Building adaptation –the way forward

Urban renewal has garnered much attention and debate of late on the Malaysian built environment. Currently, urban renewal projects are focusing primarily on old dilapidated high-rise strata properties in urban areas. While the nation is relatively young, the majority of high-rise buildings are still relatively new and of low building age.

However, the urban renewal debate has missed out completely on the lifespan of individual buildings. During the life cycle of a completed building, building adaptation plays a significant role by providing various building use and occupation solutions and strategies at different phases of a building.