Old Walls, New Homes

From forgotten buildings to thriving neighborhoods, adaptive reuse has the power to transform our cities.

1 minute read

December 12, 2024, 5:00 AM PST

By Hazel Borys


Sign for MASS MoCA on brick building.

The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art is an example of adaptive reuse. | jonbilous / Adobe Stock

In a piece in PlaceShakers, Susan Henderson explores the transformative potential of adaptive reuse, using real-world examples like Philips Square in Winnipeg, MassMOCA, and Redlands Mall. It also provides actionable policy recommendations on zoning reform and funding strategies.

Henderson explores how spaces like Winnipeg’s Philips Square — a historic church now home to six apartments and a cultural hub — bring life back to communities. "Across the United States and Canada, cities are grappling with housing shortages and the challenge of revitalizing underutilized spaces. Vacant malls, abandoned factories, shuttered schools, and empty churches often sit idle, wasting valuable potential. But these structures don’t have to remain relics of the past. Through adaptive reuse, we can transform them into much-needed housing and thriving economic hubs."

Curious to learn how adaptive reuse can work in your city? Henderson has a few ideas to solve housing shortages, preserve historic architecture, and boost local economies.

Wednesday, December 4, 2024 in PlaceShakers

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I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

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