Six Designs Showcasing the Potential of Adaptive Reuse
Adaptive reuse — or the process of renovating and reusing an existing building for a new purpose — allows us to breathe new life into spaces and places. More than a vehicle for rebirth or renewal, adaptive re-use also exemplifies holistic approaches to sustainability and provides benefits to people, the economy and the environment.
By transforming buildings originally intended for one use into another, architects and designers can help communities celebrate their history and support people’s current and future needs. Adaptive reuse can also strengthen local economies by enhancing property values, providing long-term savings to owners who make investments in upgrades, and it can also limit regional disruptions that often come with new construction.
Perhaps most crucially, adaptive reuse is a beneficial strategy for reducing embodied carbon and carbon emissions associated with buildings and construction. According to Architecture 2030, two thirds of the buildings that will exist in 2040 are buildings that exist today, and upgrading and repositioning those structures will be crucial to limiting harmful impacts on the environment. At HKS, we are committed to moving toward a net-zero future where regenerative and circular economy-based strategies are at the heart of how we design places that support human and environmental well-being.
Opportunities for adapting existing buildings are all around us. The post-pandemic era has spurred many office-to-multifamily conversions globally, including the recently-opened Sinclair Residences in Dallas, designed by HKS. But adaptive reuse prospects abound in many types of older buildings from train stations to airports to industrial warehouses, all of which can be modified to meet people’s needs today.
Here is a selection of six projects designed by HKS’ global multidisciplinary teams that demonstrate the transformative power of adaptive reuse:
Asher Adams Hotel – Salt Lake City, UT
For the Asher Adams, Autograph Collection project, HKS transformed Salt Lake City’s historic 1908 Union Pacific depot into a dynamic hospitality destination. The project incorporates approximately 45,000 square feet of the historic depot, restoring the building’s original character and seamlessly integrating a modern, eight-story guestroom tower.
ParkwayHealth Gleneagles Chengdu Hospital – Chengdu, China
Located in a former shopping mall, ParkwayHealth Gleneagles Chengdu Hospital is a 350-bed health care environment in western China. The award-winning design includes modern amenities and easy transit connections, making care more accessible for the region’s 150 million residents.
Expedia Group – Springfield, MO
Expedia Group’s Springfield workplace is located in a decommissioned terminal of the Springfield-Branson National Airport. HKS created a cohesive and updated design that offers employees opportunities to connect with one another and supports Expedia Group’s brand mission to make travel easier and more enjoyable.
Private Client Outpatient Centre – London, UK
To create a modern outpatient medical facility, HKS designed the conversion of a 19th century office building, significantly extended the life of the building and eliminated the need for new construction. The clinic’s design is focused on creating a healing environment that reduces stress for both patients and staff.
Arc Light Co. Apartments – San Francisco, CA
For Arc Light Co. Apartments, HKS designed four stories of residences atop the former California Electric Light Company, Station B, elegantly combining historic brickwork and contemporary glass. The project revitalizes the site and existing structure with a mix of unit types and a high-performance design that achieved LEED Platinum certification.
ProMedica Headquarters – Toledo, OH
ProMedica Headquarters is an adaptive re-use of an historic, steam plant and a Brutalist junction building along Toledo’s Maumee River. HKS design for the workplace underscores ProMedica’s commitment to its community and celebrities the site’s heritage and history.
Creating Places that Last
The places where we live, work, enjoy life and seek care have a massive impact on our own well-being and the health of our shared planet. Through sustainable design approaches and a dedication to improving our shared world, HKS strives to create adaptive reuse projects that ignite the imagination and last for many more years to come.