In other words, would you take one for the planet and go native? California horticulturalists have long touted the benefits of using native plants in our residential and commercial landscaping. You’ve probably seen the headlines about how much water could be saved by tearing out our lawns and replanting with a variety of drought-resistant, native
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
Let’s face it, every profession creates jargon. Think of the secret handshake, only in terms of language. When conversing with each other, people in the same profession can understand words and expressions the rest of us would find bewildering. Architects are no different. If you’ve ever worked with an architect, some of the “jargon” they
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
That question became a mantra of sorts, to highlight the achievements of women architects. On October 1, 2023, we lost the pioneering woman behind that often-asked question, Beverly Willis. She became an architect, industrial designer and inclusion advocate at a time when women were effectively excluded from a myriad of professions. She passed away
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
An architectural challenge facing many cities in the US is how best to convert commercial office buildings into housing. Some might wonder why conversions of empty office buildings aren’t happening faster. Cities like San Francisco face a lack of affordable housing and a growing homeless population. The same is true even for smaller cities like
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. In many areas, industrial and manufacturing buildings that have historically been cornerstones of their communities are in danger
Lessons in History, the Phoenix and Circular Architecture History repeats itself, with lessons for all of us. A recent exhibit in Warsaw, Poland, reminds us of the legend of the phoenix. The tale reveals that this immortal bird died by fire, only to be reborn again out of the ashes. After World War II, Warsaw
In any bathroom retrofit for aging in place, the bathtub and shower are likely to be key considerations. Getting into and out of the tub or shower presents challenges and risks for those with limited mobility or vision, so selecting the right product for your abilities and lifestyle is important. General Safety Recommendations Regardless of
