Renovation and adaptive reuse of vernacular architecture

The concept of adaptive reuse architecture refers to the practise of renovating, repurposing, or converting existing buildings for a new contemporary use, thus allowing the building to extend its lifespan. This approach contrasts with demolishing old structures to build new ones, thereby contributing to the conservation and enhancement of the environmental, historical, social, and cultural values of the building and its context. Although the processes of renovation and adaptive use of architecture have always been part of the practice of architects, contemporary demands for a more sustainable management of resources and a reduction of environmental impacts impose a renewed awareness of these issues. In this article, strategies and criteria that should be pursued in order to effectively incorporate sustainability principles into the renovation and adaptive use of vernacular buildings are presented