Creating within the existing

Whatever the era, whatever the material, whatever the construction technique, the very idea of repair, of reinforcement, underlies the act of building.

No long-lasting construction can ignore the reality of rehabilitation. The history of construction is littered with examples of reinforcement and repair. From cathedrals and offshore platforms to bridges and industrial halls, there are countless examples of how the act of building must logically include the act of repairing or converting. Not all techniques and materials are equal when it comes to the need to extend or invent a new life for a structure. Certain constructions, but especially certain materials such as steel, lend themselves better...