Why Reinvest in Existing Buildings?

As climate resilience becomes a pressing concern, more people recognize that the greenest building is the one already standing. Institutions are turning to sustainable renovations to reduce the environmental impact of new construction and enhance user health and wellness. Beyond sustainability, renovations are often more feasible and cost-effective.

We employ diverse strategies—renovation, preservation, adaptive reuse, expansion, and even tactical demolition and circular construction—to help clients achieve their missions. With a growing demand for preservation across sectors, we redefine what it means for each unique institution. Our extensive experience in renovation projects gives us deep insights into current trends and effective strategies in restorative architecture.

Brooklyn Museum new Entry Pavilion and Park

Sustainability

Opting for renovation or adaptive reuse over new construction is inherently sustainable, avoiding the unnecessary environmental impact of demolishing sound buildings and constructing new ones.

We assess current conditions to identify where retrofitting can reduce carbon emissions and leverage existing infrastructure to enhance user health, improve building performance, and withstand extreme climate events. Preservation is not only a sustainable act but also a way to celebrate a place’s history, connecting past and present.

CASE STUDY:  The Cohen Community Food Rescue Center for City Harvest. An existing turn-of-the-century wood-framed warehouse is renovated for City Harvest, the world’s first and largest food rescue organization.

Strategies for Reinvesting in Existing Buildings

Ennead recognizes that renovating a building requires a fundamentally different approach than designing a new one. Working with the unique characteristics of existing structures, especially historic buildings with outdated construction methods, demands simultaneous attention to both broad strategic considerations and specific details. Our design process involves maintaining a wide-angle view while also delving deeply into the intricacies of the project.

Early-stage efforts such as analyzing program requirements and developing stacking diagrams are complemented by a focus on understanding minute details that reveal the challenges and limitations of the existing building. We employ various techniques, including extensive probing and non-destructive evaluation, alongside thorough examination of historic documentation such as original drawings and photo archives. These methods enable us to mitigate risks, ensure project feasibility, and deliver architecture that respects the building’s heritage while meeting contemporary standards.

This comprehensive approach not only mitigates project risks in terms of budget and timeline but also ensures the delivery of thoughtful and innovative architecture that respects the building’s heritage while meeting contemporary needs.

Can existing buildings meet new, specific needs? What are the trade-offs between renovating and building new? We help clients strategize the most sustainable and effective paths forward, considering community needs, institutional vision, and historical context from the outset.

We support institutions with fundraising, master planning, phased construction, and feasibility studies to ensure long-term goals are met. Our approach anticipates challenges and adapts to changes in technology and funding, ensuring each project phase reinforces the overall vision.

CASE STUDY: Ongoing Renovations at New York University

Adapting to New Physical Requirements and Changing Regulations

New government building codes and institutional climate commitments are driving our clients to adapt their existing buildings. We view these regulatory changes as opportunities to integrate new communities, technologies, and ideas within existing structures.

Institutions and businesses are embracing Climate Action Plans and ESG Reporting to guide decisions. For instance, New York City’s Local Law 97 aims for carbon neutrality by 2050, spurring retrofitting efforts across the country to reduce building emissions.

Ennead’s experience with historic landmarks underscores our approach to navigating civic, cultural, and commercial projects through community engagement and regulatory processes. We excel in negotiating city-specific architectural politics, securing public approvals, and fostering community.