From transforming a warehouse into an office building or reimagining a church as an entertainment venue, adaptive reuse is making old new again in cities across the country. Rather than demolishing structures that no longer serve their original purpose, adaptive reuse focuses on converting them into something new and useful to support sustainability and preserve history.

Adaptive reuse has gained in popularity for a number of reasons, from the practical to the aspirational. These projects tend to be less expensive than ground-up projects and can be completed more quickly. By investing in neighborhoods that have been overlooked or neglected areas of a city, adaptive reuse can also serve as a catalyst for revitalization of an area, often driving tourism, job creation and community engagement. The most frequently cited benefit, however, is sustainability. Repurposing a building emits 50-70% less carbon than new construction and can reduce waste by saving up to 90% of a building’ materials.

While preserving a building’s historic character is a trademark of adaptive reuse, end users demand it meet today’s technology standards. A space can be beautifully restored, but without the conveniences and capabilities of modern systems, it may never fully realize its potential in a second life. Integrating technology, both as a tool to enable the reuse process and as a feature of the finished space, can be the deciding factor in a project’s success.

Builders often find it challenging to work within an existing footprint. In older structures, drawings are rarely available which means builders are working with a lot of unknowns. For many of the buildings when modifications were made in the past, they were not included in the drawings and there could be decades worth of changes that were piecemealed together. Builders must sort through what can stay, what needs to be removed and what needs to be demolished without jeopardizing the structure. Adding smart technology, updated lighting and energy efficient systems when infrastructure is essentially hidden adds a layer of difficulty to a project.

While technology is critical to achieving energy efficiency in adaptive reuse projects, it’s not always easy, especially in large, poorly insulated spaces. Many existing buildings were constructed before modern insulation standards and older buildings may also have higher energy demands.

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a collaborative process that allows construction professionals to plan, design and construct a building within a 3D model. This technology can support adaptive reuse because it captures irregularities such as a curved wall or unusual layout which often occur in older buildings. This kind of representation allows for increased insight into the space’s planning, design, construction and management.

Revitalizing older buildings is a complex process that goes beyond plugging in new systems. It is balancing act between preserving history and charm and including modern technology to make spaces up-to-date and livable. Adaptive reuse projects challenge builders to innovate within existing footprints while weaving in smart tech and energy-efficient systems. When done correctly, the final product has the power to revitalize neighborhoods and reduce the carbon footprint of the industry.

Guest post by: Allen Buchanan, Principal, Dowdle Construction Group