated
AI-Powered Architectural Footwear
Str4ngeThing Envisions a Set of Renaissance Architecture Shoes
AI-Generated Retrofuturistic Objects
Vadim Sadovski Uses Midjourney AI for This Series
3D-Printed House Neighborhoods
EYRC and Mighty Buildings Develop the Suburbs of the Future
Retro Sporty Luxe Accessories
adidas Presents a New Series of Nostalgic Retro Accessories
Luxuriously Artistic Homes
Child Studio Taps Mid-Sentury Modern Sensibilities & Art Deco Motifs
Greenery-Sheathed Architecture Offices
This Building Will House the Offices Of 'VTN Architects'
Playful Contemporary Offices
Studio ANTIPOD's Tenderly Office Boasts Japanese Design Accents
Supermarket-Style Pavilions
Venice Architecture Biennale's Latvian Pavilion Has a Familiar Form
Cactus-Inspired Urban Skyscrapers
This Danish Skyscraper Features a Spiky Facade Design
Prefabricated Miniature Home Concepts
i29 Creates the Câpsula Concept for Dutch Design Week
Futuristic Auto Micro Factories
Most Architecture Unveils a Modern Factory for Charge Cars
Ultra-Slick Modern Apartment Interiors
Note Design Studio Works on the Cloudy Outlines Project
Picturesque Family Retreats
Malcolm Davis Architects Adds to This Beautiful Building
Arts and Crafts-Inspired Homes
Rural Office Designs the Middle Avenue House in Surrey
Restored Art Deco Hotels
Fettle Renovates the Aesthetically Pleasing The Georgian Hotel
Incredibly Modern Lakeside Houses
Stephenson Design Collective Converts an Old Boy Scout Camp
Japanese Inn-Inspired Apartments
Intheory Design Creates an Apartment Inspired by Ryokan
Modern Multi-Purpose Japanese Buildings
Akio Isshiki Architect Overhauls an Old Wooden Building
Stunning Mid-Century Coastal Homes
Design Theory Updates a House from the 1960s
Coastal Town-Inspired Apartments
Studio Gameiro Designs the Arriba Apartment in Portugal
Historic Fashion Try-Ons
The Design Museum's London Fashion Exhibition Integrates AR Mirrors
Playfully Renovated Homes
This Home Has a Slide, Swings and Rock-Climbing Wall
Bauhaus-Inspired Pattern Collections
Design En Rogue Architecture Recently Debuted Its New Line
Contemporary Ski Home Projects
Alfredo Paredes Reimagines the Traditional Ski Chalet
Retro-Futurist Restaurant Interiors
Jialun Xiong Completed Her First Restaurant Interior Project
Circus Tent-Inspired Holiday Homes
Cubo Design Architect Designs the Circus Home in Japan
Rejuvenated Chinese Train Stations
MAD Architects Breathed New Life Into a Century-Old Station
Rejuvenated Retail Buildings
This Vietnamese Building Will Feature Lush Native Greenery
Retro-Inspired Boutique Hotels
AIME Studios Designs the Hoxton Shepherd's Bush Location
Japanese Inn-Inspired Micro Apartments
La Tarta Piccola's Mae Prachasilcha Designs a New Apartment
Sci Fi-Themed Glamping Retreats
The 'Outpost X' Retreats Boast An Ancient Yet Futuristic Aesthetic
Architecture-Inspired Legos
Brooklyn Studio & Steve Mayes Debut Brooklyn's Architectural History
Nature-Inspired Indoor Playgrounds
Sarit Shani Hay Designs a New Playground in Tel Aviv
Reimagined Retro Californian Ranch
Destination Eichler and Eyerly Architecture Design a Home
Energy-Efficient Office Buildings
This Czech Office Complex is Outfitted With Eco-Friendly Designs
Town-Like Classroom Designs
Atelier Apeiron Designs the Kindergarten of Museum Forest Building
70s-Inspired Structural Furniture
Nouveau Standard Creates the Collection 12 of Retro Designs
Staggered TV Station Buildings
Albania's 'Klan TV' Building is Shaped Like a Stash Of Film Reels
Gridded Urban Apartment Blocks
Office for Strategic Places Designs La Carboneria Block
Brutalist-Inspired Suburban Apartments
STUDIOTAMAT Designs the Casa Rude Residence in Rome
Tonal Brick-Designed Housing Blocks
Miguel de la Torre Arquitectos Designs the Real de Los Reyes
70s-Inspired Rustic Law Offices
And And And Studio Designs a Retro Century City Law Office
Retro Space-Themed Puzzled Posters
LEGO Builder John Carter Creates a Blocked Version of Space
Sculptural Sunken Gardens
Montalba Architects Renovates an Iconic Building in Los Angeles
Chic Modern-Industrial Buildings
YN Studio Designs a Slick Facade in Gillett Square
Nostalgic Retro Games Site
Capcom Presents Capcom Town to Celebrate its 40th Anniversary
Renovated Compact Loft Apartments
Metre Architects' Vessel Project Renovates a Small Space
Large Headquarter-Transformed Housing
Studio Egret West Designs Hayes Park Central and South
Intricately Patterned Interiors
Viruta Lab's Latest House Renovation is Visually Captivating
Micro-City Housing Nooks
Notan Office Transforms an Industrial Site in Brussels
Modern-Updated Traditional Homes
KiKi ARCHi Designs the Skip House in the Middle of Beijing
Modernist Reconfigured Belgian Homes
ISM Architecten Adds a New Roof to the BEEV Home
Film-Inspired Bottle Shop Interiors
Studio Paul Chan Draws Inspiration from Wes Anderson
Rustic Vintage Transformed Barns
Lukas Lenherr Architektur Designs a New Wooden Barn in Mannedorf
Roman Architecture-Inspired Timepieces
The Roma Watch by Panthevm is Inspired by the Patheon Dome
Transformed Historic Bank Buildings
Ivy Studio Overhauls the Interior of a Historic Building
Bamboo-Inspired Cultural Buildings
This Cultural Center Seamlessly Blends Into its Surroundings
Juxtaposing Minimal Artful Homes
Hino Studio Designs the Oceana Retreat in Florida
Rejuvenated Former Bank Buildings
This Dutch Building Now Boasts Solar Panels & Insect Hotels
Traditional Japan-Honoring Homes
Cubo Design Architects Designs the C4L House in Tokyo
Vibrant Tonal Spanish Apartments
Colombo and Serboli Architecture Designs a Barcelona Apartment
Red Concrete-Defined Home Renovations
Atelier Delalande Tabourin Renovates a Home in France
Social Network-Encouraging Homes
Ignacio G Galán and OF Architects Design a Madrid Home
Mid-Century Modern Historical Homes
SHED Architecture & Design Creates the Lark House
Greenery-Packed Museum Buildings
This Science Museum is Designed Around a Central Park
Slopped-Base Green Tiled Homes
Bak Gordon Arquitectos Integrates a Home with Surrounding Buildings
Sandwich-Inspired 70s Decor
The Retro Schlotzsky's Sandwich Studio Line Honors an Iconic Menu Item
Playfully Angular House Designs
Takeshi Hirobe Architects Design the Villa MKZ in Japan
Upgraded Historic Buildings
Kohn Shnier and ERA Architects Renovate a U of T Building
Californian Canyon-Inspired Edifices
This Waterfront Building Pays Tribute to Rock Formations
Harmonious Traditional Home Designs
MAKHNO Studio Updates the Century-Old Kyoto House
Fish Scale-Resembling Facades
Renzo Piano Building Workshop Designs the Istanbul Modern
Fort-Inspired Retro Rotundas
Daniel Joseph Chenin Designs the New Fort 137 Structure
Cozy Luxury Brand Showrooms
KOT Architects Develops a Neutral Palette for Dior's Showroom
Rustic Ruin-Inspired Aquariums
Tatiana Bilbao Estudio Designs The Sea of Cortez Research Center
Morocco-Inspired London Home Extensions
Merrett Houmøller Architects Helps Create a Home Extension
70s-Inspired Interior Office Renovations
dMFK Architects Renovates the 45 Whitfield Street Office
Retro Polish Home Renovations
Grzegorz Layer Renovates a Home from the 70s in Poland
Pixelated Illusion Housing
Ben Van Berkel Creates the Van B Housing with Rieder's Help
Wabi-Sabi-Inspired LA Residences
Lauri Design Studio Creates the Minimal Sierra Towers
Gallery-Like Minimal Home Designs
Daytrip Completes the Interior Design of a Home in North London
Former-Bakery Modern Apartments
Auba Studio Designs the Newly Converted NZ10 Apartment Space
Modern Ruin-Inspired Californian Homes
Kelly Wearstler and Masastudio Design the Romick House
Ancient Construction Campus Buildings
Henning Larsen Designs a New Campus in Foroe Islands
Villa-Transformed Hot Pot Restaurants
Studio8 Renovates a Retro Villa to Become the Gud Restaurant
Memory-Reminiscent Idyllic Homes
Tsuyoshi Tane and Vitra Design the Tane Garden House
Optical Illusion Replica Artworks
Leandro Erlich Forms the Building in the Liberty Science Center
Generously Glazed Spiral Buildings
This Building is Inspired By Czech Glassmaking Tradition
Contemporary Nature-Inspired Homes
Fuller/Overby Architecture Designs the Nebo House
Crystalline Chinese Museum Buildings
The 'Space Crystal' Building Looks Like An Otherworldly Rock
Welcoming Prefabricated Student Housing
Ignacio Prego Architectures Designs New Student Housing
Energy-Efficient Museum Complexes
This Museum Uses Innovative Design to Curb Energy Consumption
Revamped Monolithic Galleries
The Revamped National Portrait Gallery Emphasizes Public Space
Chic Nautical-Inspired Apartments
TENKA ARKITEKTURA Designs a Stylish and Textured Apartment
Live-In Art Gallery Homes
Casa Galeria is a Home That Doubles as an Art Gallery
Artfully Inspired Home Renovations
Reflect Architecture Designs the North Drive House in Toronto
Vibrant Apartment Showrooms
&Tradition Designs the Under One Roof Apartment Showroom
Compact Calming Homes
Batay-Csorba Architects Masterfully Designed a Modern Brick Home in Toronto
Water-Inspired Sales Building
CIFI Group's New Office Reflects a Frozen Fluid Aesthetic
Modern Traditional Japanese Hotels
The Shinmonzen Hotel has a Juxtaposing Design Language
Renovated 19th-Century Homes
Byró Architekti Renovates a House in Kutná Hora with Bright Joinery
Historically Rooted Elevated Hotels
The Trilogy Montgomery Hotel Restores a Trio of Buildings
Traditional Garden-Inspired Cultural Centers
Open Architecture Designs the Shanfeng Academy
Animated Game-Inspired Buildings
Lev Libeskind Designs the New Rainbow Road Building in Phoenix
Forested Residential Buildings
GAAGA Designs the Forest Bath Building Framed by Tree Trunks
Geometric Colorful Residential Spaces
Office S&M Designs the Vibrant Graphic House in London
Vibrantly Colored Retro Houses
Familien Kvistad Designs the Yellow house in Oslo, Norway
Sunset-Inspired Polish Apartments
wiercinski-studio Reimagines the 18TH Apartment
Red Concrete Exhibition Centers
Mix Architecture Designs the Red Box Exhibition Center
Renovated Asymmetric Building Projects
Formation Association Designs the Atwater Canyon Building
Minimal Urban City Apartments
GRT Architects Designs the East Village Apartment in NY
Bright Red Timber Buildings
Office ParkScheerbarth Designs the Compact Haus 2+ in Berlin
Modern Deco Office Designs
Reflect Architecture Designs the NewGen Office with Contemporary Detail
Retro-Tinged Montreal Restaurants
Ivy Studio Blends Vintage Details to Buvette Daphnée Restaurant
Pale Yellow Minimal Townhomes
i.B. Archstudio Designs the VVV Townhouse with Pastel Hues
Sculptural Mezzanine Retro Homes
Ménard Dworkind Renovates a 80s Home with a Terracotta Fireplace
Office Building Rainbow Facades
SAKO Architects Designs the Vertical Rainbow Office Building
Traditional Barn-Style Residences
Young Projects Designs the Six Square House in Bridgehampton
Lotus Flower-Inspired Villas
Thilina Liyanage Designs the Lotus Villa Inspired by Nature
Low-Lying Limestone-Clad Schools
Amelia Tavella Architectes Designs the Fossil Building
Revamped Modern Phone Booths
100architects Brings Digital Touches to the Classic Phone Booth
Renovated Contemporary Industrial Apartments
TENKA ARKITEKTURA Designs the Burgatoi Project
Architectural Pottery Museums
1+1>2 Architects Designs the Bat Trang Pottery Museum
Contemporary 1960s Italian Villas
The Twisted House Honors its Past with Modern Updates
Industrial Warehouse-Inspired Offices
Carr Designs a New Office Block with Industrial Themes
Rustic Contemporary Bunkhouses
SHED Architecture & Design Unveil the Guemes Island Bunkhouse
Juxtaposing Retro Cottage Homes
Drew Mandel Architects Renovates a Vintage Cottage in Toronto
Renaissance Building-Transformed Homes
ORA Converts a Historic Building to the Modern Masná 130
Villa-Transformed Creative Studios
Studio Nichetto Transforms a Retro Villa into an Art Studio
Juxtaposing History-Preserved Homes
PRO-STORY Designs the Double Gable House in Czech Republic
Sawtooth Roof Apartment Blocks
Six Degrees Architects and Hip V Hype Design Ferrars & York
Water Flow-Inspired Art Buildings
MAD Designs the Waterfront Nanhai Arts Center in Guangdong
Old Mill-Transformed Modern Homes
RDTH Architekti Designs the New House with Old Mill
Repurposed Imperfection-Embraced Buildings
Civic Architects & VDNVP Elevate a Series of Workspaces
Geometric Red-Brick Suburban Homes
OFIS Arhitekti Designs the Frame House in Ljubljana
Stacked Pebble-Inspired Towers
Atelier 9.81 Designs the Calaid Port Tower Building