Every fall, Indiana’s historic towns and neighborhoods come alive with festivals, markets, and community gatherings. From Oktoberfest in Carmel to First Fridays in downtown Indianapolis, these events celebrate the character and culture that make our communities unique. But as Indiana continues to grow, many of these historic spaces face a challenge: how do we preserve their heritage while adapting to meet modern needs?

Fall is one of the busiest times of year for construction in Indiana, and for good reason. The weather is favorable, schedules are filling up, and many organizations are working to complete capital projects before the year ends, or next year’s budgets are locked in.

As towns and suburbs across Indiana continue to grow, so does the demand for construction. But in many cases, these projects aren’t happening on empty lots—they’re happening in the middle of fully functioning spaces. Churches still need to serve their congregations. Offices are still working. Municipal buildings still need to stay accessible to the community.

That’s where occupied space construction comes in—and why it matters more than ever.