The District Architecture Center (DAC) announces the upcoming opening of reIMAGINE: Creating New Uses for Old Buildings, on view from May 8 to August 29. This exhibition presents 19 buildings in the Washington, D.C., area that architects have recently reimagined, bringing new life to structures that might otherwise have been doomed to disuse, decay, and ultimately the wrecking ball.
Every building represents an investment of money, effort, and materials. A building’s owners, users, and even its neighbors therefore have a strong interest in its continued viability. That is why any structure that survives long enough is likely to undergo regular maintenance, occasional restoration, or possibly comprehensive renovation. Even so, some buildings inevitably become obsolete due to changes in business practices, technology, demographics, or other factors. Fortunately, many structures facing obsolescence can be converted to purposes other than the ones for which they were designed—a process known as adaptive reuse. Essentially a form of recycling at a large scale, adaptive reuse offers numerous potential advantages over new construction, including environmental, economic, and social benefits.
The District Architecture Center houses the Washington Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA | DC) and the Washington Architectural Foundation (WAF). These organizations share a vision of empowering our community to design a better future. Exhibitions at DAC spotlight excellence in architecture, design, and urbanism; explore and disseminate significant artistic and architectural ideas; and pique curiosity about the man-made world around us.
reIMAGINE: Creating New Uses for Old Buildings was curated by G. Martin Moeller, Jr., who also serves as editor of ArchitectureDC magazine. The graphic designer for the exhibition, Jennifer Byrne, owner of Live.Create.Play., has created brand design experiences for over 25 years. The layout of this exhibition was created in collaboration with the District Architecture Center’s executive director Mary Fitch, and exhibition and programs coordinator Molly Ford. DAC thanks David Haresign, of Bonstra | Haresign ARCHITECTS, who originated the idea for this exhibition series.
The opening reception for this exhibition will take place on May 8, and following this reception, the exhibition will be open to the public every Tuesday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The exhibition will remain on view through August 29.
