Architecture of experience reinventing public space through adaptive reuse of a thermal power plant

Abstract

“To provide meaningful architecture is not to parody history but to articulate it.” -Daniel Libeskind Agenda 21 for culture drafted in 2004 categorised culture as the fourth pillar of sustainable development alongside economic growth, social inclusion and protection aiming to "Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage.” Adaptive reuse allows for resourceful reutilization of an existing form of significance, transforming old buildings to house new and different functions than the ones they were originally designed for. While adaptive reuse poses challenges in terms of design interventions and regulatory norms, the result, with due diligence paid to the economic and social value of the project, can be seen as way to bring together the old and new, in a united form. It allows the retention of authentic constructions, features and characters holding significant reputation while breathing new life into it through refurbishing, conserving and/or adding to the structure, form and/or function of the original architecture. With studies having revealed that around 70% of the structures existing today will stand for another 50 years from now, adaptive reuse strategy is the way to go, refurbishing the structure to meet current and future needs. However, this often remains limited to receiving the architecture and space visually. This notion is further concretized in adaptive reuse projects since certain preserved elements of the preserved and original architecture must be protected from further degradation and hence are primarily reserved as visual exhibits of the development, removing other bodily senses from the equation. Rather, the design should be such that it employs multiple to all senses to bring about an experiential environment that provides a wholesome involvement of the environment and immersion of the user. The character of the occupants relies upon the shape and engineering of the structure. Design becomes in such a way "the third skin to the human body,".