Retrofit: what it is, how it works and examples in Brazil

Retrofitting emerged as a strong trend for renovating old buildings in Europe and to this day it is a widely sought-after solution. It is no wonder that many countries began to work with the technique, and today, even in Brazil, architecture offices and Interior designers use this work as experts in the field. Working with retrofit, however, is not that simple. It is necessary to invest in technology along with quality materials, and in the case of the former, this is something that few professionals are qualified to do. Another point to pay attention to is that the architectural style of the building does not must be lost , therefore, it is a matter of revitalizing, possibly with touches of innovation, but preserving the style initially adopted. The advantage of incorporating Retrofit is an issue that goes beyond aesthetics. It involves the preservation of historic buildings and urban spaces , a direct relationship with the safety of the population and also the feeling of seeing a "new" monument.

What is Retrofit?

Retrofit is a process that aims to restore old buildings in order to preserve the original architecture , and also adapt it to current legislation. A renovation is carried out with high-quality and super-resistant materials to maintain the building as a safe and bold. Regarding legislation, this is perhaps the most important point that Retrofit must address . After all, think about it, laws are somewhat volatile , and new buildings often need to undergo small changes to comply. Imagine an old monument ? Much more problems. Although it may seem like just bureaucracy, the truth is that adapting these buildings is also a way of making them safer. In practice, professionals responsible for a Retrofit project must plan the building like any other, but with the challenge of preserving its original architecture. Some examples of this technique are:

• Facade retrofit : total or partial renovation of the building's facade, adapting it to external environmental conditions, using high-quality materials and new paint;
• Renew electrical installations;
• Adapt the hydraulic system;
• Renovate structures and coverings (masonry, internal and external finishing, foundation, etc.).

Advantages of Retrofit

Investing in retrofitting brings different benefits, especially for urban centers in large cities. It is a way to modernize the region and eliminate the "abandoned" appearance of the space. This offers great prestige and even satisfaction to the population. Another benefit is that it makes the space safer and, in the case of unoccupied buildings, it can be repurposed. In other words, after being renovated, the building can have a new purpose and serve its social role in the city. Although we talk a lot about buildings, the truth is that Retrofit can revitalize old and historic houses or even squares , which are later reopened to offer leisure to the region's residents.

Difference between Retrofit and Rehabilitation

Although they are in fact very similar concepts (which justifies the confusion), Retrofit and Rehabilitation are distinct concepts. Understand the differences below: Rehabilitation is assigned in situations where the building will undergo changes that alter the building's memory , that is, its architecture is not preserved . Furthermore, in these cases, the building usually receives a new assignment afterwards. Renovation, remodeling, requalification, among others names can be attributed to this technique. Retrofit, on the other hand, has a deeper character, because in addition to renovating spaces in accordance with legislation and conservation needs, it needs to have a project that preserves the original architecture , to fulfill the central objective: to maintain the memory of the living and present space .

How to do a Retrofit project?

To carry out a Retrofit project, the office must be willing to invest in new, more modern technologies to achieve a high level of delivery with few errors.

BIM is a technology widely used for creating projects. Although professionals talk a lot about the 3D model - which already guarantees efficiency in construction - recently some companies have adopted 4D, which for cases such as Retrofit is more suitable due to its high degree of accuracy . BIM is a library that incorporates all the information and specificities of a product directly into the project , with the correct measurements and a more realistic view of the project as a whole, especially in relation to the frames.

Ultra-realistic renders

Renders are excellent tools for providing a more realistic view of the finished project . In practice, the architect or engineer can make a 2D drawing of the building that will be restored, and show it to the client or even visualize in the best possible way how the monument will look. stay post Retrofit, he invests in renders that bring the 3D solution of the restored building.

Retrofit in Brazil

In Brazil, some historical monuments have undergone revitalization without sacrificing the memory of the space. Some well-known monuments, built by great Brazilian architects, could not abandon their origins. Below, check out some examples of buildings that used Retrofit for their renovation:

Picture Gallery

Designed by none other than the great Paulo Mendes da Rocha , the building was constructed at the end of the 19th century, and throughout the years it has undergone different changes - and was even abandoned for a time. The Retrofit project was an intervention to adapt the building to the new current regulations and also guarantee safety to revitalize its use. To do this, those responsible needed to:

• Incorporate a new electrical grid;
• Replace the roof with a glass model to better illuminate the environment;
• Adapt ramps and include elevators for people with reduced mobility;
• Reinforcement of the floor structure.

Hotel Fasano

Another classic example of Retrofit that we couldn't leave out of our list is the Hotel Fasano , located in Salvador, and considered one of the most famous lodging buildings in Brazil. The building was created in 1930 . Its structure was restored and its memory preserved and today it is one of the most beloved establishments in Brazil for the world when it comes to accommodation. Its revitalization was necessary especially so that the hotel could receive visitors in a cozy and safe manner .

Santander Lighthouse

Opened in 1947, Farol Santander (formerly the Altino Arantes Building) also underwent renovations that preserved its art deco architectural appearance . It was remodeled and reopened in 2018 and receives different visitors who come to visit the space's exhibitions and even its contemporary architecture. The renovation lasted about two years, and revitalized both the facade and the interior of the building.

Maracanã Stadium

The retrofit carried out at the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro was one of the most prestigious and received an award at the AR Future Project Awards 2013 in the "Retrofit" category. It was restored to host the 2014 World Cup games. The stadium had been built in the 1950s and the retrofit work was carried out by Fernandes Arquitetos Associados . The firm's main function was to modernize the structures while preserving the stadium's striking features , which are protected by historical heritage.