Often, changing the purpose of a building or plot can be a lucrative opportunity for landlords. Take converting a commercial building into a residential property, for example. As we discussed in a previous article about conversions, turning a characterful old factory or warehouse into stylish flats can be a serious moneymaker.
However, various things need to be taken into account. As discussed in the aforementioned article, commercial buildings were created for a different purpose. This means that owners have to tread carefully to ensure their plans are up to code from the outset, or else risk running into costs and delays later down the line.
But this isn’t to say that just because you’re changing the building’s purpose you have to re-do and re-fit everything. In fact, with the right consultation, you can unlock a lot of existing value in the building at the start of the project. Let’s explore this idea further.
Upcycling MEP to maximise value
As we introduced, a building conversion is a lucrative project for landlords. However, it’s usually a profitable venture for all involved, which is why some firms in the trade might encourage building owners to gut the place and start from scratch – and send them the bill to boot. Although this will certainly meet building standards, it isn’t necessarily the most cost-effective, environmentally or efficient solution.
Often, many ex-commercial or industrial properties will be littered with hidden gems that can help building owners make the most of energy efficiency and space. These characteristics will help you to maximise the building’s value while saving time, money, and hassle.
A good comparison is the rising ‘upcycling’ trend in architecture, where disused building materials are used to create eye-catching design features. We like to think of this concept as upcycled MEP. Plus, the environmental benefits can be significant. For instance, the upcycled brickwork used to construct the new Carlsberg brewery in Copenhagen account for a 50-60% reduction in emissions compared to conventional materials.
Get the right consultants on board
Naturally, identifying these opportunities requires relevant expertise. As part of the pre-construction phase of the project, DJHC is offering a new MEP coordination service. Before assessing the viability of the architect’s design in regard to MEP, DJHC consultants can conduct a site visit to unearth these MEP hidden gems.
Realistically, it’s unlikely that you’ll know what the original features of the building can offer until you look. Although the temptation may be to go down the conventional route – and doubtless they’ll be contractors that will try to encourage this – the potential to extract value out of the property is enormous.
The upcycling concept is only just gaining traction and DJHC is ahead of the curve. Plus, with current environmental imperatives, you could significantly reduce the carbon footprint of your construction project. This will translate into savings long term, as ultimately, materially sustainable buildings are financially sustainable.