Adaptive Reuse of Existing Buildings

Abstract

Amid the introduction of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, the longevity and lifecycle of heritage and modern buildings and the process of redevelopment have come under greater scrutiny. Through adaptive reuse, i.e., changes that involve both a functional and a physical component, practitioners can give a second life to existing buildings. To define the state of the art in the scientific research focused on building adaptive reuse, the authors conducted a rapid evidence assessment. It emerged that adaptive reuse is comprehensive topic that deals with social, economic and environmental issues. The goal of the adaptive reuse studies varies from social to environmental topics such as human-centred adaptive reuse, and energy efficient adaptive reuse. A comprehensive approach to adaptive reuse requires integrated strategies aimed at preserving valuable pre-existing human artifacts in the Anthropocene era, characterized by unsustainable consumption and transience of data and images. Adaptive reuse combines pragmatism and creativity and requires sensitivity in the selective approach on existing structures, contexts, and materials. Adaptive reuse projects call for specific skills and targeted strategies that falls into different action categories: reuse, restoration and renewal, i.e., innovative transformations of the “old and degraded” into “new and performative”. Overall, adaptive reuse optimizes environmental sustainability, efficient regeneration processes, increased community interest, and profitability, making it an attractive opportunity for stakeholders seeking to revitalize urban and peri urban areas. Adaptive reuse projects deliver workable solutions, support heritage and cultural preservation, while meeting the changing needs of communities.