Building Design: Improving Commercial Spaces (Library of Applied Design)

This book covers the entire spectrum of renovation, re-use and adaption in the commercial property market. Starting from the premise that older can be better, it explores the methods, techniques and challenges involved in reconstruction and looks at ways of recapturing the charm of older buildings. Reconstruction of buildings offers infinite possibilities for new uses. Depending on the creativity of the architect and the budget of the developer, reconstruction can update the image of a humdrum office building or rescue a crumbling hulk from demolition and transfer it into an aesthetically significant landmark. It can also reclaim the elusive glory of an historic structure or create an entertainment and shopping arena with the envelope of an old factory. The chapters are broken out by building type as follows: office, retail, institutional, industrial, historic preservation, adaptive re-use.