Residential
Meridian Arch
Project Name:
Meridian ArchLocation:
Indianapolis, Indiana, USACompletion Date:
2009Original Use(s):
church & schoolNew Use(s):
residential condosProject Description:
History
Meridian Arch first started as the Meridian Street Methodist Episcopal Church in Indianapolis. The church was completed in 1906 using Indiana limestone in the style of French Gothic architecture. At that time, the front of the church had two large spires on either front corner. The congregation eventually left the building after growth required a larger facility. Indiana Business College then took over the site in 1947 and added offices and classrooms. The college then required additional space and moved out in 2003.[1]
(Re)Developer
The site was (re)adapted by Hearthview Residential. Although their initial plans called for demolishing the church, community activists and the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission quickly had the building placed on Historic Individual Property status. Hearthview quickly and without argument altered their plans to adapt the existing building instead.[2]
Outcome
The new Meridian Arch offers the community a new lease on life. Respecting the building’s place and effect within the area’s social fabric, the new residences easily mix within the neighborhood. It is surrounded by the Veterans Memorial Plaza and new Central Library. The building now offers 27 condos for this community. “Although the alterations have made the church ineligible for the National Register, they made it eligible to remain a living, contributing building to the city. That was a good trade off.”[3]
[1]Hearthview Residential
[2]DIG-B
[3]INArchitecture
Images courtesy of Indiana Historical Society and INArchitecture.
CITY MUSEUM
Project Name:
CITY MUSEUMLocation:
Saint Louis, Missouri, USACompletion Date:
1997Original Use(s):
shoe factory and warehouseNew Use(s):
museum and residential loftsProject Description:
History
The building was once home to the International Shoe Company. At 600,000 square feet, it included a shoe factory and warehouse.
(Re)Developer
Purchased in 1993, the site found a new purpose and life thanks to Bob and Gail Cassilly. Bob, a classically trained sculptor and serial entrepreneur, spent four years reworking the site for his new vision.[1]
Outcome
Opened in 1997, the museum is not only an example of adaptive reuse itself but its displays and elements are repurposed architectural and industrial objects. It includes such features as old chimneys, salvaged bridges, construction cranes, miles of tile, and two abandoned planes. “CITY MUSEUM makes you want to know,” says Cassilly. “The point is not to learn every fact, but to say, ‘Wow, that’s wonderful.’ And if it’s wonderful, it’s worth preserving.”[2]
Some of the exhibits include: shoelace museum, World Aquarium, Enchanted Caves and Shoe Shaft, Skateless Park, and MonstroCity. Thanks to the success and vibrancy of the museum, Cassily has used the City Museum as a neighborhood anchor to help develop several nearby commercial and residential buildings as well as include lofts within the shoe factory.[3]
[1]Wikipedia
[2]CITY MUSEUM
[3]Wikipedia
Images courtesy of Wikipedia, UNC Asheville Multimedia Arts/Sciences Council, and artnet.
Gas Station Home
Project Name:
Gas Station HomeLocation:
Berlin, Germany, EUCompletion Date:
2008Original Use(s):
Shell gas stationNew Use(s):
private residenceProject Description:
History
Located in Berlin’s Schöneberg district, this site was once home to a Shell gas station. The building itself was built in 1956 on top of the foundation of a residential building that had been destroyed during World War II.
(Re)Developer
The property was purchased by Juerg Judin who had been pining over the possibilities of the station for years. Mr. Judin is an art collector and dealer from Zurich who moved to Berlin upon the completion of this adaptive reuse project.
Outcome
A contaminated piece of land has successfully been cleaned up and a new life has been given to it. The finished concept is that of a space for an artist-in-residence. The original building was completely renovated, a new wing was added, and a garden/patio/pond were located in the old paved lot. The original station offers 970 square feet of live/work space while the new addition has provided 3,200 square feet, with the second floor of that addition used as exhibition space. The gas stations old canopy for the pumps has been retained and used as a cover for the outdoor seating area.[1]
[1]The New York Times
Images courtesy of The New York Times.
Chapel Residence
Project Name:
Chapel ResidenceLocation:
Utrecht, Netherlands, EUCompletion Date:
2009Original Use(s):
chapelNew Use(s):
residenceProject Description:
History This beautiful old Catholic chapel in Utrecht had served its community as a religious center for centuries (exact date of founding is uncertain - please email if you can verify).
(Re)Developer
Zecc Architecten has a long history of renovating historic and cultural sites.
Outcome
The conversion offers a brand new modern look inside while still respecting the historical appearance on the exterior. Due to its high ceiling, a second floor was able to be incorporated thus increasing livable space. The living room, dining area, and kitchen are located on the first floor while the second floor is used as a loft space. The original stained glass windows were retained while additional windows were incorporated on the first floor on the street side to allow for additional natural light. Very little of the original structural interior was altered, save the organ balcony which was extended for additional floor space. Furniture from the old chapel was also reused – benches are now used for seating at the dining table which is also made from benches.[1]
[1]Zecc Architecten
Images courtesy of Zecc Architecten.
Recycled House
Project Name:
Recycled HouseLocation:
Buenos Aires, ArgentinaCompletion Date:
2008Original Use(s):
residenceNew Use(s):
residenceProject Description:
History
The building, built in the 1950s, has served as a residential home in Buenos Aires. It is a small lot within an upscale neighborhood.
(Re)Developer
The home was renovated and “recycled” by architects Gustavo Dieguez and Lucas Gilardi of a77 studio. The small firm has been actively working with discarded materials in architecture and conceptual works which they employed with this project.[1]
OutcomeWhile not a true adaptive reuse project in that the building retained its original use, the renovation found new uses for old infrastructure elements to be used throughout the home. This project is a great example of sustainability, from the reuse of the building and infrastructure materials to the small lot size and excellent use of light and ventilation.
The architects rescued and used about 50 meters of highway guard rails and close to 300 meters of discarded metal profiles as well as the doors and windows from the original home.[2] The end product is home that includes a spacious loft, bedrooms and a central courtyard, topped by a green rooftop patio and pool.[3]
[1]TreeHugger
[2]TreeHugger
Trendir
Images courtesy of Trendir.
The Malthouse
Project Name:
The MalthouseLocation:
Richmond, Victoria, AUCompletion Date:
1996Original Use(s):
grain silosNew Use(s):
apartmentsProject Description:
History
This building originally served the community of Richmond as large grain silos.
(Re)Developer
The old grain silos were redeveloped by Nonda Katsalidis of Fender Katsalidis Architects in Southbank, Victoria.
Outcome
Unofficially referred to as the “Crown of Thorns” thanks to the new capping, these large towers are now home to a number of apartments. They are a stark contrast to the surrounding area of low-rise housing. With a single apartment per floor, the added structure contains the living areas while the original silos house the sleeping and services spaces.[1]
[1]Fender Katsalidis Architects
Images courtesy of Grollo and Wikipedia.
Redfield House
Project Name:
Redfield HouseLocation:
Pittsfield, Massachusetts, USACompletion Date:
1992Original Use(s):
public schoolNew Use(s):
housing and support services for pregnant and parenting young womenProject Description:
History
The old Pittsfield Redfield School was built in 1896 and was able to hold 330 students.[1]
(Re)Developer
The non-profit Berkshire Housing Development Corporation purchased the building to help better serve the needs of the community.
Outcome
Redfield House now serves as a supportive housing complex for young single mothers and their children. The first floor is used for offices and meeting space, while the upper floors include 24 apartments. “It gives women an opportunity to complete their education and learn work skills while living in a safe, secure environment.”[2]
[1]The Internet Archive
[2]Berkshire Housing Development Corporation
Images courtesy of Berkshire Housing Development Corporation.
Leonard-Congello House
Project Name:
Leonard-Congello HouseLocation:
Morrison, Colorado, USACompletion Date:
Original Use(s):
schoolhouseNew Use(s):
private residenceProject Description:
History
This 1875 building once served as a schoolhouse outside of Denver.
(Re)Developer
The homeowners worked with Faleide Architects to convert this 19th century building for their 21st century living needs.
Outcome
Much of the original building remain intact on the exterior aside from the old bell tower. A new addition to the side and rear offer deck and outdoor living space. The homeowners were able to reuse this interesting building without consuming additional land.
Images courtesy of Faleide Architects.
Villa de Murph
Project Name:
Villa de MurphLocation:
Atlanta, Georgia, USACompletion Date:
2001Original Use(s):
automotive electric parts warehouseNew Use(s):
private residence, officeProject Description:
History
Serving as an automotive electric parts warehouse since it was built in 1947, the building had seen better days. The front of the building consisted of the repair shop with a warehouse that was added in the back in the 1960s. The owner passed away in 1992 and with him went the shop. The family shuttered the building and moved away, leaving the property to fall apart.
(Re)Developer
Architect David Yocum was searching for an existing building in a forgotten part of Atlanta, something to breath new life into. He wanted something that no one else wanted – to make his own and eventually his firm’s office.[1]
Outcome
The 1,650-square-foot repair shop was gutted and turned into an open courtyard. Yocum added a wood-burning stove to the courtyard to make an outdoor fireplace and tore up the back third of the concrete floor, replacing it with landscaping; he made “stepping stones” through the garden to the studio entrance with the discarded concrete. The back warehouse (1,850 sf) was redeveloped as a live/work space. David and his wife share the space with David’s firm, bldgs (his partner is Brian Bell). Skylights were added to increase natural lighting.[2]
[1]bldgs
[2]The New York Times
Images courtesy of bldgs.
2100 Greenwood Lofts
Project Name:
2100 Greenwood LoftsLocation:
Evanston, Illinois, USACompletion Date:
2009Original Use(s):
rolled steel cutting factoryNew Use(s):
live/work loftsProject Description:
History
The complex initially was a rolled steel cutting factory located in Evanston, north of Chicago. It was built of steel and brick.
(Re)Developer
Evanston Condos purchased the complex with the intention to reuse the structure for live/work space. Not only did they intend to reuse the building, but the bricks from any of the walls that had to be removed were reused elsewhere in the complex for new construction.
Outcome
2100 Greenwood Lofts has developed into an architecturally unique loft community of 27 units with 12 to 20 foot ceilings and 1,000 to 2,700 square foot live/work space. There is an open private courtyard that meanders through the complex. By developing the units as live/work spaces, the units offer residents the ability to work from home and reduce their carbon footprint as well as save money[1].
[1]2100 Greenwood Lofts LLC
Images courtesy of 2100 Greenwood Lofts LLC.