Home in the Urban Void: the Changing Role of Obsolete Institutional Buildings

Abstract

This thesis examines the changing role of obsolete institutional buildings and the urgent need for affordable housing in Halifax, Nova Scotia. An argument is presented for the adaptive reuse of abandoned buildings in efforts to meet the growing housing needs of the city. Additionally, a case is made for reclaiming culturally significant landmarks to serve the contemporary needs of the people, while also celebrating the rich history of the buildings and their place within the city. This thesis uses the currently vacant Halifax Memorial Library as a test site to explore the feasibility of adapting a vacant institutional building into housing and a social support infrastructure for the unhoused. By interpreting the site’s history through the method of storytelling the proposed intervention finds a balance between introducing a new utilization for the site while respecting its past.