Preserving the Past to Shape the Future: The Evolution of Office Spaces Through Historic Building Adaptation

Adaptive reuse of historic buildings into modern office spaces can successfully balance cultural heritage preservation with contemporary workplace needs, enhancing employee satisfaction and creativity. A study focusing on Erbil Citadel houses found that integrating historical features—such as aesthetics, natural light, and airflow—into office environments fosters a sustainable and functional work setting. Survey data from 60 respondents revealed strong preferences for spaces that blend tradition with modern functionality, emphasizing the importance of sustainable practices and technological integration in shared areas. The research highlights the need for decision-makers to adopt culturally attuned strategies that align heritage conservation with community requirements, offering a framework for reconciling historical narratives with modern office demands.

Abu-Lail, D. M. A., Goriel, W. A. S., Molnár, T., Bachmann, B., Medvegy, G., Borsos, Á., & Zoltán, E. S. (2025). Preserving the Past to Shape the Future: The Evolution of Office Spaces Through Historic Building Adaptation. Buildings, 15(4), 574. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15040574