Adaptive reuse

Buildings and places help to define a city’s cultural identity and value and should exist for everyone’s enjoyment and participation. However, barriers within the built environment prevent access for all persons, including those with disabilities. Elements like raised entrances, narrow doorways, interior finishes, vertical circulation, access to universal washrooms, etc. may restrict access.

The application of inclusive design principles used today are not prevalent in heritage buildings and it’s now our time to use those principles to resolve the tension between removing barriers to access within the built form, while maintaining a site’s cultural heritage significance.

Design solutions for an accessible built form may not look identical to the original design but should attempt to best replicate its cultural significance while retaining its value. Technological advances may also be explored into the heritage-built form which may facilitate greater participation without significantly impacting built form.

Refurbishing an old building is much more environmentally sustainable and cost-effective than demolishing an existing building and constructing a new replacement on the same land. In addition to the carbon benefits, retaining a historic building can complement the aesthetics and cultural values of an area. We therefore have a duty to preserve and improve these structures for future generations to enjoy.

Creative adaption of an old building must mean making it more sustainable. Whilst it’s true that the greenest building is the one that already exists – new builds today are designed to be much more energy efficient than their predecessors. The refurbishment of an old building must ensure it is functionally fit for purpose and at the same time drive down energy use through passive measures and switch to technologies that support an all-electric building, eliminating the need to burn fossil fuels on site.

The reuse of old buildings tends to be positively received by planners and regulators, as the objective is to secure viable active uses that safeguard a building’s conservation. But there can be hurdles if you’re changing the use if the former use such as industrial or community is protected by planning policy.

If switching classifications, you may need to provide evidence that existing uses are no longer viable and consider what impacts the new use may introduce to the location. Always check planning policies on design, heritage, land use and neighbour amenity when adapting old buildings.

Our built heritage is a key part of who we are, offering a deep well of inspiration and creativity. By taking a thoughtful approach to conserving and adapting historic buildings, we show respect for our past, present, and future, and bring innovative and meaningful projects to life.

The biggest challenge when designing for historic buildings is striking the right balance between preserving their unique character and meeting the needs of today and tomorrow. When we get this right, we can transform buildings that may seem like burdens into valuable assets, creating truly sustainable developments and rich urban environments with their own distinct identity. There’s also a clear economic advantage to preserving heritage. Historic buildings and areas often become hubs for distinctive and innovative projects, attracting people with their interesting architecture and deep sense of history. This appeal can ripple outwards, benefiting the wider economy of a town or city.