Adaptation: Strategies for Interior Architecture and Design is a great resource for growing and experienced designers. Graeme Brooker’s expertise in the field comes through as he presents a set of design strategies that are practical and humanistic, with a special focus on interior design.
About the Author
Adaptation: Strategies for Interior Architecture and Design is authored by interior architect, researcher, and educator expert Graeme Brooker, who has made noteworthy contributions to the field of interior architecture design with numerous publications and appearances.
In his research, Graeme Brooker investigates interior design and architecture’s cultural, historical, and philosophical aspects while exploring spatial representation through digital and traditional practices. With a passion for reusing existing spaces and buildings, his research also focuses on sustainability, spatial identity, and teaching in interior design.
Adaptation: Strategies for Interior Architecture and Design
Adaptation: Strategies for Interior Architecture and Design primarily focuses on creating new interiors from existing structures, adding a unique perspective to the growing body of publications in the field. It does not serve as a how-to manual but focuses on presenting a series of distinctive strategies for creating interiors, drawing from recent effective examples.
A proven practical book, Adaptation: Strategies for Interior Architecture and Design, presents eight distinct approaches for adapting existing and old buildings that summarise the broad spectrum of responses when reworking existing structures. By using comprehensive case studies from existing projects worldwide, it provides inspiration and reference with real-world insights and guidance for interior professionals and students.
Interior design, as emphasised in Adaptation: Strategies for Interior Architecture and Design, centres on the essential understanding of what already exists in a space, whether on a drawing, a computer screen, or within an existing building. The book emphasises the need for resourcefulness, rather than specific resources, as key to design quality.
Adaptation: Strategies for Interior Architecture and Design points out that a building is best modernised when working with remnants of the past and integrating them into present and future designs. Incorporating these strategies can breathe new life into abandoned environments, using surplus materials and challenging traditional definitions. As Interior architects and designers are increasingly being called upon to assist with the independent adaptation of pre-existing-built environments, the book demonstrates how innovation over starting from scratch provides a fresh perspective on building reuse.
Graeme Brooker stresses that the strategies are not concrete solutions and can often be combined to suit specific projects, showcasing their fluid nature. Interior elements, such as walls, floors, ceilings, and openings, are not the central focus of Adaptation: Strategies for Interior Architecture and Design but are used to explain and illustrate how a strategy can be achieved in ways.
The unique use of interior elements integrates key themes and ideas, such as recycling, sustainability, temporality, continuity, and layering, which are universal in interior design.
Adaptation: Strategies for Interior Architecture and Design points out that it is more practical to categorise interior projects based on the occupation of space through reprogramming, as opposed to its intended or primary function.
Key Takeaways from Adaptation: Strategies for Interior Architecture and Design
Graeme Brooker’s book Adaptation: Strategies for Interior Architecture and Design provides an informative journey into architectural creativity, innovation, and adaptation. This remarkable work introduces readers to innovative concepts that redefine the understanding of interior spaces. Inviting readers to consider the balance between continuity and change illustrates how careful integration and selective transformation shape how spaces are used. This sustainability-driven approach reveals the potential for reusing and repurposing overlooked materials and old spaces while showing how history and function can merge, allowing spaces to recount their unique tales and encouraging interaction and interpretation. Adding to and forever altering existing spaces upgrades an existing building or space to meet contemporary demands and remain useful for longer.
Other Notable Publications
To enhance the understanding and appreciation of interior architecture and design, these other works from Graeme Brooker and other authors could present a broader context for evaluating the significance and impact of Adaptation: Strategies for Interior Architecture and Design.
Notable publications by Graeme Brooker
Key Interiors Since 1900, published in 2013, provides a comprehensive overview of significant interior design projects and developments from the 20th century, offering valuable insights into the history of interior design.
Brinkworth: So Good So Far (Designing Interiors), published in 2019, offers insights into the transformation of spaces, showcasing the diverse range of activities that can be supported by creative interior design.
Rereadings 2: Interior Architecture and the Principles of Remodelling Existing Buildings, published in 2019 and co-authored with Sally Stone, is a follow-up to the original Rereadings from 2005. The book continues to explore the philosophical and theoretical implications of reworking existing spaces and buildings. The volume offers fresh insights and case studies on interior architecture and design, providing a deeper understanding of how existing structures can be transformed into new and innovative spaces.
Similar books by other authors
- The Architecture of Happiness by Alain de Botton.
De Botton’s book explores the connection between architecture and human emotions, providing a broader perspective on the emotional impact of interior spaces, which complements Brooker’s focus on adaptation strategies.
- The Poetics of Space by Gaston Bachelard.
Bachelard’s work explores space’s poetic and imaginative aspects, enhancing the understanding of interior spaces’ philosophical and psychological dimensions.
- Interior Design Illustrated by Francis D.K. Ching.
Ching’s book provides readers with a practical resource. Mention that Ching’s work is a valuable reference for the practical aspects of interior design.
- The Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs.
Jacobs’ work explores the dynamics of urban spaces and city planning, which can offer a broader perspective on the relationships between interior spaces and the surrounding urban environment.
Graeme Brooker’s expertise shown in Adaptation: Strategies for Interior Architecture and Design makes learning about the adaptive reuse of existing buildings an accessible and practical topic. The book articulates the theory of adaptive reuse and comparisons to real-world applications, resulting in an exceptionally high level of insight and information.
As an interior architect with a passion for history, restoration, and adaptive reuse, I appreciate having found Graeme Brooker’s rich knowledge and experience in Adaptation: Strategies for Interior Architecture and Design.
This book is a valuable resource and inspiration for exploring adaptation strategies.
Bibliography
Reference List
Berger, M. (2017). Adaptation: Strategies for Interior Architecture and Design – Review – Abe Books. Abebooks.com. Available at: https://www.abebooks.com/9781472567130/Adaptation-Strategies-Interior-Architecture-Design-1472567137/plp [Accessed 25 Oct. 2023].
Bloomsbury Publishing (2017). Adaptation: Strategies for Interior Architecture and Design. [online] Bloomsbury. Available at: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/adaptation-strategies-for-interior-architecture-and-design-9781472567130/ [Accessed 25 Oct. 2023].
Brooker, G. (2015). Professor Graeme Brooker | Royal College of Art – Academia.edu. [online] Academia.edu. Available at: https://rca.academia.edu/graemebrooker [Accessed 25 Oct. 2023].
Brooker, G. (2017). Adaptation: Strategies for Interior Architecture and Design. Bloomsbury Publishing Plc. ISBN: 978-1-4725-6713-0
Brooker, G. (2020). The Story of the Interior – RCA Research Repository. [online] RCA.ac.uk. Available at: https://researchonline.rca.ac.uk/2541/ [Accessed 27 Oct. 2023].
Brooker, G. (2023). Professor Graeme Brooker. [online] Academia.edu. Available at: https://graemebrooker.academia.edu/ [Accessed 25 Oct. 2023].
Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Library (2023). Book – Adaptation: Strategies for Interior Architecture and Design. [online] Exlibrisgroup.com. Available at: https://qut.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/fulldisplay?docid=alma991006441069704001&context=L&vid=61QUT_INST:61QUT&search_scope=MyInst_and_CI&tab=Everything&lang=en [Accessed 25 Oct. 2023].
RCA (2023). Professor Graeme Brooker. [online] Royal College of Art Website. Available at: https://www.rca.ac.uk/more/staff/graeme-brooker/ [Accessed 25 Oct. 2023].
Simmonds, S. (2017). Adaptations: Interior Strategies Review – 2017. RIAS Quarterly. Available at: https://www.academia.edu/43372454/ADAPTATIONS_REVIEW_2017 [Accessed 25 Oct. 2023]. Review of my book Adaptations by Rachel Simmonds, ECA.
Image List
- Adaptation: Strategies for Interior Architecture and Design
Dugdale, L. and Hevia, J. Adaptation: Strategies for Interior Architecture and Design. Graeme Brooker. Bloomsbury Publishing. 2016. Front Cover.
- Key Interiors Since 1900
Cover designer unknown. Key Interiors Since 1900. Graeme Brooker. Laurence King Publishing. 2013. Front Cover.
- Brinkworth: So Good So Far (Designing Interiors)
Fuel. Brinkworth: So Good So Far (Designing Interiors). Graeme Brooker. Lund Humphries. 2019. Front Cover.
- Rereadings 2: Interior Architecture and the Principles of Remodelling Existing Buildings.
Cover designer unknown. Rereadings 2: Interior Architecture and the Principles of Remodelling Existing Buildings. Graeme Brooker. RIBA Publishing. 2019. Front Cover.
