March 4, 2025 • Ella Krygiel, BOMA International
As the world of architecture evolves, two trends are taking center stage: adaptive reuse and community-centric design. Both approaches emphasize sustainability, resilience and a deep commitment to creating spaces that not only serve a functional purpose but also connect people to their environment.
In adaptive reuse, buildings—especially historical or culturally significant ones—are repurposed for new uses, retaining their architectural integrity while adapting to modern needs. Meanwhile, community-centric designs prioritize inclusivity and social interaction, fostering spaces where residents feel a sense of ownership and engagement. To delve deeper into these trends, we spoke with Anica Landreneau, Director of Sustainable Design at HOK, and Trina Sandschafer, AIA, Vice President and Managing Director at Project Management Advisors, Inc., who shared their insights on how these strategies are reshaping urban landscapes. Read below to learn more about Landreneau and Sandschafer’s thoughts:
1. Adaptive Reuse: A Sustainable Solution for Modern Cities
According to Parametric Architecture, adaptive reuse is the process of taking a particular building—in many cases a historical or cultural building—and repurposing its design to fulfill a function different from the one it was originally built to meet. For example, repurposing a church to a library, an old factory to commercial rental mixed-use floor space, or an outdated railway station into a cultural center. Adaptive reuse retains the essence of the building in its structural integrity and design, yet subtly changes it for some new purpose. Sandschafer notes how adaptive reuse is particularly beneficial in cities like Chicago, where old industrial buildings and public spaces are being creatively reimagined. “Adaptive reuse is a major tool in the evolution of our urban environment,” Sandschafer says. “It allows cities to rethink and repurpose buildings, key corridors and neighborhoods. In Chicago, we are seeing a shift toward former gathering spaces, such as churches, theaters, and public buildings being reimagined as alternate uses. There are large industrial buildings being completely transformed. One example she shares is The Salt Shed, a former industrial facility that has been transformed into a concert venue, breathing new life into Chicago’s waterfront. The Salt Shed is a recent success story, a former industrial facility turned a concert venue that is now a major destination, drawing in local and regional visitors and generating economic activity.”
Meanwhile, Landreneau discusses how adaptive reuse projects are being driven by new building legislation and efforts to reduce embodied carbon emissions. Landreneau highlights how codes like CalGReen now reward projects that reuse existing buildings, making adaptive reuse an even more attractive option for developers and cities alike. “We’re seeing a lot more interest in adaptive reuse and deep green retrofits being driven by changes in building legislation, such as Building Performance Standards, that have been adopted in numerous states, cities, and other localities. We also see the desire to avoid embodied carbon emissions being integrated into codes, such as CalGReen, which gives credit for existing building reuse.”
2. Designing for Resilience and Community Engagement
While adaptive reuse focuses on reimagining existing spaces, community-centric design emphasizes creating places that are inclusive, accessible and resilient. According to Rethinking the Future, community-centric designs are the wave of the future. The article highlights how things like public spaces, walkability and connected areas are significant for encouraging social interaction, getting people involved and helping everyone feel connected. It also points out that involving locals in the design process is key for boosting well-being and giving them a sense of ownership, which in turn strengthens social bonds and resilience. Landreneau stresses how community-driven design goes hand in hand with adaptive reuse in urban projects. She points to the Cortex Innovation Community in St. Louis, where legacy industrial buildings have been transformed into a hub for research and innovation, all while fostering a strong sense of community. The integration of outdoor spaces, green infrastructure and wellness initiatives are central to these types of developments. “We see a thoughtful integration of new and old buildings being incorporated into new community hubs or gathering places,” Landreneau says. “These projects invigorate underutilized parts of our cities, and are often in town or near town, with existing access to key infrastructure.”
Sandschafer echoes the importance of community engagement in her experience with the ASPIRE Center in Chicago. Located in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood, this mixed-use development integrates vocational training, community resources, and flexible public spaces, designed with input from local organizations to meet the specific needs of the residents. “Community-centric design is shaping development in Chicago and throughout the Midwest by focusing on and prioritizing the daily needs of users,” Sandschafer says. “Successful projects in this space recognize the community as the end user and start with early and frequent community engagement to ensure the project aligns with current and future needs.”
3. Recent Projects: Bringing Adaptive Reuse and Community-Centric Design to Life
Both Landreneau and Sandschafer have worked on projects that exemplify the power of adaptive reuse and community-centric design. These projects show how repurposing old buildings can contribute to a more sustainable and connected future. Landreneau highlights several recent projects where adaptive reuse has played a central role in revitalizing communities. For instance, the Missouri Foundation for Health project not only reimagines an old building but also serves as a catalyst for neighborhood revitalization. “Adaptive reuse projects often play a role as the catalyst for revitalizing an underutilized area,” Landreneau says. “They pay homage to the past, but provide a bridge to the future. The character and patina of these buildings refashioned for modern purpose highlight how authenticity and sustainability can be magnets for people and drivers for community redevelopment.”
Sandschafer also points to projects like 1K Fulton in Chicago’s Fulton Market, where adaptive reuse has played a key role in transforming the area into a vibrant hub for work, live and play. The Palmolive Building conversion from office to residential is another great example, blending historical preservation with modern needs to create highly desirable living spaces. “In addition to the ASPIRE Center, there are many other projects in Chicago that show the power of adaptive reuse to transform neighborhoods,” Sandschafer says. “Looking back at some of the catalyst projects in Fulton Market, the adaptive reuse of 1K Fulton was influential in future growth. That project, and other early projects, set the stage for redefining a thriving neighborhood.”
Ultimately, adaptive reuse and community-centric design play vital roles in shaping sustainable urban environments that honor historical contexts while fostering community engagement. For further insights on the reuse mindset, check out the latest episode of the Design the Future Podcast, where Landreneau speaks with Lindsay Baker, Podcast Co-Host, Design the Future Podcast, to interview Shannon Goodman, Executive Director of the Lifecycle Building Center in Atlanta, to discuss how redirecting materials from landfills can create meaningful societal impact.
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