Adaptive reuse as a strategy towards conservation of cultural heritage: a literature review

• Published in: Transactions on the built environment Vol. 118; pp. 155 - 164
• Main Authors: PLEVOETS, B, CLEEMPOEL, K. Van
• Format: Conference Proceeding Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Southampton WIT Press 2011; W I T Press
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Buildings; Buildings. Public works; Conservation; Cultural heritage; Cultural resources; Durability. Pathology. Repairing. Maintenance; Exact sciences and technology; Historic buildings & sites; Historical buildings; Housing improvement. Restoration; Literature reviews; Repair (reinforcement, strenthening); Historical heritage; Architecture; Restoration; Classification; Reuse; Theoretical study; Building stock; Strategy; Typology; Repair; Adaptation
• ISBN: 184564526X; 9781845645267
• ISSN: 1746-4498; 1743-3509
• DOI: 10.2495/str110131

The paper presents a survey of scholarly literature on the subject of adaptive reuse within the discipline of heritage conservation and architecture. The different theories are compared and classified according to their approach towards adaptive reuse. Three main approaches can be distinguished: typological, technical and architectural strategies. Each approach is discussed separately and an overview of relevant literature is presented in a schematic way. To conclude, we indicate four important gaps in existing theories on adaptive reuse of historic buildings.