Building reuse: a case study of a 1970s office building in Itä-Pasila.

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School of Arts, Design and Architecture | Master's thesis
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Date

2023

Department

ark

Major/Subject

Mcode

Degree programme

Arkkitehtuuri

Language

en

Pages

98

Series

Abstract

Motivated by the need to protect historical heritage and address the environmental impact of the construction industry, this master thesis explores the potential for the reuse of 1970s buildings most at risk of demolition. The 1960s- 1970s office buildings, in particular, are at risk of demolition due to changing urban demands. By studying a case of the office building at Asemamestarinkatu 1 in Itä-Pasila, this research project aims to develop a comprehensive conversion plan to transform it into a functional residential building. This thesis consists of three parts. First part is theoretical research in the form of an essay that delves into the problem of demolition of the late modernist buildings from an ecological and cultural point of view. Second part contains a detailed description of the selected building, its history, structural characteristics and historical and architectural context. The third part proposes the selected reuse strategies. It consists of detailed floor plans, sections, facade details and structural diagrams. The design solution section presents a proposal for the conversion of the Itä-Pasila office building into residential housing and public space. New design is a result of analysis of the urban environment and cultural context of Itä-Pasila. One of the major features is a development of the new second layer of facade that matches the surrounding 1970s architecture while providing additional living space and increasing energy efficiency of the building. By combining theoretical research and practical design solutions, this master’s thesis aims to show the potential to redesign office buildings from the second half of the 20th century. This study contributes to broadening the understanding of the value of existing buildings and reusing existing structures as a readily available resource, as well as questions the sustainability of demolition and new construction. This work could be used as a background for further research in financial and environmental feasibility of building reuse.

Description

Supervisor

Lehto, Antti

Thesis advisor

Rytivaara, Karita

Keywords

building reuse, adaptive reuse, 1970s architecture, architectural transformation, concrete architecture, office buildings, Itä-Pasila

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Citation

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https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:aalto-202311276939

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[master] Taiteiden ja suunnittelun korkeakoulu / ARTS