# Adaptive Reuse Museums The Faro Santander is a Museum Designed by David Chipperfield Architects By Amy Duong | Published 2026-07-08 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/faro-santander References: [davidchipperfield](http://davidchipperfield.com/)  The Faro Santander transforms the former Pereda Building, once Banco Santander's headquarters, into a 10-story [public museum](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paisley-museum) overlooking the Santander waterfront. David Chipperfield Architects converted 10,000 square meters of [office space into galleries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/canyon-1), cultural facilities, and public amenities while preserving the historic structure and strengthening its connections between interior spaces. A central circulation spine organizes the museum around a prominent façade arch, while a sculptural exposed concrete spiral staircase and a steel rooftop pavilion distinguish the contemporary interventions from the original architecture. The museum houses works from the Banco Santander Collection across five gallery floors alongside a café, restaurant, auditorium, rooftop terrace, and public viewpoint. Geothermal energy, [green roofs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sunner-museum), and rainwater collection systems improve the building's environmental performance Image Credit: Juan Baraja ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.2/10 - Popularity: 21% | Activity: 22% | Freshness: 84% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Adaptive Reuse Museums:** Historic commercial buildings are becoming high-value cultural destinations through architectural retrofits that preserve civic identity while introducing new public revenue streams. - **Sustainable Heritage Retrofits:** Geothermal systems, green roofs, and rainwater collection are reshaping preservation projects by linking landmark conservation with measurable environmental performance. - **Corporate Collection Publicization:** Private art holdings are gaining broader relevance as financial institutions convert legacy assets into accessible cultural platforms with hospitality and event potential. ### Who This Affects Most - **Museums and Galleries:** Institutional programming is expanding beyond exhibition halls as museums integrate restaurants, auditoriums, terraces, and viewpoints into multi-use visitor experiences. - **Architecture and Design:** Contemporary interventions within historic structures create differentiation for design firms specializing in sensitive preservation, spatial reorganization, and landmark modernization. - **Commercial Real Estate:** Obsolete office properties in prominent urban locations are emerging as candidates for cultural conversion that increases public access and long-term asset value. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Artisanal Steel Watches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/a1-prehistoric.md) - [Luxury Chronograph Watches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/defy-extreme1.md) - [Retro Home Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/yinka-ilori-x-dunelm.md) - [3d-Printed Basketball Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bb01.md) - [Magsafe Wallet Accessories](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/trackable-field-wallet.md) - [Terracotta Porcelain Tiles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/xian-collection.md) - [Stackable Wooden Chairs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/adinne-chair.md) - [Gesture-Controlled Lighting](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/call-it-a-day.md) - [Desk Clamp Power Strips](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/energy-line.md)