Building reuse: multi-criteria assessment for compatible design

The paper presents the results of a research on the impact of the reuse of heritage building. The aim is to help in selecting the most appropriate design solution among several compatible alternatives. The method integrates AHP and EVAMIX multi-criteria approaches to assess design alternatives capable of maintaining and improving a building’s performances while preserving heritage identity. This requires defining the users’ needs to be met by the new function assigned to the building and identifying structural and cultural constraints to its transformation. This assessment should allow designers to choose the best reuse project, achieving an optimum balance between conservation and usability. The selected project should offer flexible technological solutions allowing for reuse reversibility, both in terms of future changes of destination and, if need be, to bring the building back to its initial state. This strategy can generate a process that fosters safeguard and effective management of heritage buildings over time.