Adaptive Re-use

Today, while doing my daily search for all things architectural, I encountered an interesting project in California. The 747 Wing House, designed by David Hertz Architects, uses airplane wings to span the large open interior spaces to create fantastic mountain views. Instead of finding old-growth timber, or shopping the steel yards for new I-beams, the architect instead purchased an entire 747.  The cockpit windows were turned into skylights, the cabin deck was used for the guest house roof, and then of course there are the wings,

                                                   Image Credit: http://www.archdaily.com/165172/747-wing-house-david-hertz-architects/web-12/

By selecting the plane, Hertz also re-used material that used substaintial resources and energy to produce. Also, a 747 is able to withstand the extreme conditions experienced at 40,000 feet so the weather of California should not be too much of a problem. Expect this house to last a long time.

                                                     Image Credit: http://www.archdaily.com/165172/747-wing-house-david-hertz-architects/web-3-2/

This lead to more internet searching and I encountered many different types of adaptive re-use. There is the common product re-use like the 747 House, but with a much more ubiquitous material.

                     Image Credit: http://www.archdaily.com/127570/container-guest-house-poteet-architects/21-container-guest-house_credit-chris-cooper/


The shipping container structure has been a common theme recently and the possible outcomes of these little structures are amazing. For example, a mass housing crisis, like the aftermath of the Haitian earthquake, or Japanese tsunami, could be alleviated by shipping thousands of prefabricated container houses to the afflicted areas.

                Image Credit: http://www.archdaily.com/127570/container-guest-house-poteet-architects/6-container-guest-house_credit-chris-cooper/


There is also historic re-use, or a project that takes a run-down or just generally old building and re-purposes the structure. Personally, this may be my favorite type of project as there are ample opportunities to display the historic significance of the building while simultaneously creating new spaces within. The Musée de l'Orangerie is a wonderful example.

                                                 Image Credit: http://www.worldtoptop.com/musee-de-lorangerie/

Originally a "hot-house" for orange trees, the building was used by French royalty during the mid-19th century. The building went into disarray during and after the French Revolution but was re-purposed by Claude Monet to house his famous "Les Nymphéas" paintings. Recently, the structure was again renovated to add additional gallery space and to better protect Monet's paintings from harmful UV light. The building itself is built with classical proportions and columns, but once inside exhibits a simple contemporary style. In plan, the galleries resemble lily pads and almost literally float within the building as they hang over the new gallery spaces.

                                                 Image Credit: http://www.worldtoptop.com/musee-de-lorangerie/

Another historic example is The Mint, a project by FJMT in Sydney, Australia. Originally the Mint Coining Factory, the building was re-purposed to be the headquarters for the Historic Houses Trust. Contemporary buildings and additions were inserted into the old, crumbling structure. Within the building are great old v. new details.

                                                             Image Credit: http://www.archdaily.com/59430/the-mint-fjmt/mint_john-gollings_fjmt_09/

                                                        Image Credit: http://www.archdaily.com/59430/the-mint-fjmt/mint_john-gollings_fjmt_11/

The projects above show the other side of architecture that is not as widely publicized, but can obviously be just as great, if not better, than brand new buildings. Here at Venture, we recently completed an adaptive re-use project for Harding & Shelton in Oklahoma City. Located in historic "Brick Town" the offices make use of an old, abandoned brick building.

Before

 After

By exposing the existing brick walls and decorative concrete columns, keeping the large punched out windows, and repairing the brick exterior, the building maintains its historic character while creating a unique work environment. The exterior remains similar to its neighbors and will fit in nicely as Oklahoma City continues re-developing Brick Town. The Harding & Shelton project has been entered into two design competitions. Stay tuned to see how we fared!

Learn more at www.venturearchitecture.com