Purpose This study explores how adaptive reuse of a non-purpose-built facility can function as an effective academic workplace, focusing on the conversion of under-stadium spaces at Thammasat University’s sports stadium. It aims to examine how the physical and environmental characteristics of spaces resulting from adaptive reuse influence user satisfaction, spatial usability and user well-being, as well as organisational experience and to identify the forms of value – functional, social and cultural – emerging from this adaptive reuse process. The study highlights how design and operational factors shape privacy, comfort, collaboration and institutional identity within a spatially constrained yet symbolically meaningful setting. Design/methodology/approach A mixed-methods design integrated quantitative and qualitative approaches to capture both measurable and experiential aspects of workplace use and performance. Structured questionnaires were administered to academic and teaching support staff to evaluate satisfaction across spatial and environmental factors. Complementary semi-structured interviews with senior administrators and a focus group with seven academic staff provided deeper insights into adaptive behaviours, organisational culture and planning constraints. Quantitative and qualitative findings were triangulated to ensure a comprehensive understanding of user experience within the reused facility. Findings The adaptive reuse of the stadium generated both symbolic and functional outcomes. Users valued the location’s visibility, institutional identity and natural light, reflecting strong emotional attachment and pride in the reused setting. However, shortcomings such as limited privacy, poor acoustics and inadequate storage revealed persistent environmental–functional misfit. Staff responded creatively, informally adapting classrooms, storage rooms and breakout areas to meet daily needs – behaviours that demonstrate resilience and participatory value creation. These findings illustrate how adaptive reuse fosters institutional visibility and resilience through user-led adaptation within physical constraints. Despite these limitations, the reuse strategy enhanced departmental visibility, strengthened collective identity and optimised existing resources, illustrating that adaptive reuse can produce cultural and organisational value beyond physical performance. Practical implications The findings highlight that adaptive reuse projects in universities can achieve long-term value when design and management strategies focus on user participation and incremental improvement rather than full-scale renovation. Introducing flexible zoning, modular furniture and informal social spaces can enhance functionality and user well-being while retaining the character of the reused structure. Facility managers and planners are encouraged to treat reuse as a continual process of adaptation – where user feedback and cultural identity guide ongoing spatial refinement. Originality/value This study reframes adaptive reuse as a process of cultural and organisational renewal, not merely physical transformation. It demonstrates that reused environments can generate added value – functional, social and cultural – when users actively shape and personalise their workspace. By linking post-occupancy evidence with the concept of value creation, the study offers new insight into how user-centred reuse strategies can strengthen both institutional identity and sustainable workplace performance in higher education. The study further positions adaptive reuse as a structured and intentional mechanism of value creation within higher education workplace environments.
Chaiwat Riratanaphong (Mon,) studied this question.