Is adaptive reuse a form of rehabilitation?
I was searching whether adaptive reuse is a form of rehabilitation and discovered Zeta Fernando's post from Feb 25, 2020. It didn't have any comments so I'm reposting below because I have the same question and hope someone will answer.
In researching the Secretary of the Interior's Standards, I am confused on whether adaptive reuse would fall under Rehabilitation or Restoration.
It makes sense to me that adaptive reuse would be a form of Rehabilitation, because there are very extensive modifications made to the building to adapt it for modern use, and Rehabilitation allows you to keep modifications from different time periods.
But I read a paragraph from this National Park Service website: https://www.nps.gov/tps/standards/history-of-standards.htm
That indicates that adaptive reuse falls under Restoration instead. Excerpt below:
Historic Preservation Grants–in–Aid: Policies and Procedures are developed by OAHP and issued by the NPS as the first guidance published for administering the Grants-in-Aid program. The grants program is to provide federal assistance for the development of historic properties for the public benefit. Funds are available for three specific treatments: stabilization, restoration and reconstruction. Adaptive use is not included, but the manual explains that it is eligible for funding as a type of restoration treatment, stating that: "The National Park Service recognizes adaptive use of historic properties as a useful means of preservation. An historic property is improved or restored for adaptive use when all or a portion (façade, for example) of the exterior is restored with [the] interior adapted to a contemporary functional use. Adaptive restoration is the appropriate treatment for structures that are visually important in the historic scene but do not otherwise qualify for exhibition purposes."
So now I'm pretty confused... any thoughts?
-
Hi Munira,
Historic Preservation is definitely not my area of expertise, but this website should be helpful. https://www.nps.gov/tps/standards/four-treatments.htm
There are links on the left with individual pages describing each - Preservation, Rehab, Restoration & Reconstruction.
I think it's important to understand that these 4 terms are used for defining grants from the government, for public buildings. Otherwise, with a privately funded project, it does not matter. An adaptive reuse of a building that is not being used for the public's benefit, would not qualify for the funding.
Hope you find this helpful.
Rebekka O'Melia, B.Arch, M. Ed, Registered Architect, NCARB, Step UP ARE 5.0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
1 comment