Adaptive Reuse of the Good Old Buildings
What happens when an old building is deserted and left unoccupied for extended periods? Is demolishing the building the right step? Is constructing a new building always the right choice for sustainability?
This blog will explore what makes any building a ‘good’ building and how the practice of ‘adaptive reuse’ can respect and preserve the good ol’ buildings in our cities while being sustainable and economically beneficial.
What is a ‘good’ building?
Vitruvius is famous for presenting in his book ‘De Architectura’ that a building should have three qualities: Firmitatis, utilitatis, venustatis, i.e. stability, function, and beauty. They have become foundational to architectural design as ‘the Vitruvian Triad’. In many ways, the triad embodies the spirit of architecture as ‘an imitation of nature’ - shelters crafted with intention and ornamentation to protect the inhabitant from external weather conditions.
Adaptive Re-use
However, even good buildings constructed in the modern age inevitably age and surpass their original functions. In this era of fast fashion, exponentially evolving technology, and lifestyle - even the best of buildings, the most stable, strong, and beautiful ones- may be redundant for many reasons. As a generally unstable market, real estate often leaves some business plans for commercial, retail, or even residential use of such buildings obsolete, in such scenarios, as well as in the cases where historically and traditionally constructed buildings (which may have understandably outlasted their earlier functions and use), it’s best to pause before bringing in the mighty wrecking ball.
What if the building was to be reused and repurposed for an entirely new function or a set of new needs for the community? Well, adaptive reuse, as an approach, captures that sensibility in the built environment industry.
Yung and Chan (2012) define adaptive reuse as a “form of sustainable urban renewal to extend and renovate the building's life instead of demolishing or destroying it”.
Recycle and re-purpose
Here are some of the most significant advantages of adaptive reuse of the three pillars of sustainability, i.e. environmental, social, and economic sustainability:
Reduction in the use of resources, energy, and emissions
Recovering the embodied energy in buildings over a significant period
Encouraging the demand for occupying well-maintained existing buildings
Revitalising vacant or sparsely populated neighbourhoods
Extending the life cycle of a building
Giving value to the community resources from unproductive real estate
Reducing land consumption and the related urban decline
As structural designers, there are some very important considerations we make while assessing the scope for adaptive reuse in a project:
Does the building contain non-toxic materials with their strength and integrity maintained?
Does the reuse of stable structural elements of the building help us reduce the project's carbon footprint?
Does the design of the building have any cultural or historical significance for the community and the city?
Can the structural system handle additional loads without hefty modifications?
Can the structures handle new openings in the walls and floors without losing their mechanical strength?
If the answer to these questions is a ‘yes’, then adaptive reuse is the sustainable choice in a lucrative direction.
Do you need foundation advice?
We can design a bespoke, low-carbon foundation solution for your project, and recommend tried-and-trusted piling contractors. If you would like to learn about sustainable footing options for eco-friendly builds, simply get in touch with us.
You can also read more about our alternative approach to sustainable structural engineering design that benefits people and planet, for stronger communities with a brighter future.
