Older structures that may be neglected are getting a second life through something called adaptive reuse, writes Roger Morris for The Hunt.

That process is utilized by some architects and builders in the Brandywine Valley.

The region has more older buildings so adaptive reuse is an approach more often seen here.

“Some people think no one does this sort of stuff anymore, but they do,” said Justin Detwiler, senior project manager for John Milner Architects in Chadds Ford. “There’s a strong vernacular architecture in this area.”

Reconversions are custom work, so each adaptive reuse building is unique.

The work is challenging but hard to resist for some architects.

Clients usually start off with a vague idea of what they want.

“They want to have traditional warmth, but with modern living,” he said. “The main things they want are larger closets, dressing rooms, and bigger kitchens.”

An adaptive reuse project can involve issues like leaking hazardous materials from a buried tank, asbestos, rotting beams, and unstable foundations.

Since the work is so specialized, the architects and builders who take on these projects are usually viewed as more daring and confident.

“There are only a few of us who do it,” Detwiler says. “Every project has its challenges. It’s like working on a 3D jigsaw puzzle.”

Read more about adaptive reuse building projects in The Hunt.

Editor’s Note: This post was initially published on DELCO Today in September 2025.