Looking Ahead at Adaptive Reuse: Designing for the Gain Factor

Now that the commercial sector of design and construction has slowed to an imperceptible crawl, how are architects and interior designers going to prepare for the future? What can we do to keep going as creative, contributing, and prepared professionals in this situation that has confronted us? 

In reality, we have many alternatives for temporary or permanent career choices and alternative career paths that could lead us to make a living, keep busy, start a new life, and live life in complete bliss and happiness. But why get drastic? The game is not over by a long shot. It is merely the momentum shifting.

There will always be a need for architects and interior designers who can design with pragmatism and knowledge. This is as opposed to going downhill sans brakes with the previous "Dubaistic" buffet in design, which would take a client down the slippery slopes of a construction black hole and then suddenly owning an exotic white elephant who nobody wants to ride later on. We have all "heard" about those projects....never seen one? (You sure?)

The commercial architecture sector could really define any project that includes a pragmatic approach to gain, be it financial, perceptive, emotional, or spiritual. That definition certainly would include human beings temporarily or permanently using and or residing in such a structure. So then, you could easily justify any building as commercial due to the “gain factor.”

At any one time, any structure has or could have the gain factor in economics. That can be translated to the appeal of such a structure as a functional and aesthetically pleasing building so as to satisfy whatever future use this structure could have, as in retrofit and/or adaptive reuse. The future looks good for that sector: One of the most pragmatic approaches to a new building project that an architect can provide a client is the built-in flexibility within the confinement of a project program.
But why do historic structures in the USA fail to become recycled icons in a community as we see in quantity in Europe? Even though a lot of restrictions apply, Europeans adapt and conventional functional uses are also retrofitted to adapt and work within these given spaces.

It is simply because Europeans adapt to functional use and design based on what is frugally available instead of always starting on an abundant blank slate as we have grown accustomed in this country. In the USA, an “anchoring factor” adds to the appeal, meaning that a structure adds more to society because it is different and represents our evolving society.

The future of our design disciplines and service philosophies should bring a demand for increased ingenuity in design, flexibility, durability, and longevity in our buildings. The throw-away/disposable times should be over, as far as a lot of our culture is concerned, and it will definitely apply to the design and construction industry. There will be a focused expectation to return to basic fundamentals of rational approach, to problem solving and solutions, and clients in a new a new time of sobriety will demand it.

The evolution of professionalism and knowledge based involvement and provision of services in any aspect of business, including A&D, is already being much more emphasized than before. The architects and interior designers that can provide that level of knowledge, control, and visioning to a client will be at the forefront of that resurgence of new activity. Now, proof and evidence of studied knowledge is the requirement to undertake any endeavor. Is this a wish, a fact, a desire... or a real need after this recent economic lesson?

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Bob Chisholm, FAIA, is chairman of the board of R.E. Chisholm Architects. Headquartered in Miami, Fla., the firm has completed numerous high-profile projects since 1982. Current and other notable projects include Art Deco Historic Preservation Master Plan, Miami Baseball Park Stadium, Cuban Exile Museum and Library, U.S. Century Bank Headquarters Building, Everglades Farmworker Village (largest affordable housing community for the U.S. Department of Agriculture) and three comprehensive facilities for the homeless in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. He can be reached at bob@chisholmarchitects.com or (305) 661-2070.

The ‘GEMS’ of Design Charity

To end on a happy note this week, Contract magazine wants to help Perkins+Will spread the word about a great charity fundraiser. As a probono project, Perkins+Will is redesigning the Girls Education & Mentoring Services (GEMS). The non-profit organization seeks to empower and help young women that have been sexually exploited and trafficked in the sex industry to create a better life for themselves. To help fund the project, the firm will host a fundraising event, whcih will help to furnish the project space, at its New York offices, located at 215 Park Avenue South, 4th Floor, on July 27 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Please RSVP to: karen.brown@perkinswill.com

The redesign plans of GEMS’ community center will be complete in August, with construction starting shortly after.

See what GEMS is all about. View the below videos:

Hope Floats

While creating a spectacular visual design might not by itself be a life-saving endeavor, it can be when artful inspiration meets practical safety. Morely Builders recently announced that it has teamed up with Portraits of Hope, an organization that utilizes public art projects as therapy for hospitalized children, in an effort to adorn 30 miles of lifeguard towers (38 in total) along the Los Angeles County Coast with colorful artwork. Each piece created by adults and children with serious illnesses, disabilities, and socio-economic challenges.

The exhibit will be on display through October 1. The recyclable boards and vinyl roofing will then be sent to aid rebuilding in Haiti and Chile.

--Stacy Straczynski

A ‘Bald’ Move

FANIMATION president Nathan Frampton might be feeling a bit of a breeze these days, and its not from of one of his company’s innovative ceiling fans. The company announced today (May 11) that Frampton, as a promise to those who contributed and supported his recent participation in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life®, shaved his head. He raised $1,500 in total for the cause.

"I participated in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life® because we want to see an end to cancer," explains Frampton in a statement. "The American Cancer Society's Relay for Life® allows us the unique opportunity to celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and support the American Cancer Society’s lifesaving mission by fighting back against a disease that has already taken too much."

As someone who is an advocate for any type of cancer research and fundraising (both my grandmother’s suffered and ultimately died from the disease when I was a little girl), this story peaked my interest. While I am glad that money was earned for the cause and that FANIMATION is actively supporting the fight against cancer, I wonder how Frampton’s actions might be perceived among the public. Since cancer patients undergo chemotherapy and typically lose their hair, which can be quite an embarrassing and traumatic experience, I hope that his positive intentions won’t be misconstrued.

What do you think: Was Frampton’s decision to bare all up top wise, or do you think it might resonate an unintentional insincerity? What do you think he should have done instead to gain contributors?

--Stacy Straczynski

GROHE Thinks Pink

Kitchen and bath product manufacturer GROHE has partnered with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) to launch a fundraising initiative called “Hope Flows…30 Minutes at a Time.” The company's contributions will fund a research project for an entire year.

For every sale (through participating kitchen and bath showrooms) of GROHE Ladylux3 Plus and Ladylux3 Café faucets, GROHE will donate $25 (30 minutes of research time) to BCRF through the Hope Flows initiative. The manufacturer’s goal is to raise $250,000 during the first year of the initiative to support BCRF's efforts. GROHE’s projected contribution will fund a research project for an entire year. Additionally, GROHE employees, trade partners, and consumers will be invited to make personal contributions to the Hope Flows campaign. Also part of the fundraising effort is the company's pink-faced Rainshower Icon hand shower, available late 2010.

For more information, visit www.grohehopeflows.com.

 

-- Hospitality Design

Inspiration is Only a Chair Away

Herman Miller is taking a ‘seat’ on the need to show the next generation that a little imagination—plus a little application—can go a long way. In collaboration with Operation Design, an organization that works to put students in direct contact with design professionals to put their creative juices flowing, the office furniture solutions company is sponsoring Eames Inspiration, an online auction.
 
From May 11 through June 1, a collection of Herman Miller Eames Moulded Plywood Lounge Chairs that have been decorated by famous street and graffiti artists will be featured in Barneys New York (Madison and 61st Street) storefronts. The one-of-a-kind chairs will then be auctioned online. Visit www.opdesign.org for more info and images of these artistic chairs.

--Stacy Straczynski

   

Pasadena Showcase Brings Up the House

It’s a fact, everyone needs a home to put up their feet—especially if you’re the American Red Cross. This year, Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts partnered with the emergency response organization to rejuvenate Cravens Estate, a 20,000-sq.-ft. Pasadena landmark that serves as home to the San Gabriel Pomona Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross. Over 30 designers participated in the project, as well as various architects and advisors, to restore the Estate while preserving its original design.

Located on 16 acres of land, the residence has 50 rooms and is three stories high. The original design involves a French mansard roof, imported golden mahogany and walnut paneling, gold plated fixtures, large French doors, and marble floors.

One room within the Cravens Estate is the Family Media Room, which is made from approximately 80 percent green elements. Designed by Designs of the Interior (DI), it utilized cork flooring, hand painted and hand cut wallpaper, and Sustainable Forestry Initiative-certified upholstery frames. Additionally, all the metal parts that were used were 95 percent recycled steel, while natural flax, which requires little chemicals and no irrigation in its production, was used as the sectional fabric.

Recessed can lighting was added to the room, but DI remained true to the original design by refinishing the doors, keeping the built-in cabinets along the wall at the entry of the room, and enhancing the primary plaster ceiling with a hand-applied relief pattern.

--Gillian Wong

When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Design It Themselves

By Stacy Straczynski, Associate Editor

We’ve all heard of do-it-yourself projects, but this self-designed rail station project takes the cake. For years, residents in the small village of Tajnagar, India, located just outside Delhi, were in need of a local rail station.  Although the tracks passed right by their homes, the townspeople had to travel seven miles to catch a ride at other stations. After many denied requests to the transit authorities, they teamed up to save money ($45,000) and build their own. Overall, the construction took a little under a year, and the station opened this past January.

See the Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_HDMG06iUg

While the station is by no means aesthetically inclined—the whole station consists of a small ticket counter and two basic platforms, lacking an actual building—the minimalist design gets the job done. What a great example of teamwork and ingenuity!

What other stories have you heard about where local communities banded together to create their own design solutions?

Salvaged Sustainability

By Stacy Straczynski, Associate Editor

Everyone’s eyes seem to be green these days—and it’s not from envy. Sustainability is the word, and I’m sure the media has already covered almost every possible angle to greenwash us by now. (Quite frankly, I’m a bit jaded by it all myself.) But this one story that came across my desk about a start-up retail design studio in East London really caught my eye due to its innovation and feel-good vibes.

When it formed during the middle of the credit crunch last January, Campaign didn’t have extra dollars to spend on fancy high-end worktables for is small staff of five—four employees and a “designated mascot” pug named Effie. Rather than shell out cash it didn’t have, the company used its creative juices to rethink the traditional worktable (pictured right). The employees went to the streets of its surrounding metro area and reclaimed any type of abandoned furniture they could find, searching street corners, dumpsters, etc. Tables, chairs, cabinets, and even lamps were fair game. Once collected, the team gave the pieces a white finish to revitalize its appearance, compiled an interesting arrangement, and then bolted them together to create one single, albeit unique, piece of office furniture.

The Alchemy Table, as it’s now called by Campaign, has grown with the company over the last year. As more staff members joined the team, each have made some sort of contribution to the “work of art.” The homespun project is now not only a success in recycling, but can be interpreted as a symbol of successful teamwork and group collaboration.

AFH Responds to Haiti Disaster

Architecture for Humanity, the not-for-profit organization that responds to catastrophic humanitarian disaster with long-term design solutions, is responding to Tuesday’s devastating earthquake in Haiti, which has left widespread destruction and thousands dead according to official estimates. In an email blast, AFH executive director Cameron Sinclair said, “We have launched an appeal for supplying construction and design professionals and supporting earthquake resistant housing and community structures.” AFH does not provide emergency services to disaster-ridden areas, but focuses instead on housing displaced persons in the long-term, and rebuilding safer and stronger buildings.

For more information on Architecture for Humanitiy’s activities in Haiti, or to donate money or volunteer to participate in future rebuilding efforts, visit http://www.architectureforhumanity.org/