Perspectives

Adaptive Reuse, Placemaking, Commercial Michael Montanez Adaptive Reuse, Placemaking, Commercial Michael Montanez

Adaptive Reuse as Placemaking: Designing the Future Workplace from What Already Exists 

Adaptive reuse is reshaping the future workplace—turning underperforming office buildings into vibrant, mixed-use destinations that restore urban vitality. This article explores how placemaking strategies (street-level activation, permeability, greenery, and shared amenities) can transform existing structures into social infrastructure, with 20 Massachusetts Ave NW in Washington, D.C. as a case study. By designing within what already exists, cities and developers can create more engaging, sustainable, and community-centered workplaces.

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