This warehouse extension is completed by London-based architectural studio Hawkins\Brown and it brings with itself a potent historic charm to the area. It has become a common practice that when designing a home, the focus falls on contemporary sensibilities. When working on an office building within a 19th-century warehouse, on the other hand, one focuses on preservation and mimicry of iconic styles.
During a project that involved extending a 1890s warehouse, Hawkins\Brown completely mirrored the Victorian aesthetic of the existing structure. The new addition boasts a sense of symmetric unity that fuses old and new into one entity. While the outside preserves a historic charm, the inside is kept contemporary and sleek.
Photo Credits: Jim Stephenson, Tim Crocker
Victorian-Mirroring Warehouse Extensions
Hawkins\Brown Bases Its New Design on an Existing One
Trend Themes
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Historic Charm Preservation — Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop design strategies that seamlessly blend historic charm with contemporary aesthetics.
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Symmetric Unity in Architecture — Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore architectural designs that mirror existing structures to create a sense of unity between old and new elements.
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Preserving and Mimicking Iconic Styles — Disruptive innovation opportunity: Design office buildings that pay homage to iconic architectural styles while incorporating modern functionality.
Industry Implications
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Architecture — Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrate innovative materials and technology into architectural design to create visually striking yet functional spaces.
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Construction — Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop construction techniques that enable seamless integration of modern extensions with existing structures while preserving their historic integrity.
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Interior Design — Disruptive innovation opportunity: Combine contemporary design elements with iconic styles to create unique and visually appealing office spaces within historic warehouses.