South Central PA is full of quaint towns with a rich history. A town’s history is driven by the families that have invested in their community for generations. With these families come the businesses they have run and homes they have inhabited during their time in the community. Inevitably, people and time wear down these buildings and they can become an empty remembrance of what once was. Some towns will choose to blight or demolish a property if it becomes an eyesore. Is there an alternative option to repurpose these buildings and keep the history alive, while giving it a new purpose that matches the modern community it now resides in? At CORE Design Group, we say, definitely!
Adaptive reuse is a way to save a neglected building that might otherwise be demolished. It’s repurposing an existing space that has outlived the original purpose into new and innovative uses while, at the same time, retaining historic features. It affords the tenant an open invitation to be creative with the implementation of unique brand design, often conserving natural resources and reducing the impact on the environment. As architects, we typically search for design opportunities to incorporate existing materials as an effort to pay homage to the building’s roots. It can be as simple as exposing brick walls, steel structures, or timbers.
Repurposing an existing building through adaptive reuse is often a more sustainable option compared to new construction because older buildings were constructed before modern climate control features and are naturally sustainable. For example, their use of thick walls and awnings were purposeful to control temperatures, and high ceilings and large windows allowed for natural light. Although new construction is necessary, studies have found that each new building constructed releases a carbon load into the atmosphere that won’t be “paid back” for 10-80 years. Even the most energy-efficient buildings create this kind of carbon debt, which is why experts agree that the greenest building is one that’s already built. In addition to being sustainable, adaptive reuse can lower energy consumption, minimize pollution, decrease material costs, and keep transportation fees at a minimum.
Adaptive reuse isn’t just for older, historical buildings. CORE Design Group has been involved in numerous adaptive reuse projects, including transforming an abandoned big-box retail store into affordable housing and converting a closed-down grocery store into corporate offices and church spaces. Our corporate office is even an adaptive reuse project! Adaptive reuse requires thinking outside the box, while staying inside the box!
CORE Design Group has seen South Central PA come to life through adaptive reuse projects and is helping to revitalize communities one building at a time. Our goal is to breathe new life into aging neighborhoods and transform them into vibrant and impactful destination points for locals and out of towners. Whether it is a restaurant, apartment building, office, or warehouse, the possibilities are endless with adaptive reuse.
