Forbes: Abandoned Schools Garner Top Grades In Adaptive Reuse
Many developers and design firms have looked to the adaptive reuse of underutilized office buildings as an answer to today’s dearth of affordable housing. But a superior solution may be found in converting the schools of yesteryear to much-needed housing. That is the conviction of architects at Moody Nolan, the nation’s largest Black-owned architecture firm, which has successfully undertaken several such conversions.
“Breathing new life into existing structures is impactful across generations, as it can revitalize entire neighborhoods,” observes Yanitza Brongers-Marrero, the firm’s director of housing. “But it is not without its challenges. Converting schools to housing can be difficult as it presents technical challenges and the need for structural modifications to meet building codes and accessibility standards.