Adaptive Architecture for Public Buildings: Theories and Practices

This seminar course will present the different theories and operative strategies informing architectural reuse, by focusing attention on the transformation of contemporary public buildings. In particular, the course will investigate notions of form, vocabulary, legibility deriving from the dialogue between old and new structures.

What are the design and spatial implications of adaptive reuse in public buildings?

How can the principles of adaptability and reuse be reconciled with the practical challenges of working with structures in active use?

What role does occupant feedback play in shaping architectural decisions beyond functionality?

What does it mean to create healthy living environments that prioritize well-being, inclusivity, and sustainability within the framework of adaptive reuse?

The course will address these questions within the general context of adaptability. Students will be introduced to the most relevant positions on the topic, and will explore the consequences that terms such as retrofit, upcycle, adaptation, disassembly, etc. can have in the territory of architectural design. They will study historic precedents of reuse, current trends and also future directions. Students will not only be introduced to the current debate on reuse; they will also experiment with cutting-edge strategies that can contribute to the design of healthy living environments and public buildings.

To investigate the relationship between occupant needs and design, this seminar will apply Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) as a key methodology. POE is a process for systematically gathering and analysing feedback from building users to assess how well a space meets their needs. By understanding users' behaviors, preferences, and needs, students will develop adaptive strategies on public buildings in use, deeply informed by real-world conditions, making reuse interventions more precise and impactful.

The course will consist of lectures and conversations with invited guests, who will introduce the students to a multiplicity of approaches. Students will react to those inputs by applying their design strategy to a concrete case study: a small-scale project of adaptive reuse.