The green metamorphosis of adaptive reuse: The cotton warehouse building of the Sumerbank Kayseri Textile Factory

The increased energy demand and fossil fuel consumption triggered by the Industrial Revolution have accelerated the depletion of natural resources and deepened environmental degradation. Urbanization and shifting consumption patterns have heightened energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, necessitating comprehensive measures and strategic approaches to establish a sustainable system. In this context, adaptive reuse stands out as an effective solution for achieving goals such as the preservation of architectural heritage, limiting urban sprawl, enhancing energy efficiency, and reducing carbon footprints. Unlike studies that typically focus on the environmental sustainability of new buildings, this research examines the potential of existing structures to achieve environmental sustainability goals through adaptive reuse. Within this framework, the contributions of adaptive reuse to environmental sustainability and the role of LEED certification in such transformation processes are evaluated based on green building strategies and performance, with the transformation of the Cotton Warehouse Building into an Administrative and Classroom Building serving as a case study. This study underscores the significance of adaptive reuse in terms of environmental sustainability and asserts that addressing similar transformations within the framework of green building principles is a strategic necessity. The green building strategies implemented in the structure are evaluated through the lens of LEED certification, offering a concrete framework that serves as a guide for researchers and stakeholders involved in the process. Additionally, the sustainability index developed based on the building's energy consumption data is employed as a rapid and practical tool to assess the impact of energy consumption on sustainability using limited data. The study makes significant theoretical and practical contributions toward achieving sustainability objectives.