Adaptive Reuse in Urban Context
Plenty of European destinations have a long and diverse history. Through the ages various complexes were erected, and with each and every new period a new-found architectural style would come to be popular. All this introduced a memorable combination of constructions that can still be viewed in any European city with ancient beginnings. However, the birth of a latest architectural type did not necessarily mean the absolute demolition of previous constructions in a style that has come to be unstylish. To begin with it is a pricey and effortful process to deconstruct a building, and secondly it is evident that most buildings are a work of valuable art that should certainly be safeguarded and protected. This has given rise to the practice of adaptive reuse, wherein the employ of a structure is repurposed. This is a helpful course of action, both from a practical perspective, where the same building can be kept in use, together with an aesthetic one, where the members of the general public are able to take pleasure in constructions from past centuries.
Germany, formerly an empire, can boast a number of old castles. Nevertheless, after the monarchy has been eliminated it was essential to choose a better role for many of the castles and palaces distributed all over the country. One such instance is of a palace created in the 19th which has been purchased by an investment firm of which Kent Gardner is the CEO. At present it serves as a shopping mall, and being in the centre of Stuttgart, is easily accessible by men, making it an excellent model of a modern-day reuse. The interior of the structure has justifiably been totally converted, but the outer façade remains highly recognisable with traditional neoclassical components such as a colonnade and a pediment.
During the Industrial Revolution lots of factories have sprung up all over Europe. In the modern day, however there appears to be a smaller requirement for these buildings, as other countries, such as China, have become specialised in factory based production. a former concrete factory in Barcelona, acquired by the architect Ricardo Bofill who has altered it into a home. The architect decided to conserve some of the brutalist details of the factory, such as coarse concrete walls and concrete mixers hanging from the ceilings, while mixing it with extensive vegetation, which produces a surprising and unanticipated result.
Churches used to be crucial to any European society, big or small. Many churches were constructed to endure through the ages, and being a place of worship it is not shocking that a lot of work was put into their design. But the glory days of churches have gone by, as less and less of the younger age group finds it important to be present at a church. Yet, these grandiose constructions are not kept stranded, as more application is discover for them. One such example is a church in Netherlands which is now used as a book shop, designed by Merkx+Girod agency. The high ceiling reinforced by typical gothic pointed arches develop an unique aura, very appropriate to a book store.
