Search results

By way of its uniquely concurrent practice + academic learning model, the Boston Architectural College (BAC) has begun a thriving tradition of community engagement through design. This paper uncovers how design/build formats -cast as a service-learning projects - have the potential to foster profound student learning opportunities, improve the urban environment through design engagement and community action, and inform architectural accreditation. Though exceptionally rewarding, the design/build model is not without challenges. The authors utilize their unique perspectives as design educators and community members to deliver both a narrative account and critical analysis for a case study of one such learning model.

The Frederick Douglas Peace Park project, conducted in 2008 as part of the authors’ Urban Design Build (UDB) format is an example of a grassroots initiative met with the support of an institution of design education. The project revitalizes a neglected neighborhood by activating forgotten space - rebuilding a sense of community and creating a place of memorial for a much-revered American Civil Rights Activist. Emanating from Grichting’s neighborhood peace park, Sturgeon’s UDB project extended grassroots momentum to community event programming and served as a catalyst for additional reclamation projects: a string of public spaces and the rehabilitation of a community center once on the verge of being torn down and privatized.

This paper aims to explore how adaptive re-use (AR) could be used more frequently and extensively in the hospitality industry as a viable strategy to help achieve the United Nations sustainable development goals (UN SDGs) agenda for 2030. In particular, the paper discusses the benefits and drawbacks of AR and further investigates the appeal of AR over rebuilding, in both a general sense and specific to hospitality settings.

The study provides a literature review and thematic analysis based on semi-structured interviews about AR projects and its application in hospitality settings. In so doing, the article draws on knowledge and insights from experts and practitioners involved in AR projects globally. The professional interviewees’ expertize ranges from urban planning, sustainable development, architecture to sustainable hospitality solutions.

The results illustrate how AR is a mindset not only applicable to specific buildings or environments but also how it is a vital solution to sustainable development in hospitality. The social, environmental and economic benefits of AR outweigh the challenges and extend to being of regional and even national importance.

AR projects have the ability to stimulate improvement in the use of space and to transform entire communities – especially if there is more and improved support from local government and the relevant authorities. With sufficient incentives to make the projects economically viable, the outcome would be increased presence of cultural and historic preservation, more conservation of construction materials, energy and other resources relevant to the demolition and construction process. The application of AR contributes to attaining UN SDGs’ targets and the future will see more culturally rich, inclusive, sustainable cities and architecture.

There seems to be a lack of research in the field of AR in the hospitality context, particularly in relation to achieving the UN SDGs 2030. This paper aims to bridge this gap in knowledge, as well as to provide a starting point for a greater vision and coordination between governments, architects, hospitality professionals and all other involved stakeholders to boost sustainable development through AR.

This is an ‘open’ issue but with a very special message in it. More than a week ago now Arch. Catalina Gandelsonas died of cancer. This sad news was relayed to me via Prof. Pat Wakely in London. Catalina was a remarkable woman. From the days at Lefke University (North Cyprus) she showed herself as a person who was very clear as to what she wanted and was most helpful and careful in achieving her aims. In the early nineties Catalina later became a member of the Open House International Board of editors. Her refereeing was always to the point with brevity. I wish to convey my condolences to her daughter and other family members and hope this message speaks for many of our other friends who also knew her. She was a remarkable person with much goodwill and a great energy and in addition to that she had a very endearing character.