Conversion and Adaptation of Buildings Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Conversion and Adaptation of Buildings - Essay Example After its construction, it existed under the Brentwood District Council (BDC). Major renovations and reconstructions had since taken place on the building including the construction of an additional single storey canted bay that was built to the left of the building’s front door. On its eastern side, there was a separate long six window bay unit that also had incorporated the timber-framing of the 16th century that it got enjoined with. The building, like the other Georgian buildings in the area, was formerly used as part of the Brentwood School. From 1973, it has been used as an Arts and Community Centre that is run by Brentwood Council, and as such has been very busy and well utilized (KITCHING, 2007, pg 104). The Old House has however undergone a number of degradation over the years; the flowerbed by the front door for instance looks like it needs better edging and particular attention from its owners. Other areas of concern include its rear elevation, the curtilage, and its general setting that has been severely derogated by legal changes and a supposed lack of appropriate landscaping. A careful analysis of the structure reveals that some of the signs that are attached to it and the presence of the free standing board in its front needs to be improved on to depict a building of the current century. The quality of the internal floors is also in a questionable state and in order to convert the building’s purpose, these have to be substantially worked on KITCHING 2007, pg 137). In the conversion of the Old House to multi use, for restaurant and residential purposes on its top floor, a lot of factors have to be taken into account. The restaurant and the residential purpose would help serve the commercial and the residential schemes of the public respectively. When doing any reconstruction or putting up new structures, particularly in such conservation areas, it is a