Synopsis:

Joseph Lee and Andrew Wolfram provide a great overview of the initial steps and actions that should be taken when undergoing an adaptive reuse project. These steps can help provide the foundation for a successful and sustainable reuse of an old building. The first step is to examine the existing building to determine those elements that may be most useful in the repurposed building. By determining the pros and cons of the existing structure, you can make the most of the building resource. This examination will also help to evaluate what potential programming may be possible within the space. A specific element when looking at the existing structure is to also review any modifications or renovations that may have occurred over the course of the building’s history. Doing so may find some modifications that actually work against the usability of the space and may then need to be removed. Finally, if the building can be or is listed as a historic building, a tax credit may be available. By ensuring that the adaptive reuse is sensitive to the historical shell, the project costs may be reduced by such a credit.