Over the last two decades, cities across North America have undergone something of a renaissance, reversing years of demographic and commercial decline in the process. There is an unlikely, but potent source behind this renewal: underutilized and abandoned historic structures.

Because these extant buildings require upgrades to mitigate thermal bridging, outdated mechanical systems, and repair decayed facades, their revitalization presents an opportunity for the AEC industry writ large. Moreover, environmental concerns will only continue to push preservation and re-use at the forefront of practice. The Re-use & Renewal Summit: Approaches to Preservation and Adaptive Re-Use will foreground exemplary projects; identify best-case practices for their completion; and spotlight emerging technologies within this exciting field.

The two-day conference will feature two keynote addresses: “Rethink, Rework, Redefine” by Deborah Berke, Founding Partner of Deborah Berke Partners; and “Preservation Evolves, a Cross-Generational Exchange on Aims and Methods,” with Bruner/Cott Architects principal Henry Moss and preservation architect Adrienne Cali Magners.

Each keynote will be followed by two presentations and discussion-based panels. Panelists include Mecanoo founding partner and creative director Francine Houben; OTJ Architects partner Gary Martinez; Dirk Denison Architects founding principal Dirk Dension; Elkus Manfredi vice president Ross Cameron; John Fidler Preservation Technology president John Fidler; omgivning founder + principal Karin Liljegren, and Studio Gang design principal and partner Juliane Wolf. Additional panelists will be announced in the coming weeks.

More information on the conference can be found here.