METHODS TO READ ADAPTIVE REUSE STRATEGIES AND CAPACITIES IN INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS - Master thesis

Oct 29, 2026

Master thesis developed at Politecnico di Torino within the Master of Science in Architecture for the Sustainable Project. The study investigates how adaptive reuse strategies and adaptive capacities can be read, evaluated, and supported in industrial buildings. It reviews industrial heritage concepts, adaptive reuse theory, and remodelling methods, then presents an adaptive capacity framework including the FLEX method versions (1.0 to 4.0). Case studies assess remodelling tactics and strategies through FLEX 4.0 evaluation tables, leading to general and specific flexibility capacity charts.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages155

Reading Time6 h 31 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

1.1. Introduction

1.2. References

Industrial heritage

2.1. Industrial heritage definition

2.2. Industrial heritage on the world heritage list

2.3. Industrial heritage site classification by region

2.4. Categories, sub-themes, proposed classification system (HAER)

2.5. New inscribed properties for Industrial heritage list

2.6. Industrial buildings

2.7. Reasons behind industrial buildings abandoned

2.8. Relation between industry and city evolution

2.9. Industrial buildings characteristics

2.10. Industrial buildings value

2.11. Industrial buildings adaptability

2.12. References

Adaptive reuse

3.1. Introduction to adaptive reuse

3.2. A theoretical approach towards adaptive reuse

3.3. Adaptive reuse definition

3.4. Analysing the re-use of the industrial buildings

3.5. Conditions of the change in function

3.6. Conditions promoting and hindering the re-use

3.7. Reuse process

3.8. Advantage of adaptive reuse

3.9. References

Methods for remodelling

4.1. Introduction to remodelling

4.2. Clarification of the different methods of building conservation

4.3. The value of remodelling

4.3.1. Structure

4.3.2. History and function

4.3.3. Context and environment

4.3.4. Proposed function

4.4. Strategies for remodelling

4.4.1. Intervention

4.4.2. Insertion

4.4.3. Installation

4.5. Tactics for remodelling

4.6. Intervention types in remodelling

4.7. References

Adaptive capacity

5.1. Definition of adaptive capacity

5.2. Adaptive capacity method (AC)

5.3. Flexibility and decision-making level

5.4. The FLEX method

5.4.1. The primary version of FLEX method: FLEX 1.0

5.4.2. FLEX 2.0

5.4.3. FLEX 2.0 Light

5.4.4. FLEX 3.0

5.4.5. FLEX 4.0

5.5. References

Case studies

6.1. Introduction to case study analysis

6.2. Tate Modern

6.3. Baltic art centre

6.4. Shad 19

6.5. De Lakfabriek

Conclusion

7.1. General flexibility capacity charts

7.2. Specific flexibility capacity charts

7.3. Conclusion

POLITECNICO DI TORINO Master of Science in ARCHITECTURE FOR THE SUSTAINABLE PROJECT Master thesis METHODS TO READ ADAPTIVE REUSE STRATEGIES AND CAPACITIES IN INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS Supervisor: Prof. Matteo Robiglio Co-supervisor: PhD candidate Elena Guidetti Candidate: Elina Amiri Academic year 2019/2020 Acknowledgment I would like to express my gratitude to those who helped to this thesis and support my master research. My deepest appreciate gose to my supervisor, Prof. Matteo Robiglio for his support and motivation. I have learned a lot about the correct way of research and you learned me how to look deeper in subjects and to be critical. I am thankful for your helpful comments and advices during my work. It has been an opportunity to have connection with PhD students, Elena Guidetti and Matteo Gianotti. I want to convey my thanks to them because of their patience in answering my questions, their help and friendship during my research. Last but not least, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the most valuable people in my life. My family, who have always been there to support me in my life. My beloved parents in Iran, Ayoub and Nasrin, my sister Nina and Wilhelm, thanks for your unlimited love and support. I also appreciate Behzad for his real friendship, kindness, help and motivation ever since I know him. This work is dedicated to my family. Index Abstract 07 Introduction Chapter 1 | 1.1. Introduction 9-10
1.2. References 11
Industrial heritage Chapter 2 | | | --- | --- | | 2.1. Industrial heritage definition 13 2.2. Industrial heritage on the world heritage list 14 2.3. Industrial heritage site classification by region 14 2.4. Categories, sub-themes, proposed classification system (HAER) 15 2.5. New inscribed properties for Industrial heritage list 15 2.6. Industrial buildings 17 2.7. Reasons behind industrial buildings abandoned 18 2.8. Relation between industry and city evolution 20 2.9. Industrial buildings characteristics 21
2.10. Industrial buildings value 22
2.11. Industrial buildings adaptability 22
2.12. References 23
Adaptive reuse Chapter 3 | | | 3.1. Introduction to adaptive reuse
3.2. A theoretical approach towards adaptive reuse 3.3. Adaptive reuse definition
3.4. Analysing the re-use of the industrial buildings 3.5. Conditions of the change in function
3.6. Conditions promoting and hindering the re-use 3.7. Reuse process
3.8. Advantage of adaptive reuse
3.9. References
Methods for remodelling | 272930313132333435
Chapter 4 | 01 4.1. Introduction to remodelling 39 4.2. Clarification of the different methods of building conservation 40 4.3. The value of remodelling 41 4.3.1. Structure 41 4.3.2. History and function 42 4.3.3. Context and environment 42 4.3.4. Proposed function 42 4.4. Strategies for remodelling 42 4.4.1. Intervention 42 4.4.2. Insertion 43 4.4.3. Installation 43 4.5. Tactics for remodelling 45 4.6. Intervention types in remodelling 46 4.7. References 49 Adaptive capacity Chapter 5 | 5.1. Definition of adaptive capacity
5.2. Adaptive capacity method (AC)
5.3. Flexibility and decision-making level | 53
53
55 | | --- | --- | | 5.4. The FLEX method | 61 | | 5.4.1. The primary version of FLEX method: FLEX 1.0 | 61 | | 5.4.2. FLEX 2.0 | 62 | | 5.4.3. FLEX 2.0 Light | 64 | | 5.4.4. FLEX 3.0 | 65 | | 5.4.5. FLEX 4.0 | 68 | | 5.5. References | 79 | | Case studies | Chapter 6 | | 6.1. Introduction to case study analysis | 83 | | 6.1.1. Case studies location | 86 | | 6.2. Tate Modern | 88 | | 6.2.1. Tate Modern, London, UK
6.2.2. Site plan analysis and design diagrams
6.2.3. Analyze Remodelling tactics and strategies
6.2.4. FLEX 4.0 Evaluation tabel-Default weighting
6.2.5. FLEX 4.0 Evaluation tabel-User weighting | 89
91
93
96
97 | | 6.2.6. References | 99 | | 6.3. Baltic art centre | 102 | | 6.3.1. Baltic art centre, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, UK
6.3.2.

FAQs

What is the main research focus of the thesis?

The thesis focuses on methods to read adaptive reuse strategies and adaptive capacities in industrial buildings. It links heritage and remodelling approaches to a framework for assessing flexibility and capacity.

Which concepts are covered before applying the FLEX method?

The thesis covers industrial heritage definitions and classifications, then adaptive reuse theory (including conditions that promote or hinder reuse). It also reviews remodelling methods, including strategies and intervention/tactic types.

How is adaptive capacity evaluated in the thesis?

Adaptive capacity is evaluated using an adaptive capacity method (AC) and the FLEX method, with versions including FLEX 1.0, 2.0, 2.0 Light, 3.0, and 4.0. Case studies use FLEX 4.0 evaluation tables with default and user weighting.

What role do case studies play?

Case studies test remodelling tactics and strategies in specific industrial projects. They support application of FLEX 4.0 evaluation and lead to general and specific flexibility capacity charts in the conclusion.

Oct 29, 2026

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