Chapter 07 · Materials & footprintsCircular Economy & Materials
Adaptive reuse
Definition
The practice of repurposing an existing building or structure for a use different from its original one, rather than demolishing and rebuilding. It conserves heritage and materials, reduces construction and demolition waste, and avoids a substantial share of the embodied carbon associated with new-build construction.
References
Definition; demolition waste and embodied carbon benefits; High Line example; 42% built-environment emissions figure; 38% office-conversion share (RentCafe).
Adaptive reuse as circular-economy strategy for heritage; Ellen MacArthur Foundation frameworks; life-extension rationale.
Overview
What it means
Adaptive reuse extends the life of built assets — a circular-economy strategy for the built environment, which accounts for roughly 42% of global carbon emissions (Autodesk estimate).
Projects range from industrial buildings converted to housing or offices (the High Line in Manhattan, a former elevated rail line turned public park, is a well-known example) to office-to-residential conversions, which make up 38% of US adaptive reuse residential projects.
How it is used
Developers and cities use adaptive reuse to meet housing and regeneration goals while cutting waste; the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's circular-economy frameworks for cities prioritise repurposing existing buildings over demolition. Digital tools such as building information modelling (BIM) support planning and design of conversions.
Why it matters
New construction carries heavy upfront ("embodied") carbon costs that cannot be retroactively avoided; reusing structures keeps that carbon invested. Adaptive reuse also preserves cultural heritage and revitalises communities, though conversions can face structural, regulatory and cost barriers.