What is Adaptive Reuse?

Reasons for it
Process of adaptive reuse project
Benefits
 Different definitions of Adaptive Reuse by
Different authors/organizations
• Latham defines Adaptive resuse as a process
that retains as much as possible of the
original building while upgrading the
performance to suit modern standards and
changing user requirements (Latham, 2000).
• Conversion of a building to undertake a
modified change of use required by new or
existing owners (Douglas, 2002).
• Rehabilitation or renovation of existing
buildings or structures for any uses other
than the present uses (Dolnick and Davidson,
1999).
• A process that changes a disused or
ineffective item into a new item that can be
used for a different purpose (DEH, 2004).
 Common reasons of adaptive reuse
• Losing its original Function:
• When the building lose its original function
as it builds in that time it needs to change
its function which is suitable for the today’s
needs. For example a building designed as
a theater in that time but now it is not
using as a theater. For that reason it is
suitable to change the function the setting
needs a school in that area.
• Obsolesence of Function: İspirtohane Bld, İst.
• Altınoluk (1998) mentioned that functional
life of the building is less than its physical
function’. For this reason, most of the
building does not fulfil todays functional,
spatial, economical needs. Those need to
transform and change function or an
organization. In order to provide more
effective places for the users they need to
gain new function for the recent uses.
 Common reasons of adaptive reuse
• Historical-Cultural Reasons:
• The function of the building may be obsolete. But the
heritage for the new generations the building should be
carried out and reused by a new function. For example a
church may be lost its conregation, may be abandoned
and used as a mosque. It was designed as that period’s
needs. But for historical, economical and social reasons
it should be used and carried to the new generations as
a cultural product.

• Economic Reasons : Aya Sophia

• Energy saving provides economic efficiency. The
material, time, menwork are all saved by adaptive re-use
of historic buildings. New building needs more usage of
these resources.

• Environmental Factors:
• Because of external dynamics the building need to be
evaluated. For example the pressure of trade on a
housing area.
 Types of Conversion/ Adaptive Reuse
• Conversions can be classified into three
distinct groups: adaptation to the same use,
conversion to an alternative use and mixed
use.
 Adaptation to the Same use
• Adaptation to the same use usually entails
some form of modification to the internal
layout. Converting an under-used large single-
occupancy house into several flats is a typical
example of this type of reuse.

• In rare cases it may involve changing from a

multiple-occupancy mansion back into a single-
occupancy dwelling. It may also consist of
exploiting empty or unused space within the
building, such as the roof space or basement
area.

• Roof space conversions are still a very popular

option for providing occupiers with additional
accommodation in a convenient and relatively
cost-effective way.
 Adaptation to the Same use
• Same-use building conversions may generate
substantial internal alterations. For example, dividing a
building into smaller units requires the installation of
additional separating walls and floors. These elements
must have adequate levels of sound insulation and fire
protection.
 Change to another use
• Under this type of conversion a redundant
building can be changed to a different use.
One typical example of this is the adaptive
reuse of an old church to cultural center or
warehouse into office. Alternatively,
nonresidential projects such as banks into
cafes, churches into shops or offices, or offices
into hotels are other popular forms of adaptive
reuse in urban areas.
• Conversions to other uses are more awkward
than same-use conversions. The new use may,
for example, involves spatial and functional
requirements that are quite different from the
original. This often requires structural
alterations to accommodate the change of use.
Contemporary theories on adaptive reuse

• According to reviewed, compared and

contrasted contemporary literature on the
subject (1970s up to the present), three
different approaches: (1) typological,(2)
technical and (3) architectural strategies have
been identified.
 1. Typological Approach
• Classification done according into building
typologies:
• 1. Industrial buildings: factory, warehouse,
barn, mills, brewery, mining site, railway
stations, granary
• 2. Religous buildings: Church, chapel,
Convent, Presbytery, Mosque
• 3. Semi-public Building: City hall, museum,
hospital, court house, office, library, Old custom warehouses-Konak
theather, hotel, post office Pier –İzmir
• 4. Residential , country house, farm
• 5. Military buildings: Fortress, barracks, gate Douglas, 2006
• 6. Commercial buildings- crafts shops,
department store, market, boutique, bank
 2. Technical Approach
• Different author studied different technical issue on
adative reuse such as:
• Loadbearing structure: floors, ceiling, walls, roofs
heavy-lighting
• Building envelop: Internal surfaces, ıntroduction of
new floor, facade, accessibility and circulation
• Comfort, safety and energy efficiency: Fire-resistance,
therma performance, acoustic performance,
preventing moisture and dampness, inddor air
quaility.

Two water tanks have been designed to be enclosed by glasswalls, and

used as art studios. Concrete structure has been installed inside the
tanks, and divided into three floors, with The roof hanging from the 80
cm reinforced concrete walls.
 3. Strategic Approach
• Robert presents seven concepts of conversion
which he recognizes in outstanding examples of
architectural conversions within a wide span of
history – he gives examples from ancient times
up to the postmodern era:(1) building within, (2)
building over, (3) building around, (4) building
alongside, (5) recycling materials or vestiges, (6)
adapting to a new function and (7) building in
the style of.
• Each of these concepts refers to a specific
physical intervention.
building within
Exterior view of First ARP Church after the 1985 fire

Exterior view of McColl Center for Visual

Art
Frankfurt-
 Le Fresnoy Art Center
22 Rue Du Fresnoy,, France
1920’s Bernard Tschumi, 1997

Adaptation of a 1920’s community arts center

into a modern art school. Existing building

Major ground level circulation patterns are New

directed by the wall of the existing building.
However spurimposed roof structure provides ne
plane of indoor space between the new and the
old with ist constrating idea.
 Tate Modern, London
old oil-fired power station, which now houses
an international collection of contemporary art
 Esma Sultan Yalısı
Abandoned mansion on Bosphorus
after a fire.

Event and Wedding space .

A new interior has been created within

the masonry walls of the mansion.
 Esma Sultan Yalısı
Abandoned mansion on Bosphorus
after a fire.

Event and Wedding space .

A new interior has been created

within the masonry walls of the
mansion.
 Esma Sultan Yalısı
Abandoned mansion on Bosphorus
after a fire.

Event and Wedding space .

A new interior has been created

within the masonry walls of the
mansion.
 The process of Adaptive reuse project

• 1. Assessing the buildings’ value and condition

(architectural, structural conditions)
• 2. Legislative framework
• 3. Understanding the market for new uses
• 4. Defining New Function
• 5. Estimating costs of conservation, upgrading,
operation and maintenance
• 6. Calculating the potential revenues and benefits
of the project.
 The process of Adaptive reuse project
1. Assessing the buildings’ value and condition (architectural, structural
conditions)

• A- Architectural character is collection of features that gives

building its uniqueness and authenticity. The elements that all
buildigs have and reflects their architectural style are:
• Location of the site
• Form, massing, rhythm and symetry,
• Materials type and texture, color
• Craftmenship
• Color and finishes
• Roof type
• Windows, doors
• Solid-void ratio
 The process of Adaptive reuse project
1. Assessing the buildings’ value and condition (architectural,
structural conditions)

• The following list of architectural elements that define a structure. If any of the
following are removed or altered, the architectural character of the building is lost .
• Tower including detials, articulations and windows.
• Roof shape (gable, hipped, flat)
• Roof treatment (tile,cedr shake, metal, skylights)
• Strong horizontal and vertical shapes-both provide dominant character
• Load-bearing walls, including material and delination
• Terra-cotta
• Windows, skylights, doors.
• Interior features such as lobby, elevators, floors
• Interior features such as decorative plaster, paneling, ceiling, floors and other
elements,
• Staircases, monumental staircases, details, materials
• Spatial definitions and core arrangement
 The process of Adaptive reuse project
1. Assessing the buildings’ value and condition (architectural, structural
conditions)

• B- Identify the visual aspects of the exterior at

close range by moving up very close to see its materials,
craftsmanship and surface finishes.
• The second step involves looking at the building at close
range. This is where you will be able to see and appreciate the
qualities and workmanship of exterior surfaces, that is:
• the building's specific materials;
• its craft details.

• You have already learned about the character of a historic

building from a distance.
• Facade elements
• Rythm /solid/void relation
on the facade
• Color
• Material
 Identifying the Architectural/physical
character of a historic building
• C- Identify the interior visual aspects - spaces, features
and finishes - by going into and through the building.
• The third step involves looking at the interior. This needs
to be done slowly in order to correctly identify its
distinctive visual character. These are the visual
aspects to be considered:
• Individual spaces and spaces that are related to each other.
• Interior features that are part of the building.
• Distinctive surface materials and finishes.
• Any exposed structural elements.
• New extension from interior..
 Architectural Drawings : Plans, Sections elevations...+ Detail Drawings

Gasometer buildings in Viana

The gasworks have been built by the city of Vienna 1896-1898. They are surrounded by brick walls hiding the
technical iron structure inside. In 1996, realize by the revitalization of four gasholder buildings as living units. The
project contents shopping and entertainment mall, car parking, offices and living flats. There are 844 living units
and entertainment mall for 3000 people.

The project naturally aims at substantially maintaining the historic appearance by discussing the historical external
skin and the new interior life of the former gasometer building.
 The process of Adaptive reuse project
1. Assessing the buildings’ value and condition (architectural, structural
conditions)

D- Analyses of structural system and materials,

This process is divided into five sub-stages.

1. Analysis of Construction materials and Techniques
2. Structural System Analysis
3. Typolgical analysis
4. Analysis of the deformation of materials and structure
5. Analysis of alterations and additions.
Bedestan Cultural Centre
34
Historical evolution based on a stratigraphic
interpretation

35
36
37
 Instrumental
Geometric Geotechnic Geophysical Characterization
surveys of
survey al survey prospecting of the materials Restoration
the structure
project

Documentation of state of conservation

Survey and
investigation
38
Geognostic Investigations

0m
0m

1.30 m Artificial fill

Core
Transversal section SE.D 3.70 m
4.00 m
Foundation
Dark grey clay sand silt
3.45 m

4.30 m

5.00 m
Dark grey clay sand silt

Dark grey medium size gravel clay sand silt

No core recovered (Gravel?)

samples
Borehole BD3
Borehole BD6

Geophysical investigations

39
40
Strengthening works: longitudinal section

41
42
43
Before and After

44
Before and After

45
Before and After

United Nations Development Programme This Programme is funded by the EUROPEAN UNION46
Partnership for the Future
 The process of Adaptive reuse project
1. Assessing the buildings’ value and condition
(architectural, structural conditions)

E- Determining Significance /Values of the building: Tangible and

Intangible Heritage

• If the building is historic than, it can be considered as :

• Tangible heritage is physical evidence of previous or current cultures

such as buildings, landscapes, objects and collections.
• Intangible heritage is defined by UNESCO as the non-physical
characteristics, practices, representations, expressions as well as
knowledge and skills that identify and define a group or civilization.
•
 Importance of AUTHENTICITY
• The Nara Conference on Authenticity clearly stated that
• “all cultures and societies are rooted in the particular forms and means of
tangible and intangible expression which constitute their heritage, and
these should be respected”.

• When referring to the parameters that must be taken into account with
regard to authenticity, it mentions
• “form and design,
• materials and substance,
• use and function,
• traditions and techniques,
• location and setting, and
• spirit and feeling, and
• other internal and external factors”.

Spirit and feeling is what makes the buildings a living part of our environment.
 The process of Adaptive reuse project
2. Legislative framework
• Check building regulations, ownership and
other legal requirements.
• If the building belong to the private owner,
government or others..It is needed to be known
before started to adaptive reuse project..
• Check use of grants and review requirements
and funding.
• Check if the existing/old building is
listed/registered or not...
 The process of Adaptive reuse project
3. Understanding the market for new uses

• Would market opportunity warrant the construction

of a new facility at the existing location?
• Can the existing facility be economically modified to
accommodate market demand?
• Even though a building may lend itself well to a
particular new use, it does not ensure that market
demand will guarantee success of the project after
completion. Developers must research social and
economic trends to verify that projects satisfy a
current need.
 The process of Adaptive reuse project
4. Defining New Function (Selecting Most Appropriate Function and Its Components)

• Main essentials of the Architectural design are the needs and habits of human
beings. In other words, we are designing spaces according to the needs of people.
• In adaptive reuse projects, the needs of users and the spatial
characteristics of the building should be in harmony .
• Needs of the Users:
• Spatial Necessities/Needs: For the new function, space, size, form of the existing
building should be sufficient.
• Needs for Use and Movement: Existing building should meet a need for social,
cultural and symbolic use .
• Environmental Needs: Exterior and interior space organization of the building
should be used in order to meet the need of its close environment.
• Technical needs: If new function need for new infrastructure such as mechanical
air conditions, artificial lighting, all these systems should be located without
damaging the qualities of the building.
 The process of Adaptive reuse project
4. Defining New Function (Selecting Most Appropriate Function and Its Components)

• The spatial organzation of the building is Omeriye bath

important in desicion making procees for new
function. If building has:
• Only one space/volume
• Repeated volumes like khans, school buildings
• Composite plan organization

• For each type of building, new proposed

function should be different. For single space
building, the new function should require
single space. Especially, if the building is
listed, it is not allowed to add any partitions
walls inside, therefore concert hall,
conference center or exhibition area can be
the new functions for such single space
buildings. (Bath, Bedestan, one space factory)
 Factors which affect to the selection of the
most appropraite use for abondoned
building
• The adaptively reused building should be
integrated to life again. But this new function
should not damage authenticity of building, its
plan organization, and spatial characteristics.

• Factors which affect to the selection of the most

appropraite use for abondoned building are :

• Plan scheme and spatial organization of a

building.
• Volume/size and the characters of its vertical
section
• Location and economic structure of its
environment Restoration and conversion of the
• Conservation principles /approaches ( if the old school building into a cultural
building is listed ) centre in Korucam
 The process of Adaptive reuse project
5. Estimating costs of conservation, upgrading,
operation and maintenance

• Cost of an adaptive reuse project cannot be

estimated without looking closely at the
conditions of the site, the legal requirements,
the nature and magnitude of monitoring
requirements, and a wide range of other
technical, scientific, and engineering
considerations.
 The process of Adaptive reuse project
6. Calculating the potential revenues and benefits of
the project
• The economic benefits of adaptive reuse versus demolition of
our historic may increase the economic activities in an area.
• There are many societal benefits to adaptively reusing
buildings. Abandoned buildings and vacant lots drive down
property values, create a sense of economic decline and
hopelessness, and invite crime. Reusing building stock
maintains the character of our cities and save the civic pride.
• Environmental benefits is related with using the resources
and energy less. Adaptive reuse of historic buildings requires
fewer construction materials but often requires more time in
labor. This means that, dollar for dollar, a renovation project
will provide more funds to the local work force than a new
construction project.
Edirne Deveci Khan
Mugla cultural center