The three R's of environmentalism are Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Over the years, this mantra has moved far beyond the kitchen in relevance. It is just as important to the green building movement and, more specifically, green building materials. The more ambitious side of green building involves adaptive reuse. Put simply, it is the process of adapting a building for use under a different purpose. Commonly, that refers to purchasing an old barn and adapting it into a new home.

Sometimes this entails a careful demolition of the structure so that its parts can inventoried, repaired, and reused for some purpose in the new structure. If the old structure itself is still sound, then it may simply be tied into the new building. Take, as a rather large example, PETCO Park, home of the San Diego Padres, which has a historic building integrated into the ballpark's design.

Proponents of adaptive reuse note its eco-friendly nature and room for creativity. Quite often the existing structure sets the tone for the design of the new. Not just the whole building, but also the parts may be adapted for new uses. The goal is to use as much of the old building as possible, whether it is used as originally intended or not.

Adapting an existing building saves money and fuel involved in purchasing and shipping new materials. There is usually the extra labor involved in reviving the old materials for their new use, but even this has its benefits. Even if the end costs of an adaptive reuse project and a new construction project were the same, more money has been spent at the local level as a result of the adaptive reuse project. These jobs are more labor intensive but better inject the local economy with money, not only by providing jobs but by paying local contractors who will then spend their pay at local establishments.

Adaptive reuse is also a major component of many cities' urban renewal projects. Many city centers across the nation are filled with old manufacturing plants, antiquated housing, and other long-neglected buildings. These are renovated and reused as offices, shopping centers, new housing, and whatever architects and city planners can come up with.

Other examples of adaptive reuse include London's Tate Modern art gallery, which was once a power plant, and loft housing in the United States. Several examples of adaptive reuse are on display in this This Old House piece.

Source:
Taylen Peterson
CalFinder

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