The Conservation and Rehabilitation of Listed Buildings in Line with the Relevant Regulations and Community Needs

For the time being, there is a considerable amount of abandoned, historical buildings worldwide which are sadly distinguishable owing to the progressive state of dilapidation they are in. The primary reason for which these valuable constructions are forsaken is the absence of monetary funds that would naturally allow for their long-term maintenance. Ordinarily, the owners of these proprieties do not have such substantial financial reserves, which impedes the conservation or extension of the buildings’ lifespan. Nevertheless, the local authorities of some countries have devised numerous coherent policies through which they minimized the extinction of listed buildings. The present article introduces a particular and original strategy to rescue a grouping of Grade II listed buildings in Preston, United Kingdom, and restore their potential of being community beacons [1]. The architectural adaptability and conversion potential of these constructions have been rigorously examined in parallel with the community’s needs. So far, the collection of buildings has represented a social danger for the residents of Preston being gradually obliterated by the passage of time and exposure to damaging weather conditions. The access on site has been restricted for decades which inconsolably led to a faster physical degradation and an accelerated sense of oblivion among locals. Beside the regenerative quality of the proposed architectural solution, the initiative also encompasses a variety of benefits for the local inhabitants. If the buildings formerly operated as an orphanage for abandoned roman-catholic girls, a chapel, and a community ward, the new proposal champions an architecture that promotes shareability through a series of internal and external facilities which will serve the local and wider community. Therefore, the article will demonstrate that consolidation is not the singular option to reinstate a historic structure, but when perceived from a multidisciplinary perspective, it can yield successfully developed schemes where the viability of a physical form is complemented by a preserved architectural language.