Renovations

• Introduction
• Types of Renovation
• Renovation vs. New Construction
• Building Evaluation
• Programming for Renovation Projects
• Building Code and Zoning Regulations
• Developing an Accurate Budget
• Construction Types
• Historic Preservation
• Accessibility Upgrades
• Finding/Creating Space
• Summary
• Bibliography

Introduction

In the broadest sense, to renovate something is to make it new again. This chapter explores some of the unique issues associated with renovating existing buildings and provides links for further inquiry.

The issues associated with renovating an existing building can be complex. Many factors should be considered when an institution is faced with such a decision. Some of these factors include the condition of the existing building, the type of construction, whether the building can be altered to meet the proposed programmatic requirements, building code and zoning considerations, accessibility, sustainability, budget, location, swing space, whether the building has unique historic attributes, and the importance of the building to the history and traditions of the institution, to name a few.