Remediation Architecture: What Remediation Architects Do

Remediation is different from general renovation or refurbishment.

A refurbishment might update a building because the owner wants to modernise the space or change the way it is used. Remediation responds to an identified problem or deficiency. The purpose is to correct that issue and restore the building to an appropriate level of safety, performance or compliance.

A remediation architect’s role can include investigating the existing building, developing the remedial design, coordinating specialist consultants, preparing consent and construction documentation, and observing the work during construction.

The exact process depends on the problem being addressed and the complexity of the building.

Weathertightness is one of the more common reasons an existing building requires remediation.

Water ingress can result from inappropriate materials, failed junctions, inadequate detailing, deterioration or defects in the original construction. The visible signs of a leak are not necessarily where the problem begins, so understanding the cause is an important part of developing an effective solution.

A weathertightness remediation project may involve repairs to specific areas or more extensive work to the building envelope, including recladding.

The architectural response needs to consider more than simply stopping water from entering the building. New details and materials must work with the existing structure, meet current Building Code requirements and provide a durable solution that performs over time.

Esse Architects has experience with weathertightness remediation across a range of existing buildings, developing practical solutions that address the underlying problem rather than simply treating its symptoms.

Structural deterioration can also form part of a wider remediation project, although the roles of the architect and structural engineer are distinct.

Where structural problems are identified, specialist structural engineering advice is required. The remediation architects may work alongside the engineer to coordinate the proposed solution with the rest of the building and prepare the architectural documentation required for building consent and construction.

This collaborative approach becomes particularly important where structural work affects the building envelope, internal spaces, accessibility, fire requirements or other building systems.

Remediation projects frequently involve several disciplines, and careful coordination between them is an important part of achieving a successful result.

Remediation can also involve addressing aspects of an existing building that prevent it from meeting the needs of its occupants.

Accessibility is an area in which Esse Architects has considerable practical experience. Our work with Enable has involved modifying homes for people with accessibility needs, with each project responding to the individual and the way they need to use their home.

While residential accessibility work differs from commercial building remediation, the experience provides valuable insight into designing for people with different mobility and accessibility requirements.

In other existing buildings, accessibility work may form part of a broader remediation or compliance project, requiring careful consideration of entrances, circulation, amenities and the practical constraints of the existing structure.

Designing a new building starts with a relatively clean slate. Remediation does not.

Existing buildings come with their own construction history, materials, previous alterations and sometimes problems that only become fully apparent once work begins. The original drawings may be incomplete, and what was actually constructed may differ from the documentation.

That makes investigation and experience particularly important.

Good remediation architecture is not about replacing more of a building than necessary. It is about understanding the problem, identifying an appropriate response and coordinating the work required to restore performance while making sensible use of the existing asset.

There can also be significant value in retaining buildings that remain fundamentally sound. Extending their useful life can preserve previous investment, reduce unnecessary demolition and retain buildings that already contribute to their communities and surroundings.