Adaptive Reuse

Simply put, adaptive reuse is the process of repurposing an existing site or building for new uses. It’s an exciting opportunity to transform and breathe new life into old, forgotten buildings or sites while conserving natural resources. Not to mention, the most sustainable building is the one that already exists!

The decision to renovate or replace a building can be difficult. Sometimes it comes down to cost, risk, or safety – is renovation more effective than building new? In other cases, additional factors can come into play, such as retaining character, preserving historical features, and understanding zoning requirements. We believe this important decision should take place on a case-by-case basis, and it can often be expedited with the completion of a feasibility study that exhaustively explores…

The decision to renovate or replace a building can be difficult. Sometimes it comes down to cost, risk, or safety – is renovation more effective than building new? In other cases, additional factors can come into play, such as retaining character, preserving historical features, and understanding zoning requirements. We believe this important decision should take place on a case-by-case basis, and it can often be expedited with the completion of a feasibility study that exhaustively explores costs, pros and cons, and alternative solutions.

We believe that each project presents a unique opportunity to explore an expressive solution to its site and users. Our team is dedicated to creating meaningful architecture through a collaborative process of exploration and design. We approach our projects with open eyes and ears, avoiding pre-conceived ideas of what a space should be (or what it has been). Instead, we seek to collaborate with clients to find the hidden potential of reuse projects and the value in preserving our history.

We see every project as a unique challenge, and when we explore the options of renovating or replacing a building, we aim to bring innovative, cost-effective solutions to our clients. The solutions can be as simple as slightly adjusting the building footprint or reconfiguring the floorplan’s layout or circulation to accommodate the new building programming. Our design will look carefully at the “found” potential of the site or building, the requisite program, the building’s functionality, and how these elements can successfully integrate themselves within the landscape. The quirky, and sometimes difficult, nature of older buildings is what drives and inspires us to create something memorable.