# Adaptive Bunker Housing The SAR Residence by OAD Converts Military Bunkers into a Coastal Home By Amy Duong | Published 2026-04-30 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-sar-residence References: [design-milk](https://design-milk.com/oad-transforms-bunkers-into-a-coastal-retreat-on-the-baltic-shore/)  The SAR Residence by OAD - Open Architecture Design is a residential project on the Baltic coast in Latvia, built on the foundations of former Soviet-era military bunkers. The site originally contained four grass-covered concrete structures, which have been repurposed into one main residence and two guest houses for a [multigenerational family](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/n7-bretscha-house). The design preserves the original bunker footprints while introducing a new architectural layer above, including a raised volume that bridges between existing foundations. The main house features a glass facade supported by a custom metal frame and clad with fibre cement panels that reference the original concrete structures. The guest houses retain earth-covered roofs that blend into the surrounding landscape and support local biodiversity. Interiors use restrained materials such as wood and concrete, with layouts oriented to natural light and [views across the coastline](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hors). ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.3/10 - Popularity: 23% | Activity: 2% | Freshness: 74% - 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 of Military Infrastructure:** Converting decommissioned bunkers into livable spaces reveals potential for transforming obsolete defense assets into unique real-estate stock that commands niche market value. - **Landscape-integrated Architecture:** Buildings that retain earth-covered roofs and low profiles demonstrate a growing appetite for designs that merge built form with existing topography to support biodiversity and visual continuity. - **Lightweight Framed Glazed Additions:** Elevated glass volumes supported by custom metal frames indicate opportunities for adding transparent, modern living space atop heavy concrete bases while minimizing additional load. ### Who This Affects Most - **Residential Architecture:** Design practices oriented toward repurposing rigid structural remains show prospects for new service lines focused on hybrid historic-contemporary housing tailored to multigenerational clients. - **Heritage Conservation:** Conserving military-era footprints while introducing contemporary interventions suggests methods for balancing preservation mandates with adaptive reuse value creation. - **Construction Materials Manufacturing:** Demand for fiber cement panels, corrosion-resistant metal framing, and soil-retaining roofing systems points to product development opportunities that address durability, aesthetics, and ecological integration. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Hybrid Canyon Sandals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/keen-and-open-yy.md) - [Signal-Blocking Wrapper Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kitkat-break-mode.md) - [Experiential Brand Stores](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/Experiential-brand-stores.md) - [Shared Bathroom Door Handles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kwikset-halifax-occupancy-indicator-lever.md) - [Facial Analysis Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/golden-ratio-ai.md) - [Curved Paper Lighting](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/find-your-serpentine.md) - [Modern Premium Pet Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/premium-dog-treats.md) - [Cinematic Painting Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cary-kwok.md) - [Modular Peak Seating](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/peaks.md)