Adaptive Reuse: 4 Projects Giving New Life to Architectural Heritage

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The passage of time will alter, erode, and in most cases, degrade any architectural structure. Whether this be the result of climate, adaptation, misuse, or even war, all buildings are subject to the same life cycles of steady, or extreme, decline. In recent decades, “adaptive reuse” has gained significant traction as a means of breathing new life into an old structure, offering an often complex challenge for designers, architects, and indeed everyday users, who walk a fine line between a respectful restoration of history, and significant adaption for modern needs.

A design exercise in adaptive reuse begins with a study of the many possible approaches to synthesizing old and new. From showcasing ruins to volumetric reconstruction, the designer may take several approaches in response to variables such as cost, utility, or architectural stance.

Below, we have gathered some of the primary methods for the adaptive reuse of an existing structure. Though these methods are not mutually exclusive, and can be used in combination with each other, the four projects below demonstrate the effectiveness of each method in driving the renovation, reuse, and rebirth of an aging piece of architectural history.

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Cite: Moreira, Susanna. "Adaptive Reuse: 4 Projects Giving New Life to Architectural Heritage" [Reuso adaptativo: 4 exemplos de como intervir no patrimônio arquitetônico] 14 Jan 2020. ArchDaily. (Trans. Peixoto Almeida, Amanda) Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/931697/adaptive-reuse-4-projects-giving-new-life-to-architectural-heritage> ISSN 0719-8884

Pombal Castle's Visitor Centre / COMOCO. Image © Fernando Guerra | FG+SG

焕新建筑遗产的四个适应性利用案例

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