The Ins and Outs of Adaptive Reuse

The International Association of Plumbing & Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) recently published a white paper that explores how converting office spaces into residential units could help alleviate the housing shortage—currently a deficit of 3.8 million homes—across the U.S. The paper, authored by IAPMO’s VP of technical services and research Christoph Lohr, examines the challenges and opportunities of such projects, including policy issues, zoning changes, and financial incentives that could make adaptive reuse attractive to developers. According to IAPMO, this approach could help to revitalize urban areas and reduce the environmental impact of new construction.

“IAPMO urges policymakers, developers, and the construction industry to consider adaptive reuse as a key strategy in addressing the housing crisis,” Lohr said. “By leveraging existing infrastructure and promoting sustainability, adaptive reuse not only preserves historical buildings but also offers a path toward revitalizing urban cores and improving the quality of life for residents.”

Read the paper