Giving buildings new life can make a big difference. Architecture 2030 estimates that the built environment is responsible for 39% of global carbon emission (28% of that is from building operations, while the remaining 11% is specifically from building materials and construction). At the rate that buildings are becoming more efficient, and the use of renewable energy is expanding, most of the greenhouse gas emissions for new buildings will come from embodied carbon in the future and architects have the responsibility to reduce that impact. Research indicates that adaptive reuse and conservation of buildings is an increasingly important strategy. Retrofitting older buildings reduces the need for new materials, which has multiple benefits, not the least of which is the reduction of embodied carbon as less new materials are required.
Repurposing this building offers many advantages -- the most environmentally impactful is the savings in embodied carbon. Reusing the building avoided over 70% embodied carbon emissions when compared to a new building of the same size. In addition to considerable savings in demolition and re-construction costs, the project had a shorter construction timeline compared to a new build.
Opportunities for adaptive reuse and repurposing buildings are expected to rise immensely given the post pandemic office vacancy rates, and could be key in the future real estate ecosystem.
Retrofitting and reusing buildings can be challenging since renovated buildings are, in most cases, still not as energy efficient as new buildings. However, the façade and HVAC systems upgrades of 4383 Horton ensure that the operational carbon emissions are low, and daylight is maximized. The project saves over 26% in energy consumption over a ASHRAE 2010 baseline building.
Some of the additional sustainability features of the project are listed below:
Giving buildings new life can make a big difference. Architecture 2030 estimates that the built environment is responsible for 39% of global carbon emission (28% of that is from building operations, while the remaining 11% is specifically from building materials and construction). At the rate that buildings are becoming more efficient, and the use of renewable energy is expanding, most of the greenhouse gas emissions for new buildings will come from embodied carbon in the future and architects have the responsibility to reduce that impact. Research indicates that adaptive reuse and conservation of buildings is an increasingly important strategy. Retrofitting older buildings reduces the need for new materials, which has multiple benefits, not the least of which is the reduction of embodied carbon as less new materials are required.
Repurposing this building offers many advantages -- the most environmentally impactful is the savings in embodied carbon. Reusing the building avoided over 70% embodied carbon emissions when compared to a new building of the same size. In addition to considerable savings in demolition and re-construction costs, the project had a shorter construction timeline compared to a new build.
Opportunities for adaptive reuse and repurposing buildings are expected to rise immensely given the post pandemic office vacancy rates, and could be key in the future real estate ecosystem.
Retrofitting and reusing buildings can be challenging since renovated buildings are, in most cases, still not as energy efficient as new buildings. However, the façade and HVAC systems upgrades of 4383 Horton ensure that the operational carbon emissions are low, and daylight is maximized. The project saves over 26% in energy consumption over a ASHRAE 2010 baseline building.
Some of the additional sustainability features of the project are listed below:
399 Bradford Street
Third Floor
Redwood City, CA 94063
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