1. Preservation of historical features: When reusing an old building, it is important to identify and retain the original elements that give it a historical character, such as exposed brickwork, timber beams, or decorative mouldings.
2. Structural interventions: Often, an old building may not meet the functional or load-bearing needs of modern occupants. Structural interventions, such as the addition of new columns, or strengthening of original timber or masonry structures, will be necessary.
3. Services integration: The integration of modern services, such as plumbing, air-conditioning, and electrical, into an old building can be challenging. Careful consideration needs to be given to the location and routing of services to ensure that they don't damage the historic fabric.
4. Flexibility of spaces: Adaptive reuse must be user-friendly, meaning that space should be easily amended to suit current and future needs and uses.
5. Sustainability: The adaptation should respect the sustainability principles. Energy-efficiency upgrades and using renewable materials are an essential aspect of the adaptive reuse process.
6. Access and safety: Ensure that provisions are made for fire safety, wheelchair access and other modern challenges. Access for modern technology and information technology infrastructure must be addressed.
7. Aesthetics: The new uses should enhance the historic features, maintaining the building's character as well as well as making a significant contribution to the surrounding streetscape.
8. Building codes and regulations: Regulations guiding the building codes come into play when changing the use of a structure. Thus, the current codes and regulations of the location must be studied and adhered to.
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