Items Tagged ‘residence’
Sand Studios and Residence
Project Name:
Sand Studios and ResidenceLocation:
San Francisco, California, USACompletion Date:
May 2009Original Use(s):
warehouseNew Use(s):
office, residence, galleryProject Description:
History
Built in 1943 as part of the redevelopment of South Park into a light industrial area, the warehouse was utilized for a number of decades.[1] South Park had originally been created 1852 as an exclusive residential district in San Francisco. The area began to “decline” after the construction of Second Street opened the area to a wider demographic. This resulted in the wealthy residents moving to Nob Hill in the late 19th century. Much of the neighborhood was destroyed during the earthquake of 1906. This vacant land then found a new purpose as a light industrial district.[2]
(Re)Developer
Larissa and Jeff Sand purchased the warehouse in 2003 to relocate their family and business Sand Studios. Larissa is a designer who studied architecture at the University of California, Berkeley, while her husband, Jeff, is an industrial designer.[3] Their firm, Sand Studios, combines minimalist design with material expression, refined details and atmospheric lighting.
Outcome
The warehouse was saved from demolition when a development company planning to replace the building with new condominiums had lost its financing. Larissa saw the opportunity to reuse the structure and provide a new home for her family and business after a fire forced them out of their previous location. The 8,500-square-foot masonry-and-timber post-and-beam structure is located on a 3,730-square-foot corner lot just one block from the neighborhood’s oval park. The three story structure was divided into the family’s residence on the top floor, the studio office on the second floor, and the studio’s machine shop on the ground floor. The ground floor also now includes a 2,500-square-feet gallery space that may be used to rent out for retail uses in the future.
Ample skylights and windows provide plenty of daylight and natural ventilation. Larissa focused on reusing as many of the original building materials in the renovation. Any elements that needed to be replaced were accomplished through natural and/or recycled materials. A central two-story atrium was added to bring light into the 7-foot-10-inch-high office and allows workers to observe the shop below.
“The Sand Studios restoration project is a welcome addition to a neighborhood that has survived natural and economic catastrophes and struggles to overcome myriad new real estate developments. With its side doors rolled open, the building emits the lively sounds of buzzing machines and friendly banter. Activity animates the place day and night. The Sands have not only revived a spot that might have become another generic condo, they’ve infused it with a spirit of innovation, rehabilitation, and reuse that embodies San Francisco’s history of enterprise and recovery.”[4]
[1]Architectural Record
[2]Wikipedia
[3]Architectural Record
[4]Architectural Record
Images courtesy of Kenneth Probst.
Nozkowski and Robins Residence
Project Name:
Nozkowski and Robins ResidenceLocation:
New York City, New York, USACompletion Date:
1969Original Use(s):
underwear factory, shower-curtain factory, neighborhood still, Chinese laundry, fabric storeNew Use(s):
studio residenceProject Description:
History
This synagogue on Hester Street in New York City has seen many uses over its lifetime. Aside from its original use as a place of worship, the building has also served as an underwear factory, shower-curtain factory, the neighborhood still, a Chinese laundry, and a fabric store.
(Re)Developer
Thomas Nozkowski and Joyce Robins married in 1967 after they finished art school. Nozkowski is a painter while his wife Robins is a sculptor.
Outcome
The couple purchased the building in 1969 and undertook the adaptive reuse project with only $3,000. They had to install the electrical and water lines. The building’s simple, open plan was consistent with their work and living philosophies. Through their studies with Abstract Impressionists, they solidified their belief that it is morally important to live and work in the same place. The synagogue-turned-studio where they worked on their art (and raised their son, Casimir) is unchanged since those renovations.
Items in the photos:
- The skylight and windows
- The balcony where women sat to be separate from men during services
- Robin’s workspace with some of her sculptures
- Refinished wood floors
- Large geometric wood-frame couch build by Nozkowski’s father
- Stained-glass window
- Rear wall used to project movies for gatherings
- Open studio space[1]
[1]New York Magazine
Images courtesy of New York Magazine.
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.
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.
Wolzak
Project Name:
WolzakLocation:
Zutphen, Netherlands, EUCompletion Date:
2004Original Use(s):
farmyardNew Use(s):
family residenceProject Description:
History
The project location was originally a farmyard that included a farmhouse, livestock barn, and other outbuildings. The farm had since closed. There’s was now a need for a larger residence.
(Re)Developer
Bjarne Mastenbroek of SeARCH (Amsterdam) took on the project of converting this structure. The architect envisioned a program of retaining the historical and spatial qualities while adding the new function of family residence.
Outcome
The “new” structure has unified the original farmhouse with the outbuildings. Only the livestock barn was demolished, but in its place a new structure is developed that is situated to keep the original T-form.
“The existing farmhouse and outbuildings are divided programmatically from the new extension. Living accommodation is situated in the existing building with the adjoining part of the extension housing a large open kitchen space and the entrance, situated between the new and existing. The workroom, guest accommodation and garden store are all located in the remainder of the new volume separated from the living spaces by a large conservatory. The freestanding barn is retained with an option for a future swimming pool conversion.”[1]
