Discussing adaptive reuse involves exploring multiple fields of action and disciplines, interpreting opposing perspectives and opinions from various stakeholders, and even sparking the reactivation or revitalization of certain spaces in favor of communities. In recent years, notable projects have emerged, such as the conversion of factories and industrial warehouses, as well as the transformation of industrial structures into modern offices. Adaptive reuse of existing buildings has continued to evolve and expand globally throughout 2024, aiming to improve the quality of life for residents while also contributing to environmental sustainability.
Regardless of whether they arise from economic, political, social, or cultural motives, adaptive reuse projects present an opportunity to explore strategies and tools that, through their materials, designs, and uses, transform not only the life of buildings but also that of their occupants. These projects enhance the durability of structures and installations while creating environments suited to a significant portion of the population. As Stephanie Davidson states, "The restoration and care of buildings is a very natural part of how we see and work with the built environment. Everything we change or add to existing buildings must be done to serve the longevity of the building and not seem superfluous or specific to use."
From the urban regeneration of heritage buildings to the technological adaptation of industrial complexes or abandoned structures, 2024 has sparked diverse perspectives, concepts, debates, and projects surrounding adaptive reuse. By incorporating new technologies, adapting innovative materials, or applying various strategies to return to the most efficient and affordable systems, there is often a common denominator: a focus on creating more sustainable and equitable futures for all.
Continue reading to explore the research, reflections, and ongoing projects that have tackled adaptive reuse throughout the year.
Past and Present in Interaction: New Challenges for Contemporary Adaptation
Opposing demolition, the concept of adaptive reuse aims to promote diverse urban and rural environments by repurposing existing buildings and infrastructure to meet contemporary demands and needs. By enhancing sustainability, conserving resources, and honoring heritage, the transformation of existing structures demonstrates how the relationship between the past and present in architecture can regenerate and revitalize certain spaces and areas, both public and private, with a positive impact on society.
Architectural Grafting: A Strategy for Sustainable Design
How to Adapt Static Structures for New Demands? Lessons from SoHo in New York City and Wong Chuk Hang in Hong Kong
A Tale of Two Cities: The Role of Art in Kochi and Kassel's Cultural Revival
Contrast or Harmony: The Aesthetic of Modern Adaptations to Historic Buildings
Retrofitting Brazilian Buildings: Sustainability and Innovation in Downtown São Paulo
From Theory to Practice: Adaptive Reuse Projects in Historic Buildings and Monuments
Just as May al-Ibrashy’s transformative work in historic Cairo redefines heritage as a dynamic resource for urban regeneration, numerous architectural practices, social movements, urban planners, and other organizations aim to go beyond the mere preservation of buildings, sites, or historic monuments. They seek to address their reintegration into contemporary life as dynamic, accessible, and functional spaces. In tackling adaptive reuse, the preservation of cultural values such as identity, collective memory, and history also comes into play, contributing to the creation of sustainable, equitable, flexible, and inclusive urban futures.
IE University Unveils Creative Campus in Segovia's Historic Palacio de los Condes de Mansilla, Spain
Herzog & de Meuron Set to Revamp Breuer Building for Sotheby’s in New York
Fondation Cartier Reveals Plans to Move into a Historic Landmark in Paris Reimagined by Jean Nouvel
CRA Unveils Adaptive Reuse Design for Turin's Palazzo Micca in Italy
The St. Pauli Bunker Reopens as a Green Destination in Hamburg, Germany
Paul Rudolph’s Brutalist Government Service Center in Boston Proposed for Mixed-Use Housing Transformation
Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation Selects Sasaki to Revitalize Iconic Taliesin West in Arizona, USA
The New Life of Abandoned or Obsolete Infrastructure: Perspectives and Narratives on the Impact of Adaptive Reuse
In response to the increasing number of infrastructures that are becoming obsolete and/or abandoned, whether due to changes in production methods, new trends, or communication technologies, several professionals in architecture and urban planning are seeking to give new life to these spaces, considering the needs of the population. From transforming offices into housing, healthcare centers, or cutting-edge research facilities, to the re-adaptation of heritage structures as a social strategy, 2024 brought various cases and opportunities to rethink how adaptive reuse is being approached in urban and rural environments, and how abandoned buildings or vacant sites can counteract the lack of public or green spaces, experiment with new methods of repair or conservation, and more.
“Abandoned Buildings Provide the Potential for a Regenerative Future”: In Conversation With Limbo Accra
Restoring a Symbol of Collective Memory: Holcim Award Winner Xu Tiantian Discusses the Impact of Adaptive Reuse
Reimagining an Abandoned Urban Landmark: The Story Behind the Piraeus Tower in Athens, Greece
Transforming Office Spaces: Repurposing Underutilized Structures in the United States
Vacant Office Buildings in the United States: An Opportunity for Public Investment?
Towards Sustainable Construction: Methods of Material Reuse and Recycling
In an effort to reduce environmental impact, the reuse and recycling of construction materials and components aligns with an approach aimed at promoting circular design principles. Instead of constructing new buildings and demolishing existing ones, multiple practices aim to incorporate initiatives, regulations, training, and policies that raise community awareness about the environmental impact of construction materials and make them active participants in the design process. Among the various projects presented this year, such as the proposal by BIG and SCAPE to reinvent a power plant and convert it into a public destination in Connecticut or RSHP's design to transform a Victorian gas holder into a mixed-use residential hub in London, is the Cobe project. Their proposal seeks to transform the industrial complex in Tallinn into a mixed-use urban district, aiming to optimize the reuse of materials by evaluating everything from the materials themselves to entire buildings to assess their capacity for reintegration.
Sustainable Policy: How Deconstruction Plans Are Revolutionizing Construction Waste Management in the United States
A Catalyst for Social Change and Equity: In Conversation with Holcim Award Winners Husos, Elli, and Ultrazul
Plug-In Architecture for Social Engagement: In Conversation with Holcim Award Winner DeRoché Strohmayer
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