Title

Author(s)

Zhengwen Zhu

Affiliation

Department of Architecture and Urban Studies, Politecnico di Milano

DOI

https://doi.org/10.65686/EOOD5823

Keywords

Spolia, Adaptive Reuse, Contemporary Practices

PP

1044-1051

How to Cite

Zhu, Zhengwen. “Contemporary Spolia in Adaptive Reuse.” In Proceedings of the International Conference on Adaptive Reuse. Volume 1, edited by Andrea Crudeli, Francesca Molle, and Emanuele Carrai, 1044–1052. Firenze: STH Press, 2026.

Abstract

The reuse of building components is a common practice since ancient times, and among such reuses, the spolia means spoils initially and gradually implies a mixture of the concepts of ruins and spoils. It often indicates a special reuse associated with a meaningful intention, distinguishing it from general material reuse. In buildings’ adaptive reuse, some parts of the buildings will inevitably be demolished and deconstructed because of new spatial purposes. However, what happens to their dismantled components if they are reused instead of being shipped and discarded in landfills? Attention to spolia in adaptive reuse should be put on the agenda in the face of climate and resource crises today. The contemporary spolia plays a role in the building’s adaptive reuse by adapting these dismantled components back to the buildings themselves for changing needs and purposes beyond only the materiality, allowing the reinterpretation and appropriation of their reuse. How does contemporary spolia interact with adaptive reuse? The research will reveal the two typical approaches to contemporary spolia in adaptive reuse through case studies, to show how adaptive reuse could benefit from the prior life of building components and their spolia way, and rediscover a long-term absent material culture today.

Edited by
Andrea Crudeli
Francesca Molle
Emanuele Carrai

Publisher
STH Press, Firenze

ISBN Paperback – 9791281661141
ISBN Ebook – 9791281661158
DOI – https://doi.org/10.65686/SISY7263

Year
2026

Proceedings of
International Conference on Adaptive Reuse
hosted by The University of Pisa, Italy
15-19 September 2025, at the Gispoteca di Arte Antica dell’Università di Pisa.