This research has explored architectural identity and how it is preserved through the reuse of existing buildings. Investigation into the components that create identity, advantages of reusing and different approaches that can be taken conclude that there is no black and white approach to this topic and that change must be tailored to an individual building or context.

 

The research has highlighted that the reuse of architecture has many benefits including preserving the heritage of a town or city. Findings show that identity of a building is created through tangible factors manifested in visual form, capturing the zeitgeist of its era. This means that the demolition of a building not only removes its physical form, but also its representations and cultural significance.  Analysis of the identity of Birmingham Central Library concludes that its demolition is erasing a significant symbol of the uprising of post-war Birmingham.  If we remove buildings because they no longer serve their function, we are destroying a major contributor to our collective identity, heritage and culture.

 

Investigation into the factors that create architectural identity shows that the built environment in which we live plays an important role in the creation of our own identities through memory and association. The desire to see a building reused can come from personal attachment to an individual building or its association to a culture. It is Clawley's personal memories of Birmingham Central Library which fuelled his desire to see it preserved.

 

In conclusion, an important reason to reuse buildings is to retain the collective identity of a town or city. Nevertheless, contemporary elements must be added to provide a layer of 'today's' identity. The British Museum encapsulates this concept in one building, where distinguishable layers are clearly associated with a period of its history.

 

There are several approaches of incorporating contemporary elements into an existing buildings which can be categorised by their response to the identity of the existing structure. The research found that the identity of every building is unique and the architect or designer must adopt an approach which is respectful towards the original building fabric in order to preserve its identity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The findings of this research will be carried through into the studio module. This will involve the creation of proposal for the reuse of Birmingham Central Library to show that it could have been adapted to once again be a central part of life in Birmingham. The identified process of reusing will be adopted to ensure the preservation of its existing identity and to make it suitable for the future.