How is the "regenerative architecture" mentioned in the description different from building new?
Many readers come across the term "regenerative architecture" in the story of the headquarters building, but do not quite understand how it differs from remodeling or new construction.
Regenerative architecture is an approach where an existing building is not torn down, but rather adapted for a new use while preserving its structure and exterior.
While new construction tears down an existing building and starts anew on an empty plot of land, regenerative architecture first decides what to keep and layers a new use on top of it. The headquarters of LOW CLASSIC is an example of this. Without tearing down a building that was used as the Prime Minister's official residence in the 1960s, it was renovated through regenerative architecture and is now being used as an office building[1][2].
Looking at what was preserved makes the nature of this method even clearer. The facade, gable roof, skylight, and the signage that hung on the building were kept as they were[3]. The facade refers to the front of the building facing the street, the gable roof refers to a triangular roof rising in the center, and the skylight refers to a window placed in the roof rather than in a wall. The front and the roofline are the parts that determine how this building looks from the outside, and the skylight creates the spot where light falls from above. While these are things that could be newly made if it were newly built, in this case, the choice was made to leave what was already there.
It took that much time as well. After purchasing the building in 2021, construction continued for over 1 year[4], and more than 1 year after the purchase was spent keeping the building vacant while finding the right person to entrust with the remodeling. Spatial direction was carried out together with Lee Hyein Design Studio[5]. The name on the signboard also remained. While postponing the decision until the very end because it was a pity to take it down, the staff naturally began calling this place "Mirae," and so the original name "Mirae Building" is used as the current name of the headquarters building[6].
hmmm, the place where the difference from new construction is most apparent seems to be the name rather than the materials. If it were a newly built building, giving it a new name would be natural, but here, the name that preceded it became the name it is called today as is.
We have not yet confirmed whether outside visitors can tour the interior of the headquarters building.