Latest news with #adaptiveReuse
Fast Company
2 days ago
- Business
- Fast Company
Why we must change our attitude toward 'old' buildings
I've witnessed firsthand how attitudes toward existing buildings in need of a second life have evolved over the years. What were once considered blighted properties—or more mildly put, 'outdated buildings'—were met with wrecking balls. How we approach older structures now, not as burdens or obstacles, but as valuable assets that contribute meaningfully to a community's character and future, is a total transformation in the public's perception. This mindset shift reflects a broader recognition that the past is not something to be discarded, but to be celebrated, preserved, and reinvigorated. One of the most compelling aspects of adaptive reuse is the way it engages with a community's emotional and historical connections to its built environment. Over the years, I've seen that people develop deep affinities for the buildings that are part of their lives—whether because of personal memories, cultural significance, or their role in the daily rhythms of a neighborhood. However, while the emotional attachment to these buildings remains strong, their usefulness can atrophy over time. The infrastructure may age, and the original purpose of a building may no longer align with contemporary needs. In these cases, adaptive reuse becomes a bridge, a way to honor a structure's legacy while giving it new life. The balancing act It's a delicate balancing act between preservation and innovation, and it's a process that excites me—because it offers the opportunity to not only preserve the past but also activate it in a dynamic and forward-thinking way. My architecture firm recently transformed a 1930s-era Sears department store into a mixed-use block including more than 200 new apartments, as well as 50,000 square-feet of retail space. By combining housing and shopping, we create greater density, purpose, and connectivity, which enlivens cities like Chicago, where this project is located. By repurposing old buildings, we also retain a sense of continuity—an important link between generations. It's a strategy that works best when integrated into a broader urban plan. Sometimes, an existing structure may not reach its full potential until it is complemented by new projects that bring additional vibrancy and utility to the area. In this way, the new and the old coexist, enhancing each other and helping to create a richer, more complex urban fabric. Retaining an existing building can also reduce the embodied carbon footprint of an entire project. Ultimately, adaptive reuse is a key strategy for creating sustainable and community-centered development. It aligns with a growing recognition that buildings are more than just physical structures—they are symbols of history, identity, and shared experience. By embracing the creative potential of these spaces, we not only preserve their legacy but also provide the foundation for future generations to build upon. This holistic approach to development is essential for fostering resilient communities that honor their past while looking ahead to the future.
Hospitality Net
12-05-2025
- Business
- Hospitality Net
New hub by Premier Inn for South London
The transformation of underused office buildings into midscale hotels remains a key development model in the UK hotel sector. A recent example is Whitbread PLC's acquisition of Dorset House, marking the planned debut of hub by Premier Inn south of the River Thames. Adaptive reuse meets location-driven expansion Whitbread has secured the freehold of Dorset House, a 90,000 sq ft vacant office block in London's Southbank district, with plans to retrofit the nine-storey structure into a circa 400-bedroom hotel under the hub by Premier Inn brand. Subject to planning approval, the project will bring the brand to the south side of the Thames for the first time, expanding Whitbread's network of compact city-centre hotels. Strategic expansion through office-to-hotel conversions The planned Dorset House conversion reflects Whitbread's wider strategy of repurposing vacant commercial assets in core urban areas. In 2025 alone, the company has also secured sites in Holborn and Vauxhall, both of which involve similar office-to-hotel redevelopment. Such conversions allow operators to meet high demand for affordable accommodation in dense city locations while avoiding the longer lead times and higher costs of new-build projects. The strategy aligns with broader urban regeneration policies and planning priorities in cities like London. Sustainability and growth alignment The project also fits into Whitbread's broader Force for Good sustainability framework. From 2025, all Whitbread-owned hotels will be powered by renewable electricity. The group has also committed to reducing water consumption per sleeper by 20% by 2030. As part of its long-term growth plan, Whitbread aims to expand its room count from 85,500 to 125,000 across the UK and Ireland, with London remaining a central focus. Whitbread's expansion south of the Thames via the Dorset House project underscores how strategic location, sustainability, and adaptive reuse are converging to shape future hotel development in major urban markets. The approach enables rapid delivery, aligns with ESG goals, and meets the evolving expectations of both business and leisure travellers. Hotel website
Zawya
08-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Al Ismaelia spearheads first-of-its-kind partnership with Coventry University Cairo
The collaboration will give students the chance to shape real projects while learning how to balance heritage, function, and design in a living urban context Al Ismaelia aims to expand similar initiatives across Egypt's public and private universities to raise the bar for adaptive reuse and cultural preservation Cairo, Egypt: Al Ismaelia for Real Estate Investment and Coventry University Cairo Branch at The Knowledge Hub Universities (TKH) launched a landmark collaboration to connect academic learning with real-world urban development. This collaboration will give students direct opportunities to contribute to Downtown Cairo's revitalization while raising the standard of architectural education in Egypt. Unveiled during a media roundtable at Consoleya, the partnership connects academic training with practical work on the ground. It covers architecture, interior design, product and graphic design, digital media, and film production, namely disciplines that all play a role in how cities function, feel, and evolve. Preparing students for the reality of working in cities like Cairo The partnership opens the door for students to work on Al Ismaelia's Downtown sites, take part in research that addresses actual development challenges, and explore what it means to design for a city with layers of history and constant evolution. 'Education doesn't stop in the classroom. Downtown Cairo, with its historic architecture and layered urban character, offers an unparalleled setting for applied learning,' said Philopateer Dimitri, Deputy CEO of Al Ismaelia. 'What we're trying to do is simple: bring students into the field, let them work on real challenges, and help them understand how buildings, branding, and spaces affect everyday life. At the same time, we're supporting their growth as professionals.' Over the past decade, Al Ismaelia has been at the forefront of efforts to revive Downtown, leading pioneering projects in adaptive reuse, sustainable renovation, and heritage preservation. By breathing new life into neglected spaces while preserving their original spirit, Al Ismaelia has set a model for urban regeneration that balances modern needs with cultural legacy. The partnership with Coventry University Cairo Branch builds on this foundation, giving students direct access to one of Egypt's most dynamic and historically significant neighbourhoods as a living laboratory for their designs, research, and creative work. As part of the agreement, Al Ismaelia will offer internship placements, host student exhibitions, and integrate student projects into ongoing urban development efforts. Some of the student work will focus on redesigning spaces, rethinking how people move through Downtown, and creating visual identities for the area that reflect its heritage while supporting its immense future potential. A university approach that goes beyond theory For Coventry University, this partnership is part of a larger effort to make its programs more grounded in practice. Students will have the opportunity to contribute to research on adaptive reuse, sustainable real estate, and branding for public spaces - topics that are particularly relevant to a city like Cairo, where new development often overlaps with heritage buildings. 'Part of our mission is to ensure students learn concepts, but more importantly, apply them,' said Prof. Dr. Yasser Sakr, the President of The Knowledge Hub Universities, the hosting campus of Coventry University Egypt's branch. He added, 'Partnering with Al Ismaelia was a natural choice for us. Few companies in Egypt have demonstrated the same level of care, expertise, and long-term commitment to sustainable urban development. This approach offers our students a rare opportunity: to learn from a living example of how heritage, modern design, and community needs can come together successfully. This partnership allows our students to see their work take shape in the real world, and to understand the weight of designing in a city like Cairo.' Part of a wider ambition This isn't a one-off: Al Ismaelia plans to grow these types of collaborations across Egypt's public and private universities to support students and raise the standard of architectural thinking and implementation in the country. 'There's an opportunity here to rethink how we build,' added Dimitri. 'We want to work with students who are curious, capable, and eager to get involved, and we want to show them that Egypt's cities are places that need thoughtful design and solid execution.'
