The construction industry is increasingly turning to adaptive reuse to minimise its environmental impact, breathing new life into outdated and disused buildings. The premise is simple: why tear down and start from scratch when we can transform existing structures to meet contemporary needs while minimising carbon emissions? We sat down with David Kennedy, one of our Principal Engineers at Robert Bird Group’s Adelaide office, for an expert’s insight into the advantages and challenges of adaptive reuse.

“Robert Bird Group has a speciality in construction and engineering and heritage in temporary works engineering, including construction sequence analysis and early feasibility studies based on constructability. This approach combined with digital engineering and Virtual Design and Construction means we can test adaptive reuse scenarios and identify more commercially viable methods based on constructability.” – David Kennedy

Key Considerations

When approaching an adaptive reuse project, engineers need to make the shift from conventional design thinking to a less conventional approach in order to evaluate a building’s structural potential.

You might imagine that retrofitting is a more straightforward task than constructing from the ground up, but that’s not necessarily the case. The truth is engineers take an even more meticulous approach than they would when designing a new building. For adaptive reuse projects, engineers need to conduct an in-depth analysis of the building’s as-constructed condition and its embedded capacity.

“A different mindset is required when dealing with adaptive reuse compared to designing a new building from scratch. The focus really needs to be on understanding the as-constructed capacity of the building, not necessarily the theoretical capacity that might be described in the drawings.”  – David Kennedy

Sustainability

In an industry making positive strides towards low-carbon solutions like green steel and sustainable concrete, the concept of reusing what’s already built goes even further. Each building contains the carbon footprint of the materials and processes that created it. By adapting rather than demolishing, engineers conserve the significant CO₂ that would otherwise be released when creating a new building.

This forward-thinking approach aligns with broader industry efforts to cut carbon emissions and reduce waste. The material savings, combined with a reduced need for new resources, make adaptive reuse one of the most environmentally responsible choices in the construction industry. This strategy is particularly powerful in dense urban environments, where space is scarce and the pressure to reduce emissions is greatest.

“I think the adaptive reuse approach can make a significant contribution to sustainability, reducing the demand on the environment in terms of materials and the CO₂ associated with their assembly and construction.” – David Kennedy

Challenges

Retrofitting existing structures presents a unique set of challenges. Often, original construction records are incomplete or inaccurate, requiring engineers to carry out extensive investigations. Techniques like non-invasive 3D scanning, structural testing, and ground-penetrating radar are frequently used to map out a building’s unseen elements. This allows engineers to identify potential weak spots, enabling them to work within the limits of the structure while ensuring safety and longevity.

Beyond the technical, regulatory challenges can also be a hurdle. Meeting modern building codes, particularly in terms of fire safety and energy performance, adds further complexity to adaptive reuse projects. Yet, these constraints often drive creativity, pushing engineers to come up with solutions that maintain the historic and aesthetic value of a building while bringing it in line with today’s stringent standards.

“There are many challenges outside of the world of structural engineering that we need to recognise and understand when approaching a retrofit project: regulations, codes, planning conditions, fire engineering, and probably the most fundamental of all is the commercial settings. Is the investment in retrofitting an older building justifiable by future returns?” – David Kennedy

Battersea Power Station

London’s iconic Battersea Power Station exemplifies the potential of adaptive reuse. Robert Bird Group is proud to have played a key role in this award-winning project, accurately mapping the structure and the standard materials, measuring the capacity, and modelling the loads, so that the existing structure could be efficiently and cost-effectively reused.

Decommissioned and empty for almost 40 years, the former coal-fired power station has been brilliantly reimagined as a mixed-use development combining residential, commercial, and public spaces. The careful preservation of its historic façade and the seamless integration of modern amenities are a prime example of what can be achieved through adaptive reuse and, crucially, a great success in terms of sustainability.

“One can only imagine the amount of embedded carbon in a structure of that size. Had the building been demolished, the community would not only have lost a building with significant architectural and historical interest but also a building with significant embodied energy.” – David Kennedy

The Future of Adaptive Reuse

Looking ahead, there are several emerging trends that could make adaptive reuse even more prevalent. Innovations like cross-laminated timber (CLT) and Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) offer lighter, more flexible construction materials that reduce the load on existing structures while enabling faster retrofits. Additionally, the rise of digital tools like Building Information Modelling (BIM) allows engineers to simulate potential adaptations, providing clients with a clear picture of the outcomes before work even begins.

As the world increasingly prioritises sustainability, new regulations may further incentivise adaptive reuse. Whether through carbon taxes or stricter environmental standards, the industry could see a growing focus on preserving embodied energy, pushing adaptive reuse into the mainstream.

“The trend of mandatory reporting for large organisations is likely to lead to an increased recognition and potentially taxing of embodied energy in existing structures, and this will further motivate asset owners and investors to more seriously consider adaptive reuse projects.” – David Kennedy