Re-Imagining Heritage

Explorations In Adaptive Re-Use

“Old ideas can sometimes use new buildings. New ideas must use old buildings.”
Jane Jacobs

Adaptive Reuse Design Studio

Karachi plays host to approximately 1,600 buildings and monuments from the British Raj, with nearly 300 officially listed as heritage structures. Our Adaptive Reuse studio offers students a valuable opportunity to connect with the historic fabric of the city. Over the course of the semester, students engage in the documentation and detailed study of selected heritage buildings across Karachi. They are encouraged to conduct in-depth surveys—visiting and revisiting identified sites, talking to owners, caretakers, and stakeholders to uncover and piece together forgotten narratives and fragments of history.They record and document architectural and interior spaces as well as intricate details so as to gain hands-on experience in understanding spatial layouts, construction systems, materials, craftsmanship, and detailing that may have faded over time. Furthermore, it encourages students to not only propose contemporary programs but also to reimagine the potential of these spaces in meaningful, contextually grounded ways.

Research and publications

Thesis Showcase

Through The Lens Of Adaptive Reuse

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