Conversion, adaptation, reuse -
these techniques are as old as construction itself. However, since the
industrialization of the building industry and the emergence of
modernism in architecture, newly constructed buildings have dominated
our idea of good and progressive architecture. For decades, conversion
did not play a significant role in architectural practice.


Today,
things have changed. The industrialization of the construction industry
has led to environmental degradation, and the reform potential of
modernism has been exhausted. Consequently, the existing building stock
is one of the resources - perhaps even the most important resource - for
the transformation of our cities. Against this backdrop, the
architecture of conversion has made an unexpected comeback. Young
architects in particular are providing surprising answers to the
environmental and social questions of our time with their conversion
projects.


This book introduces 30 examples that illustrate how
seemingly everyday conversions can be turned into groundbreaking
architecture, while eight essays shed light on the important role of
conversion in history and the theory of architecture. With contributions
by 51N4E, Arno Brandlhuber, Assemble, BeL, Bovenbouw, Christoph Grafe,
Lacaton & Vasall, NL Architects, noA architecten, Muck Petzet, Tim
Rieniets, de Vylder Vinck Tailieu, and many others.