The Wonder Bread Factory building in Washington, D.C., where the eponymous sliced white bread and the parent company's sweet Hostess cake treats were made, is emblematic of how adaptive reuse can be an important part of revitalizing a neighborhood. The four-story building, with its brick-and-steel façade, is part of a group of buildings in northwest
The Seaholm District in Austin, Texas, is an adaptive reuse project centered around the former Seaholm Power Plant, a series of late Art Deco-style buildings completed in 1955 that have lain dormant since 1996. The redevelopment, which started in 2013 and is ongoing, has taken the property from abandoned industrial site to a vibrant example
Adaptive reuse is the ultimate urban (or suburban) recycling project. Adapted buildings are terrific for their communities from a social, economic and environmental standpoint, and they offer business owners unique spaces to conduct and showcase their work. Over the past weeks, I’ve written several posts about adaptive reuse of old buildings because I think it’s
In the past weeks, I’ve written about the environmental, economic, and social benefits of repurposing buildings – also known as adaptive reuse – and about some of the most popular types of buildings currently being adapted. Over the next few posts, I’d like to take a look at some of the other kinds of structures
Last week, I talked about what makes repurposed buildings such a great choice for businesses and communities. Now, I’d like to look at the kinds of buildings savvy business owners are reclaiming and renovating. The options for repurposed buildings are limited only by supply and your (and your architect’s) imagination. Existing offices and retail spaces
Repurposed buildings are becoming a more important part of the architectural landscape. Here's why I think they’re a great choice for business owners. What Are Repurposed Buildings? A repurposed building is an existing building that has been adapted for reuse. Repurposed buildings sustain old structures rather than demolishing them, often modernizing them and adding new
Post-frame construction has been around since humans first started building spaces to live in, but it is becoming a more popular option for new home and commercial construction, thanks to its flexibility, sustainability and cost-effectiveness. What Is Post-Frame Construction? Post-frame construction is an engineered-wood-frame building system that meets Uniform Building Code (UBC) and International Building
Building design can have a signficant impact on your health. According to the landmark National Human Activity Pattern Survey (NHAPS), conducted between 1992 and 1994, people spend an average of 87 percent of their lives in enclosed buildings, where pollutants like tobacco smoke, volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), asbestos, pesticides and carbon monoxide can prolilferate and,
Make energy efficiency part of your 2021 New Year's resolutions. January is typically a time to take stock of ourselves and our goals. Many of us ask ourselves, “What do I want to achieve this year?” Along with going to the gym five times per week, eating less meat, or finally finishing that novel
This post first ran in 2016. Most people who pay attention to contemporary American architecture have heard of Eichler homes. Developer Joseph Eichler’s dream of bringing beautiful, affordable modern design to the masses was spurred by his admiration of Frank Lloyd-Wright’s soaring architectural designs, and the homes he built throughout California beginning in the late
