Adaptive reuse strategies for interior design: promoting living heritage in Bagamoyo, Tanzania

The actual problem of adaptive reuse of historic buildings of rural schools in Ukraine is discussed in the article using the example of Poltava region. The history of the construction of Zemstvo schools in Ukraine is researched, the historical and cultural value of school buildings is determined, and their current condition is analyzed. Zemstvo schools of the architect O. Slastion in the Ukrainian architectural style have the greatest historical, cultural and social value. Factors affecting the choice of a new function of former school buildings are identified. For the first time, possible approaches to the adaptive reuse of historic rural school buildings are proposed: strategy of memorialization of buildings, strategy of social integration, strategy of active transformation of buildings. Adaptive reuse of historic school buildings is considered as one of the means of ensuring the sustainable development of rural communities.

Adaptive re-use of historic buildings is a process of changing the original function of the historic buildings to another function that can optimise the use of existing historic buildings. The selection of appropriate new function is an important factor in determining the success of adaptive re-use of historic buildings. However, adaptive re-use work done on historic buildings on the World Heritage Site is not an easy task due to rules and principles outlined by local and international charters that must be abide by. This research is conducted to gather the true picture of applied adaptive re-use principles that has been done on heritage hotels available in Melaka and George Town World Heritage Sites. This research is started with an inventory that led to the discovery of 35 hotels which applied the principle of adaptive re-use of historic buildings. Based on this finding, 4 historic hotels from adaptive re-use applications have been selected as the case studies. Results of the case studies carried out show that the level of conservation of heritage hotel is moderate and measures of control should be taken to ensure the privileges of heritage hotel. As a result of this research, a number of suggestions are made to ensure that adaptive re-use work done in the future will be conducted as optimum as possible according to the adaptive re-use and conservation principles.

Sustainable development has become a goal for all countries seeking a balance between social, environmen­tal and economic needs. The principal vision of a sustain­able built future is about developing creative designs that utilize energy and materials effectively. However, this vision should consider historic buildings that were built centuries ago. Although many of these buildings are standing in a stable state, they are obsolete and their values are not fully utilized. Towards revitalizing and generating sustainable values of these buildings, adaptive reuse is adopted as a process of modifying, adapting and reusing obsolete build­ings with their existing structures to extend their life cycle whilst performing a new function. This is currently practiced worldwide, specifically when a building has a unique archi­tectural character and is in a stable condition. The adaptive reuse of a historic building should have minimal impact on the heritage significance of the building and its setting. This paper aims to investigate the effectiveness of adaptive reuse as an innovative approach for generating sustainable values of historic buildings in developing countries. To achieve this aim, a research strategy is designed to accomplish four objectives: first, literature related to sustainable develop­ment, sustainable values, adaptive reuse and developing countries is reviewed; second, two case studies are pre­sented and analysed to investigate the role of adaptive reuse towards increasing the sustainable value of heritage build­ings; third, a strategy with its action plan is developed for facilitating adaptive reuse of historic buildings in develop­ing countries and finally, research conclusions are outlined and recommendations useful to professionals concerned with adaptive reuse of historic buildings are proposed.

The building construction sector stands out as a significant contributor to carbon emissions (CE). Among the sustainable practices available to mitigate this impact, adaptive reuse of historic buildings (ARHB) emerges as a viable option. In tropical developing countries, there is no quantitative research on ARHB and CE to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of ARHB as a solution. This study addresses this gap by conducting a comparative analysis of lifecycle CE between ARHB and an envisioned new building with an identical building envelope. Notably, this is the pioneering case study of its kind in Sri Lanka. A historic building within Galle Dutch Fort serves as the chosen case study, repurposed as a homestay to align with current local trends. Results indicate that annual carbon emission from the ARHB is 37.35 kg.CO2/m2, while from the envisioned new building amounting to 48.64 kg.CO2/m2, showcasing the significantly reduced environmental impact of ARHBs. In both scenarios, operational energy accounted for the highest proportion of CE, at 73.8% and 62.3% respectively. Subsequently, material production emerged as the next critical stage for both cases. Consequently, this study concludes that ARHB presents a more environmentally friendly option than new building construction. Moreover, the research suggests a focus on operational and material production stages to diminish environmental impact further. Strategies such as altering user behaviour, implementing microclimatic approaches, and embracing circular economic principles are recommended to achieve this objective. This study underscores the potential for ARHB to contribute significantly to sustainability efforts within the building construction sector.

PurposeThis article aims to illustrate the influence of the adaptive reuse of historic buildings on tourists’ appreciation and actual visitation.Design/methodology/approachThis study surveyed the perception of tourists on the adaptive reuse of historic buildings activity in Kuching city, Malaysia, via the causal research design and self-administered questionnaire. Two hundred forty-two respondents participated in this survey.FindingsThis study found that the tourists highly acknowledged the practices of adaptive reuse of the historic buildings. Their positive behaviour is evident when most of the tourists perceived the adaptive reuse of the historic buildings influence their level of appreciation and subsequently translated it into their actual visitation.Practical implicationsBased on these findings, this study proposes that the adaptive reuse of historic buildings be marketed as a heritage tourism product. This promising indication from the tourists will undoubtedly draw several practical implications to the local authority policy on the practices of historic buildings adaptive reuse and how it benefits the heritage tourism development.Originality/valueThis study confirms that adaptive reuse is an excellent initiative as it is not only preserving the historical treasures for future generations but is a catalyst for tourism development and helps to generate income for the community.

Interior architecture is mainly concerned with adapting existing buildings to new uses and requirements. While determining the extent of intervention, the historic and cultural background of the building plays a very important role. Therefore in adaptive reuse, before starting to develop design proposals, buildings of cultural significance need to be analyzed carefully in order to determine architectural and spatial potentials. This paper aims to evaluate the process and results of a design studio, which was realized during 2014-2015 Fall Semester in the ITU Department of Interior Architecture. The main purpose of the studio experience was to create adaptive reuse proposals for a historic commercial building by focusing on the theme of “functional unity”. In the first phase of the study, course program was organized in three basic steps: analyzing spatial potential, determining compatible use and developing project proposals. At the end of every step there was a jury to evaluate each phase. Every step had its own priorities and criteria for the jury. After evaluations project proposals were classified according to their main foci as well as advantages and disadvantages of different approaches in terms of functional unity. As a result it was observed that in historic buildings there are different ways of maintaining functional unity based on the intention of the intervention. While identifying compatible use or uses for a historic building, functional unity needs to be evaluated as one of the basic design criteria in order to retain its cultural significance. This is mainly because a historic building can fully reveal it’s potential only if it is experienced and evaluated as a whole.

PurposeThis article explores the challenges and opportunities in adaptive reuse projects for historic buildings, focusing on the interrelationship between energy efficiency and heritage conservation.Design/methodology/approachThe study utilises a mixed-method approach, including semi-structured interviews and energy retrofit surveys, conducted in seven adaptively reused historical buildings in the Bey neighbourhood, Gaziantep, Türkiye. Thematic analysis is used for interviews, and survey results were discussed together within the framework of CSN EN16883.FindingsThe adaptive reuse of historic buildings can result in economic, social, cultural and environmental benefits for local communities. However, for this to occur, careful consideration must be given when selecting the new function, ensuring that it aligns with the buildings' environmental performance potential and the community’s needs. Considering the CSN EN16883 Guidelines for improving the energy performance of historic buildings, when the retrofits made by the users are assessed, the general approach is to preserve the heritage value of the building rather than making it energy efficient.Originality/valueThis study will add to a cross-cultural understanding of the complex relationship between adaptive reuse, energy efficiency and heritage conservation by looking at the local context of Gaziantep. No similar qualitative study addresses this issue in this region.

PurposeThe concept of adaptive reuse is an effective strategy for enhancing heritage assets, economic, cultural and social values. The purpose of this paper is to propose a method to reuse historic buildings within appropriate time frames. The adaptive reuse potential (ARP) model assesses the potential of buildings based on obsolescence criteria in order to determine the optimal time for changing the use of such assets.Design/methodology/approachBoth quantitative and qualitative methods have been used in this research to evaluate the reuse potential of The Mashrooteh Building by using the ARP model. Predicting and evaluating the physical life, useful life and potential of the historic Mashrooteh building in Tabriz will ensure its reuse and will increase its future life.FindingsFindings have shown that to increase the future life of The Mashrooteh Building, its adaptive reuse quality needs to be improved for the next intervention within a reasonable time. Further procedures can be outlined when the appropriate time for future rehabilitation is known.Originality/valueWith an emphasis on conservation of national heritage as well as promoting sustainable development, the overall future life of assets can be extended. The significance of this study is closely related to organizations dealing with the conservation and rehabilitation of historical buildings with the emphasis on sustainable improvement of environmental, economic, social and functional aspects in the best possible time frame. The result of this study will add a value to existing sustainable reuse database in Tabriz and other countries in the Middle East region.

The historic buildings of a region are important cultural heritage for its future generations. At some places such buildings might be unable to serve their actual purposes for which they have been erected, due to various reasons such as bad state of preservation, illegal occupation, encroachment, and abandonment. In such cases, the concept of using the adaptive reuse can well protect them as cultural heritage. The adaptive reuse of historic buildings has become an approach worldwide, which extends its lifespan. At the same time, the reuse of such buildings will decrease further use of material for fresh and new construction, avoid unnecessary transportation, wastage of energy and resource and control air pollution for sustainable environment. The Sethi haveli complexes in Peshawar city is portraying the traditional style of domestic architecture of the elite trading community in the region, exhibiting the local taste in combination with central Asian. Built in the 18th /19th century, these haveli complexes are in deteriorating conditions that need to be preserved and reused. Further, recreational values should be generated by adaptive reuse, including self-growth, health benefits and social benefits. As the creation of activities is a big attraction for tourists in the field of heritage reuse, the natural environment can be used to organise and design heritage indoor/outdoor events. As observed with the evaluated Sethi haveli complexes, historic buildings that are re-functioned with the public use, for example cultural, educational, commercial and use, are more productive in contributing to the social development of the walled city of Peshawar. The adaptive reuse of abandoned Sethi haveli complexes in the walled city of Peshawar will subsidise the sustainability and liveability of the city. For the continuity of the historic buildings, social aspect should be deliberated with all-encompassing approach. Keywords: Historic buildings, adaptive re-use, the Sethi haveli Complexes, social aspect.

This research is concept based investigation of assessing the practical viability in terms of sustainability, for restoration and adaptive reuse of Sikh Era historic Havelis in Lahore. The timeless history, architecture and unique features of interior built environment of Sikh Era havelis are considered to be as an ideal aspiration for conservation and adaptive reuse in the recent times. History reveals that there are several examples of reused historic buildings that illustrate the practicality of the concept in terms of sustainability; economic impact, vitality of social life, and usability of existing urban resources including energy saving. A heritage survey of Sikh Havelis in Lahore, expert interviews and a review of literature concerning adaptive reuse of historic buildings is used as a tool of conducting qualitative and comparative research. The research recommends key implications for local governments in Lahore and eventually provide a theoretical research framework that can be incorporated in the decision-making processes for adaptive reuse projects. The expert opinion directs that adaptive reuse is important for quality enhancement, practicing sustainability principles, renew the old resource with future demands. The experts were agreed that adaptive reuse increases the age of building, provides safe and healthy environment and feasibility stage of adaptive reuse give direction to decision process.

Historic buildings have long been a focal subject in the field of architecture, planning, and tourism. This paper examines historic buildings through museological and heritage management perspectives. In addition, the theory of historic buildings as collections and the practical application of historic building collections as museum exhibitions are explored. The traditional museum collection functions of preservation, research, communication, and administration can be applied to historic building collections in a town, city, county, region, state, or nation. Some differences have been noted between the traditional, climate-controlled museum collections, open-air museum collections, and historic building collections in situ, such as the adaptive re-use of historic buildings. However, adaptive re-use is not a hindering factor when considering historic buildings in political jurisdictional boundaries as collections. The purpose of this paper is to situate historic buildings, as in situ collections, in a city ready for exhibition use.

This paper explores a unique case of a community-initiated urban regeneration through the adaptive reuse of historic buildings in the Tianzifang district in Shanghai. The adaptive reuse of historic buildings has increasingly become a successful approach which contributes to the concept of sustainable development in many rapidly developing, densely populated Asian cities, such as Shanghai. This study aims to develop a theoretical framework for sustainable community-initiated adaptive reuse through the mixed method of qualitative and quantitative analysis. Data were collected from a case study, in-depth interviews, and surveys. This study also intends to demonstrate the positive link between community-initiated adaptive reuse and sustainable development. This study adopts a four spheres framework of sustainability comprising the social, economic, environmental, and political-institutional concerns to examine the transformation process in Tianzifang. This paper illustrates that a community-initiated ...

The adaptive reuse of buildings is emerging as a sustainable solution within the built environment, addressing global challenges like climate change and greenhouse gas emissions faced by the world's population. Opting to repurpose energy-efficient historic buildings during the operational phase instead of demolishing and constructing new structures is recognized as a protective mechanism for urban cultural heritage. The escalating operational energy consumption in the building sector poses direct and indirect environmental, economic, and social concerns for occupants. This study aimed to compare the operational energy efficiency of adaptive reuse historic buildings and modern structures, seeking to identify the most energy-efficient building type. Energy consumption patterns, especially for air conditioning and lighting in residential houses, were gathered and simulated using DesignBuilder software, considering building materials as variables in both the old and new phases of the buildings. Ten Dutch-era residential dwellings were selected, and a specific schedule was analysed for energy simulations. The average Energy Use Intensity (EUI) value for old buildings in the scheduled case was lower than the newly modelled buildings. The research concludes that old historic buildings are comparatively more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly than new buildings for operational use based on the building envelope in the selected study area..

Adaptive Reuse of Historic Buildings (ARHB) is a new concept in developing countries like Sri Lanka. One of the main concerns for the intendancy of decision makers to ARHB is the operational energy. This paper analyzes the research gap of reusing historical buildings as office spaces by utilizing their structural and architectural designs and preserving the buildings’ authenticity for the future. It further aims to protect energy-efficient historical buildings from getting demolished and replaced with new modern buildings. A set of operational energy variables of modern office buildings and the potential historic buildings that can be reused as office spaces was established. During the early 1990s, old Dutch-era buildings in the country were mainly used as government office buildings. Three Dutch-era buildings in Galle Fort and three modern buildings in Colombo City have been selected as the case studies. Design-Builder (DB) software was used to comprehensively analyze sets of operational energy consumption variables. Selected historic buildings in Galle consumed 143.74 kWh/m2, 156.34 kWh/m2, and 209.39 kWh/m2 while modern buildings consumed 337.29 kWh/m2, 210.99 kWh/m2, and 382.57 kWh/m2 as operational energy, respectively. According to the analysis, the operational energy requirement of ARHB is comparatively lesser than that of modern buildings. This study, therefore, mainly concludes that the historical buildings saved more operational energy than the modern building envelopes while considerably reducing environmental impacts and saving the building energy cost.

The research paper explores the sustainable adaptive reuse of historic buildings within the Sri Lankan context, addressing challenges and proposing a decision-making framework. It emphasizes the importance of adaptive reuse in urban conservation and regeneration. Through an empirical approach and extensive literature review, key factors influencing project success are identified, leading to the development of a dynamic decision-supportive framework. Despite encountering limitations, such as custodian reluctance, the research perseveres, drawing insights from diverse case studies. The findings underscore the framework's adaptability and its potential application in various settings. The paper concludes by advocating for ongoing refinement and validation of the framework to empower stakeholders in navigating the complexities of adaptive reuse projects and ensuring the sustainable conservation of Sri Lanka's historic treasures.