What is adaptive reuse? Repurposing buildings for a sustainable future

Adaptive reuse can take many forms. In architecture, adaptive reuse refers to repurposing an existing structure for new use, such as turning vacant buildings into schools, public parks, offices, or apartments.

Historic preservation

Both adaptive reuse and historic preservation can save historic buildings, but the approaches are different. Adaptive reuse aims to repurpose an old building or site for new uses; this process is often viewed as a compromise between preservation and demolition. Historic preservation, in contrast, sustains a building’s existing form, integrity, and materials. Exterior additions and alterations don’t fall within the scope of this treatment, but minimally invasive mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) upgrades and work required to meet new building codes are generally appropriate, according to standards published by the National Park Service, which administers the National Register of Historic Places.

One of the biggest benefits of adaptive reuse over historic preservation is having the flexibility to use new, efficient architectural materials while still paying homage to the structure’s history. This approach improves a building’s performance while lowering its carbon footprint.

Renovation

Adaptive reuse, by design, implies renovation. While renovation is generally limited to repairing and refinishing a building but preserving the building’s original purpose, adaptive reuse implies a transformation of use.

Integration

Integration involves constructing around an original structure, preserving that structure while encompassing it inside a new building. One striking example of integration is Denmark’s Jægersborg Water Tower, which was converted by Dorte Mandrup into student housing.

Facadism

Facadism is the urban design tactic of preserving a building’s facade while demolishing the bulk of the rest of the building to replace it with a modern structure. The process is known as a facadectomy; it preserves the streetscape view but is expensive because the facade, which is usually built from fragile historical materials, needs to be supported and protected during construction. Historic-preservation advocates tend to view facadism as a poor substitute for preserving an entire building, but supporters consider it a better alternative than erasing a city’s historic footprint.

Infrastructure

While most adaptive reuse focuses on buildings, some of the most innovative adaptive reuse projects transform outdated or unused infrastructure into community features.

A famous example of adaptive reuse in infrastructure is New York City’s High Line. Once an elevated railway known as the West Side Elevated Line, this lofty park winds through nearly 1.5 miles of lower Manhattan and features more than 500 species of plants and trees, resting spaces and viewing balconies, an open-air food market, and ramp accessibility.