Rescue and Reuse

4.Work

Cromford Mill, Derbyshire.

Most building types are vulnerable to political, social and economic change. Houses may be too small, or too large, or in the wrong place. Castles and religious sites can be slighted or suppressed. Industrial buildings are particularly at risk when technology, fashion or foreign competition intervenes. Succession may involve a site being cleared, or it may mean a building can be transformed into something different to create new employment opportunities.

Economic success usually involves innovation and experimentation. This need not imply a clean sweep and rejection of all that came before. The most successful ...