Adaptive Reuse: Different Functions, Shifting Meanings And Moral Aftershocks

Abstract

While many contributors to the emerging research field of adaptive reuse, already acknowledge that an act of repurposing is an act of translation, (re)occupation, recognition, etc., its implications have not yet been ethically scrutinized. This reflective (moral phenomenological) analysis delves into this relation between adaptive reuse, possible shifts in meaning and, though often implicit, moral swell (i.e. eliciting moral debate). The paper draws upon three illustrative cases within the context of adaptive reuse to demonstrate how ostensibly sensible design decisions, particularly concerning the integration of new functions, can trigger moral ramifications. We contend that a crucial aspect of addressing this issue lies in consciously incorporating these moral considerations throughout architectural design processes, research endeavors, and policy formulation.