Title

Author(s)

Agustin Azar

Affiliation

University of Buenos Aires

DOI

https://doi.org/10.65686/ZCKQ5409

Keywords

Adaptive Reuse, Office-To-Housing Conversion, Urban Obsolescence

PP

98-105

How to Cite

Azar, Agustin. “Plasticity and Distortion Exploring Office Obsolescence in Buenos Aires.” In Proceedings of the International Conference on Adaptive Reuse. Volume 1, edited by Andrea Crudeli, Francesca Molle, and Emanuele Carrai, 98–105. Firenze: STH Press, 2026.

Abstract

This paper examines the adaptive reuse potential of obsolete office buildings within Buenos Aires’ historic business district, known as Microcentro. Once a vibrant epicenter of finance and commerce, this area has experienced a progressive decline marked by increasing vacancy rates and urban obsolescence trends that were dramatically accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the widespread adoption of remote work. Adopting a past–present–future structure, the study first traces the morphological evolution of the district, revealing how its dense, low-porosity fabric evolved through continuous infill and transformation over time. It then investigates the spatial and functional implications of vacancy through an integrated methodology involving field observation, GIS-based mapping, and archival analysis. Building on these insights, the paper introduces an analytical framework based on two complementary categories—plasticity and distortion—to assess the architectural adaptability of existing buildings. The framework not only enables a qualitative evaluation of transformation feasibility but also offers a transferable tool for identifying and prioritizing reuse opportunities. By translating architectural interpretation into a potential index of conversion candidates, the research bridges diagnostic and projective approaches, contributing to broader debates on adaptive reuse, urban resilience, and the sustainable reactivation of obsolete central business districts.

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.