Rethinking Adaptive Reuse:A study of heritage resorts.

0499 sa Undergraduate research thesis

By Balaji Mohan Rajkumar

Guided by Prof. A. Srivathsan

An Undergraduate Research ThesisTowards the Degree of Bachelor of Architecture,

Faculty ofArchitecture, CEPT University, Ahmedabad,Gujarat, India 2007

Case studies: Sterling Resorts, Swamimalai, KumbakonamHotel de l’orient, Pondicherry

Tamil Nadu.

Adaptive reuse is not a new concept that is being implemented in the architecturalprofession. Many interventions take place in buildings merely extending their use, withoutbeing directlyclaimedasadaptivereuse and many examples arespecifically described asa typical reuseproject. Hundreds of heritagebuildings and precincts have beengiventhis“new life” around the globe. Standing at the intersection of historic preservation, varyinguser needs and sustainable development, adaptive reuse is probably the best option forfinding newlifeforold.Itcanbeagreeduponthatitis probablythemostsuccessfulmethodwhichhasbeenfollowed inhistory andatpresenttimes, it is a common method notonlytoretain heritage properties, but also to sustain them. Although it makes sense to reinventrather thandemolish, there areoftenquestionsraisedregarding theadaptability,thereuseasaprocess,andmorespecificallythemannerandmethodinwhichithasbeencarriedout.It is no longer a question of whether, but a question of how, significant places will beconserved and reused. The intention of the designer and his architectural decisions areoftenpropoundedinsuchadeclaration.

In the case of heritage buildings being reused, the aura of the existing building provides aunique experience for the user. In the case of heritage resorts, this aspect is sometimesintentionally enhanced invariouswaysand thedesigner has to deal withconservationandthe creationorenhancementofathematicexperience.Certainprojectsareclaimedtohavemore emphasis on historicity, heritage value and conservation ( .Whileothersarecelebratedtohaveauniquethematicexperience,theconservationnormsare superficially followed and the experience given to the user seems to be the primaryconcern . In such projects theidea of authenticity has been central toboththe praise and criticism.Theprojectsthat are functional as a resort but low onauthenticityare criticized while others are made proud. Certain aspects like identity, tradition andcontinuity that are dealt in such projects are celebrated while others like alterationsleading to mere spectacle are criticized and categorized as purely thematic. Such claimsformthetwopolesunderwhichheritageresortsareeithercelebratedorcriticized

Though the success of the project ultimately depends on the user satisfaction design isconsequently nolongerseenasameresatisfactionofneedanditstechnicalandeconomicresolution. It involves an intellectual dimension which goes beyond the user requirement.Hencetheneedofaframeworkthatcanaidbothasacriticalandagenerativetool.

Before we deal withsuchissuesinanadaptivereuseproject,it is imperative to understandthe process ingeneralandunderstandwhythemethod is often recommended.Thisthesislooks into adaptive reuse a s a partofanintegratedapproach toheritageconservationandhowitisanopportunityforbalancingdevelopmentandconservation. After establishing theimportance of adaptive reuse, the study focuses on the design process and the attributesthat go withit.Itfurtherinquiresintothetwoapproachesoftheclaim,andtheinferencesaredevelopedinto ananalyticalframework,whichislaterappliedtotwoexamplestocometoaconclusionregardingtheissue.

Understanding the phenomenon of adaptive reuse and the factorsthat influence a designer to take decisions in such a project. Evolution of the framework,which is further applied on two case studies to serve both as a demonstration andvalidation.

, conservation oriented)

(theme oriented)

, ,with

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Main topics covered:

Research question

Prologue

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Aimsandobjectives

Scopeandlimitations

Methodology

To study the phenomenon of adaptive reuseofheritagebuildings,inparticular,thereuseofbuildingsleadingtoresorthotels.

The studylooksatdesignprocessesusedinvariousprojectsandtriestoevolveaframeworktocriticallyreviewadaptivereuseprojects.

Based on the above frame work a matrix or a set of parameters are evolved.These parameters act as operative criteria to understand and evaluate suchadaptivereuseprojects.

The frame workandthematrixcouldbecomebothcriticalandagenerativetool,andalsobelaterexpandedorreproduced.

The topic of this research may overlap with various other disciplines, such asmanagement, planning, and tourism. However, this study is restricted only tothearchitecturalaspects.

The boundaries between the categories or parameters used are drawn forconvenience of analysis. In reality, there may not be such a categoricaldistinctionandveryoften theycouldoverlap.

To beginwith,thereisageneraldiscussiononadaptivereuseandhowitisusedinheritagebuildings.

The second part discusses different attributes pertaining to decisions made insuch projects. These attributes are further categorized and a matrix orframeworkisevolved.

The final part uses the matrix to critically analyse two adaptive reuse projectsvaryinginsizeandscale.Thisistoservebothasdemonstrationandvalidation.

Even though there are a number of reuse projects in India, only some havebeen chosen for this study. It focuses only on heritage resorts and the casestudiesarerestrictedtoTamilNaduandSriLanka.

Aimandscope

Aim and Scope

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CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

Overview on Adaptive Reuse

IntroductionWhat isadaptivereuse?Whyheritageresorts?HeritageandadaptivereuseBenefitsofadaptivelyreusingheritagebuildings

ClassificationTheprocessAttributesandprerequisitestothedesignprocessinanadaptivereuseproject

ChaptersummaryTheissue

ImportanceofHeritageHeritagevalueHeritageprecinctsWhyconserve?NuancesofConservation

EconomicandsocialbenefitsofheritagepropertyWhattosave?

ImportanceofThemeThemebasedprojectsFunctionalrequirementsServicesstructureEconomicaspectsTheme–“Heritage”

TourismWhat makesahistoric propertyatouristdestination?What do thetouristswant?Heritageandtourism

EnvironmentalEconomicSocialPromoting innovation

ChoosingbuildingforreuseSpatialobligationsIncorporationof infrastructureAestheticissues

Themethod

PreservationanddeteriorationPreservationofstructuralfabricRestorationRehabilitation

The Debate

Contents

Contents

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Contents

TheOldvs.TheUseTheMake-believe environmentWhatcanbelearntfromsuchspectaclearchitecture?Context andcontinuityTraditionandidentityInventtradition

HeritageandAuthenticityHowdoesitfailtoprotectheritagevalue?Theevocativenew

EvolutionofFrameworkforAnalysisFrameworkiftheprojectsarepredominantlyheritageorientedFrameworkiftheprojectsarepredominantlythemebased.Architectural features

OverallFramework

Locationand settingFormanddesignUseandfunctionEssence/intangibleaspectsMaterialsTraditionsandtechniques

HotelDel'Orient, Pondicherry.LocationandsettingFormanddesignArchitecturalfeaturesTraditionsand techniquesUseandfunctionEssence/intangibleaspects

SterlingResorts, Swamimalai.LocationandsettingFormanddesignArchitecturalfeaturesTraditionsand techniquesUseandfunctionEssence/intangibleaspects

ChapterSummary

Illustrationcredits

Bibliography

Acknowledgments

Conclusion

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CHAPTER 4

The Demonstration

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