Abstract
Regeneration of old buildings is one of the most imperative responses to the 21th century issue of sustainable urban architectural environment. In particular, creative circulation of generation which conversion means highlights the conversion as a new design method. In this study, by examining buildings built over the last decade, the mutual relationship between old elements of existing buildings and new elements of newly required functions was analyzed and types of relationships such as 'alien insertion', 'mediate intervention', 'endogenous expansional enveloping', 'contrastive confliction' and 'over-layering' were defined. In addition, design strategies including the paradoxical curio, fore-grounding and unification were derived from each relationship. Finally, according to the relation type and design strategy, this study suggests several features of conversion design; (1) maximization of symbolism using unfamiliarities - emphasizing futuristic or contextual symbol with intentional contrasts by preserving the work or using contemporary addition; (2) time confusion using neutral space - meeting the need by harmonizing and cooperating existing elements and new elements; (3) mutual emphasizing by individualization - revealing differences between old and new for an aesthetical tension; (4) synchronism by constructional combination - making the one unity of different layers; (5) expansion by enveloping - experience of visual reverse and creation of extra space by roofing above building groups. The reconversion should be continuously researched in the future since conversion is a sustainable design method for the future of architecture.
