Masonry Buildings: How to Successfully Navigate Adaptive Reuse in Historic Industrial Buildings

Brief

Discover the key to balancing modern requirements with historical preservation in adaptive reuse projects, highlighting their environmental and cultural significance.

Insight

The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw the rise of industrial buildings with mass wall construction, designed to manage moisture both inside and out, ensuring the structural integrity of the masonry. In recent decades, these buildings have been repurposed for commercial and residential uses, posing unique challenges such as moisture management, insulation installation without cavities, and air sealing in mass masonry constructions.

Adaptive reuse of these historic structures is gaining popularity due to their proximity to infrastructure, cultural significance, and environmental benefits compared to new constructions. However, repurposing requires careful consideration of the original design intended for different environmental conditions. Advantages include cost savings, potential historic tax credits, shorter construction times, and preservation of embodied carbon and energy.

Challenges in adaptive reuse involve unforeseen issues during construction, the need for skilled labor in restoration masonry, and the high cost of materials that preserve historic integrity. Understanding the building’s interaction with moisture is crucial, as is compliance with modern energy codes, often necessitating added insulation. The choice between exterior and interior insulation depends on preserving the building’s historic appearance and character.

Adaptive reuse must balance the historic character with interior conditioning and exterior improvements to avoid moisture-related issues. Awareness of the International Existing Building Code (IEBC) and its local adaptations is essential for successful project completion. Overall, adaptive reuse of historic industrial buildings contributes to retaining the community’s cultural heritage and environmental sustainability.

Highlight

In recent decades, these buildings have been repurposed for commercial and residential uses, posing unique challenges such as moisture management, insulation installation without cavities, and air sealing in mass masonry constructions.
Advantages include cost savings, potential historic tax credits, shorter construction times, and preservation of embodied carbon and energy.
Challenges in adaptive reuse involve unforeseen issues during construction, the need for skilled labor in restoration masonry, and the high cost of materials that preserve historic integrity.