As brutalist movements and industrial styles in architecture are steadily being revived, edgy contemporary buildings find their roots in converted warehouses. One such project is the newly finished shopping center in London's King Cross. Heatherwick Studio took control over two coal warehouses that were in use in the 19th century. The volumes are connected through a "sinuous roof, designed to make it look like the old buildings were physically stretched towards each other." The new complex is dubbed 'Coal Drops Yard' — a definite nod to the converted warehouses, and boasts a line-up of shops and restaurants.
Heatherwick Studio's shopping center is an example of the rustic charm contained in industrial historic buildings. The clash between contemporary and traditional settings has, without a doubt, a striking presence.
Photo Credits: Hufton+Crow, Luke Hayes
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Revival of Industrial Architecture
- The revival of brutalist and industrial architecture can create opportunities for converting old warehouses into new and edgy spaces.
- Rustic Charm
- The mixture of contemporary and traditional settings can be a trend that invokes a rustic charm in architecture.
- Unique Shopping Districts
- The creation of a unique shopping destination through the conversion of old and historic warehouses can become a trend in retail development.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Real Estate Development
- Real estate developers can transform old and unused industrial buildings into a unique space with a combination of modern and historic elements.
- Retail
- Retailers can take advantage of industrial warehouses to create unique shopping experiences that attract customers with its historic and edgy charm.
- Architecture and Design
- The revival of brutalist and industrial architecture can create a disruptive innovation opportunity for architects and designers to revamp old industrial buildings into new and contemporary spaces.
