| Michael
Goldschmidt, AIA, Resident Instruction Assistant Professor, Housing
and Environmental Design Specialist, Department of Architectural
Studies, University of Missouri Extension
You have a good question, but you may be surprised by the answer.
In modern times, these words are frequently used interchangeably
and one is meant to be equal to the others. However, traditionally,
the terms meant:
Rehabilitation: Also sometimes referred to as reuse. Keeping
the building the same but changing its use: using an old church
for a school, for example.
Sometimes it meant keeping its use but changing the specific
type, i.e. changing a McDonalds to a Taco Bell.
Currently, it is used interchangeably with restore.
Traditionally, remodel and renovate meant the same thing. However,
you will find some older references where:
Remodel means a change in structure or volume (raising the roof,
removing load bearing walls), and where renovate is referring
to new finishes and colors.
Restore, means to bring the structure into a particular era of
history, preferably authentically.
Rebuild, a term not on your list, refers to a new structure built
on a site where an existing building has been demolished, but
I’ve heard it in reference to a large remodel/renovation of a damaged
structure, such as the type currently found in New Orleans.
|