Adaptive Reuse Reimagined: Designing Multifamily Housing from Existing Buildings
An outside-in approach to façade and envelope strategies in the conversion of commercial and historic structures
Sponsored by TAMLYN
Live Webinar Airing on July 29, 2026 at 02:00 PM ET
As cities grapple with housing shortages and aging building stock, adaptive reuse has emerged as a critical design strategy for transforming underutilized commercial and historic structures into high-performing multifamily housing. For architects, these projects present unique opportunities to work within existing constraints while rethinking building performance, identity, and occupant experience.
This webinar explores design-forward approaches to adaptive reuse through the lens of the building envelope. Framed by an “outside-in” methodology, presenters will examine how façade systems and exterior assemblies can be leveraged to manage the movement of water, air, and heat while addressing the challenges of existing structures. From recladding and overcladding strategies to integrating new insulation, air barriers, and high-performance glazing, the session will highlight how envelope design becomes a primary driver of both performance and architectural expression.
Through real-world case studies, architects will gain insight into how to balance preservation requirements, code compliance, and energy performance goals while delivering compelling residential environments. The course will emphasize practical strategies for aligning envelope specification and installation with broader design intent, enabling successful conversions that are resilient, efficient, and visually impactful.
Photo courtesy of SeanPavone
TAMLYN is a family-owned company with 50 years in the building products industry and has placed a great deal of recent focus on building science, especially moisture management. This direction led to the development of their TamlynWrap® line, Drainable with its 1.5mm bonded filament creating an enhanced WRB, and RainScreen 6.3 (1/4”) and 10.1 (3/8”). TamlynWrap® RainScreen is a multi-layer water management system, intended for use over existing WRB or coated sheathing, of cavity spaces that are non-compressible and act as a furring matrix to promote enhanced drainage and drying, paired with improved installation efficiency.
Originally published in Architectural Record
Originally published in May 2026
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Identify key façade and building envelope strategies used in adaptive reuse projects to control the movement of water, air, and heat in multifamily residential conversions.
- Evaluate how recladding, overcladding, insulation upgrades, air barriers, and high-performance glazing systems contribute to occupant comfort, energy efficiency, and long-term durability.
- Examine the challenges of integrating contemporary envelope assemblies within existing commercial and historic structures while addressing code compliance, preservation requirements, and constructability.
- Analyze design approaches that align building envelope specification and installation with broader architectural goals to create resilient, healthy, and visually impactful multifamily housing environments.
