Empty Beauties

The task intends to utilize existing buildings as a resource to address the shortage of housing and to develop a strategy focusing on the challenges of conversion. The study aims to create a transferable transformation strategy for existing office buildings, mapping out a catalog of renovation measures. Followed by a multi-coding of generic administrative buildings, which will initially provide new living space. The design tests the theoretically developed strategy, illustrates its spatial implementation, and thus demonstrates the study's feasibility.

'Empty Beauties' examines the adaptive reuse of vacant office and administrative buildings, focusing on their transformation into residential spaces. Using a Research by Design methodology, it investigates the potential of skeleton-frame structures to accommodate contemporary housing while minimizing material waste and environmental impact. A representative office building from the 1960s was selected as a case study to assess structural, spatial, and material modifications required for conversion. Key elements - such as the concrete skeleton, façade systems, and interior walls - were analyzed for their adaptability. The transformation strategy prioritizes flexibility, ensuring that while current residential functions are integrated, the building remains suitable for future uses. Essential interventions include selective façade modifications for improved insulation and daylight access, reconfiguration of circulation spaces, and the integration of modular living units. To evaluate feasibility, each design decision was assessed based on cost, material waste, and CO₂ emissions. The study focuses on retaining as much of the existing structure as possible to reduce demolition waste and embedded carbon while optimizing energy efficiency. New interventions are designed as reversible and adaptable, ensuring long-term viability. In addition to the question of the temporary and the durable, aesthetic decisions must also be made. The outcome demonstrates that, through targeted interventions, these office structures can be sustainably repurposed, preserving architectural heritage while addressing urgent housing shortages. This approach presents a scalable strategy for cities facing similar challenges, bridging the gap between existing urban fabric and evolving residential demands.