Adaptive Reuse

Buildings adapted for reuse as apartments can range from large houses, redundant industrial buildings, major institutional buildings and groups of buildings to commercial office towers.

There are many benefits of retaining existing buildings including sustainability, aesthetics, character and valuing their social and cultural significance. Adaptation of an existing building for a new residential use provides for its repurposing and should be approached in a way that acknowledges the past and respects its sense of place. The significance of heritage items or buildings in conservation areas needs to be respected. Modifications should ensure the building’s continued relevance in the future. Residential adaptive reuse projects should be sensitively designed, to respect existing elements and character.

Non-residential buildings often have dimensions, layouts and orientations that are not designed for residential use. A balance must be achieved between the benefits of retaining existing buildings versus the quality of residential amenity that can be achieved.

Modern materials can be used if their proportions and details suit the building and context, and allow for interpretation of old and new building elements

New additions to existing buildings are contemporary and complementary and enhance an area's identity and sense of place.

Residential conversion of these silos successfully acknowledges the industrial past of this local landmark

Adapted buildings provide residential amenity while not precluding future adaptive reuse.

New building elements should be distinguishable from the original structure

Design Guidance

Design solutions may include:

• new elements to align with the existing building

• additions that complement the existing character, siting, scale, proportion, pattern, form and detailing

• use of contemporary and complementary materials,finishes, textures and colours.

Additions to heritage items should be clearly identifiable from the original building.

New additions allow for the interpretation and future evolution of the building.

Contemporary infill can create an interesting dialogue between

old and new, adding to the character of a place

Places that demonstrate a connection to the past by reusing older structures often become popular destinations for people

Adaptive reuse should respect the original building fabric and facade rhythm

Design Guidance

Design features should be incorporated sensitively into adapted buildings to make up for any physical limitations, to ensure residential amenity is achieved. Design solutions may include:

• generously sized voids in deeper buildings

• alternative apartment types when orientation is poor

• using additions to expand the existing building envelope

Some proposals that adapt existing buildings may not be able to achieve all of the design criteria in this Apartment Design Guide. Where developments are unable to achieve the design criteria, alternatives could be considered in the following areas:

• where there are existing higher ceilings, depths of habitable rooms could increase subject to demonstrating access to natural ventilation, cross ventilation (when applicable) and solar and daylight access (see also sections Solar and Daylight access and Natural Ventilation).

• alternatives to providing deep soil where less than the minimum requirement is currently available on the site.

• building and visual separation – subject to demonstrating alternative design approaches to achieving privacy.

• common circulation

• car parking

• alternative approaches to private open space and balconies

Configuration