Reuse of industrial architecture. Toward a strategy of preserving former industrial architecture

Reusing and adapting buildings is a very old practice but in recent years the results it has given in conserving historical buildings and preserving architectonic values have been very good. In post-war Albania, the idea of an industrial country began to materialize with the construction of industry. After the fall of communism regime, these buildings and industrial sites were abandoned and left to the mercy of time to deteriorate and fall apart due to degradation. Buildings and industrial sites in Albania constitute a good part of the stock of buildings with historical value to be preserved. Industrial buildings and sites in Albania have been allowed to deteriorate, as their conservation is considered not as important as other types of cultural and architectural heritage structures. The characteristics and architectural features of this typology of buildings such as the large spaces they cover make this typology of architecture suitable for adaptation to any other type of other function. However, they are characterized by special architectural and technical features, as well as large spaces suitable for redevelopment for new uses. This paper seeks to focus on the practice of reuse of industrial buildings in Albania as a good opportunity to preserve these typologies of buildings.