Adaptive reuse

Adaptive reuse refers to reclaiming a dilapidated, underutilized, abandoned, or historic space and using it for modern commercial purposes. In most cases, the building or site goes through significant restorations to make this possible. The electricity, plumbing, heating, and other systems might have to be updated to bring the structure up to modern coding requirements. In some cases, further renovations must be completed to improve the living conditions within the structure. Former industrial buildings, churches, and warehouses are commonly adaptively reused.

Proponents of adaptive reuse argue that the process is preferable to demolishing the unused or underutilized structures. Demolishing and rebuilding a structure consumes more resources than adaptive reuse, causing additional pollutants to enter the environment. Demolishing structures can also disrupt the daily life of the surrounding neighborhood. Finally, adaptive reuse can help bring much needed-business or residents to smaller neighborhoods.

Adaptive reuse is commonly applied to historic structures. This allows structures that are important to the local community but have outlived their original purpose to continue to generate income for their communities. It also keeps the structures maintained, allowing residents to remain connected to their community’s past. However, architects undergoing adaptive reuse renovations on historic structures should be careful not to alter the structure in any way that might reduce its historic value.

Background

Adaptive reuse is the process of renovating an unused old or historic building for modern use. After renovations are completed, the building is usually used in a new way. For example, an unused church might become a museum, and an old warehouse might become an apartment building. Adaptive reuse gives buildings a new purpose and avoids demolition.

From a city planning perspective, adaptive reuse is often considered a form of recycling. Buildings that are good candidates for adaptive reuse are severely underutilized or unused structures with significant potential. This commonly includes industrial structures like steam works, factories, and warehouses. However, it also includes structures like churches, apartment buildings, and historic homes. If a new use is not found for these structures, they may remain vacant and deteriorate for years. Alternatively, the city may spend resources to tear them down and build a new structure in their place.

If the original buildings are reclaimed and repurposed instead of demolished and rebuilt, fewer resources are used. Creating the resources necessary for building a permanent structure, in addition to the construction itself, requires the use of fossil fuels, mining equipment, and transport vehicles. However, renovating a building requires significantly less energy. This means that renovations contribute less carbon to the atmosphere and release fewer pollutants into the local environment. Some agencies have reported that repurposing a building saves up to 95 percent of the energy that would be required to construct a new building.

Overview

Historic buildings are often candidates for adaptive reuse. These structures might be part of the local culture or be architecturally significant. In many cases, historic buildings are dated, and modern buildings may better serve a needed purpose. However, through adaptive reuse, the buildings can be carefully renovated and recycled while maintaining their architectural or cultural significance.

Proponents of adaptive reuse argue that renovating older buildings for modern use has the potential to reenergize communities. Returning vacant or underutilized buildings to frequent use has the potential to bring new residents and visitors to neighborhoods. It keeps residents more in touch with their roots and the history of their neighborhood than building new structures, and it is often less disruptive to daily life than demolishing a building. Additionally, reducing the number of vacant or dilapidated buildings in an area can lower crime rates.

While useful, the adaptive reuse of historic buildings is sometimes opposed by proponents of historic preservation, who feel that historic buildings and objects should be preserved and protected in their current state so they can be appreciated by future generations. Those in favor of historic preservation are often against altering historic buildings to be used for modern purposes. However, well-executed adaptive reuse carefully preserves the social, historic, and economic value of the structure.

However, in most cases, the structure must undergo significant renovations to be used for its new purpose. Older buildings may need to be brought up to modern construction codes. They may be required to have wiring, plumbing, or heating systems replaced. Additionally, parts of the building may need to be adjusted so they are modern and more comfortable for occupants.

When conducting an adaptive reuse project on a historic structure, careful observation of the planning and construction process is necessary. If possible, local community representatives and historians should be present and consulted. They can help ensure that the historic value of the building is being maintained, even if the process for doing so is not the most expedient for construction crews. Additionally, keeping community representatives on hand ensures that the final product will be something that enriches the local community. This can help combat gentrification and ensure that the final product is inclusive.

Allowing a historic structure to be adaptively reused is not without risks. The original structure may be damaged during the construction process, causing the piece to permanently lose its historic value. The vision of the architect may differ too much from the original structure, causing a significant portion of the structure to be altered and the neighborhood to lose a tie to its past. Additionally, the increased foot traffic that results from returning a historic structure to regular use might damage the structure over time.

Bibliography

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