ADAPTIVE REUSE

Adaptive reuse, also known as recycling and conversions, refers to the reuse of a building by adapting it to accommodate a new use or uses. Gaining impetus from both the HISTORIC PRESERVATION movement and proven economic feasibility, adaptive reuse has prevented the demolition of thousands of buildings and has allowed them to become critical components of URBAN REGENERATION.
Since the 1970s, a select number of adaptive reuse projects, from the Ghiradelli Chocolate Factory/Ghiradelli Square Shopping Complex (San Francisco) to the Bankside Power Station/ Tate Modern Art Museum (London), have gained international recognition. However, the greatest value of the adaptive reuse movement is represented by the hundreds of abandoned schools, factories, warehouses, military posts and hotels of local historic value that have been creatively adapted for use as affordable housing, office buildings, commercial complexes, as well as civic, educational, cultural and recreational centres.
Most adaptive reuse projects, especially in the private sector, are dependent on their economic feasibility. This is typically determined by the building’s existing physical configuration and condition—especially the need to mitigate hazardous materials such as asbestos or lead-based paints; the viability of its location and immediate context; and the cost of compliance with current ZONING, building, fire and/or HISTORIC DISTRICT codes and ordinances.
Successful adaptive reuse projects require the knowledge and skills of creative architects and engineers, code consultants, construction managers, contractors and skilled tradespersons.

Further reading
Thompson, E.K. (ed.) (1977) Recycling Buildings, New York: McGraw-Hill.

✍️ ANTHONY J. TONY’ COSTELLO