ADAPTIVE REUSE
Adaptive reuse is a form of development that gives new purpose and life to old buildings. These projects come with inherent benefits such as environmental sustainability, the preservation of architectural history, and the potential to serve as catalysts for neighborhood revitalization.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADAPTIVE REUSE
LRS offers a range of experience in adaptive reuse project types and provides a holistic approach to responding to each building’s unique history, characteristic, context, and future flexibility.
Each building comes with its own unique story and there are often new discoveries made through the design and construction process that can’t always be foreseen. The beauty of adaptive reuse projects arises from challenges that generate unexpected and innovative design.
To evaluate a building’s potential for adaptive reuse, our disciplined approach involves asking detailed questions very early in the process and tapping into an extensive network of specialists that provide expertise in a variety of crucial topics including seismic retrofitting and complex land use/zoning. Through this rigorous investigation, our goal is to provide a comprehensive plan that sets up a project for success from the start.
INVESTIGATIONRIGOROUS
DESOTO BUILDING
Constructed in 1916, improvements made to the building in 2007 included redesign of the core and shell, seismic upgrades, new entry canopies, and a new rooftop deck.
LEED Gold Certified, extensive sustainable measures, including re-milling and reuse of the heavy timbers, helped the building achieve a modern interior with material references to the past.
When designing adaptive reuse projects, we take great pride in balancing valued heritage from the past, while visioning for future flexibility. We strive to embellish irreplaceable architectural details that contribute to the building’s character into the overall design approach, while also planning for flexibility for future use. Existing architectural elements such as large warehouse windows that bring in an abundance of natural light into the space; reclaimed old-growth timber beams that evoke warmth and nature; and large spatial rooms with tall ceilings are building characteristics that are often difficult to replicate without significant cost.
With many building existing buildings worthy of preservation, adaptive reuse provides alluring development opportunities by transforming buildings “past their prime” to meet the collective needs of a sustainable future.
TRANSFORMATIONBUILDING
TOWNE STORAGE
Constructed in 1915, the Towne Storage Building had fallen into disrepair. A meticulous renovation was completed in 2017, restoring this visible landmark in Portland’s Central Eastside and repurposing the space to serve tenants well into the next century.
PREMIER GEAR
Constructed in 1920, the 2020 conversion of the former factory celebrates the industrial history of the space by incorporating many of the building’s original features. The former factory consists of four separate structures and takes up an entire city block, with the full space-transformed for creative office use.
The renovation focused on the quality of each material to ensure every detail thoughtfully expressed an authentic, crafted aesthetic. The process of construction and the composition of materials was highlighted by combining exposed joints and beams with steel and concrete accents to celebrate rawness and materiality.
R&H HEADQUARTERS
3130 SE HAWTHORNE
The existing building was a dilapidated factory with a crumbling façade. The renovation included upgrading the storefront, entries, canopies, skylights, roofing, and a seismic upgrade, resulting in a modernized building with an open and vibrant retail storefront.
WHO WE ARE.
Driven by a passion for good design and supported by endless curiosity, LRS is a forward-thinking architecture and interiors firm offering creative solutions and transformative spaces. Our diverse portfolio of work highlights our commitment to shaping the human experience through the physical environment. A single principle encompasses all we do: design with integrity. We are your honest project partners. We design sustainably; planning vibrant communities and building structures to stand the test of time. Wellbeing is our top priority because great design goes beyond aesthetics. Our balanced, holistic approach fuses function and beauty to create meaningful places for people.
1777 SW CHANDLER AVENUE • SUITE 270 BEND, OREGON 97702 • 541.668.9550 720 NW DAVIS STREET • SUITE 300 PORTLAND, OREGON 97209 • WWW.LRSARCHITECTS.COM503.221.1121
