The Potential of Form: How to Transform Existing Buildings in Postfunctional Europe

How can we explore adaptations of old buildings from a fresh, postfunctional perspective? Exploring the concept of transformative potential, this book shows how the repurposing of existing buildings uncovers untapped possibilities that go beyond traditional categories. Analyzing several European examples in depth, it asks how architectural designs change over time and what this means for sustainability and preserving heritage. Drawings illustrate how architectural forms interact with their functions and environmental effects, providing a dynamic exploration of adaptive reuse. The Potential of Form suggests that adapting buildings involves balancing their design interventions, their consistency across time, and the latent energy embedded in their architectural form.

• Explores new methods for repurposing old buildings, using an innovative framework
• Presents detailed case studies of adaptive reuse in European architecture (i.e. Bourse de Commerce, Elbphilharmonie, Duperré Playground, Vitali Sheds, PC Caritas, Alvéoles)
• Richly illustrated with drawings by the author

Elena Guidetti holds a PhD in architecture and currently serves as a fixed-term assistant professor at the Department of Architecture and Design at Politecnico di Torino, where she is also a researcher at Future Urban Legacy Lab. Her work focuses on adapting buildings, aiming to bridge architectural heritage and sustainability.