Curated collection | Adaptive reuse architecture

Nadine Samwell 17 February 2021

Many cities and countrysides are home to old, abandoned buildings—from warehouses to lighthouses to churches. Adaptive reuse offers a way to breathe new life into abandoned historic structures.

Aside from the historical and community benefits from retaining these old buildings, it is also a more environmentally sustainable way to build. The building industry is responsible for 39% of all CO2 global emissions, of which 11% are associated with construction, and adaptive reuse projects play a role in working to reduce these emissions.

One of the main environmental benefits of reusing buildings is the retention of the original building’s “embodied energy”. The CSIRO defines embodied energy as the energy consumed by all of the processes associated with the production of a building, from the acquisition of natural resources to product delivery, including mining, manufacturing of materials and equipment, transport and administrative functions. By reusing buildings, their embodied energy is retained, making the project much more environmentally sustainable than entirely new construction. New buildings have much higher embodied energy costs than buildings that are adaptively reused.

Added to these environmental benefits are the slowing of urban sprawl, maintaining cultural heritage, potentially lower construction costs, quicker construction timelines and the unique and character-filled buildings they create.

You can read about some of our favourite recent adaptive reuse projects by clicking on the images

Adaptive reuse renovation with recycled bricks — Will Gamble Architects transformed a Grade II listed Victorian house, disused cattle shed and the ruins of a former parchment factory have been preserved and turned into a distinctive character-filled home. Click on the above image to read the story

Timber framed concertina doors open — Designed by Arcgency, The Fabers Factories in Ryslinge, Denmark have been transformed into affordable housing using a ‘house within a house’ concept. Click on the above image to read the story

Restaurant interior salvaged bricks recycled metal sheets on ceiling — The KoCo restaurant, by Stapati Architects, has given a new identity to a 150 year old house in Kottayam, India. Click on the above image to read the story

Adaptive reuse cafe interior — The Lliro Cafe is an adaptive reuse project in Manacor on the island of Mallorca, which has transformed into a live music venue and coffee shop by Aulets Arquitectes + Carles Oliver. Click on the above image to read the story

New kitchen in renovated church — A 16th century abandoned Renaissance church with a collapsed roof has been adapted into a unique and character-filled home in the Spanish countryside by architect Garmendia Cordero Arquitectos. Click on the above image to read the story

Eco Edition_Sans Arc Studio_Part Time Lover_Architecture interiors 6-min — Part time lover is an adaptive re-use project by architects Sansarc Studio which upgraded an old kiosk in a laneway thoroughfare. Click on the above image to read the story

Eco Edition_Atelier Tao+C_Capsule Hotel_architecture interiors 10-min — An old house made with rammed earth walls and timber ceiling was salvaged and adapted into the boutique Capsule Hotel and Bookstore with a community library, by architects Atelier Tao+C. Click on the above image to read the story

Nadine Samwell

Nadine is the founder and editor of Eco Edition and founder of the Eco Edition Design School. She’s an experienced interior designer, sustainable materials consultant, speaker and serial home renovator.

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