Traditionally, shophouses are designed to provide for business premises on the ground floor and residential accommodation on the upper storeys; terrace houses and bungalows are designed purely for residential use. Structurally speaking, the original use is always the best use for a conserved building.
However, old buildings may often have to be restored and upgraded to meet modern living needs or to accommodate new uses. In restoring and adapting a conserved building to new uses, it is important to adhere to the conservation principle in order to retain the intrinsic character and historical value of the building. Alterations or strengthening of the building structure is to be done in the most sympathetic and unobtrusive way, using the original methods and materials wherever possible.
The restoration and adaptation of conserved buildings to new uses require an understanding of the behaviour of traditional buildings, traditional building construction methods, and how the buildings hold themselves together by the intricate interaction of the various elements.