Adaptive Reuse

Adaptive reuse transforms existing buildings for new purposesβ€”preserving embodied energy, reducing waste, and maintaining community character.


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🏚️ Adaptive Reuse Overview

πŸ” Assess
πŸ“ Design
πŸ”§ Renovate
✨ Activate

Evaluate potential

Plan new use

Update systems

Bring to life

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🎯 Purpose: Give existing buildings new life rather than building new

🌍 Impact: Preserve embodied energy, reduce waste, maintain community fabric


🎯 The Case for Adaptive Reuse

Environmental Benefits

Benefit
Explanation

πŸ’¨ Lower carbon

No new material production

πŸ—οΈ Embodied energy

Preserved in existing structure

πŸ—‘οΈ Less waste

No demolition debris

πŸ“¦ Fewer new materials

Renovation vs new build


Economic Benefits

Benefit
Explanation

πŸ’° Lower cost

Often cheaper than new

⏱️ Faster timeline

Foundation exists

πŸ›οΈ Historic credits

Tax incentives available

πŸ“ˆ Character premium

Unique spaces valued


Community Benefits

Benefit
Explanation

🏘️ Neighborhood fabric

Maintain character

πŸ“œ Historic preservation

Cultural continuity

πŸ‘₯ Community identity

Familiar landmarks

🚫 Avoid displacement

Work with existing


Comparison

Factor
New Construction
Adaptive Reuse

πŸ’¨ Carbon

Higher

Lower

πŸ—‘οΈ Waste

Demolition + new

Minimal

⏱️ Timeline

Longer

Often shorter

🎨 Character

Generic possible

Unique

πŸ›οΈ Incentives

Limited

Tax credits


chevron-rightπŸ“Š Adaptive Reuse Carbon Comparisonhashtag

Example: 10,000 sq ft Building

Approach
Embodied Carbon

πŸ—οΈ Demolish + new

100% new = 500 tons CO2e

🏚️ Adaptive reuse

30% new = 150 tons CO2e

Savings

350 tons CO2e (70%)

Plus avoided demolition waste: ~500 tons to landfill


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🏚️ Reuse First


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