How to Activate the Value in Existing Stocks through Adaptive Reuse: An Incremental Architecture Strategy

Abstract

This paper illustrates a methodology for the remediation of polluted ex-industrial sites that considers the adaptive remediation and reuse of previously productive buildings and is structured in an incremental strategy. The main features of an adaptive reuse intervention are generally considered: low investment; high heritage awareness; urban identity; strong community engagement; and green concern. These characteristics are only partially compatible with the transformation of brownfields, mainly because of their usual size of the area, as it would require a large initial investment to purchase and convert the entire asset. To tackle this issue, we are proposing an incremental strategy that starts from the design process and is based on three main principles: (i) keeping and reusing as much of the existing buildings and facilities as possible; (ii) drawing the masterplan layout according to the pollutants, their zone distribution and the remediation techniques; and (iii) increasing public interest towards the area, attracting investors and stimulating a mechanism to rise the market value of the real estate property. The incremental strategy is illustrated through a project to reactivate an abandoned industrial area in Venice, Italy.