New Life for Old Buildings - Understanding Adaptive Reuse
Exploring how we can repurpose existing buildings and what makes these revivals successful.
References under the cut:
Source List / Further Reading
Australia ICOMOS (1979, 2013 ed.) The Burra Charter Available at: https://australia.icomos.org/publications/burra-charter-practice-notes/ ICOMOS is a global NGO which promotes the conservation and continued understanding of monuments and historic places around the world.
Binney, M. (1990) Bright Future - the Reuse of Industrial Buildings London: SAVE Britain’s Heritage. ISBN 0 905978 29 3 A series of case studies from Britain of industrial buildings which have either been rescued and reused or at the time of publishing stood empty, ready for a new use.
Eckersley O’Callaghan Engineers (2023), Tackling the Challenges of Adaptive Reuse (Web Article) Available at: https://www.eocengineers.com/tackling-the-challenges-of-adaptive-re-use/ Article on identifying risks associated with the reuse of old buildings, and the pre-design process behind adaptive reuse. Eckersley O’Callaghan is a global engineering firm specialising in heritage buildings.
Historic England (2019) Statements of Heritage Significance: Historic England Advice Note 12 Available at: https://historicengland.org.uk/images-books/publications/statements-heritage-significance-advice-note-12/ Historic England is the public body in charge of England’s heritage assets and historic places.
Lanz, F & Pendlebury, J. (2022) Adaptive Reuse: A Critical Review (Report) Available at: https://researchportal.northumbria.ac.uk/ws/files/74951203/Adaptive_reuse_a_critical_review.pdf An overview of a series of literature focused on adaptive reuse from the past twenty years, particularly its shift from purely practical to more cross-disciplinary approaches.
Rosenbloom, E., Magwood, C., Clark, H., and Olgyay, V. (2023) Transforming Existing Buildings from Climate Liabilities to Climate Assets (Report) Available at: https://rmi.org/insight/transforming-existing-buildings-from-climate-liabilities-to-climate-assets/#:~:text=Investing in existing buildings makes,carbon impact of these retrofits Analysis on how different approaches to retrofits and reuse can improve embodied carbon in buildings. RMI is a nonprofit organisation focused on decarbonising the built environment in the USA and globally.
Tritton, L. for Architects Journal (2026) Why is it so hard to Reuse Buildings in Britain? (Web article) Available at: https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/opinion/why-is-it-so-hard-to-reuse-buildings-in-britain Case study of the proposed demolition of a 1960s council headquarters and the main hurdles in the way in Britain – namely perceived costs, lack of listing, lack of vision. Author is co-founder of Don’t Waste Buildings: https://www.dontwastebuildings.com/
Vafaie, F., Remøy H., Gruis, V. (2023) Adaptive Reuse of Heritage Buildings: a systematic literature review of success factors (Report) Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0197397523001868 This article outlines a framework for success in heritage adaptive reuse and provides extensive references across each factor.
World Economic Forum (2025) How adaptive reuse can help reimagine, repurpose and revitalize cities (Web article) Available at: https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/04/how-adaptive-reuse-can-help-reimagine-repurpose-and-revitalize-cities/ Positive statistics on the benefits of adaptive reuse over new-build, particularly on a city-wide level. World Economic Forum (2024) Model Policy on Adaptive Reuse (Web article) Available at: https://www3.weforum.org/docs/
WEF_Adaptive_Reuse_Assets_Model_Policy_2024.pdf Framework for Adaptive Reuse, outlines principles that city planners can use to best serve their community with adaptive reuse, includes case studies from across the world.
Case Studies
Heatherwick Studios (2018) - Coal Drops Yard (Project Portfolio) Available at: https://heatherwick.com/project/coal-drops-yard/ Project portfolio for Heatherwick’s work on Coal Drops Yard. Heatherwick Studios is an international studio focused on creative and sustainable design.
Dawood, S. for DesignWeek (2018) - Coal Drops Yard branding: “It’s not just fancy shops – it’s a public space” (Web article) Available at: https://www.designweek.co.uk/issues/19-25-november-2018/coal-drops-yard-branding-its-not-just-fancy-shops-its-a-public-space/ A discussion on the branding approach used for Coal Drops Yard and how it relates to the development as a whole.
Charlotte Philby for the Standard (2024) -'It was total freedom' A love letter to the old King's Cross (Web article) Available at: https://www.standard.co.uk/homesandproperty/where-to-live/coal-drops-yard-kings-cross-charlotte-philby-b1165640.html This article explores the juxtaposition between “then and now” at Coal Drops Yard through a former resident’s eyes.
Farrow, S. for the Farnham Trust (2019) Saving Farnham Maltings (Web article) Available at: https://www.farnhamtrust.org.uk/saving-farnham-maltings/ The Farnham Trust is a charitable organisation assisting with conservation and repair projects across the Farnham area.
Pearson, L. for Historic England. (2010) The Brewing Industry (Report) Available at: https://historicengland.org.uk/images-books/publications/brewing-industry/bhs-brewing-ind-shier/ A report on the state of England’s brewing industry and heritage. Historic England is the public body responsible for caring for England’s built heritage.
Farnham Maltings (2026), Impact (Web article) Available at: https://farnhammaltings.com/about/impact Information on Farnham Maltings, the craft and community hub for Farnham.
Haworth Tompkins (2010) - Snape Maltings (Project Portfolio) Available at: https://www.haworthtompkins.com/work/snape-maltings Project portfolio for Haworth Tompkins’ work on Snape Maltings. Haworth Tompkins is well-known for regeneration and retrofit projects.
