DefinePK

Abstract

Adaptive reuse of historical buildings is a common practice on a global scale for the preservation and survival of architectural heritage. Several historical buildings in Pakistan are being used for purposes other than those for which they were built. Bahawalpur City is known as the city of palaces because it is the custodian of the region's rich architectural heritage. These palaces are losing their identity and aesthetic sense due to a lack of proper repair and maintenance, except for those that are used for non-residential purposes other than residence and are in good condition with visitor appeal.The concept of this paper is based on an investigation into the practical viability of the Noor Mahal Palace in Bahawalpur after restoration and adaptive reuse. With the timeless history, architecture, and distinctive features of the interior built environment of the State Era, palaces, serve as an ideal aspiration for conservation and adaptive reuse in recent times. A case study was used as a methodology to obtain results, such as the Baltit Fort in Hunza, Gilgit Baltistan, which was restored and repurposed as a museum. The findings show that adaptive reuse is essential for improving quality, applying sustainability principles, renewing the old resource with future demands, and extending the age of a building, in addition to offering a safe and healthy environment and economic benefits. In the end, the study offers a theoretical research outline that can be used to guide decision-making for restoration and adaptive reuse projects. It also makes recommendations for significant implications for the relevant authorities.