Let $\Gamma$ be a finitely generated group and $G$ be a noncompact semisimple connected real Lie group with finite center. We consider the space $\mathcal X$ of conjugacy classes of reductive representations of $\Gamma$ into $G$. We define the {\it translation vector} of an element $g$ in $G$, with values in a Weyl chamber, as a refinement of the translation length in the associated symmetric space. We construct a compactification of $\mathcal X$, induced by the marked translation vector spectrum, generalizing Thurston's compactification of the Teichmüller space. We show that the boundary points are projectivized marked translation vector spectra of actions of $\Gamma$ on affine buildings with no global fixed point. An analoguous result holds for any reductive group $G$ over a local field.