Historic buildings and structures with hip new uses are becoming increasingly popular for a variety of reasons relating to sustainability, financial feasibility and preservation of historic buildings and districts. Here’s a preservation brief and resource links designed to start you on your way!
ADAPTIVELY REUSING HISTORIC BUILDINGS
Secretary of Interior Standard: Rehabilitation
Nuuanu Residence by Mason Architects. (Photo credit: Mason Architects)
What is Adaptive Reuse?
Adaptive reuse is the process of adapting old structures for purposes other than those initially intended. This preservation technique allows for new or contemporary uses in a historic structure while preserving the characteristics of the building that make it historic.
When is Adaptive Reuse a Good Option to Pursue?
While many historic properties can and do continue to be used as originally built, many have outlived their original purpose. By finding new uses that can be accommodated in existing buildings, new vibrancy and capital investment can be achieved. Examples of adaptive reuse could include changing industrial or commercial buildings to housing or lofts (such as the Royal Brewery in Kaka‘ako), finding commercial uses for residential buildings (such as Waimea Plantation Resorts on Kaua‘i), or adding a civic function to a formerly private facility (such as the State Art Museum in the former YMCA in the Capital District).
Implementing Adaptive Re-Use
Ensuring retention of historic integrity while pursuing adaptive re-use starts with understanding and following the Secretary of Interior Standards for Treatment of Historic Properties: Rehabilitation. The Standards for Rehabilitation consist of 10 principles to follow accompanied by guidelines explaining how the standards can be accomplished. As stated in the definition, the treatment “rehabilitation” assumes that at least some repair or alteration of the historic building will be needed in order to provide for an efficient contemporary use; however, these repairs and alterations must not damage or destroy materials, features or finishes that are important in defining the building’s historic character.
Resources and More Information
Secretary of Interior Standards: Rehabilitation
http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/tps/standguide/rehab/rehab_index.htm
Check out Historic Hawai‘i Foundation’s Resource Center for more information! https://historichawaii.org/resource-center-2/
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Historic Hawaii Foundation 1974~2014 ~ Celebrating 40 years of preservation in Hawaii!
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