Written by: Saram Maqbool
Posted on: May 05, 2023 | 
| 中文
A view of the adapted Khaplu Palace Hotel by Serena
Some time ago, a colleague of mine, an architect no less, said that he doesn't understand the fuss about conserving and preserving historic buildings. He was of the opinion that we should just demolish them all and build anew.
An interior room of the adapted Shigar Fort Hotel by Serena
This was quite a shock to me, as someone who has always advocated the conservation of our architectural heritage. To me, these structures are like history books, holding within them stories of past civilizations and cultures. Would some people also consider burning history books because they're somehow irrelevant? More importantly, how do we ensure that these once-magnificent structures are not seen as merely a waste of space but rather as an essential part of the urban landscape?
One possible path to take is that of Adaptive Reuse. Adaptive Reuse entails reusing an existing structure for a new purpose. While this can be applied to any building, it is mostly associated with historic architecture. Many parts of the world have already embraced this technique, breathing new life into old buildings and turning them into usable spaces across cities. Not only that, but it also helps minimize the carbon footprint that comes with demolishing and reconstructing, saves crucial space in city centers, and reduces the chance of developing urban sprawl. Not to mention it often makes a city’s skyline much more beautiful and visually interesting to look at.
Exterior view of the Tate Modern
A prime example of Adaptive Reuse is the Tate Modern in London. Housed inside the disused Bankside Power Station, this world-renowned art museum was designed by Herzog & de Meuron. They turned the once-derelict industrial site into a hub of cultural and artistic exchange, adding a new landmark to the city. While changes were made inside to turn the massive structure into a functional art gallery, the architects were careful not to alter the facade too much. The result is an iconic building, recognizable from miles away, standing as a visual piece. Walking in, one can appreciate how the texture of the old brick walls is complemented by the newly added cast iron grills and unfinished wood floors that are an homage to the original aesthetic, while smooth surfaces strike a contrast with tactile ones.
The High Line
The High Line in New York is another example of how adaptive reuse can give rise to spaces that become an inherent part of the urban fabric. This 1.5-mile-long public park was created in 2009 atop an abandoned elevated railroad. The design can be interpreted as a set of gradients from hard landscape to soft, from newly-installed precast concrete planks to the old and rusty tracks emerging from in-between. The park is now a key part of multiple areas, simultaneously offering a path, a visual break, a playground, and a place of respite, depending on what the user requires.
Turbine Hall of the Tate Modern
There are countless other examples of adaptive reuse worldwide: the St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel in London; the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto; The Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa in Cape Town; the Gasometers in Vienna. So, the question is: in a country like Pakistan with a rich architectural heritage and structures belonging to iconic styles ranging from Mughal to Art Deco, why don’t we see more adaptive reuse?
The reasons may be many, but among the primary ones is our general focus on everything ‘modern’. On top of that, culture and the values associated with it are intangible, while the ‘development’ of infrastructure is very tangible. In a society where a vast majority of people are struggling to make ends meet, taking care of historic architectural sites is not at the top of the agenda. Couple that with weak regulations by the governing bodies regarding the preservation of said sites, and we have areas like Banni Chowk and Bhabra Bazaar with beautiful examples of Mughal-era design that are now eroding into nothingness. Or worse yet, they are hidden behind endless rows of sign boards for the storefronts that have been allowed to lawlessly enter the once-exclusive halls of royalty and grandeur.
An interior room of the adapted Khaplu Palace Hotel by Serena
That’s not to say that no work is being done here in this regard. Notable examples of successful restoration and adaptation projects include the Khaplu Palace and the Shigar Fort. Both these buildings are being managed by Serena Hotels. The structures have been restored by the Aga Khan Trust, with each detail meticulously taken care of, from the timber frame and stone walls to the intricate woodcarvings inside. The furniture and fixtures are modern, comfortable, and fit for our times to offer a premium hotel experience. The restoration of these historic buildings attracts tourists from within the country and beyond, while their adaptive reuse generates additional revenue and turns them into usable spaces.
Examples like these are a testament to how powerful adapting old buildings for new uses can be. It’s a sustainable solution for modern urban design that leads to a respectful dialogue between all that has gone and that which is yet to come. Here’s to hoping that the Pakistani authorities start investing more in projects similar to the ones shared above, so that our architectural heritage stays intact for future generations to enjoy and learn from.
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