Goodwin, AmaraEbert, CarolaGalović SimonidaBerlin International University of Applied Sciences2025-12-092025-12-092025https://repository.berlin-international.de/handle/123456789/1204This thesis investigates the adaptive reuse of abandoned building stock that evades traditional conceptions of heritage buildings, examining their potential as catalysts for social cohesion and urban regeneration. While early adaptive reuse theory primarily focused on the adaptation of historic heritage, through the research, new light is shed on other categories of the built environment that would otherwise not have aligned with the traditional established framework of traditional conservation practice. Drawing on design theories of community-led “vernacular” interventions, ephemeral design approaches and building life cycles, new prospects emerge regarding counteracting abandonment and the redundancy of already existing building stock. Furthermore, attention is drawn to the unique opportunities of temporary occupation and how experimental interior architecture interventions can substantially contribute to this goal. Critically assessing the existing relevant literature on the topic, such as Camocini and Nosova’s Framework for designing with temporality and duration as well as Kohler and Yangs assessment models of building stock management, it connects contemporary ruins to overarching themes of sustainability, cultural value, community and urban regeneration. Case studies of occupied community led instances within the context of countercultural movements are analyzed to assess their effectiveness to counteracting negative connotations of abandoned buildings, fostering community engagement, and extending the effective life of buildings. The research conducted points to the effectiveness of shorter-term interventions, on the scale between events and intermittent use, counteract societal preconceptions and aversions towards disused infrastructure, mitigating rates of demolition. Inquiry into this topic effectively contributes to the further development of adaptive reuse discourse by shifting the notions of interior interventions further towards flexibility and responsiveness to the broader urban landscape, actively including the built environment left to be forgotten and erased.adaptive reuseuser generatedvernacularcommunity led interventiontemporalityThesis