MSP VISIONS

ADAPTIVE REUSE: MAKING VIABLE TRANSFORMATIONS	Spring 2010

What is Adaptive Reuse?
When the usefulness of a commercial or retail building has run its course, and it’s no longer viable or able to sustain itself, the community is often left with an eyesore. Sometimes, the best solution is to find a new, vital use for the building, transforming it from a blight to the
community into a building that serves the community.

There are various options for turning an ineffective property into a useful one. One option is for a municipality to purchase the property, and turn
it into a community services facility. Nearby institutions, such as colleges or universities, can also utilize unused property to expand their campuses. Or, as is often the case in downtown areas, a developer can often use unused property for a new residential project.

Adaptive re-use is sustainable design solution. By reusing as much
of an existing structure or site as possible, adaptive reuse saves
energy, resources, time, and money. If a project is pursuing LEED®
certification, utilizing adaptive re-use can help a project achieve LEED® points.

The Butler County Educational Services Center and Center for Family Solutions
A successful example of an adaptive reuse project is the Butler County Educational Services Center/Center for Family Solutions project. The Educational Services Center (ESC) provides numerous programs for the school districts of Butler County. The Center for Family Solutions was created to serve the abused children of Butler County, and upon completion will provide comprehensive services to respond to, treat, and prevent child abuse.

The project began when the ESC purchased a vacant 44,000 SF former Kroger building. When the project is completed in fall 2010, 33,000 SF of the building will house the ESC’s new offices, while the remaining 11,000 SF of space will be leased to the Center for Family Solutions.

Randal Merrill, AIA, LEED AP, MSP’s Vice President of Architecture and Principle in Charge for these projects, recalls how adaptive reuse provided the mechanism for the project to become a reality.
“By combining their efforts and utilizing adaptive reuse, both groups were able to obtain new facilities that would allow them to provide their services to the community. Through creative design, we were able to provide for all of their program needs. To complete the project, we created a new look for the building that included a “child -friendly” entrance for the Center for Family Solutions, a key component in helping to make children feel welcomed and comfortable.”

The West Chester Safety & Services Center
Another terrific example of a successful adaptive reuse project is West Chester’s Safety & Services Center. When West Chester purchased a former Auto Nation Reconditioning Center, it was a 185,000 SF industrial facility serving no purpose to the community. After a phased renovation and the reolocating of a variety of community service departments into the new facility, the building now serves as a community asset for West Chester.

MSP worked with the Township in programming the needs of each of their various departments. The renovation work was effectively phased over a two year period, so that each department or area was constructed with sensitivity to the operation of the others. Multiple entrances were created to allow public access to specific areas, while allowing for secured access.

If you are interested in a potential adaptive re-use project, or would like more information, please contact Randal Merrill, AIA, LEED AP, MSP’s Vice President of Architecture, at 513-759-0004, or at rmerrill@mcgillsmithpunshon.com

Links:
Adaptivereuse.net
http://adaptivereuse.net

Architect Magazine - Adaptive Reuse
http://www.architectmagazine.com/find-articles.aspx?subjects=Adaptive%20Reuse

Open Architecture Network - Adaptive Reuse
http://openarchitecturenetwork.org/taxonomy/term/141