The high-performance retrofit of an existing building is more difficult than building new because the structural system, orientation, and massing—the first tools in the architect’s kit—have already been used.
Moreover, the deep affection often associated with existing structures that possess cultural and historic significance presents even more resistance to high-performance design—the fear that the process will require massive modification of “untouchable” community assets.
Yet this critical segment of the built environment represents a vast reservoir of sustainable potential and carries with it our society’s multi-generational heritage.
After reading this article, you should be able to:
+ Assess the sustainable potentials and limitations of an existing building of historic/cultural significance.
+ Prioritize the overall active and passive design strategies within the physical limitations and the historic/community values of a given setting.
+ Discuss a daylighting strategy that combines the use of direct and diffuse daylight and thermal loading attuned to functional need.
+ Anticipate the future life of the building in transition to sustainability and generate an “anticipatory” design to support the implementation of that vision.
TAKE THIS FREE AIA COURSE AT BDCUNIVERSITY.COM
Related Stories
University Buildings | Oct 10, 2017
A 1920s cheese factory is now a university science building
Almost 15,000 sf of space was added to the original, four-story building.
Reconstruction & Renovation | Oct 4, 2017
Restoring a Manhattan building’s century-old façade, piece by piece
The painstaking process included assuaging numerous preservation agencies.
K-12 Schools | Oct 2, 2017
A Houston office park gets a new life as a private day school
Shepley Bulfinch designed the 75,000-sf campus.
Reconstruction & Renovation | Sep 28, 2017
Plans for Chicago’s historic Post Office building revealed by 601W Companies and Gensler
The redevelopment project is currently the largest in the nation.
Libraries | Aug 30, 2017
1850s library building is brought into the 21st century
The original building was updated and given a new extension and landscaping.
Reconstruction & Renovation | Jul 31, 2017
New Jersey office building will undergo ‘live-work-play’ renovation
The 100,000-sf building is part of a three-building, 30-acre campus.
Reconstruction & Renovation | Jul 18, 2017
Mortenson Construction incorporates 100-year-old barn into new Portland office space
Mortenson deconstructed the barn and repurposed it for the new space.
Retail Centers | Jul 17, 2017
Subway updates restaurants, brand with fresh design and improved customer experience
FRCH Design Worldwide is leading the redesign that will start with 12 pilot locations across the country.
Airports | Jun 26, 2017
Newark Liberty International Airport breaks ground on $2.4 billion redevelopment project
The project includes a new 1 million-sf terminal building with 33 domestic aircraft gates.
Retail Centers | Jun 21, 2017
Creating communities from defunct malls
It’s time to plan for the suburban retail reset—and it starts by rethinking the traditional mall.