Dirty laundry: The adaptive reuse of an existing building

Abstract

Whilst both adaptive reuse and sustainability are important architectural strategies in their own right, greater potential lies in their combined application, facilitating an architectural solution with the benefits of both. This research project is founded in the integration of sustainable practice in adaptive reuse and consists of two components – writing and design. The writing component explores adaptive reuse and sustainability through a critical review of current knowledge and practice, proposes a shift in thinking that takes account of both strategies in combination; and describes and evaluates their application in the mixed‐use redevelopment of an existing commercial building in the Auckland city fringe‐suburb of Grey Lynn. The design component illustrates and makes explicit – in this specific redevelopment situation, and in detail – the processes, applications and implications of adaptively reusing an existing building in a sustainable manner. Every aspect of this research project aims to raise awareness and actively portray the potential of sustainable practice in adaptive reuse as a viable and socially responsible alternative to demolition and replacement.