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A novel method for early-stage evaluation of adaptive reuse potential through functional division matching

Iarkov, Ilia LU orcid ; Janson, Ulla LU and Henriks, Tobias (2025) Circularity in the Built Environment
Abstract
The building sector accounts for a significant portion of global final energy use and greenhouse
gas emissions, demonstrating the need to find low-carbon alternatives to new construction.
Adaptive reuse offers a sustainable alternative to new construction, yet early-stage assessments
of reuse potential often rely on surface-level metrics, failing to consider a building's internal
spatial logic. This paper presents a novel method for evaluating adaptive reuse potential by
comparing functional divisions – operationally linked clusters of rooms – across existing and
proposed building functions. The method was developed in close collaboration with industry
stakeholders to ensure practical relevance and applicability... (More)
The building sector accounts for a significant portion of global final energy use and greenhouse
gas emissions, demonstrating the need to find low-carbon alternatives to new construction.
Adaptive reuse offers a sustainable alternative to new construction, yet early-stage assessments
of reuse potential often rely on surface-level metrics, failing to consider a building's internal
spatial logic. This paper presents a novel method for evaluating adaptive reuse potential by
comparing functional divisions – operationally linked clusters of rooms – across existing and
proposed building functions. The method was developed in close collaboration with industry
stakeholders to ensure practical relevance and applicability in real project contexts. It proceeds
through four steps: comparing spatial requirements, identifying adjacency relationships,
grouping rooms into functional divisions, and comparing these across programmes. It enables
structured, early-stage screening of spatial compatibility before design development. The
method was tested through a workshop on the potential conversion of a pre-school to an elderly
care facility. The case demonstrated how spatial mismatches and economic infeasibility, such
as insufficient living units for operational viability, can be identified early, avoiding costly
redesigns. The method also supports reversible planning by highlighting flexible spatial nodes
and fostering long-term adaptability. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; and
organization
publishing date
type
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
publication status
published
subject
host publication
Circularity in the Built Environment : Proceedings of the 2025 conference held in Tampere, Finland, September 16–18 2025 - Proceedings of the 2025 conference held in Tampere, Finland, September 16–18 2025
editor
Huuhka, Satu
publisher
University of Tampere, Finland
conference name
Circularity in the Built Environment
conference location
Tampere, Finland
conference dates
2025-09-16 - 2025-09-18
ISBN
978-952-03-4087-2
DOI
10.5281/zenodo.17398143
project
ASSURE - Adaptation of urban Space through SUstainable REgeneration
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
25352831-0e76-4a30-b994-e2738c4112d7
date added to LUP
2025-10-22 15:36:09
date last changed
2025-10-25 03:39:38
@inproceedings{25352831-0e76-4a30-b994-e2738c4112d7,
  abstract     = {{The building sector accounts for a significant portion of global final energy use and greenhouse<br/>gas emissions, demonstrating the need to find low-carbon alternatives to new construction.<br/>Adaptive reuse offers a sustainable alternative to new construction, yet early-stage assessments<br/>of reuse potential often rely on surface-level metrics, failing to consider a building's internal<br/>spatial logic. This paper presents a novel method for evaluating adaptive reuse potential by<br/>comparing functional divisions – operationally linked clusters of rooms – across existing and<br/>proposed building functions. The method was developed in close collaboration with industry<br/>stakeholders to ensure practical relevance and applicability in real project contexts. It proceeds<br/>through four steps: comparing spatial requirements, identifying adjacency relationships,<br/>grouping rooms into functional divisions, and comparing these across programmes. It enables<br/>structured, early-stage screening of spatial compatibility before design development. The<br/>method was tested through a workshop on the potential conversion of a pre-school to an elderly<br/>care facility. The case demonstrated how spatial mismatches and economic infeasibility, such<br/>as insufficient living units for operational viability, can be identified early, avoiding costly<br/>redesigns. The method also supports reversible planning by highlighting flexible spatial nodes<br/>and fostering long-term adaptability.}},
  author       = {{Iarkov, Ilia and Janson, Ulla and Henriks, Tobias}},
  booktitle    = {{Circularity in the Built Environment : Proceedings of the 2025 conference held in Tampere, Finland, September 16–18 2025}},
  editor       = {{Huuhka, Satu}},
  isbn         = {{978-952-03-4087-2}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{10}},
  publisher    = {{University of Tampere, Finland}},
  title        = {{A novel method for early-stage evaluation of adaptive reuse potential through functional division matching}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17398143}},
  doi          = {{10.5281/zenodo.17398143}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}