An Analysis of the Adaptive Re-use of Heritage Buildings in South Australia

Abstract

The conservation of heritage buildings plays an important role to enhance the sustainable built environment. Adaptive re-use of heritage buildings has become a wider revitalization way to promote sustainability and protect the heritage buildings' significance. However, many building owners and developers still perceive the re-use of heritage buildings as being an unviable option as planning and building regulations may restrict their uses. Therefore the viability of adaptive re-use of heritage buildings is yet to be fully evaluated. The aim of this research is to investigate the perceived benefits and barriers of adaptive re-use of heritage buildings and to suggest recommendations to promote its re-use. Questionnaire survey and case studies collected in South Australia are used to illustrate the research objectives. This research discovers that the adaptive re-use of heritage buildings provides environmental, social and community benefits based on the conservation experts point of views. From the building owners, the adaptive re-use did provide some economic benefits. It also identifies the barriers for the conservation work. The major problem is the conservation cost. Moreover, the compliance of Building Code requirements and earthquake review are also the barriers for the conservation work. The long development approval can be another obstacle for the conservation work.