Tangible Remnants, a podcast hosted by Quinn Evans associate principal Nakita Reed, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, released a four-episode series examining adaptive reuse as a sustainable approach to architecture. The limited series Building Reuse is Climate Action features conversations with the architects, designers, and clients behind four Quinn Evans adaptive reuse projects: The Marie Reed Community Learning Center, The Love Building, Walter French, and The Packing House. Each episode explores how repurposing existing buildings reduces embodied carbon while preserving heritage and strengthening communities.

Watch the overview video below and explore each episode to hear their stories of transformation and impact.

Marie Reed Community Learning Center

Before its renewal, the Marie Reed Community Learning Center was a secluded building in Washington, DC. Today, it is a welcoming place where families want to send their children to school and a hub that also supports the wider community. The conversation features Quinn Evans senior associate Tracy Hucul, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, and former school principal Katie Franklin Lundgren reflecting on how the design came together, how the community shaped it, and the impact the renovation continues to have.

Listen here: Reviving Legacy: The Marie Reed Community Learning Center Story

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Walter French

What was once a vacant school in Lansing, Michigan, was transformed into a vibrant hub for the community. The adaptive reuse of Walter French demonstrates what’s possible when vision, determination, and collaboration drive a long-term transformation. The conversation features Quinn Evans principal Ann Dilcher, AIA, LEED AP, APT RP, and architect Jaclyn Peterson Melfi, AIA, LEEP AP along with Emma Henry, the current Executive Director of Capital Area Housing Partnership, and Rawley Van Fossen, the former Executive Director who is now the current Director of Economic Development and Planning for the City of Lansing, Michigan.

Listen here: The Walter French Project: A Tale of Transformation

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Love Building

The Love Building in Detroit, Michigan, reflects what’s possible when design puts people first. Our team worked to transform this space through intentional design and community engagement, aiming for a truly universal experience where all users can enjoy the space. The episode features Quinn Evans principal Saundra Little, FAIA, LEED AP, along with Kwaku Osei, Executive Director of the LOVE Building, and Jeannette Lee, its founder and former director.

Listen here: Building Dreams: The LOVE Building Project Journey

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Packing House

The adaptive reuse of the Packing House in Cambridge, Maryland, transforms this former canning factory into a vibrant space that celebrates its history while also supporting the businesses reshaping the Eastern Shore’s economy. The episode features Quinn Evans principal Ethan Marchant, AIA LEED AP BD+C, along with Bill Strever, CEO of Cross Street Partners, and Margaret Northfleet-Neff, development partner at Cross Street Partners.

Listen here: From Ruins to Revival: The Packing House Project