Adaptive Reuse Office Building - Foster + Partners

Adaptive reuse is a great way to make use of existing structures that have become disused. Rather than wasteful demolition or continued disuse, upcycling the building and reworking the program and internal layout is far more sustainable. One recent example of this is the new Acciona office in Madrid, Spain, which has reused an old industrial building from 1905, designed by architect Foster + Partners. 

The massive 10,000 square meter space has been completely reimagined, with internal mezzanines, offices, coworking spaces, and lounges for staff members. Made from sustainably sourced timber, the new inserted floors maximise the natural light, with new skylights inserted into the industrial roofing. In total, by maintaining the industrial shell of the building, over 10,000 tonnes of brick were saved from demolition, and instead have become part of the new business park. The sustainable timber elements are designed to be easily upgraded as the office needs evolve, saving over 1,000 tonnes of CO2 compared to traditional more permanent construction methods. 

 Aiming to create a biophilic environment, the project also introduces a new central courtyard, with over 300 new trees inside the building, and around the exterior. The surrounding industrial district has also been upgraded, becoming public parkland, with greenspace extending to the nearby Mendez Alvaro metro station. In conclusion, the Acciona office in Madrid is a great example of adaptive reuse, and how old disused buildings can beome key elements within the modern built environment.