One of the most powerful ways architects have of building more sustainably is arguably by building as little as possible. The informed conservation and adaptive reuse of existing built fabric, when weighed against total demolition and new building, can offer dramatically lower construction emissions, richer cultural environments and longer lasting, more socially connected urban spaces.

Nevertheless, adaptive reuse can also be one of the most challenging design undertakings an architect is likely to face. Creating successful contemporary space in established buildings calls for both sensitivity and vision, a deep knowledge and respect for historical building practices, and is subject to many hidden pitfalls in construction. Much of these skills are gained and developed through practical experience, and to-date little has been published on this hard-won, and sometimes arcane field of design practice.

Adapt: Designing New Lives for Old Buildings showcases design and practice-based approaches to the sustainable, adaptive reuse of historic places. Building on their extensive research in the field, authors Hannah Lewi and Cameron Logan have engaged with a range of leading architects and heritage practitioners to gain firsthand insights into their methods and experiences with the delicate and complex task of creating contemporary spaces from much-loved, but timeworn, buildings.

This detailed unpacking of expert knowledge is leavened with a series of illustrated case studies of leading-edge approaches to adaptive reuse in heritage and historically significant sites over the past decade. It is also accompanied by a series of essays from some of the leading experts in adaptive reuse.

Featured practitioners include: Conrad Gargett, Dunn & Hillam, Fieldwork Foreground, Gilby + Brewin, Kerstin Thompson, Lahznimmo Architects, Neeson Murcutt Neille, NMBW, Peter Elliott Architecture + Urban Design, Spaceagency, SJB, Six Degrees, Tonkin Zulaikha Greer, Williams Burton Leopardi, Williams Boag Architects.

Contributions by Robert Crawford, Behnaz Avazpour, Christhina Candido and Kerstin Thompson.