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Ma, X, Fatourehchi, D, Day, K, Vaz Serra, P, Herath, N, Yaghoubzadehfard, A and Mendis, P (2025) Evaluating 1960s-1970s Ageing Concrete Buildings Through Documentary Analysis for Renovation and Demolition Decisions. In: Thomson, C (Ed.) and Neilson, C J (Ed.), Proceedings 41st Annual ARCOM Conference, 1-3 September 2025, Abertay University, Dundee, UK. Association of Researchers in Construction Management, 981-990.
- Type: Conference Proceedings
- Keywords: Aging concrete buildings, Historical construction, Retrofit assessment
- ISBN/ISSN: 978-0-9955463-9-4
- URL: http://www.arcom.ac.uk/-docs/proceedings/9206c95707a7194f0732b8d4f439786c.pdf
- Abstract:
This paper explores the challenges and opportunities of managing mid-century concrete buildings through a techno-historical analysis of construction methods and contemporary retrofit options. Using the University of Melbourne’s John Medley Building—a controversial structure slated for demolition—as a case study, the research assesses how evolving building codes from the 1960s to the 2020s shape the feasibility of adaptive reuse. In the context of regenerative cities, the study highlights the broader value of preservation beyond carbon reduction, addressing embodied energy, cultural significance, and social networks. The paper identifies key regulatory transitions through a desktop analysis of architectural and engineering documentation. It examines the building’s compliance with modern standards related to concrete durability, fire safety, sustainability, and accessibility. The findings inform a broader methodology that integrates documentary research with non-destructive onsite assessment techniques, offering a framework for evaluating ageing concrete buildings. Although grounded in the Australian university context, the study has broader relevance for global urban renewal strategies.