PurposeThis study aims to render a pattern for heritage restoration in the context of reusing historic buildings, to assist the authorities with decision-making process on the most appropriate time during the building’s life cycle. Here, the adaptive reuse potential (ARP) model is used to find the most appropriate time for adaptive reuse and calculating the useful life as well as the potentiality of the Amir Nezam House so a viable solution can be put forward.Design/methodology/approachIn this research, a quantitative and qualitative method is adopted to evaluate the useful life and potentiality of the Amir Nezam House of Tabriz to determine the most appropriate time for next intervention.FindingsResults show that the potential (ARP score) of the Amir Nezam House is increasing, the value of which will be greater than 50 percent by the next few years. Evaluations show that the most appropriate time for further intervention is the year 2035.Originality/valueThe significance of this research lies within the objective of proposing a preventive and protective schedule for historic buildings before they reach their life expectancy with an emphasis on environmental, economic, social and functional sustainability as well as environmental impacts. ARP model has been applied to implement this concept in the Amir Nezam House, Tabriz, Iran.

Purpose The concept of adaptive reuse is an effective strategy for enhancing heritage assets, economic, cultural and social values. The purpose of this paper is to propose a method to reuse historic buildings within appropriate time frames. The adaptive reuse potential (ARP) model assesses the potential of buildings based on obsolescence criteria in order to determine the optimal time for changing the use of such assets. Design/methodology/approach Both quantitative and qualitative methods have been used in this research to evaluate the reuse potential of The Mashrooteh Building by using the ARP model. Predicting and evaluating the physical life, useful life and potential of the historic Mashrooteh building in Tabriz will ensure its reuse and will increase its future life. Findings Findings have shown that to increase the future life of The Mashrooteh Building, its adaptive reuse quality needs to be improved for the next intervention within a reasonable time. Further procedures can be outlined when the appropriate time for future rehabilitation is known. Originality/value With an emphasis on conservation of national heritage as well as promoting sustainable development, the overall future life of assets can be extended. The significance of this study is closely related to organizations dealing with the conservation and rehabilitation of historical buildings with the emphasis on sustainable improvement of environmental, economic, social and functional aspects in the best possible time frame. The result of this study will add a value to existing sustainable reuse database in Tabriz and other countries in the Middle East region.

PurposeThe concept of adaptive reuse is an effective strategy in enhancing the heritage assets economic, cultural and social values. The main purpose of this research is to determine how to increase the life of the heritage buildings thereby improving their sustainability and reducing energy consumption and waste, while preserving them from the risk of obsolescence.Design/methodology/approachThe qualitative method has been used in this research to evaluate the functional quality and sustainability of Mashrooteh house by using the adaptSTAR model with its scoring sheet with respective design criteria. Predicting and evaluating the sustainability and adaptability of the historic Mashrooteh house in Tabriz will ensure its reuse and increase its adaptability and future life.FindingsFindings have shown that to increase the adaptability and future life of Mashrooteh house, it requires the improvement of the physical, legal, technological and functional criteria in order to provide suitable conditions for increasing the environmental and functional sustainability of this heritage building, while improving the quality of its spaces.Originality/valueWith the emphasis on conservation of national heritage as well as promoting sustainable development, the overall service life of these structures can be extended. The significance of this study lies in recognizing the incompatibilities and potential of viable approaches to rehabilitate the volatile condition of Mashrooteh house. The result of this study will add value to existing sustainable reuse database in Tabriz and other countries in the Middle East region.

PurposeThis study is to develop an accurate assessment tool to identify the factors that may influence determining the appropriate use for historic buildings.Design/methodology/approachThe research method in this study is qualitative. The integrated MCDM (multi-criteria decision-making) method is used to determine the most appropriate use for historic buildings, which ultimately led to the development of the MAU (most appropriate use) model.FindingsThe results of this study show that, in terms of preserving identity and cultural heritage, the role intangible criteria have to play is seemingly more important than that of tangible criteria. Also, weighted criteria in the matrix relating the “use” options demonstrate cultural-social, commercial and educational uses being apparently more important than other uses.Originality/valueThe novelty of this research is in providing a framework to facilitate contribution to determine the most suitable use for historic buildings with the ability to set criteria and separate weights for each building aiming to increase the useful life to the maximum extent and delaying the need for a subsequent major overhaul.