Items Tagged ‘school’
Rescuing the Castaways
Synopsis:
When people first hear “adaptive reuse,” they automatically assume that the building being adapted is quite old and outlived its initial use. The real estate crash of 2008 changed this perspective. James Krohe looks at how the economic shift has reimagined adaptive reuse – now being utilized for even new or recent construction projects. The crash created a glut of buildings that either couldn’t sell or were foreclosed on and shut down. The largest impact was on housing, which Krohe provides examples of opportunities for affordable housing as well as subdividing McMansions. Some areas have or are projected to lose significant student body counts. While many schools may be shuttered for future use when the resident numbers go back up, others are being converted and in many cases as housing. Additionally, the suburban malls have lost out as many of these bedroom communities have shrunk. Many of these malls are being repurposed both for community uses as schools and art galleries. Many communities have instituted bylaws to make reuse of old or disused buildings easier. A couple of examples provided by Krohe are Hamilton, Ontario, and Salt Lake City, Nevada.
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Children’s Museum of Phoenix
Synopsis:
History
Designed by Los Angeles architect Norman Marsh, the Monroe School opened to elementary grade students in Phoenix, Arizona, in 1913. Due to Phoenix’s urban sprawl, the population in downtown decreased significantly as residents moved further and further away from the center. With a shrinking downtown resident base to serve, the School District closed the building in 1972. It was later remodeled by the Department of Defense and used as a recruiting center.[1]
(Re)Developer
The Children’s Museum of Phoenix, originally founded in 1998 as the Phoenix Family Museum, is dedicated to the concept that learning is a joy. With a mission to engage the minds, muscles and imaginations of children and the grown-ups who care about them, the group provided a traveling exhibit program (Museum Without Walls) for its first ten years while they created a permanent home at the Monroe School.[2]
Outcome
In support of the museum’s intentions and role within the community, Phoenix residents approved $10.5 million in bond funds in 2001 to purchase and renovate the Monroe School into the new Children’s Museum of Phoenix. In addition to the bond funds, the Museum also launched the Childhood Dreams Built By You capital campaign to raise an additional $12.3 million in funding. The adaptive reuse project started in 2006 and was completed with doors opening in June 2008.[3]
The Monroe School is now alive and active with children once again. Once a venue for structured learning, the Children’s Museum of Phoenix provides a more free-form and interactive method for kids and their parents to learn and play. While the original school may have closed due to a shrinking downtown population, the Museum has been successful in drawing in people from all over the Phoenix area as well as the new residential base that has resurfaced in downtown.
Abandoned Site In Leander Gets New Lease On Life
Publication Date:
March 9, 2010Written By:
Francisco Vara-OrtaSource:
Austin Business JournalRead more...
Synopsis:
An 80,000 sf whirlpool factory in Leander, Texas, is undergoing a major transformation. When Aquatics Industries Inc. shut down in 2009, the city lost 101 jobs and gained a vast abandoned lot. The $5 million project to adapt the factory hopes to revitalize and renew the site while at the same time bring back lost jobs. Once completed, the mixed-use building will be home to a community theatre, a private elementary and middle school, and retail and office tenants. The metal buildings, dating back to Aquatics founding in 1983, are part of the first phase of the project and will become the retail/office component. Way Off Broadway Community Players has signed a 10-year lease to take 10,000 sf in the adapted space. This cultural piece will be joined by Sterling Classical School who will add an educational aspect to the mixed use project. The renovated site should have a bright future thanks to its ability to adapt, low rent, and various uses.
Cambridge City Hall Annex
Synopsis:
History
Built in 1871, this building originally served as the Harvard Grammar School for Cambridge. The building sustained significant damage during a fire in 1899. It was then renovated and a new third floor and brick parapet were added.
(Re)Developer
Please supply any developer info you may have regarding the original conversion that took place in 1939.
For the 2002-2003 renovation, the City worked with HKT Architects and Consigli Construction.
Outcome
The 1939 work on the building saw the City convert the school into a new municipal office building. At that time, the brick parapet was removed due to structural issues. The 2002-2003 renovation however saw the building convert into an example of sustainability. The historic exterior of the building was preserved and the brick parapet was recreated to capture the building’s historical significance. A number of new green features were incorporated: water-efficient landscaping, alternative commuting options, minimized heat absorption, recycled materials, sustainable forestry, indoor environmental air quality, solar power, no boiler or furnace, maximized daylighting, “intelligent” lighting, and targeting energy use.[1]
Curley School Artisan Lofts
Publication Date:
November 7, 2007Written By:
Jennifer PopovecSource:
Multifamily ExecutiveRead more...
Synopsis:
Traditionally a pass-through town, Ajo has begun an economic development plan that centers on a large adaptive reuse project. The area is home to a thriving artist community which this project will help to play off of and support. The Curley School in the town center will be repurposed as 30 affordable live/work rental lofts for artists. This Arizona town hopes to create destination tourism and bring in additional revenue through art sales.