Architecture is a form of cultural expression, reflecting the values ​​and needs of a people, telling their story through the centuries. From the perspective of the conservation of historical buildings, one of the main instruments for preserving these buildings is to adapt their use. The objective of this article is to conduct a case study and present a proposal for adapting the use of the former Industrial High School, located in Natal-RN. The building is currently in disuse and is beginning to show signs of damage due to lack of maintenance. The eclectic-style building, built around the end of the 19th century, was an important protagonist in regional society, being the headquarters of the public security battalion and later given over to the School of Apprentices in Crafts, the industrial high school, which were precursors of the Federal Institute of Rio Grande do Norte. The adoption of its use will demonstrate the relevance and will make the sociocultural insertion of the building. Nevertheless, the proposed use of the structure foresees the preservation of the existing structure in conjunction with contemporary architecture, aiming to meet the requirements of usability. The project was carried out in two stages: the first was the survey of the existing building, as built, and the analysis of restoration and replacement interventions. The second stage consisted of the development, through computer modeling using BIM tools, of re-qualification projects, maintaining the educational purpose and providing space for a museum dedicated to technical education, a scientific hub and a business center for external development.