From Ruin to Resilience: Adaptive Reuse After Floods

Abstract

This thesis explores how architecture can respond to increasing flood risks in Denmark, particularly in vulnerable and under-resourced areas such as allotment communities. Flooding not only damages buildings but also generates material waste when structures are rebuilt using conventional methods. Through a hypothetical case in Havekolonien Storaaen, informed by real-world allotment conditions, this project proposes an alternative approach: dismantling a flood-damaged structure and reusing its materials to construct a new flood-resilient building that reframes the flood not as a disaster, but as a unique spatial and sensory experience. The design is guided by three key focuses: flood resilience, flood experience, and extending material lifetime. The structure is elevated to withstand shallow floods and equipped with a watertight facade system capable of resisting up to 1.5 meters of water. The architecture responds to seasonal change by opening fully in dry, warm weather to dissolve the boundary between house and garden. In contrast, during storms or flooding, the building transforms into a secure refuge, with closed walls and a carefully designed interior atmosphere that embraces water through light, reflection, and sound. Materials from the original building are repurposed based on their physical properties, with all components designed for disassembly, maintenance, and eventual replacement using biobased or recycled alternatives. The methodology combines an extended Double Diamond model, drawing from Bryan Lawson theory, with site analysis, case studies, material experiments, and environmental simulations. A national survey of 49 allotment owners and one in-depth interview contribute user-specific insights. Ultimately, this thesis argues that retreat from flood-prone areas is not the only solution. By embracing water, designing for multiple levels of flooding, and prioritizing long-term material circularity, architecture can offer both resilience and meaning in the face of climate uncertainty.

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A master thesis from Aalborg University

From Ruin to Resilience: Adaptive Reuse After Floods