Preserving the heritage of Uxbridge, Ontario: applying adaptive principles to extend building lifespans

Abstract

Community growth focuses on new developments, resulting in a loss of cultural heritage as their built environment is viewed as unimportant, becoming obsolete, and needing to be demolished and replaced with entirely new buildings. This thesis presents the application of adaptive principles within new and existing buildings, creating adaptable and flexible spaces that can evolve over time with a community’s changing needs. Resulting in the extended use of buildings, the principles focus on emphasizing and embracing existing heritage in an environmentally sustainable way. Considered obsolete by the community, a bowling alley located in Uxbridge, Ontario is chosen to further demonstrate the operation of the adaptive principles due to the history in the downtown area, as well as the heritage within the building. Transforming this space into a grocery market and wellness facility, aspects can be taken from two different design options in this thesis and applied to locations beyond Uxbridge.