Transform Architecture of Adaptation

Transform: Architecture of Adaptation by Deborah Berke is a compelling examination of adaptive reuse — the practice of taking existing structures and transforming them into something new, preserving the embedded histories and material qualities of old buildings while giving them entirely different purposes and lives. Berke, one of America’s most respected architects, presents a selection of projects that demonstrate the creative and environmental value of adaptation over demolition: factories become galleries, warehouses become residences, industrial spaces become cultural institutions. With detailed documentation of each project alongside reflective essays, the book argues that working with what exists — rather than starting from scratch — is both a sustainable practice and a profound form of architectural thinking. Published by Chronicle Books, essential for architects, designers, and anyone interested in the relationship between old buildings and new life.