Enhancing Sustainability through Adaptive Reuse

Adaptive Reuse goes against the grain in a time when mass production and new construction have become societal norms.

Adaptive Reuse allows modern functionality and viable new space programs for obsolete or old structures thereby granting these buildings continued used through addressing present-day needs while going in hand with historic and cultural heritage when respect is given both to context and community.

It serves as a good approach to Sustainability as it prolongs a building's life and helps it retain it's embodied energy. The Australian Government's Department of Environment and Heritage published a report cited a saving of approximately 95% of embodied energy through the reuse of building materials while building-related construction and demolition debris accounts for nearly 26% of total non-industrial waster generation. Adaptive reuse as a proactive modality, there are a couple of significant points to keep in mind for it's implementation -

• Basic Determinants

Simply put, not all old buildings quality for adaptive reuse. There should be integrative understanding of how the project will serve the locality, new uses, overall sustainability and projection costs. Looking to the building's history, local regulations and the project's capital investment can provide inspiration.

One should consider the building's shell as well as it's interior materials and existing systems at the onset.

• Grasping Sustainable Design and Costs

Buildings consume high amounts of energy thus the building sector accounts for a sizeable portion of global fuel consumption. Taking a deeper dive into the environmental considerations such as the building envelope and how reusing any viable element can help cut down on waste and debris.

• Checking the Standards for Treatment of Historic Properties

Accompanying guidelines promote the best historic preservation practices to protect irreplaceable cultural resources. Four distinct approaches are preservation, rehabilitation, restoration and reconstruction - subject to corresponding locality. Historic buildings of all periods, styles, types, materials, and sizes can be evaluated. These local standards may also encompass building site and environment, related landscape features, adjacent construction, and new construction related to the building.

• Design Challenges and Complexities

Abandoned, obsolete and under-utilized buildings inherently have their own set of challenges. These can extend to everything from mechanical systems and infrastructure to contemporary social value. As an example, a pre-existing structure's materials can add their own layer of complexity as older buildings may be made with materials that are harmful, like asbestos and lead-based paint thereby requiring greater care and analysis.

Accessibility and safety are primary concerns and should be met readily through the latest building codes. Often, the detailing are unique to the periods they were constructed and though challenging, these features can be celebrated in the new use.

• Social Equity

As a design consideration, this starts from understanding a project in it's larger context, including the city or community it will be a part of. We look at how aspects like the program might address and encompass broader needs than those of a single site and structure as adaptive reuse can extend beyond buildings themselves to become part of larger urban renewal and revitalization projects.

Fostering social equity can be done in a powerful way through adaptive reuse. These projects can transform more than past structures but help revitalize underserved communities. Designers can help address basic needs and create social capital and equity. It can help spur larger renewal efforts.

Photo Credits: Karolina Pajnowska | Paula Cañete