Rehabilitation for redevelopment : an approach to the conversion of old office buildings to housing

Abstract

This thesis contends that the rehabilitation of existing building stock is a viable alternative to new construction in the production of housing. Principally, the thesis proposes that old office buildings, built between 1900 and 1930, be rehabilitated and converted for residential use. A specific approach to this rehabilitation and conversion is recommended. A survey was conducted in San Antonio, Texas, of the existing old office buildings within the central business district, in order to identify and define a particular type of building potentially suitable for conversion to housing. The identified building type is described and analyzed. Two examples were selected from the survey for further analysis. The approach recommended for the conversion of the building type consists of two phases, design and construction. In both, recognition of a separation between the public and private spheres in housing production is crucial. Four Levels of Construction are defined, both to aid in the demarcation of these two spheres of authority, and to identify logical stopping-points in the construction of a housing support and individual dwelling units. Within the design phase, the SAR methodology of housing support design is adapted for application to an existing office building structure. To demonstrate this application of the design methodology, and to provide some basis for an evaluation of the suggested approach, the two selected building examples have been taken through the design process in a step-by-step sequence. Based on this demonstration, an assessment is made of the suitability of the building type for this kind of conversion, of the appropriateness of the design methodology in this application, and of the approach in general.