Repurposing and renovation
conversion and renovating of existing buildings is more relevant now than it has been in a long time
The theme ‘conversion of existing buildings’ and subsequent to that 'renovating existing buildings' is more relevant now than it has been in a long time. This is largely because there are many buildings built since the beginning of the last century that are still able to remain and function easily, construction wise and material wise. Demolition is not required. The building itself, consisting of the structural frame and facade materials, is still perfectly usable.
Of course we are interested in and work on projects with new construction, but a significant proportion of our assignments consist of renovation and conversion. Developers have premises in possession which are filled in with interior walls through the years and which are functionally not good any longer and are not able to be let. They can serve only one function, such as office space, and there is currently less demand. Right now we have some commissions for which we do design research into what is possible with the existing building without demolishing it. How it can get a new life and again meet the requirements and demands of today? In one particular case, we made a design for homes in a beautiful old building that for years has been used as an office. At this location there is a lot of demand for housing, so there are opportunities.
But this theme also fits well with the demand from private home owners. We have multiple commissions on these sort of assignments as well where we build extensions to over 100 square meters per house. These were often small and outdated homes, completely transformed to fit the needs of our time.
We also do, apart from commissions, research on this theme, for example, by looking at the opportunities in the field of renovation and sustainability. A second facade or expansion which functions as new facade and is able to yield huge energy gains. While being part of a beautiful refurbishment or redevelopment which can be payed back in time. Not going for demolition itself is a sustainable approach since it allows continued use or reuse of existing materials. If you would like to know more about our research on this subject, please feel free to contact us.
If you would like to know more about our research on this subject, please feel free to contact us.
click to see our other research themes
Of course we are interested in and work on projects with new construction, but a significant proportion of our assignments consist of renovation and conversion. Developers have premises in possession which are filled in with interior walls through the years and which are functionally not good any longer and are not able to be let. They can serve only one function, such as office space, and there is currently less demand. Right now we have some commissions for which we do design research into what is possible with the existing building without demolishing it. How it can get a new life and again meet the requirements and demands of today? In one particular case, we made a design for homes in a beautiful old building that for years has been used as an office. At this location there is a lot of demand for housing, so there are opportunities.
But this theme also fits well with the demand from private home owners. We have multiple commissions on these sort of assignments as well where we build extensions to over 100 square meters per house. These were often small and outdated homes, completely transformed to fit the needs of our time.
We also do, apart from commissions, research on this theme, for example, by looking at the opportunities in the field of renovation and sustainability. A second facade or expansion which functions as new facade and is able to yield huge energy gains. While being part of a beautiful refurbishment or redevelopment which can be payed back in time. Not going for demolition itself is a sustainable approach since it allows continued use or reuse of existing materials. If you would like to know more about our research on this subject, please feel free to contact us.
If you would like to know more about our research on this subject, please feel free to contact us.
click to see our other research themes