Credits: 1 AIA LU/HSW; 1 AIBD P-CE; 0.1 ICC CEU
May qualify for learning hours through most Canadian architectural associations
May qualify for learning hours through most Canadian architectural associations
As housing demand grows and sustainability goals intensify, adaptive reuse has emerged as a powerful strategy for developing multi-family residential projects with cultural depth and environmental responsibility. This webinar explores two compelling case studies that demonstrate how historic buildings can be reimagined for modern living while preserving architectural integrity.
The first project, The Mill in Prattville, Alabama, is a former cotton gin manufacturing complex transformed into apartments by Chambless King Architects.
This presentation examines the adaptive reuse of The Mill at Prattville, a 147-unit residential development transforming a series of historic industrial structures dating from 1848 to 1957 into a vibrant mixed-use community. Located in Prattville’s revitalizing downtown, the project integrates residential living with a range of amenities, including community spaces, fitness facilities, and landscaped courtyards.
Nick Henninger, Chambless King Principal will discuss the complexities of converting a 19th-century mill into a modern housing development, including navigating layered regulatory requirements, coordinating with historic consultants and the National Park Service, and leveraging innovative financing strategies tied to floodplain mitigation through the ADECA Office of Water Resources. The session will also explore design strategies that preserve historic character, including exposing original structural elements and repurposing existing steel frameworks to create dynamic exterior amenities.
The second project is the transformation of The Ebenezer Baptist Church in Boston’s South End Landmarks District from a church to nine residential units. This presentation explores the renovation and adaptive reuse of the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church at 157 West Springfield Street in Boston’s South End, a project approved by the South End Landmark District Commission following extensive collaboration with the City and community stakeholders. Originally established in 1847 by formerly enslaved congregants and constructed on the site in 1887, the church is being thoughtfully transformed into nine residential units through a sensitive renovation and two-story addition.
Mike DelleFave, from RODE Architects will examine the design approach of “putting renovation first,” balancing historic preservation with contemporary intervention. The session will highlight strategies for restoring key architectural elements, including brickwork, stoops, and entryways, while introducing a modern rooftop addition that respects the original structure’s rhythm and form. Attendees will gain insight into navigating landmark approvals, integrating new construction within historic contexts, and designing adaptive reuse projects that honor both history and community.
As the final project in this session, Paul Lang of Carmina Wood Design, Labatt House reimagines a 1920s industrial building in Buffalo’s Cobblestone District as a mixed-use destination combining hospitality, workplace, and residential spaces. Inspired by the concept of an experimental brew factory, the design reflects Buffalo’s industrial heritage while introducing a layered, experiential environment through adaptive reuse.
At the ground level, The Draft Room transforms a former loading dock into a flexible gathering space, where bi-fold doors open to the street and varied seating creates multiple perspectives across a split-level interior. Industrial materials are paired with contemporary graphics, murals, and installations to create a cohesive, immersive experience.
The project brings together Labatt USA’s headquarters, hospitality venues including a speakeasy and bakery, and apartments above, demonstrating how thoughtful design can revitalize historic structures while supporting diverse uses.
Attendees will gain insight into how adaptive reuse can reduce embodied carbon, extend building lifecycles, and create distinctive residential environments that respond to both context and climate. Through these case studies, participants will explore the intersection of preservation, performance, and profitability in multi-family residential development.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify key structural, envelope, and systems challenges associated with converting historic industrial and religious buildings into multi-family residential housing.
- Evaluate strategies for meeting contemporary life-safety, accessibility, and energy code requirements within preserved building frameworks.
- Analyze how adaptive reuse contributes to reduced embodied carbon and improved environmental performance compared to new construction.
- Apply preservation-sensitive design approaches that balance historic character with modern residential comfort and market expectations.
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