Building Evaluation for Adaptive Reuse and Preservation

Professional guide to evaluating the structural and material integrity of buildings and the financial viability of adaptive use and preservation projects

This book is designed for architects and engineers who need to evaluate existing buildings for a new use or for continuing a current use. It details each step of the evaluation process using an easy-to-follow and easy-to-implement approach that greatly reduces the possibility of unexpected costs and setbacks. Moreover, the book covers every part of the building itself, from interior and exterior structures to systems and materials.

This book begins with an overview of architectural character and the identification of character-defining elements from the colonial period to modern architecture. Next, the authors offer you a step-by-step guide to the evaluation process, covering:
Comprehensive survey of existing conditions
Electrical and mechanical systems
Plumbing, bathrooms, accessibility, and fire systems
Sustainability
Pro forma analysis, including constructing an Excel spreadsheet
Testing structures, materials, and systems

Illustrations throughout the book help you visualize and perform key procedures. In addition, the authors examine building evaluation issues for structures of different scales, such as medium and small commercial structures and residential buildings.

Most important, the authors help you assess the financial viability of a proposed adaptive reuse or preservation project, helping you and potential investors decide whether the proposed project offers a desired return on investment.