From “introverted” to “extroverted”: the transformative potential in the adaptive reuse of historical buildings in Colombo

Abstract

Buildings, similar to living organisms undergo transformation throughout their lifespan. Once a building reaches the stage of obsolescence, it is either demolished or repurposed. Adaptive reuse is a sustainable architectural approach that has been globally implemented to repurpose buildings. In Sri Lanka, this method has been implemented to repurpose historic buildings for public use. However, the majority of these buildings were originally introverted in nature, which does not align with the extroverted spatial quality required for public buildings. The study aims to identify and assess the physical characteristics that can facilitate the transformation of historic buildings from introverted to extroverted spaces. Further, it aims to identify adaptive reuse criteria that may limit the possibility of achieving a higher degree of extroversion. The architectural visual analysis method was adapted to explore the degree of extroversion achieved in the selected case studies. Physical characteristics were analysed by comparing drawings and photographs, followed by interviews with professionals involved in the adaptation process. The interviews aimed to identify the specific factors that affect the potential for transformation in accordance with the adaptive reuse criteria. The findings of the study suggest that the main decisive factor affecting the degree of extroversion was legislation in Sri Lanka. It also identifies the vertical plane and openings on vertical planes as critical physical attributes that determine the degree of extroversion. Furthermore, the study shows that authenticity and integrity can restrict the degree of extroversion in historic buildings. Furthermore, this study suggests the importance of determining the new function based on the transformation potential of the historical building. In light of the above findings, this study can serve as a guide for assessing adaptations of historic buildings and their potential for transformation into future public spaces.