Automating the Adaptive Reuse of Cultural Heritage: A computational framework for reconfiguring historic masonry buildings

A computational framework leveraging Shape Grammars demonstrates the potential for automating adaptive reuse of historic masonry buildings, specifically Sobrado typologies in São Luís' UNESCO-listed center. This approach generates diverse spatial arrangements for converting single-family structures into multi-family apartments—studios, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units—while preserving original architectural elements like windows and balconies to maintain natural daylighting and historical integrity. The methodology, implemented using RhinoScript syntax and Python, offers an interactive tool for designers, balancing structural constraints with heritage preservation requirements. By reconfiguring existing buildings without compromising their cultural value, the framework provides a scalable solution for urban densification in historic contexts.

Melo Santos Paulino, D., Lewis, K., Napolitano, R., & Ligler, H. (2023). Automating the Adaptive Reuse of Cultural Heritage: A computational framework for reconfiguring historic masonry buildings. Proceedings of the 41st International Conference on Education and Research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe (eCAADe) [Volume 2], 2, 691–700. https://doi.org/10.52842/conf.ecaade.2023.2.691