"In an age of diminishing natural resources, architects and their clients need to know about an environmentally sustainable alternative to new construction: new life for old buildings. This book presents six case-study buildings, each more than a generation old that were on the brink of oblivion. Mitchell/Giurgola Architects, based in New York City, worked closely with the client to determine how each project could be salvaged by incorporating updated program elements to serve a new generation of users. All six case studies present in detail how each project is analyzed, from its energy use to its mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, as well as its structural stability. The buildings often expand in size, with a seamless melding of new and old. Contemporary curtainwalls not only improve building performance, but also lend a fresh aesthetic appeal. The results are born-again buildings created for a fraction of the cost and consuming far fewer materials than a new facility built from scratch."--Jacket.