Adaptive Reuse Reimagined: Designing Multifamily Housing from Existing Buildings  

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.

Erick Rodriguez, AIA, Associate at KFA, will present how the firm set a national preservation precedent through its integral role in the development and implementation of the city of Los Angeles’s original Adaptive Reuse Ordinance in 1999. The ordinance introduced zoning incentives that encouraged the residential conversion of underutilized commercial buildings, helping catalyze the revitalization of Downtown Los Angeles.

John Skok, AIA is a Principal at McIntosh Poris Architects, a firm founded in 1994 with the mission of saving Detroit’s historic buildings. McIntosh Poris worked with civic leaders to change outdated commercial and historic zoning, allowing multifamily/mixed-use second lives for underutilized buildings. John will provide an overview of how the firm has had a hand in saving nearly 100 historic buildings, making them attractive for development capital. He will show design solutions for converting former automotive factories and decommissioned schools into housing.

Milton Lozano, Products Director at Tamlyn, will discuss the approach 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.

Photo courtesy of McIntosh Poris Architects

Erick Rodriguez, AIA, Associate at KFA, has a decade of experience as a design and community-development professional, beginning his career at a non-profit affordable housing developer in Cleveland, OH. Erick’s architectural aspirations align with KFA’s enduring interest in the intersection of social awareness, design, and innovation. He is passionate about bringing quality housing to Los Angeles, where he was born and raised. Erick currently serves as Project Architect on the adaptive reuse of the historic Sunkist building, known as Citrus Commons, and on projects supporting the ongoing affordable housing redevelopment of Jordan Downs in South Los Angeles. Erick holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Woodbury University (Burbank, CA).

John Skok, AIA, is a principal at Detroit firm McIntosh Poris Associates, which he joined in 2001. John excels in adaptive re-use and preservation of historic buildings at McIntosh Poris, which has helped save more than 90 Metro Detroit buildings to date. Challenges John navigates while revitalizing century-old buildings include zoning/code compliance and variances, community engagement, and adaptive design for current-market occupancy. He received a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Detroit Mercy, where John is an active member on the Dean’s Advisory Council. He is a former member of the board of zoning appeals for his hometown of Ferndale, Michigan.

Milton Lozano, is the Products Director at Tamlyn, based in Stafford, TX. He holds a B.S. in Mathematics from the University of Houston and brings over 13 years of experience in education and leadership. Throughout his career, Milton has developed a broad skill set that includes strategic planning, teaching, problem-solving, presentations, team management, and business development. These skills directly support his current role, where he leads educational initiatives across all product offerings. As Products Director, Milton works collaboratively across departments to drive internal success while also engaging directly with customers to ensure their needs are fully understood and met.