An exhibition titled Adaptive Architecture, Building Upon the Existing is about to open at the Deutsches Architekturmuseum. The transformation, adjustment and reuse of existing buildings is a topic that often appears in front of people in the history of architectural development. Whether in the west or in the east, "adaptive architecture" or "renewal of old buildings" has become the work direction and feature of many architects. Last year, this magazine introduced the concept of architectural "metabolism" extracted by Chinese architect Zhang Ke in his work, as well as the "Miscellaneous Courtyard" project that embodies this concept and has won many architectural awards. On the occasion of the upcoming opening of the new exhibition of the German Architecture Museum, let's talk about the recent new practice of "adaptive architecture". These new architectural practices may provide a reference for another development path for the city at the current stage.

The original Adams-Millis knitting factory project transformed by architect Louis Cherry, the original L-shaped building has become the current "7 Factory" creative space

An important concept of "adaptive architecture" is "sustainable architecture". Utilize the structure and space of the existing building, update its use function according to the needs of the city or community development, and adapt the building accordingly, so that the original building can be continuously used, and on the basis of retaining the historical memory of the community Activate new development opportunities. In this way, urban architecture can meet emerging new demands with more economical, practical and efficient strategies. The architects' flexible intervention in the existing buildings can not only preserve the historical memory of the community space structure, but also enable the old buildings to be integrated into the new development era.

The Adams Millis Hosiery Mill in High Point, North Carolina is an industrial building with a history of more than 100 years. The building was constructed with a massive volume, a cast-concrete structure and two-foot-wide columns, with a uniquely shaped roof and square ceiling. The local textile industry has long since died, and the huge factory has been remodeled over the past few decades to suit different needs. After a building renovation by architect Louis Cherry, the huge knitting factory has become Congdon Yards, which provides exhibition and work spaces for furniture companies. During the renovation process, Cherry found that the two L-shaped buildings in the abandoned factory were not aligned with each other. So he envisioned "cutting a big hole in the middle and letting them join together to create a very striking cascading atrium". Now, a steel staircase that wraps around the elevator connects each floor to become a "Plant Seven" with large furniture workspaces and community spaces. Another brick factory building was transformed into multiple event spaces and restaurants. In this way, an industrial park that also functions as a community node becomes an infrastructure suitable for today's economic activities and community life.

The original Adams-Millis knitting factory project transformed by architect Luis Cherry, the knitting factory building has become a Condon workshop that provides exhibition and work space for furniture companies

"Adaptive architecture" has another layer of concept, which is the "self-evolution" of architecture. Species evolve to adapt to changing environments. The "evolution" of architecture also has a similar meaning, through adaptive transformation in the evolution of cities, communities and other fields to meet new space requirements and norms. This approach to renewal and reuse, which avoids the expense associated with demolition and new construction, is itself a solution to an urgent need. In the face of social changes and new demands, as well as the evolution of technology and lifestyles, whether the adaptive way of architecture can become an important quality to improve the service life and efficiency of buildings can also be answered through architectural practice.

Chinese architect Xu Tiantian and DnA Architects in the construction project Jinyun Shidang

Chinese architect Xu Tiantian and DnA Architects used an abandoned quarry in Jinyun, Zhejiang Province to provide a new functional community space for the local area in the construction project Jinyun Shidang. On the one hand, there is the historical heritage of the quarrying industry that has lasted for thousands of years, and on the other hand, it is the real needs of rural revitalization and environmental improvement. How to deal with the relationship between the two is the main consideration faced by the construction project team. The thousand-year-old quarry has lost its original function today and needs to be activated through the evolution of architecture. Xu Tiantian and her team have given new functions to nine local quarries located in the valleys of Xiandu Scenic Area, in order to achieve the purpose of promoting the development of local rural areas, and at the same time focus on ecological improvement to create a place for local residents and tourists. used social and cultural places. The quarry transformed by the team of DnA Architects has become part of the public infrastructure, placing the thousand-year-old quarrying context and local folk cultural heritage in a new context.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the lives of residents in some developing countries have been significantly affected. People are forced to work from home, and features such as ventilation and lighting in residential buildings, and comfort to adapt to the workplace are being called for more. A number of architectural designers in Mexico are adapting their homes for ordinary people during the COVID-19 pandemic, so that the buildings fit into the new life and become the spatial solutions of the current period. For example, two architects Pavel Escobedo and Andrés Soliz, for a family living in the prestigious CUPA (Centro Urbano Presidente Aleman) residential community in Mexico City, Remodeled the house. This large-scale community was an experimental plan for a residential community in 1947 by the Mexican architect Mario Pani based on Le Corbusier's urban planning ideas and architectural principles, in response to the growing population of Mexico City at that time. Urban housing needs. In this remodeled two-story 55-square-meter living space, which originally had no room dividers, it accommodated three beds, as well as a TV, sofa, enclosed bathroom and laundry room, as well as their bicycles and storage for clothes and other belongings of many boxes. To address the lack of privacy, storage, and aging floors, walls, windows and doors, architects embarked on adaptive building renovations.

Pavel Escobedo and Andrés Soliz remodeled a home for a family living in Mexico City's prestigious CUPA residential community

The original wooden staircase was designed to be shorter, increasing the area that can be practically used. They designed a new kitchen and placed a laundry room and bike storage behind the new kitchen. On the lower level, the area under the stairs where bicycles are stored has been transformed into a place to watch TV. The two architects reconfigured the spatial arrangement through a large wooden structure with storage cabinets in order to solve the problem of privacy and lack of storage space between the bedrooms. In this way, the locker becomes a divider between the bedroom space, the TV room and the cloakroom. Other arrangements are more restored to the furniture configuration when the building was completed in 1947, in order to respect the original appearance of the historical site.

In adaptive architecture, architects work more like guiding and intervening, helping existing buildings grow to suit current developments and needs. At the same time, the architects also brought new opportunities for the continuation of the life of these old buildings, and also made it possible for people to establish a connection with the social memory of the past through the deep interaction with the old buildings.

Article Source:艺术与设计

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