The cool thing about architecture is that what you see isn’t always what you get. That bank over there? It’s actually a coffee shop. That old cement factory? Now it’s full of office workers. And those swimmers and skaters heading to those churches over there aren’t really going to mass. Welcome to the wonderful world of adaptive reuse!
Our team at Bored Panda has collected some of the most creative and impressive photos of buildings being repurposed for something entirely different. It’s probably not something the original architects intended, but it sure works. Scroll down for some awesome pics and a huge dose of inspiration.
We wanted to learn more about the advantages of repurposing buildings, so we reached out to designer Danish Kurani, the founder of the design firm ‘Kurani.’ He was kind enough to shed some light on the topic and even shared some examples of his work focusing on adaptive reuse.
An Old Bank Is Now A Bookstore In Bucharest, Romania
Bored Panda asked designer Kurani about some of the main upsides of adaptive reuse. “Repurposing buildings offers several advantages. First, it’s environmentally friendly. Construction accounts for about 11% of global carbon emissions, so renovating existing structures instead of building new ones reduces our carbon footprint. It requires less energy, fewer materials, and produces less waste,” explained the founder of ‘Kurani,’ a social impact-driven design firm that creates educational, cultural, and community spaces.
Moreover, repurposing buildings and structures is a more efficient way to use space, according to Kurani. “In society, we often underutilize existing buildings: our homes are empty while we’re at work, and our offices are empty when we’re home. Repurposing buildings maximizes the potential of our most underutilized structures.”
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Furthermore, there’s the potential to revitalize neighborhoods. “Adapting an old building can transform an unattractive area into a vibrant, useful place for the community,” Kurani said.
Sharing a couple of great examples of his work with Bored Panda, Kurani said, “I’m a big believer in reusing buildings, and recently built a learning lab for children in a retail storefront and transformed a former industrial warehouse into a rehabilitation center for incarcerated men.”
German Restaurant Repurposed Giant Wine Barrels Into “Eating Pods”
Community College Turned A Former Mall Into A Campus
London Church Converted Into A Swimming Pool
