Recycling buildings is not just the right thing to do environmentally and economically, it's become a distinct trend. By 2010, industry experts predict that 8 of every 10 commercial construction dollars will go to some form of renovation—up substantially from the current 55 percent.

No one ever said that change-of-use was easy. That's where this book comes in, simplifying the complexities to smooth each step. Written by a project architect/project manager with in-depth experience in this field, this savvy, practical, IBC-compliant guide for architects, developers, planners, and contractors brings you easy-to-use expert tools and guidance to help you meet the demands of change-of-use undertakings and avoid costly and time-wasting pitfalls.

Hundreds of Valuable Tools

• More than 200 tables, exhibits, and checklists to make evaluations, assessments, and compliance a cinch
• Complete coverage of zoning issues such as allowable land use, complimentary building uses, variances, and historic districts
• Detailed information on formatting the design program with the client
• Useful technical information on retrofitting building systems and envelopes
• Tools for evaluating life cycle maintenance programs
• Code hot buttons — conforming to IBC, NFPA, ADA, and NEC and other important code applications
• Case studies that work, from both the public and private sectors
• Product recommendations for achieving outstanding renovations and rehabilitations
• Listing of helpful resources

From the Introduction
The purpose in writing this book is to illuminate the Change-of-Use process. This book will examine the context and scale in which adaptive re-use occurs. It will identify the key players and convey enough about each of their agendas to create a common vocabulary from which each can draw for constructive dialogue with one another. In doing so, the reader may use this knowledge to better cultivate beneficial relationships and develop successful projects. The Change-of-Use process and the practice of architecture for that matter, derives a measure of its intellectual and aesthetic challenge from asking questions, identifying the vital issues, seeking answers, and making difficult choices. The relationships among owner (developer), contractor and design professional are central to the process. The timely involvement of and clear communication with other players can be critical to project success.

Players in the process are diverse and include owners, tenants, property managers, city planners and reviewers, code consultants, inspectors, testing agencies, construction managers, contractors, material suppliers, manufacturers, lenders, engineers, attorneys, insurers, redevelopment authorities, neighborhood associations, preservationists, utilities, environmental engineers and hygienists, realtors, architects, space planners and designers.

Actual projects, both built and un-built, will be used to exemplify the process and illustrate concepts and situations typical to a variety of project situations. Product information and resources will be shared so that the reader can explore his interest in specific areas presented. Although a few award-winning project examples are included, the authors have also provided many examples of ordinary projects that were successful chiefly by the client's standards. And, because there is something to be learned with every new venture, they have also included a few that may be characterized as learning experiences.

Professional tools such as code analysis, zoning review, and facility evaluation of existing buildings can be used together to identify new uses for existing buildings that will maximize the potential profit and/or benefit to be realized from owning them. Building owners might begin with the question, "What can this building become?" Business owners or agency operators might ask, "Where can I locate that will create the best advantage for my enterprise?" This book discusses the answers to those questions and suggests how design professionals can use their understanding of redevelopment analysis and renovation to offer a greater and more valuable service to these clients.

In renovation, designers and owners must choose what elements will stay and what will go. Once the program is set, the designer will select the most effective materials and systems to fit the program and budget. Using examples that are easy to grasp, Roger clarifies approaches to setting budget priorities and completing renovations on time and within budget.

Renovation accounts for nearly a third of all construction and as much as a quarter of all design work. The smart economics of this trend are undeniable, if not sometimes inscrutable. Renovation and Change-of-Use trends are likely to develop as urban redevelopment and sustainability become supported planks in the platform of each major political party in this country and savvy citizens think of new ways to participate in that growth. We hope this book will open some doors.

Table of Contents:
Introduction; Chapter 1: Urban Sprawl; Chapter 2: Influencing Factors in Land Development Patterns; Chapter 3: Comprehensive Land Use Planning and Zoning; Chapter 4: Development and Sustainability; Chapter 5: Compatible New Uses; Chapter 6: Locating and Selecting Redevelopment Property with Investment Potential; Chapter 7: Evaluation Is Part of Planning; Chapter 8: Site Planning and Evaluation; Chapter 9: Building Planning and Evaluation; Chapter 10: Identifying Cost Effective Improvements and Basic Aesthetic Approaches; The Last Word; Index.

About the Authors
Dorothy Henehan is an architect who practices chiefly in the Midwest and lives in Indianapolis with her family. She has served as an officer of AIA Indianapolis and has been an officer of the Indianapolis Chapter of the Construction Specifications Institute. She has degrees in architecture and environmental design from Ball State University where she also undertook Urban Studies. She holds CDT and CCCA Certificates from the Construction Specifications Institute. She is a member of the Southern Building Code Congress International. Her wide range of project experience in both public and private sectors includes educational facilities, libraries, environmental service facilities, laboratories, military justice, urban design, maintenance structures, multifamily housing, commercial kitchens, industrial facilities, corporate headquarters, tenant development, hospitality, medical projects and interiors services. Her work has included facilities and accessibility assessment reports, code studies, phasing plans, specifications, quality assurance, inter-disciplinary co-ordination, professional development, technical resource and site rehabilitation and sustainability programs. Two-thirds of those projects involved renovation and about half have involved public money.

R. Dodge Woodson is a realtor, developer, builder and master plumber and gasfitter with over 25 years experience in the conversion market in Maine and Virginia. He has authored over 70 books for major publishers. Woodson contributed his expertise in editing, real estate, building, site evaluation and improvements strategy for this project.