It’s the topic and typology on every architect’s lips, but what exactly is adaptive reuse and why is it such an important talking point? We sat down with FK Principal Sarah Hurst to discuss why adaptive reuse is a meaningful approach to sustainability, what she’s learned from the recent redevelopment of 500 Bourke Street and what the future might hold in this space.
How does adaptive reuse of existing buildings, like the 500 Bourke Street project, contribute to sustainability goals and to the broader revitalisation of Melbourne’s CBD when compared to new construction?
Rejuvenation and revitalisation of old stock allows us to contribute to a new story and create a second life for existing, well-known and loved buildings. There are valuable sustainability wins and reduction in carbon emissions when keeping existing buildings, their structure, facades and services. By not creating ‘new’, we’re working within a building’s existing carbon footprint instead of expanding it. Re-using and adapting existing buildings often means too that there’s less ‘down-time’ for construction compared to demolishing and building new.
How was your design solution at 500 Bourke Street informed by these goals, or informed by the changing needs of its tenants and society at large?
At 500 Bourke Street, material re-use was prioritised where possible—particularly with finishes like natural stone which could be resurfaced.
Refurbishment of such a significant building brings with it a huge amount of interest for our city and past users of the building. People want to share their own stories of the buildings and are genuinely interested to see how the building has changed. Tenants too are more interested, as more and more people are looking to align themselves with buildings that are more sustainable—being a tenant of a well-known and refurbished building is a big win!
What were the biggest challenges you faced in updating this 1970s brutalist building to meet modern sustainability standards?
There is always an element of the unknown when refurbishing and upgrading existing buildings, but, design always continues throughout the life of a refurbishment project—just like any. You’re continually designing as new things or existing conditions are revealed. And although they are unknowns, they generally always result in an innovative and great outcome. There were elements of testing and prototyping during construction to come up with solutions for problems that were uncovered during the demo works, and some of these are really innovative solutions brought about by new technology and ways of thinking.
What lessons from the project could be applied to other adaptive reuse projects to enhance their sustainability?
Up front and early assessments of existing conditions are key, including identifying opportunities for internal material re-use in addition to the building’s structure, facade and services. This should include an assessment of whether there is an opportunity to de-gas the building upfront, so costs and services provisions can be allowed for early on.
Energy efficiency upgrades are important to include too—exploring opportunities to improve the building’s performance more broadly. This could include improvements in building envelope tightness, improvements in thermal insulation, HVAC systems, water conservations through the use of better fixtures and appliances, as well as lighting.
Sarah Hurst is a Principal at multi-disciplinary international design firm FK.
