Building reuse is an essential practice of architecture that is rapidly evolving. As more of our existing building stock reaches the end of its lifespan, architects have new opportunities to repurpose structures of varying scales, vintages, materials, and program uses into bold, imaginative transformations. Advancements in building technology, access to metrics around embodied and operational carbon, and increased confidence have spurred architects to consider overall compositions more determinedly and design beautiful, purposeful, architecture. Through a series of case studies, and a look back at the history of preservation and reuse; this talk will explore how the practice of building reuse has progressed from reactionary and adaptive– to aspirational and transformative.

Jason Forney, FAIA
Advancing Bruner/Cott Architect’s legacy of boldly working with historic buildings that seamlessly integrate preservation, adaptive reuse, and low-carbon new construction, Jason leads teams that further the firm’s mission of transformative design with a purpose.

His work has been awarded at the national, regional, and local levels including the AIA COTE Top Ten, the Boston Society of Architects, the Society for College and University Planning, Preservation Massachusetts, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Jason speaks regularly at Boston area architecture schools where he shares the knowledge and experience that has led his work to be published in Architectural Record, Metropolis, The New York Times, The Architect’s Newspaper, and WIRED. He currently serves on the board of the Boston Society of Architects and is the Chair of the AIA’s Committee for Architecture for Education.

Jason’s notable reuse projects have included Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA), the Amherst College Powerhouse, Frost Terrace Affordable Housing, and the Fries Arts Building at Wesleyan University