An Evaluation on Adaptive Re-Use of Industrial Heritage Buildings as Museums

Adaptive reuse in the context of heritage buildings is described as the process of taking a previously disused building and repurposing it to be used for a function other than what it was originally built for. Where historic buildings can no longer function with their original use, proposing a new function is a valid method to conserve the heritage building. The successful cases of adaptive reuse usually respect and retain a building’s historical characteristics, while providing a space that can offer value for the future. Adaptive reuse involves transforming a building to undertake a change of use required by new or existing owners in interior space. Buildings of industrial heritage is a major field of research under the adaptive reuse topic. An increasing number of industrial heritage buildings are subjected to destruction due to their age. The objective of this study is to analyze some well-documented and successful case-studies of adaptive reuse of industrial heritage buildings that are being transformed into museums, to explore the factors that affect their interior design. Accordingly, the research will analyze the selected case studies in terms of context and environment; form and structure; original and proposed function; and will study interior elements including; circulation; color; lighting; furniture; security and related issues of interiors of museums. The study concludes with a list of important factors of interior design, for the adaptive reuse of an industrial buildings as museums.