1st Edition
International Conference on Adaptive Reuse
hosted by THE UNIVERSITY OF PISA, ITALY
supported by UNESCO Italia
15-19 September 2025
Pisa (Italy)
What stories do abandoned buildings still hold? Can they be transformed to serve new purposes without losing their essence? How can architects balance history and innovation? This conference delves into the art and challenge of adaptive reuse, where past and present converge.
The concept of “reuse” is deeply connected to life and habitation in spatial contexts. Martin Heidegger’s Building, Dwelling, Thinking emphasized that a building’s true purpose and meaning come alive through human presence and experience. Around the world, abandoned structures tell the stories of past civilizations, urging us to preserve them while adapting them for new, contemporary purposes. In recent decades, the adaptive reuse of architecture has become central to cultural and civic debates, driven by economic challenges, environmental crises, and reduced construction activity in the West. The decline of industrial complexes and religious sites, along with the inheritance of historic structures—fortifications, clustered buildings, and archaeological sites—demands innovative integration into modern life, either through reuse or transformation into cultural spaces. Adaptive reuse offers a sustainable solution by conserving land, protecting heritage, and minimizing waste. At the heart of this strategy lies architectural design. Architects and engineers are tasked with reinterpreting and modifying existing structures, breathing new life into them while respecting their historical significance. This approach entails challenges such as merging architectural languages, balancing styles, and fostering a critical dialogue between past and present. This conference invites scholars and practitioners to explore the adaptive reuse design process, focusing on how contemporary design interacts with historical contexts. We seek contributions that examine operations such as building within, expanding, or filling voids—creative acts that preserve historical layers while addressing current needs. The conference adopts a multidisciplinary perspective, integrating design, history, restoration, technology, and other relevant fields to inform critical intervention strategies.
We invite scholars to submit abstracts for the upcoming International Conference on Adaptive Reuse. All submissions will be evaluated through a double-blind peer-review process. Authors of selected abstracts will be invited to attend the in-person event. Accepted full papers will be published in an Open Access Book of Proceedings with an ISBN. Abstracts should be no longer than 300 words, accompanied by a 100-word short bio (use the form at the bottom of this page).
Schedule
Deadline Abstract Submission – June 2nd, 2025
Abstract Acceptance – June 23rd, 2025
Registration Deadline – July 25th, 2025
Conference – September 15-19, 2025
Paper Submission Deadline – October 31, 2025
Publication – January 2026
Venue
The “Gipsoteca di Arte Antica” of the University of Pisa, housed within the reused Romanesque Church of San Paolo all’Orto in Pisa.
Track 1 Architecture Design and Theoretical discourses
This panel invites research, case studies, and reviews on adaptive reuse in transforming spaces, cities, and communities. We seek insights on how contemporary design can harmonize with heritage, preserving cultural significance while meeting current needs. Studies should explore innovative strategies that respect historical layers while addressing social and environmental challenges, including sustainable urban development, community resilience, and social inclusivity. Researchers are encouraged to present case studies where adaptive reuse has transformed underutilized historical structures into vibrant assets that enhance urban life. These studies should highlight how adaptive reuse fosters sustainability, economic revitalization, and community engagement, blending modern functionality with historical integrity. We also welcome theoretical discussions on design philosophies and aesthetics in adaptive reuse, including their impact on the perception and value of reused spaces. By combining theory, case studies, and critical analysis, this panel emphasizes adaptive reuse as a strategy for creating resilient, inclusive, and sustainable communities.
Track 2Historical Transformations and Critical Conservation
This panel examines how adaptive reuse transforms historical structures, merging contemporary design with heritage to preserve cultural significance. We invite research, case studies, and reviews on innovative strategies that balance historical integrity with social and environmental needs, promoting sustainable urban development and community resilience. Presentations should highlight how adaptive reuse turns underutilized historical sites into vibrant urban assets, fostering community engagement, sustainability, and economic revitalization. We are particularly interested in case studies demonstrating how architects honor the past while addressing present demands. Contributions from historians are welcome, focusing on past adaptive reuse projects, restoration techniques, and their cultural impact. We also seek research on conservation strategies, including materials science, modern infrastructure integration, climate resilience, and policy frameworks. This panel aims to advance understanding of adaptive reuse as a strategy to build resilient, inclusive, and sustainable communities by uniting historical preservation and contemporary innovation.
Track 3Technology, digital tools and innovative approaches
This panel explores how contemporary technologies and innovative strategies are reshaping adaptive reuse in architecture. We invite research, case studies, and reviews on the use of digital tools and advanced methods to integrate modern design within heritage contexts, preserving cultural significance while meeting present needs. The goal is to respect historical layers while reimagining spaces to promote sustainable urban development, community resilience, and social inclusivity. We seek studies that demonstrate how adaptive reuse transforms underutilized historical structures into vibrant urban assets, addressing both aesthetic and functional needs. Presentations should highlight how these projects foster community engagement, support sustainability, and drive economic and cultural revitalization. The panel will focus on the role of technology in adaptive reuse. Topics include Building Information Modeling (BIM) for managing heritage structures, 3D scanning and photogrammetry for accurate surveying, and virtual reality (VR) for envisioning reuse possibilities. We are also interested in generative design, machine learning, and advanced materials that balance new design interventions with historical conservation. Additionally, the discussion will address digital heritage preservation, covering methods like digital archiving, 3D scanning, and virtual experiences to safeguard cultural assets and enhance public engagement. Studies on digital tools such as GIS, VR, BIM, and AI for heritage site analysis, innovative design, and decision-making processes are particularly welcome.
Publication
Accepted full texts will be published in an Open Access Proceedings Book with ISBN, available in both eBook and paperback formats. Submissions will undergo a double-blind peer review, assessed for quality, originality, relevance, and guideline adherence, ensuring high publication standards and broad knowledge dissemination.
Abstract Submission
Submissions are closed
Conference Calendar
September 15
10:00 – Registration
10:30 – Introduction
11:00 – Panel A
13:00 – Break
14:30 – Panel B
16:30 – Break
17:00 – Panel C
19:00 – End
September 16
10:00 – Registration
10:30 – Introduction
11:00 – Panel D
13:00 – Break
14:30 – Panel E
16:30 – Break
17:00 – Panel F
19:00 – End
September 17
11.00 – Keynote Lecture – Barozzi Veiga
September 18
09:15 – Introduction
09:30 – Panels G-H
11:30 – Break
12:00 – Panels I-L
14:00 – Break
15:00 – Panels M-N
17:00 – Break
17:30 – Panels O-P
19:30 – End
September 19
09:15 – Introduction
09:30 – Panels Q-R
11:30 – Break
12:00 – Panels S-T
14:00 – Break
15:00 – Panels U-V
17:00 – Break
17:30 – Panels Z-X
19:30 – End
Paper template and Editorial Guidelines
Paper submission
Keynote Speaker
BAROZZI-VEIGA.
On September 17, the keynote speech will be delivered by Fabrizio Barozzi of the studio Barozzi Veiga. His lecture will focus on the adaptive reuse project of the Abbey of Kortrijk.
Scientific Committee
Emanuele Carrai – Dedalo Building Lab
Olga Beatrice Carcassi – Columbia University in the City of New York
Andrea Crudeli – Università di Pisa
Eduardo Delgado Orusco – Universidad de Zaragoza
Artem Kitaev – Technische Universität Wien
Stefania Landi – Politecnico di Milano
Luca Lanini – Università di Pisa
Estefanía Martín – Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Barcelona School of Architecture (ETSAB)
Patrizio M. Martinelli – Northumbria University Newcastle
Aleksandr Mergold – New Jersey Institute of Technology, HCAD / Hillier College of Architecture and Design, Newark, NJ
Francesca Molle – Università di Pisa
Katharina Paschburg – Technische Universität Wien
Tobias Rabold – Technische Universität Berlin
Manuela Raitano – Sapienza Università di Roma
Giuseppe Resta – Faculdade de Arquitectura da Universidade do Porto
Marcus van der Meulen – RWTH Aachen University
Graziella Trovato – ETSAM Universidad Politécnica de Madrid
Specifics
The conference will be held both in person at the University of Pisa and remotely. When submitting their abstract, each participant can specify whether they wish to attend in person or remotely if their submission is accepted. If the abstract is accepted, both options—attendance in person or remotely—grant full access to the conference, the right to receive a certificate of participation, and the opportunity to publish the paper in the conference proceedings.
Hosted by the University of Pisa – DESTEC – School of Engineering.
Supported by UNESCO Italia
Logistics by Save The Heritage Benefit Corporation
Pisa is a city of timeless beauty, famous for its iconic Leaning Tower, a marvel of medieval architecture and engineering. Beyond the Piazza dei Miracoli, Pisa offers much more—picturesque streets, historic churches, and lively squares brimming with local life. Stroll along the Arno River to admire elegant palaces and scenic views, or visit the University of Pisa, one of the world’s oldest, which has shaped the city’s intellectual spirit for centuries. With its blend of art, history, and culture, Pisa provides a unique journey into Italy’s rich heritage, making it a must-visit destination for travelers and history enthusiasts alike.
https://www.turismo.pisa.it/
info@icadaptivereuse.com