Everyone involved in green building knows the benefits of adaptive reuse. You get a new space from an old building, perhaps not the same function as the original, but something that shares the area’s history and perhaps brings new functions to the surroundings.
1. It’s not just the building. Can the building’s surrounding landscaping be redesigned to support the building’s new functions? Can parking be reduced or eliminated to create outdoor seating, dining or other uses? Maybe the parking area can be made into driveable pervious materials that don’t look vehicular so that the amount of parking varies according to demand – think outdoor dining terrace in the evening and parking for local workers by day.
2. It’s not “either…or”. That old bank building can become a restaurant… or it can become a coffeehouse + meeting center + hourly business offices + art display space. If this happens, how can the surrounding landscape support the building’s functions: outdoor spaces for people, greener, herb gardens… think complex, overlapping functions that support each other. The goal here is resiliency: if the transformation centers on one business and it fails, you’re back to an empty building. If it supports multiple overlapping businesses and functions, it’s no longer an all-or-nothing proposition.
3. Don’t compete: improve. If you’re thinking coffeehouse and there’s an established competitor three blocks away why make war? What about offering the coffeehouse owner a great deal on a new space: yours? It’s possible that his space is too small, lacks that outdoor patio you’re installing or he’s looking for something in a more sustainable venue. The goal isn’t to move in and put others out of business: it’s to bring in new opportunities for your city, add functions and improve the quality of life in and around your site.
If you’ve got a great architectural project, but would like a fresh look at what’s happening around the building, give us a call!