What’s old is new Inside the science of adaptive reuse building By Jason Hlewicki
T
oday, there’s a lot of energy targeting recycling and repurposing: carpeting is made from old water bottles, children’s
playground surfaces are refurbished from tires, and old denim is transformed to insulate.
But what about old buildings? They too are gaining in popularity and have captured the minds of the most creative and curious real estate professionals. Adaptive reuse—turning old, obsolete buildings into new, contemporary spaces—is an increasingly viable way to make use of outdated structures (and many times eye sores) and find new purposes. These reimagined spaces incorporate the best elements of the original buildings, whether it is exposed brick walls, striking structural elements or time-worn concrete floors, while bringing the space into the 21st century with all the infrastructure that inhabitants of apartments or office spaces have come to expect.
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COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION & RENOVATION — ISSUE 8, 2024